eli5: Since the U.S is described as ”a union between 50 free states” and gets more compared with the structure of the EU than, say, the counties of England; how come Texas or Oklahoma doesn’t compete independently in the olympics, or have independent representation in the UN? A union isn’t a nation
In: 2
1. That description isn’t entirely accurate. The states are not “free”, they are bound together by the Constitution and subject to its restrictions. It is a much tighter association than that of the EU but, yes, less than that of English counties. One of those restrictions basically says that the States cannot act as independent nations and establish relationships with international entities on their own.
2. Texas and Oklahoma don’t compete independently of the Olympics because they can’t. Only “independent State(s) recognized by the international community.” In this context, State is equivalent to “nation.”
In order for Texas and Oklahoma to compete independent of the USA they would have to:
1. Declare independence.
2. Be recognized by the “international community” as an independent State.
3. Assemble a National Olympic Committee (NOC).
4. Have their NOC accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
5. Assemble their Olympic team.
And, since the last time US states attempted to secede from the Union there was a Civil War, said states will likely be too busy to care about sending some people to the Olympics.
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