Talk:Republic of the French Southern Territories (1983: Doomsday)

Plausibility of the French Antilles
It seems unlikely to me, in my humble opinion, that the French Antilles would have refused to join the ECF for 16 years, only to join the RFTA in 1999. The ECF has over six times the population of the French Antilles, dominates the islands economically, and surrounds them geographically.

The FA are in a poor position to support themselves, following the collapse of mainland France. As overseas departments, the stability of their economies depended on large subsidies and favourable importation from the mainland. As Caribbean islands, they would suffer the same tertiary sector collapse that the rest of the Caribbean suffered, only worse because of their economic dependence on a country that no longer exists. Beyond that, Martinique and Guadelope have an outsized population compared to the resources available on their respective islands, as compared to similar nearby nations.

In order to survive even the first five years, let alone sixteen years, the FA would have to become severely dependent on aid from nearby nations, nearly a protectorate. The ECF would be the first choice, literally encapsulating the FA within their territory.

The only thing joining the RFTA has going for it is the common culture. I respect the powerful force that the desire for cultural unification can be, but idealism has to give way to realpolitik in times of crisis. This is the same reason the USAR didn't join the provisional United States : culture doesn't feed your citizens.

I propose that the French Antilles become either their own nation or a part of the ECF, rather than this. Thoughts and objections? Regentage (talk) 17:45, July 26, 2013 (UTC)