Country within the country: how to understand this?

Strangely enough, it sounds, but in the modern world there are a lot of paradoxes, when you can find such concepts as "the state inside the state" and "the country within the country." The difference between them is quite substantial. Now we will try to see how a state within a state (a country within another) can exist and be governed.

The concept of enclaves and semi-enclaves

To begin with it is necessary to distinguish clearly the basic concepts. As a rule, states or countries that are in the territorial affiliation of other countries are called enclaves (so far there is no question of what constitutes the supremacy of state power inside the country). From the point of view of territorial dependence, exemplary countries are the San Marino type, surrounded on all sides by Italy, and Lesotho is a country that is completely surrounded by South Africa.

In general, this concept comes from the Latin inclavare or from the French term enclave, which in literal translation means "lock-up".

Half-enclaves are countries that have access to the sea, but are surrounded on all other sides by other states. These can be called Portugal, Brunei, etc.

On the other hand, if one approaches the issue of local self-government, often some states may not obey the general laws of the countries on whose territory they are located. Most often this is due to religious activities. However, even in this case the country within the country may have an official or unofficial status and even full or partial independence.

Religious considerations

As for religion, there are two most striking examples. It is the Vatican (independent state) and Christiania in the region of Denmark's capital Copenhagen - Christianshavn - with semi-legal status. Sometimes it is also called: The Free City of Christiania.

Of course, the Order of Malta could also be classified as an enclave , but in this case the distinction by status or self-government is very conditional, so it should not be confused with the state of Malta itself. It is rather a non-governmental organization, even without a territorial affiliation.

Vatican

The Vatican, as you know, is an independent state within the country of Italy, more precisely, within its capital city of Rome. It is clear that the boundaries here practically do not exist. Another thing is that access to the Vatican is limited at certain times.

In terms of religion, the Vatican is the seat of the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church. This is the smallest state in the world, Italian laws do not obey, although there is much in common between them. Nevertheless, the Vatican has its own army, police, etc.

Christiania

Now a few words about Christiania. This country within the country, and its independence, are purely conditional, so to speak, in a semi-legal form.

It is believed that its laws and regulations are here, and the country itself, if it can be called so, is officially not recognized by Denmark. Another thing is that such exotic things are most feared by tourists.

What is most sad, despite some religious considerations, on the main street under the name of Pusher Street, there is an active trade in light drugs, but there are bans on photographing, heavy drugs, bulletproof vests, weapons and cars. In addition, theft is prohibited here. Agree, this is a double-edged sword.

It would seem that there can be a general relationship between drugs and Christians. After all, the canons of the Church clearly indicate a ban. This, rather, resembles not even the state, but a certain society of individuals who have fenced themselves off from reality and profess the freedom of the individual, as the hippies did in the sixties of the last century.

San marino

San Marino is the smallest country in the country, recognized on an official level. As for the laws, yes, they are their own, but if we talk about boundaries, then, as is already clear, there is none at all. Under the laws of the European Union, free movement within it is free of any kind of passport control.

This country is headed by two captains-regent, elected for six months (from April 1 to October 1 and from October 1 to April 1). Although they are the heads of state, nevertheless, it also has a parliament of 60 deputies, represented in the form of the Great General Council. Incidentally, despite its small population, this country within the country has even seven political parties, and supervision of compliance with legislation is carried out by the Collegium of guarantees of constitutional norms.

Lesotho

Another vivid example of a country completely located on the territory of another state is Lesotho. This country is surrounded on all sides by the territory of South Africa.

Despite this, there is a constitutional monarchy, headed by the king. This decision was made in 1993. As already understood, in the absence, illness or death of the monarch, the state is governed by the regent. But the king himself is more of a purely ceremonial person than having real power, which is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister, the bicameral parliament and the National Assembly, which performs the functions of the executive power.

Conclusion

We gave only the most vivid examples of clean enclaves, which differ among themselves according to the principles of territorial belonging, according to their own canons for the construction of the state system, and the adoption and observance of constitutional norms.

Of course, states like Christiania can be called just some conventions, since in fact they are not recognized either by the countries where they proclaimed independence, nor by the world community. From the point of view of the scientific approach, it is necessary to clearly understand the existing difference between these enclaves and pseudo-states, which in the world arise almost every year.