Heineken's Modest Proposal
The late Freddy Heineken, of Dutch beer fame, proposed splitting Europe into small countries as a political and economic solution for many ills that plague the continent. Employing two historians, he created the map to the left.
It’s certainly interesting food for thought, though I don’t take it very seriously. Smaller countries and cultures, like Mr. Heineken’s own Holland, have always felt pushed or sidelined by their larger neighbors. I see this map as a way of taking them down in size, so all groups have a “fair fight”.
Even if enacted (and how could that happen, pray tell?), I’d still expect the English-speakers to band together against the French-speakers, etc. etc. The Flemish, Hungarians and Finns would still be on the outskirts.
Map and subject courtesy of the Strange Maps blog, original here.