Classification of micronations

Quantitative Classification (Boodlesmythe)

 * “Online” versus “Bricks and Mortar” — an “Online” micronation exists solely in the server space it occupies; whereas a “Bricks and Mortar” micronation might have an online presence, but would continue to exist if the server hosting their space ceased to exist.
 * “Tiny” versus “Small” versus “Sizeable” — a “Tiny” micronation would have from 1-10 members/citizens; a “Small” micronation would have from 11-50 members/citizens; and a “Sizeable” micronation would have 51 or more members/citizens.
 * “Community” versus “Statehood” — a “Community” micronation exists as a group of people with a shared set of goals or aims; whereas a “Statehood” micronation seeks to form a functional government and acquire sovereign territory.

Qualitative Classification (Tallini)

 * 7th World — Under the best of circumstances: a flaky micronation. Under the worst: a total joke.
 * 6th World — Under the best of circumstances: a serious micronation with potential, but it will need an attractive culture to fluorish. Under the worst: a sizeable community, more than a nation.
 * 5th World — Under the best of circumstances: serious competition for Sealand. Under the worst: a small community with great potential if it develops an attractive culture, and a committed few.

Whole Picture (Boodlesmythe-Tallini)

 * 1) Online, Tiny, Community — 7th World
 * 2) Online, Tiny, Statehood — 7th World
 * 3) Online, Small, Community — 7th World
 * 4) Online, Small, Statehood — 7th World
 * 5) Online, Sizeable, Community — 6th World
 * 6) Online, Sizeable, Statehood — 6th World
 * 7) Bricks and Mortar, Tiny, Community — 6th World
 * 8) Bricks and Mortar, Tiny, Statehood — 6th World
 * 9) Bricks and Mortar, Small, Community — 5th World
 * 10) Bricks and Mortar, Small, Statehood — 5th World
 * 11) Bricks and Mortar, Sizeable, Community — 5th World
 * 12) Bricks and Mortar, Sizeable, Statehood — 5th World

Dresner
Dresner's System of Classification, is another way of classifying the potential and importance of micronations. A specialty of this classification is that it automatically classifies all online micronations as "0".

The scale is fairly simple. The scale is from one to five, one being the worst class, and five being the best class. The categories, combined with the various scales are as follows:


 * Population
 * 1: 5 or less
 * 2: 15 or less
 * 3: 30 or less
 * 4: 50 or less
 * 5: 51 or more
 * Cultural development
 * 1: Hardly any culture in existence. (eg. very scant information, often no flag)
 * 2: Basic insignia in existence. (eg. flag, coat of arms, little detailed information)
 * 3: Some culture in existence (eg. a cuisine or national dish)
 * 4: A basic culture in existence (eg. a cuisine and a religion)
 * 5: A strong culture in existence (many aspects covered, eg. cuisine, religion, language, sport etc.)
 * Allies (this includes nations with mutual recognition)
 * 1: 2 allies or less
 * 2: 5 allies or less
 * 3: 10 allies or less
 * 4: 20 allies or less
 * 5: 21 allies upwards
 * Sphere of influence
 * 1: Micronation is widely ignored.
 * 2: Micronation is known and watched, but in no position to eg. threaten somebody. The highest honour available in the micronation would be nothing special for a foreigner.
 * 3: Micronation relatively well-known and its actions are followed by many. Should they threaten someone, it is not ignored but doesn't cause too great fear either, and the highest honour would be an honour, but is certainly outmatchable by honours from elsewhere.
 * 4: Micronation is well-known, its actions are quite important. A threat made by them is taken very seriously, and their highest honour is probably a very special honour for the recipient, which they will be quite thankful for.
 * 5: Micronation is widely known among micronationalists and outsiders alike. A threat would cause great fear among a micronation and its allies. Also, even one of the smaller honours of such a micronation would be regarded as an incredible honour by any recipient.
 * Budget
 * 1: Less than $50 spent yearly on the micronation in question. This includes internet connection and web hosting costs.
 * 2: Less than $100 spent yearly on the micronation in question. This includes internet connection and web hosting costs.
 * 3: Less than $150 spent yearly on the micronation in question. This includes internet connection and web hosting costs.
 * 4: Less than $200 spent yearly on the micronation in question. This includes internet connection and web hosting costs.
 * 5: More than $200 spent yearly on the micronation in question. This may or may not include internet connection and web hosting costs.

