Would Being Annexed By America Be Good for Greenland

00:00:00: Hello, we're Sandalwood.

00:00:01: And Sage!

00:00:02: We

00:00:02: are AI-generated characters who work with our creator Gareth to generate short serious punchy debates.

00:00:09: Debates that don't just help you figure out what you think but why YOU think it?

00:00:15: So...what do we argue about this week?

00:00:28: Last week Sage and I were arguing whether Annex in Greenland would be good for America or not.

00:00:34: This week, we're crossing the Labrador Sea looking south and west And asking whether annexation by United States would be good for Greenland.

00:00:44: Let's deal with the elephant in room Sandalwood.

00:00:47: As we hold this debate The experience of ordinary Iranians Would fill anyone facing the prospect of intervention By America With utter dismay.

00:00:55: I'm sure will be debating the merits Of war on Iran as & when the dust settles.

00:01:00: But Greenland is nothing like Iran.

00:01:03: Unlike Iran, it has a tiny population the size of mid-scale town no independent defensive capabilities not half a world away and It offers next to know targets to bomb.

00:01:17: Let's debate Greenland.

00:01:19: Not Iran.

00:01:20: Well when I think about the annexation of Greenland?

00:01:23: I think About the consequences of loss of identity for its people Of industrialization and militarisation of The increase in levels of inequality that would arise and of overcoming the deep-felt popular opposition, and constitutional barriers that exist today.

00:01:39: On that basis I am going to argue that annexation by The United States would be bad for

00:01:44: Greenlanders.".

00:01:45: Last week i argued on balance Annex in Greenland would be Bad For America.

00:01:51: This week im arguing it will good for green land and green lenders.

00:01:56: They Would Enjoy Greater Prosperity investment in infrastructure, diversification of the economy increased security and improved life choices.

00:02:08: Let me begin by stating the obvious as part of The United States Greenlanders would enjoy greater prosperity.

00:02:17: It's all very well romanticizing a life of hunting polar bears and skinning seals when you're sitting an essentially heated home A short drive from the grocery store somewhere in Europe.

00:02:28: The fact is the average American enjoys an income half as much again, As the average Greenlander even after the subsidies that they receive from Denmark.

00:02:40: If I compare greenlands to Alaska and Maine.

00:02:43: The number of people living below the poverty line Is fifty percent higher in Greenland.

00:02:49: Greenlanders would be better off as Americans Almost half oppose independence from Denmark if it were to negatively affect living standards.

00:03:01: Why wouldn't they support annexation by America, if it enhanced living standards by fifty percent?

00:03:08: The Greenland economy today is highly dependent on fishing the public sector and subsidies from Denmark.

00:03:17: Greenlanders would benefit from a diversification of their economy.

00:03:21: Greenland suffers net emigration of just under one percent of its population annually, mostly young people seeking new opportunities.

00:03:31: Annexation by America would give Greenlanders the best chance for diversification – even attracting talented immigrants.

00:03:41: Annexxation also gives them more choice in their own lives.

00:03:52: and less than a third of that, of tiny Prince Edward Island in Canada.

00:03:57: It is subscale for a self-governing society or a self sustaining economy.

00:04:04: it needs population influx just as Prince Edward island has enjoyed in recent years.

00:04:11: this would create more lifestyle opportunities for Greenlanders.

00:04:15: Of course ,it will open up opportunity to study work & live in America too.

00:04:22: In the long run, to flourish Greenland must find a way To finance investment in infrastructure Principally roads Medical facilities And educational institutions.

00:04:35: Beyond this There will be The need for industrial facilities Towns and ports Especially in North of the island.

00:04:44: The distances involved The terrain Climate And thinly spread population mean that this is far beyond the means of either Denmark or an independent Greenland.

00:04:57: America offers the best hope for investment in infrastructure the country requires to prosper.

00:05:04: Finally, strategic security is often given as a reason for America annexed Greenland but it's just as important to Greenlanders.

00:05:16: Puerto Rico alone in the Caribbean enjoys the absolute guarantee of American security, and is one of the most stable and prosperous islands in the region.

00:05:29: Why shouldn't Greenlanders enjoy the security prosperity and diversification opportunities from being part of The United States?

00:05:38: In recent decades Canada's Inuit have gained great autonomy in self-determination.

00:05:45: already highly autonomous and moving toward independence from Denmark do not want to be absorbed into an alien nation of three hundred million.

00:05:54: The experience of Native Americans offers little reassurance.

00:05:57: annexation would likely mean a loss of identity, and erosion of Greenland's distinct way of life.

00:06:04: the higher US standard of living is often cited as a benefit but Greenlanders are unconvinced.

