Kalistan

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Empress considers Recognizing World Congress
Her Imperial Majesty said to be "weighing options"
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 14, 5560


Empress holds informal audience with Dr. Sam Moritomo, among others, on possible role for Kalistan in WC

One of the biggest gaps in Kalistan's foreign relations has long been its refusal to acknowledge the World Congress.  Though it has consistently contributed votes for delegation to the World Congress' security council, Kalistan has received a reputation as one who stands outside that organization.  But now, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto is weighing her options with regard to sending a permanent delegation to the WC General Assembly as a seated member.

"The Empress doesn't share Kalistan's traditional suspicion of the World Congress," said Dr. Sam Moritomo, of Imperial University in Kalistan.  "As a result, she has spent the last few years meeting with various international law scholars, both from within the Empire, as well as from places like Kundrati and Lourenne, to discuss the pros and cons of being a member of the body.  While I can't say one way or another, the questions she asked me were about the logistics of joining the World Congress, as if she is coming down on the side of joining.  Its hard to say:  She also asked about the history of Kalistani abstention from the proceedings.  So, I suppose we will know when she finally makes up her mind."

Kalistan has traditionally sat outside the body despite it being a world forum to discuss international affairs.  "Kalistan doesn't support the collective security aspects of the Charter, first and foremost, and if we ultimately stay outside of it, it will likely be for that reason," said Professor Moritomo.  "Kalistan does not like the idea of liberal internationalism, and the World Congress was built by and for liberal internationalists.  So, this is a large strike against the organization in any Kalistani's eyes, except the Empress, who may have a different perspective."

Another thing which Kalistan could object to would be the inability of the General Assembly to compel action from the Security Council, while the Security Council is made almost exclusively of powerful states.  "We know in Kalistan, something that the world is unwilling to acknowledge, that international law is only 'what powerful nations say it is'," said Dr. Moritomo.  "In other words, there is no such thing as eternal international law principles, nor is there a such thing as objective international law.  It literally is only what powerful states decide to enforce.  Kalistan would balk if any great power said Kalistan had to do this or that, when doing those things violate the national interest of Kalistan.  So the general disregard for the very concept of international law is a huge strike against joining the WC."

But, Moritomo said there are a number of reasons Kalistan might be considering joining, in spite of these obvious flaws and shortsightedness in the thinking of the creators of the World Congress.  "Staying outside the World Congress also puts Kalistan in the category of Pariah state," said the Professor.  "When countries are making plans for major state visits, they tend to not include Kalistan on their itinerary.  This necessarily cuts Kalistan completely out of deals that are going on around them, because people know if Kalistan is unwilling to bend the knee to the Global world order represented by the WC, it is likely unwilling to give concessions on more serious matters.  So people tend to not engage with Kalistan to the degree that Kalistan would prefer.  That leads Kalistan to engage in more risky behaviors to try to get others to actually engage with it."

Joining the World Congress would likely give Kalistan a larger voice in world affairs.  "Kalistan wants others to recognize its role as a regional leader," said Moritomo.  "It is a place that Kalistan has striven for for a long time, and in a body like the World Congress, Kalistan can take up efforts to do just that.  We have the knowledge, the resources, and the credibility to fill in that role, and perhaps even to balance at least some of the more egregious powerplays of the Security Council inside the World Congress, where as long as we stand outside of it, we have zero influence on what happens there."

Finally Moritomo said that the Empress is probably looking for an excuse to change Kalistani policy toward the World Congress.  "From what I can tell, one of the main issues is that the World Congress never asked Kalistan to join.  This is pretty important to Kalistanis.  They just assumed, at their founding that everyone would, but nobody ever came to Kalistan to try to sell us on the institution, and contrary to the beliefs of liberals, the benefits to joining are not immediately obvious.  I think Her Imperial Majesty would like to be the one to lead Kalistan into the World Congress, but she, and Kalistan are also extremely conservative, and they aren't going to change established policy for no reason whatsoever.  So, perhaps that is what she is waiting on.  It's hard to say."

Whatever the reasoning, Moritomo said nothing is likely to happen immediately.  "You're talking about changing hundreds and maybe more than a thousand years of settled policy," said the Professor.  "I can suggest to Her Imperial Majesty that we move that way, but I am just one voice among many.  I can just give her credit for listening.  It's more than her predecessors would have been willing to do.  She is an absolute monarch, however, and will make the decision that she sees fit, and while I have my preferences, we do as she bids us do with regard to the Anantonese State.  It is my hope she will continue to listen to different perspectives on the subject and make a wise decision one way or another."