Level calculation
Finally, once all these are determined, one calculates the level of a specific micronation by taking the average of all the scores. If a factor is unknown, a guess can be made or it may be left out. Here is an example:


 * Petorio: 2/3/4/4/1 = 2+3+4+4+1 = 14; 14/5 = 2.8

Thus, Petorio's level would be 2.8. Here is what the levels mean:


 * 1-1.4: This... ...whatever it is does not deserve the term "micronation".
 * 1.5-1.9: Not a micronation worth mentioning, will probably fall apart very soon.
 * 2.0-2.9: If it is a very young micronation, it may yet prosper; if it is older (four months upwards), it is relatively insignificant, but not necessarily to be ignored. Many older ones are in a temporary period of inactivity, but may ascend to a level 3.0-3.9 micronation eventually.
 * 3.0-3.9: A very average micronation, they exist en masse. No need to ignore them, but they probably aren't very special or interesting. Often it is hard to tell the difference between them, and if they stay at this level for a long time it is probably because of a lack of population, time, effort, and/or interest.
 * 4.0-4.9: One of the most significant micronations. There was a lot of effort involved in getting the micronation to this level. Once here, it is quite difficult for the nation to fall back down unless it becomes inactive, like Scientopia.
 * 5.0: What some describe as a micronational superpower; this would be something like Sealand, Molossia, Liberland etc., although the mentioned two are in a process of becoming less and less active. Thus, they may have to be reclassified soon.

Categoric-Gradial
The Categoric-Gradial System of Classification is another way of classifying the potential and importance of micronations. It was revised by its creator on December 27, 2011, to more accurately adapt to the changes in the view of "success" in micronational terms that had occurred since the original conception of the system. As its alternate name says, it works with Categories and Gradients, exactly five of each. A specialty of this classification is that it automatically classifies all micronations whose main claims are not on Earth as "0".

The scale is fairly simple. The scale is from one to five, one being the worst class, and five being the best class. The categories, combined with the various scales are as follows:


 * Politics
 * 0: Completely inactive government.
 * 1: Government is barely active, no more than a maximum of 3 laws passed per year.
 * 2: Government is slightly active, no more than a maximum of 5 laws passed per year.
 * 3: Government is somewhat active, a minimum of 5 laws passed per year.
 * 4: Government is active, a minimum of 8 laws passed per year.
 * 5: Government is very active, a minimum of 13 laws passed per year.
 * Cultural development
 * 0: No unique culture in existence.
 * 1: Hardly any culture in existence. (eg. very scant information, often no flag)
 * 2: Basic insignia in existence. (eg. flag, coat of arms, little detailed information)
 * 3: Some culture in existence (eg. a cuisine or national dish)
 * 4: A basic culture in existence (eg. a cuisine and a religion)
 * 5: A strong culture in existence (many aspects covered, eg. cuisine, religion, language, sport etc.)
 * Negative perception
 * 0: Nation is criticised by everyone or almost everyone and has only or mostly negative relations.
 * 1: Nation is criticised or has negative relations with more than 7 nations.
 * 2: Nation more than 5 and up to and including 7 nations.
 * 3: Nation more than 2 and 5 nations.
 * 4: Nation up to and including 2 nations.
 * 5: Nation is not criticised and has only positive relations.
 * Budget
 * 0: Apart from the head of government's internet connection, nothing is spent to further the nation.
 * 1: Less than $50 USD spent yearly on the micronation in question. This includes its head of government's internet connection and web hosting costs.
 * 2: Less than $100 USD.
 * 3: Less than $150 USD.
 * 4: Less than $200 USD.
 * 5: More than $200 USD. This may or may not include its head of government's internet connection and web hosting costs.
 * Development
 * 0: Has nothing more than the bare necessities (an old computer with freeware software)
 * 1: Has basic amenities like a fairly new computer with modern, commercial software.
 * 2: Has slightly more advanced amenities like the above, a currency and optionally a website.
 * 3: Has average amenities like the above, a few service-oriented businesses and optionally a forum.
 * 4: Has good amenities like the above, a self-made building, monument or such and one or more production-oriented businesses.
 * 5: Has excellent amenities like the above, some transport, a good, content-rich, well-designed website, and optionally primary industry.

