United Scandinavia?

[Daily]

Good evening gents.

I have been influenced by my old man that the Scandinavian countries should unite under one banner and create a single nation. Now as many might believe is that Finland and Iceland is a part of Scandinavia but that is wrong. These countries are part of the Nordic nations. They might be viable to join but still the first goal is to gather up Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Why? You might ask with a weird look on your face. Well for the sole purpose of gathering resources and making us more powerful. Since the Scandinavian countries mostly can understand one another and their languages are pretty much alike there is no real cultural conflicts that would arise. Also it would actually strengthen our culture and make us feel we are apart of something greater, especially here in Norway.

The capitol should be in Stockholm because this city have the history of a powerful nation behind it. With these countries gathered our population would be 19 518 704 (Wikipedia)

I feel this would be a great achievement for Scandinavia. It would create a nation that stand the test of time instead of what we have now which is three small nations.

So what do you think? Would this be a positive thing? Is it doable, if not, why? Discuss.

[Treize]

I think we should unite the BeNeLux.

[Vizsla]

Kalmar Union redux? Why not?
Definitely worth a fumble.
The reasons for the EU not working do not apply.
If you could swing Greenland and Iceland too you’d also potentially have access to a lot of oil under the icecap some day soon.

[James the Red]

Greenland

Greenland is already apart of Denmark.

But it shouldn't be, because only, what was it, 10%ish of the population is Scandinavian.

The majority are Inuit who speak Inuit language (Greenlandish)
Keep Greenland out of your Scandinavian union.

[Tiberios]

But it shouldn't be, because only, what was it, 10%ish of the population is Scandinavian.

Greenland has autonomy and is not a fully integrated part of Denmark. So far they haven't chosen independence, which they could. A part from the strategic location, Greenland is off very little value for Denmark. That will only change if a viable and extractable oil reserve is found.

[Phalanx300]

I think we should unite the BeNeLux.

I agree.

[Roboute Guilliman]

I think we should unite the BeNeLux.

No and off-topic.

[Anarius]

As a Norwegian, I have no problem with this. In fact, I'd love to see that happen. I read in a newspaper article that united Scandinavia +Finland and Iceland would be the 17th (?) largest economy of the world, according to some professor or the other. One of the reasons Norway and Iceland aren't part of the EU is that the more populous countries have more say, and our voices would be drowned out, so to speak. Not so if this union were to happen.

EDIT: Eleventh largest economy. I know absolutely zip about economy, but sounds good anyway.
Also, it was Gunnar Wetterberg, who is an historian.

[Avix]

If we were to unite, we could be a major superpower in the world. But a new government must be made before we are abled to.

[SonOfOdin]

Cultures are similar, Language is similar, Economically it might be better...sure why not?

[PointOfViewGun]

Seems like a good idea but do they need it?

[Tiberios]

Not going to happen I think. I don't want it to happen either. I like my country being my country. I especially do not want the relaxed immigration laws of Sweden.

If Denmark and Norway were to unite, I might like it, but I prefer the status quo.

[Their Law]

Not going to happen I think. I don't want it to happen either. I like my country being my country. I especially do not want the relaxed immigration laws of Sweden.

If Denmark and Norway were to unite, I might like it, but I prefer the status quo.

Ah but if history has taught us anything is that it is the heroic Swedes who fight for freedom against the Kalmar jackboot.


As an aside, what is it with Denmark and Norway's dislike of Sweden?

[Tiberios]

As an aside, what is it with Denmark and Norway's dislike of Sweden?

I think it has it's roots in the wars with Sweden. Denmark lost Scania and Norway lost Bohuslen and another province. That knowadays might not have much influence, so I think it's the attitude of Swedish politicians. They regularly, criticise the policies of the current Danish Government, unfounded or not, and that provokes some people in Denmark. Other than that, I think some Danes find Swedes, or at least their Government, very arrogant and self righteuos.

[Their Law]

I think it has it's roots in the wars with Sweden. Denmark lost Scania and Norway lost Bohuslen and another province. That knowadays might not have much influence, so I think it's the attitude of Swedish politicians. They regularly, criticise the policies of the current Danish Government, unfounded or not, and that provokes some people in Denmark. Other than that, I think some Danes find Swedes, or at least their Government, very arrogant and self righteuos.

So Denmark and Norway are a bit butt-hurt that Sweden kicked their collective asses?

