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

Question

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

Answer 1

Because they are free states, not independent nations. We still live under a shared single constitution. With one standing army and one national border. The constitution isn’t just a set of guiding principles dictating mutual protection and shared rights. It’s a document that establishes one nation. The Preamble to the Constitution sets it out pretty clearly. We are a United States of America, not associated nations of America.

International law recognizes it as one nation. Even all those ‘independent nations’ we call reservations for Native Americans aren’t given independent representation in international dealings, either. There’s no Cherokee team at the Olympics.