Level calculation
Finally, once all these are determined, one calculates the level of a specific micronation by taking the average of all the scores. If a factor is unknown, a guess can be made or it may be left out. Here is an example:


 * Francisville: 1/3/5/5/3 = 1+3+5+5+3 = 17; 17/5 = 3.4

Thus, Petorio's level would be 2.8. Here is what the levels mean:


 * 1-1.4: This... ...whatever it is does not deserve the term "micronation".
 * 1.5-1.9: If it is a very young micronation, it may yet prosper; if it is older (four months upwards), it is relatively insignificant, but not necessarily to be ignored. Many older ones are in a temporary period of inactivity, but may ascend to a level 3.0-3.9 micronation eventually.
 * 2.0-3.0: A very average micronation, they exist en masse. No need to ignore them, but they probably aren't very special or interesting. Often it is hard to tell the difference between them, and if they stay at this level for a long time it is probably because of a lack of population, time, effort, and/or interest.
 * 3.1-4.9: One of the most significant micronations. There was a lot of effort involved in getting the micronation to this level. Once here, it is quite difficult for the nation to fall back down unless it becomes inactive, like Petorio.
 * 5.0: What some describe as a micronational superpower; this would be something like Sealand, Molossia, etc.

MPI
The Micronational Potential Index (MPI) was created in order to rank and evaluate the micronations which are 6 months or less and would most likely have a very low score on the Dresner System of Classification. The system takes on a light-hearted and optimistic walk-through-style attitude and has some messages of encouragement for those with scores of 0 on one or more grades. The scoring is as follows:

I. Population (Excluding website members)


 * 0. Micronation is online. But that could change.
 * 1. Yourself.
 * 2. 2 to 5 people.
 * 3. 6 to 10 people.
 * 4. 11 to 15 people.
 * 5. 16 and up.

II. Website activeness


 * 0. Micronation has no website...yet. But keep an eye on it!
 * 1. One forum post or comment every 2 weeks.
 * 2. One forum post or comment every 10 days.
 * 3. One forum post or comment every 7 days.
 * 4. One forum post or comment every 4 days.
 * 5. One forum post or comment every 36 hours.

III. Diplomacy


 * 0. Micronation has no allies. It just needs to work itself out first.
 * 1. 1 or 2 allies.
 * 2. 3 or 4 allies.
 * 3. 5 or 6 allies.
 * 4. 7 or 8 allies.
 * 5. 9 allies and up.

IV. Sphere of Influence (M-D equals Dresner equivalent on their same category)


 * 0. Relatively unknown outside of the creator's immediate vicinity. That's bound to change.


 * 1. Not known outside an extremely limited area online.


 * 2. Somewhat unknown or widely ignored.


 * 3. Known by some micronations, but not really popular.


 * 4. Known inside the micronational community but not seen as the most successful or popular micronation.


 * 5. Known by people and throughout the micronational Internet.

V. Basic Information


 * 0. Has a name only. That's a start, though!


 * 1. Has a flag.


 * 2. Has a flag and anthem.


 * 3. Has both of those, a coat of arms, and a motto.


 * 4. Has all four of those and a national language and religion.


 * 5. Has all six of those and another informational category, such as a patron saint or national sport.

Grading

 * 0-0.9: You've just started, right? That's okay. The points won't all come in one day. Give it time and effort and you will rise.
 * 1-1.9: If your micronation is 1 month old, you're right on track. Keep going!
 * 2-2.9: Your micronation should be around 2.5 months old. You are doing an excellent job so far and hopefully you haven't lost interest in your country. Press on!
 * 3-3.9: Your micronation should be around 4 months old and if it is it has developed quite a lot. Eventually you'll be ready to move on.
 * 4-4.9: Is your micronation 5 or 5.5 months old? If so you're almost ready to move on! It's okay if you don't make the final grade, you'll still be able to proceed.
 * 5.0: Congratulations! You are now fully prepared to move on. Once you get here or reach 6 months old, you should stop using this system and move on to the much harsher Mark-Dresner System. Good luck!

Freayth
Stephen Freayth's System of Classification was a system of classification designed to conform to ideas in the micronational community at the time of its creation. Some of the criteria were granted by Freayth himself and as such the classification has been deprecated following his departure from the community.

Politics

 * 1 - Government is inactive to somewhat active; Legislation passed is less than 3 under a year and elections/appointments being held only under 1 ½ year.
 * 2 - Government is moderately active; Legislation passed is at least 5-8 times under a year and elections/appointments being done under a year/10 months or every 6 months.
 * 3 - Government is very active; Legislation passed is more than 9 times in a year and elections/appointments are done quarterly.

