NTGNTP (6th Draft): APPENDIX 2.3

2.3 A balkinization of North America, particularly the United States, periodically becomes a topic of speculation. Some believe all 50 states could split into a confederate arrangement, granting each federal independence with no central control. This argument may be criticized on its merits alone. First, the lower 48 boundaries are artificial, being drawn by political and treaty agreements. States are often already internally divided over geography and resources. Examples include the western and eastern sections of Washington, Oregon, and Colorado. Hence, the split would further fragment these, and other states. Second, interstate trade would seriously be impeded by lack of uniform regulations and federal highway monies. Many large, sparsely populated states, like New Mexico, receive a disproportionate amount of federal funding for interstate and other transportation systems. These would no longer be maintained. Third, the western U.S. has water issues which require external intervention. Water would no longer be parceled and re-diverted. Waterway systems would deteriorate. California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and the Midwest would resort to open warfare to settle water disputes over major rivers and watersheds originating in the Rocky Mountains. Artificial climates have been created by this system and would dry up. Agriculture would be eliminated. The situation would be most unpleasant and unworkable.

Of course, a regional fragmentation could occur into several large sub-nations. The west, south, east and Alaska could all go their separate ways, but not along individual state lines. Mexico and Canada would probably follow suite. Quebec has already made the attempt. These regions are all large enough to sustain themselves. Of course, the issue of common currency would be a large hurdle...