[Daily]

First to address Adars comment. We would have to write a constitution which makes it easier for us merge together. And yes it would be hard the first 10-20 years because people hold unto their petty opinions. Norway at least with it's some times failed politics.

All you Danes who cling to have the capitol in Copenhagen. Why? Stockholm got the largest population all over if you take the metropolitan areas in and (in my humble opinion) have a more large city feel to it. And also to those who talk about more connected to the continent. Uhm it's just closer. It's still on a island. No offense meant though. I just feel that Stockholm is more in the center of a United Scandinavia (even more if Finland joined). But this is not of the most importance. Oslo is still out of the question... EDIT: Kralle made a good point. Just so that people wont be infuriated over that they lose their capitol.

The first thing all of you have to do is to sacrifice. Your capitol for the first, then comes the fact that you will be sharing with Norwegian, Swedish and Danes. This alone can dishearten a lot of people since they might not even want to share with their own population. What I mean about this is that you now have a lot people to share your taxes with. And a lot of politics in the different countries is really different from each other. This will take some kind of easing into and at first it might be important to go on with a different politic in each country and slowly ease them together.

If Scandinavia would unite I would vote that we joined the EU. I will explain a little more about this later.

[Tiberios]

All you Danes who cling to have the capitol in Copenhagen. Why? Stockholm got the largest population all over if you take the metropolitan areas in and (in my humble opinion) have a more large city feel to it. And also to those who talk about more connected to the continent. Uhm it's just closer. It's still on a island. No offense meant though.

Still, Copenhagen is closer to the continent and the infrastructure makes it easy to cross the Øresund and Lillebælt. If you move on land from Stockholm, you'd have to go that way any way. Or through the Baltics, but that's not exactly a shortcut.

The first thing all of you have to do is to sacrifice. Your capitol for the first, then comes the fact that you will be sharing with Norwegian, Swedish and Danes. This alone can dishearten a lot of people since they might not even want to share with their own population. What I mean about this is that you now have a lot people to share your taxes with. And a lot of politics in the different countries is really different from each other. This will take some kind of easing into and at first it might be important to go on with a different politic in each country and slowly ease them together.

If Scandinavia would unite I would vote that we joined the EU. I will explain a little more about this later.

Another question is, what about the Monarchies? I sincerly doubt Swedes would accept either the Danish or Norwegian Monarch as head of state of Scandinavia and the so on. How should that be solved? Let the Monarchies remain in their countries as head of states there under a common President? Should the monarchies be abolished alltogether?

I simply belive it would be far too complicated to establish a united Scandinavia. Personally I wouldn't accept it either. I have nothing against Norwegians or Swedes, but I want my country to remain independent as it is.

[Adar]

First to address Adars comment. We would have to write a constitution which makes it easier for us merge together. And yes it would be hard the first 10-20 years because people hold unto their petty opinions. Norway at least with it's some times failed politics. .

What your essentially saying is that we have to commit a lot of hard work and sacrifice our independence in order to... Get nothing really.

I simply belive it would be far too complicated to establish a united Scandinavia. Personally I wouldn't accept it either. I have nothing against Norwegians or Swedes, but I want my country to remain independent as it is.

It's like with the majority of the people in the world. We might be friends but we don't want to marry them .

[SPECTREtm]

All you Danes who cling to have the capitol in Copenhagen. Why? Stockholm got the largest population all over if you take the metropolitan areas in and (in my humble opinion) have a more large city feel to it.

• Copenhagen is a cosmopolitan city (read: international/globalized), Stockholm doesn't really compare.
• The Øresund Region is the largest economic hub in Scandinavia which the largest potential for expansion.
• CPH is the largest airport in Scandinavia, and a major hub in Northern Europe, and it is much closer to the city itself than Arlanda.
• Copenhagen is much closer to the major trading ports in Europe. Money matters!

Stockholm may have a bit more people living there, but it's geograhpical position puts it at a severe disadvantage over Copenhagen, which is much better connected to Europe, namely Germany, which would be the single most important trading partner for a united Scandinavia to begin with.

But... A United Nations of Scandinavia is never going to happen...

[Their Law]

Well from what i can gather it seems more like sibling rivalry then actual dislike, kind of akin to the English/Scottish/Welsh relationship (and hopefully Irish at some point).

As an aside the other province Norway lost was Jämtland i beleive.