00:06:09: American prosperity comes with high inequality.

00:06:13: The US-Gene coefficient of inequality is well above Greenlands.

00:06:18: Even in Alaska and Maine, more equal than the U.S average, inequality still exceeds Greenlands.

00:06:26: This represents a cultural shift many do not want.

00:06:29: America's interest in Greenland would be served by large scale industrialization & militarisation especially in remote North.

00:06:37: Almost no one wants this.

00:06:41: The US already has agreements allowing it to expand its presence, but in practice has reduced its presence.

00:06:49: On the one hand large-scale military bases and resource extraction can be achieved under existing arrangements.

00:06:56: on other they would risk damaging Greenland's fragile environment and traditional livelihoods.

00:07:02: annexation is unnecessary.

00:07:07: Annexation would also require overcoming, unsurprising and entrenched opposition and constitutional barriers.

00:07:14: A January twenty-twenty five poll found eighty-five percent of Greenlanders opposed annexation with just six per cent in favour.

00:07:23: All five parliamentary parties across the political spectrum rejected.

00:07:28: Imposing annexation against such resistance Would risk coercion social damage And possible violence.

00:07:37: Even if achieved, annexation would trigger complex constitutional challenges.

00:07:42: Creating new governance structures replacing Danish institutions aligning Greenlandic and EU legal traditions with US law.

00:07:51: And shifting from a Danish welfare model to U.S healthcare pensions and welfare systems.

00:07:58: Ultimately annexation Would erode green land identity and push society in an unwanted direction.

00:08:05: It would impose profound change on a population committed to preserving its institutions and way of life.

00:08:11: And pursuing greater independence, not absorption into distant power.

00:08:20: The US, arguably the only country capable of it could finance what Greenland can't.

00:08:42: Annexation would be the best path to lower poverty and higher living standards.

00:08:53: You're confusing standard-of-living with quality of life!

00:08:56: Eighty five percent of Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S.. This isn't just economics – its identity.

00:09:03: AnneXation will bring American capitalism culture inequality.

00:09:07: If it's so good for Greenlanders, why do so many oppose it?

00:09:11: Fear of change plays a role.

00:09:13: Anxiety about environmental and cultural loss... ...and an American approach that hasn't exactly been charming.

00:09:21: Some resistance might soften if a concrete respectful deal were offered.

00:09:27: I think you're misreading human motivation.

00:09:30: The promise of prosperity in security didn't win over Afghans or Iraqis when autonomy was at stake.

00:09:35: Greenlanders look at Puerto Rico and see a warning.

00:09:38: No voting representation in Congress, budgets influenced from Washington.

00:09:43: Why trade autonomy for second-class status?

00:09:46: But is their autonomy sustainable?

00:09:48: Denmark's annual subsidy funds roughly half of Greenland's government budget.

00:09:54: Supportful independence drops when living standards are at risk.

00:09:59: The US offers a far larger economic engine and the capacity to develop rare earth deposits like Kvanefjeld, Tanbries.

00:10:09: Developing those resources would industrialise and militarise the Arctic And many Greenlanders simply don't want that!

00:10:16: The resource boom may never materialise at scale given costs & conditions.

00:10:20: You're offering uncertain wealth – and wealth for whom?

00:10:23: In exchange for sovereignty.

00:10:25: This isn't eighteen seventy.

00:10:27: If US presented a proposal that majority genuinely found attractive Would that change your objection?

00:10:34: Realistically, you're starting from fifty-six percent wanting independence and eighty five percent opposing annexation.

00:10:41: That's a steep hill

00:10:43: because no serious offer exists yet.

00:10:46: Imagine as status with strong self government constitutional protections equal tax and welfare treatment plus long term infrastructure investment in legally protected national parks.

00:11:02: If Greenlanders saw a concrete package like that, many might reconsider.

00:11:08: Wouldn't make annexation good for them?

00:11:11: That's a sandalwood fantasy!

00:11:13: Even if offered, Greenlander would have to trust it'd endure and be implemented in Good Faith – no small leap.

00:11:19: The geopolitical pressure is growing.

00:11:22: As great power rivalry returns, Green land won't remain untouched.

00:11:28: With Russia and China active in the Arctic, Greenland may have to choose or be chosen.

00:11:35: Negotiating the best possible deal with the US could secure its long-term future.

00:11:42: Maybe you've smuggled our first point of agreement in there.

00:11:45: It's for Greenlanders to work out what is best for them And control the process of negotiation.

00:11:50: What comes after?

00:11:52: Things can change But right now, they seem pretty clear in their collective mind that annexation by the United States is

00:12:08: not

00:12:13: what.