The Absurdity of US Buying the UK: From Constitutional Barriers to Economic Possibilities

There seems to be a common misconception that the United States (US) could purchase the United Kingdom (UK). It is often dismissed as absurd, but is there any merit to this idea? This article will explore the constitutional and economic barriers, as well as potential scenarios where such a purchase could theoretically be possible.

Constitutional Barriers

Firstly, it is crucial to understand the constitutional structure of the UK. In a parliamentary system, Parliament is supreme. Any attempt to subject UK citizens to the authority of a foreign power without the continuing consent of Parliament is illegal and would have no legal basis. Additionally, treason remains a critical concern, as any action that undermines the authority of the sovereign and the line of succession would be considered highly illegal.

The UK does not recognize international laws until Parliament consents to them. As such, any act or instruction from the US would lack any legal foundation in the UK.

Economic Feasibility

Many claims about the US purchasing the UK often cite its enormous debt, which stands at over 22 trillion dollars. Even if we were to imagine a scenario where the US had no debt, the idea remains highly improbable due to practical economic realities. The price of purchasing such a vast territory would be in trillions of dollars, far exceeding the US's financial capabilities.

The question remains: who would you be buying from? Every single one of the UK's approximately 67 million citizens would have a stake in any such transaction. Offering each person, say, $2 million, would amount to a staggering 134 trillion dollars. This scenario is not only absurd but also economically unsustainable.

Theoretical Possibilities

While the above scenarios present significant constitutional and economic barriers, there are some theoretical possibilities worth discussing. In a hypothetical scenario where the UK is divested of sovereignty, and the transaction involves only a portion of the UK, the government and public purse would indeed receive the theoretical value of the transaction.

For instance, if the US were to pay the UK 100 trillion dollars for 50% of the country, the UK’s value would arguably become 200 trillion dollars due to the added investment. However, this scenario is highly unrealistic and would face numerous legal, political, and economic challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the idea of the US purchasing the UK is fundamentally absurd from both a constitutional and economic standpoint. The UK's supreme parliamentary system, complex sovereignty, and immense financial value make such a transaction impossible in the real world.

The concept of purchasing the UK would require an entirely new legal and economic framework, which is far from practical or likely. Ultimately, the sovereignty and self-determination of the UK continue to be preserved within its existing constitutional arrangements.