Development

 * 1 - Has none to basic resource such as a fairly modern computer, a website, social media accounts, e-mail and etc.
 * 2 - Has slightly more advanced features like a currency, monuments, forum (optionally) and a newspaper or digital news.
 * 3 - Has excellent amenities like the above, but with some slight transport; a well designed and richly written website, production oriented business and primary industry.

Budget

 * 1 - Less than USD $25 or none in a year
 * 2 - Less than USD $125 in a year
 * 3 - More than USD $250 in a year or more

Cultural and nationalistic development

 * 1 - Little to basic devices and insignias present such as flags, CoAs, detailed information and little cultural development like a national drink/dish.
 * 2 - Some to basic cultural presence such as an established religion, a cuisine, holidays and observances, sports and etc.
 * 3 - Strong cultural presence such as a well established religion and language, sports, a well implemented observance of holidays and traditions in a micronation.

Freedoms

 * 1 - Has some to moderate freedoms.
 * 2 - Has moderate freedoms.
 * 3 - Has absolute freedoms.

Influence within the community

 * 1 - Has barely to some influence within the community.
 * 2 - Has moderately to agreeable influence within the community.
 * 3 - Has a large influence within the community.

Grading system
All scores are added then divided by 3 to get the level.


 * 1 - 2.5 - A young or developing micronation.
 * 2.6 - 3.9 - An average or somewhat advanced micronation.
 * 4 - 5.8 - An influential and advanced micronation.
 * 5.8 - 6 - A somewhat ‘superpower’ micronation like Molossia, Sealand and etc.

EPI
This system was designed to give micronations a quick overview of another nation's economy or economic potential before opening trade-negotiations with it.

Gross Domestic Product

 * To calculate your micronation's GDP, use the following formula:, with Y=GDP, C=Consumer Spending, I=Investment made by industry, X=Total Value of Exports, M=Total Value of Imports, and G=Government Spending.  Use intl$ for the GDP.
 * This value may be left out if the GDP is uncalculatable.
 * -5: Lower than -$200
 * -4: -$200 or higher
 * -3: -$150 or higher
 * -2: -$100 or higher
 * -1: -$50 or higher
 * 0: No GDP
 * 1: $50 or lower
 * 2: $100 or lower
 * 3: $150 or lower
 * 4: $200 or lower
 * 5: Higher than $200
 * *Give this category 2x weight in your average.

Type of economy

 * Halve this value if one or more gender-roles is occupationally, educationally, or otherwise oppressed. Also, this value does not count unless the Gross Domestic Product score is 3 or higher
 * 0: No market
 * 1: Agrarian
 * 2: Agrarian-Industrial
 * 3: Industrial
 * 4: Industrial-Consumerist
 * 5: Consumerist

Human resources

 * This is the number of citizens with the ability and time to work within the micronation in question. Naturally, those outside the labour pool should not be counted for this section.
 * Note that this section is weighted 2x if its value is 3 or lower.
 * 0: One or less
 * 1: Four or less
 * 2: Eight or less
 * 3: Sixteen or less
 * 4: Twenty-four or less
 * 5: Thirty-six or more

Unemployment rate

 * Also, this value does not count unless the Human resources score is 1 or higher.
 * -1: More than 95% of total labour pool is unemployed
 * 0: Between 80% and 95% of labour pool is unemployed
 * 1: Between 60% and 80% of labour pool is unemployed
 * 2: Between 40% and 60% of labour pool is unemployed
 * 3: Between 20% and 40% of labour pool is unemployed
 * 4: Between 5% and 20% of labour pool is unemployed
 * 5: Less than 5% of total population is unemployed

Size of the middle-class

 * This section includes citizens outside of the labour pool. Also, this value does not count unless the Human resources score is 4 or higher.
 * -1: Less than 5% of total population is middle-class
 * 0: Between 5% and 20% of total population is middle-class
 * 1: Between 20% and 40% of total population is middle-class
 * 2: Between 40% and 60% of total population is middle-class
 * 3: Between 60% and 80% of total population is middle-class
 * 4: Between 80% and 95% of total population is middle-class
 * 5: More than 95% of total population is middle-class

