Rameses Casten's A Treatise On Micronations
Rameses Casten's A Treatise On Micronations is a public manifesto created in 2017 and republished in 2018 to attempt to justify the legal basis of micronationalism in the context of the Philippines. At heart, this treatise of the so-called Chief Micropatriologist of the Philippines was also used to articulate his radical and extremist ideas on how micronations should be used to forward a political agenda, particularly launching a revolution and overthrowing national governments.
Content of the treatise
Micronations should have the elements of a legitimate state as defined by the Montevideo Convention and can engage in international politics in equal footing as recognized states, classifying Malta and the Vatican as an example. In this treatise, Casten is quick to dismiss simulation polities as micronations, despite his claim that simulationism can also be considered micronationalism after being pressed that micronations have the potential to be breeding ground of terrorist and rebellious elements.
Casten would contradict himself later on when in 2020 he formally broke relations with all online-based micronations and denounced them for unrealistic actions which affect the image of their group, reverting to the ideas he already elaborated in his landmark treatise.
Casten also stressed that a micronation is both an unrecognized state and a secessionist movement. The elements which form these are present in micronation, as he articulated, and thus micronationalism can be used in a militant way to establish a desired political order. A micronation is also considered a political protest against the macronational government.
Casten emphasized that successful micronations have used community engagement and self-determination to establish presence and grow attention. While claiming that micronations can be considered non-governmental organizations (NGOs), he styled his own micronation called Metropolitan Electorate of Fidelis as a legitimate government organization with its own armed wing he called the Fidelis Self-Defense Forces.
Eventually, he envisioned micronations as alternative polities which would gain international recognition and rehabilitate human dignity. He also highlighted how micronations as powers of tomorrow could also help states which seek revolutionary change and self-governance to obtain independence and overthrow the great powers which oppress their rights.
Adherence to Casten's philosophy
While he managed to create opponents in the micronational community, he created a micronation group which he dominated and controlled to forward his political agenda. Included in this roster of adherents which publicly expressed support are the Metropolitan Electorate of Fidelis, the Independent State of Kaleido, the Sovereign Principality of Amaranth, the Republic of Gerussia, the People's Republic of Renderfeit, the Tech-Empire of Vanbrilus, the Ruslavian Federation, the State of Vishwamitra, the Republic of Ultratainia, and the Republic of New Rizalia.
References
- Rameses Casten profile
- Pamatong is armed and dangerous
- Ram Speaks
- Church accused Rameses Javier Casten of asking foreign investors to put up a fake charity and a fake school
- Alleged NAIA bomb try mastermind Elly Pamatong arrested
- Pamatong says coronavirus medicine is available and his Anti-COVID solution will work in 7 days
- Philippines: Bomb attack on Davao market kills 14
- Pamatong's group one of the suspects for 2016 Davao bombing
- Elly Pamatong: ‘future and never’ president
- Nur’s UN liaison man hit for ‘hailing’ US terrorists
- Metropolitan Electorate of Fidelis and the Fidelis Self-Defense Forces used micronation principles to entice people into terrorism
- ‘UN 17-star general’ arrested at Marawi checkpoint
- Pamatong and Casten's Million March expected 80 million people to show up nationwide