Jimmy Wales wrote:
daniwo59@aol.com wrote:
It seems to me that supporting the creation a single chapter for these independent countries and cultures, solely on the basis of them having once been part of a single state, might be considered offensive to the people involved.
It might be, to some, but to many others it would not be. Each location around the globe will involve different circumstances.
No one is proposing that Austria and Hungary merge their potential chapters,
Right, but Austria and Hungary do not even share the same language.
France, Luxembourg, Swiss, Belgium, Monaco share the same language.
nor is anyone suggesting that the UK, Canada, and Australia set up a single chapter, though the cultural differences there may be even less distinct and they still share a single crown, language, etc.
Right, but UK, Canada, and Australia do not even share the same geographical location.
France, Luxembourg, Swiss, Belgium, Monaco are located in the same area.
These matters are for the local people to decide, of course. But I believe based on my experience in talking to people in this region, there is a strong sentiment from a lot of people that the ideas of radically different language, culture, etc., is hardly a settled matter for most ordinary people.
--Jimbo
But France, Luxembourg, Swiss, Belgium, Monaco are independant countries. With different laws. Different tax considerations.
And different chapters.