Natural & capital resources

 * This section counts things such as lumber, wool, and iron, among others. The micronation in question must have a means by which to extract/process these resources in order for them to count. For example, a micronation which sits on a gold-mine but which hasn't the capability to mine that gold should not count gold for this section.  Similarly, a micronation which has sewing facilities but no thread should not count their sewing machine.
 * It should also be noted that land itself does not count for this section, as it is a prerequisite for statehood under the Montevideo Convention, which makes it a null-point in comparing most micronations. In the event of a micronation with no claimed land, subtract one from this section.  Also, if the micronation in question has land but does not have the ability to produce food, subtract 1 from this section's score.
 * 0: No usable resources
 * 1: One usable resource
 * 2: Two usable resources
 * 3: Three usable resources
 * 4: Four usable resources
 * 5: Six or more usable resources
 * *Give this category 2x weight in your average.

Means of Distribution

 * This refers to the means of distribution that are available to your micronation. If your macronation has Land, Train, Sea, and Air, you don't unless your micronation owns trucks, railroads, ships, and planes. If all of your micronation's means of distribution are through another country's means of distribution, then you should check "Internet/Virtual", unless you are unable to use the Internet. If you have a 0 for your Natural & capital resources score, don't count this category.
 * 0: No means of distribution
 * 1: Internet/Virtual
 * 2: One means of distribution
 * 3: Two means of distribution
 * 4: Three means of distribution
 * 5: Four or more means of distribution

Level calculation
These factors are all then added-up together and divided by nine. This value is then rounded to the nearest tenth place; or if negative, set to 0. The resultant number is that particular micronation's EPI (Economic Potential Index). Here are some short descriptions of what different EPI's indicate:


 * 0: This micronation hasn't got much of any sort of an economy.
 * 1: This micronation has serious potential for a very basic economy.
 * 2: This micronation has serious potential for a basic economy.
 * 3: This micronation has serious potential for a small economy.
 * 4: This micronation has serious potential for a decent economy.
 * 5: This micronation has serious potential for a strong economy.

Universal Nation
The Universal Nation index was an index used to classify alternate polities used by the "Project Nations" community, this community eschewed the term "micronation" for their own entities and created a set of "requirements" to fall outside the term.

1. Recognised Nation Requirements

 * MUST have a structured government
 * MUST have an institutionalised government
 * MUST have citizens
 * MUST have a defined land claim
 * MUST have occupational power over land
 * MUST have permanent population
 * MUST have developed and developing infrastructure
 * MUST have Law, Order and Monopoly over Violence (police, military)
 * MUST have a capacity to enter into international diplomacy & trade
 * MUST have recognition by majority of Recognised nations

2. Semi-Recognised Nation Requirements

 * MUST have a structured government
 * MUST have an institutionalised government
 * MUST have citizens
 * MUST have a defined land claim
 * MUST have occupational power over land
 * MUST have permanent population
 * MUST have developed and developing infrastructure
 * MUST have Law, Order and Monopoly over Violence (police, military)
 * MUST have a capacity to enter into international diplomacy & trade
 * MUST have recognition by one or more Recognised nations

3. Unrecognised Nation Requirements

 * MUST have a structured government
 * MUST have an institutionalised government
 * MUST have citizens
 * MUST have a defined land claim
 * MUST have occupational power over land
 * MUST have permanent population
 * MUST have developed and developing infrastructure
 * MUST have Law, Order & Monopoly over Violence
 * MUST have a capacity to enter into international diplomacy & trade

4. Project Nation Requirements

 * MUST have a structured government
 * MUST have an institutionalised government
 * MUST have citizens
 * MUST have a defined land claim
 * MUST have occupational power over land
 * MUST have permanent population
 * MUST have developed and developing infrastructure
 * SHOULD have a form of Law and Order
 * SHOULD have a capacity to enter into diplomacy & trade

5. Quasi-Project Nation Requirements

 * MUST have a structured government
 * MUST have an institutionalised government
 * MUST have citizens
 * MUST have a defined land claim
 * SHOULD have occupational power over land
 * SHOULD have permanent population
 * SHOULD have developing infrastructure

6. Institutionalised Micronation Requirements

 * MUST have a structured government
 * MUST have an institutionalised government
 * MUST have citizens
 * SHOULD have a land claim

7. Simulationist Micronation Requirements

 * SHOULD have a structured government
 * SHOULD have an institutionalised government
 * SHOULD have citizens