How About an Anglo-American "Union"? (employment, luxury)

[jeffredo]

I've thought about this for years - ever since I worked in London for nine months. I was there with my US based company that opened an office in the UK. Living and working there (even on a a short term assignment) made me think it would be great if the English speaking countries of the world (that were on the same developmental level economically) had a reciprocity agreement as far as employment, movement of capital and trade goes. Despite regional differences we have so much in common and the easier movement of people and goods between these countries just seems logical. I'm not speaking of something as overreaching as a European Union (no single currency, etc...). Just a trade and employment agreement.

Countries:

USA
Canada
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Australia
New Zealand

Yes, there are non-English speaking minorities in many of these countries, but in general they have the same basic cultural and linguistic roots, plus similar legal systems. What do you guys think? I just think it would be great for an Aussie to be able to move to California, a Canadian able to move to New Zealand an Englishman able to move to Florida and a New Yorker able to move to Scotland - all easily and painlessly. I think such freedom would be a great boon to all those countries.

[ben86]

Originally Posted by jeffredo

I've thought about this for years - ever since I worked in London for nine months. I was there with my US based company that opened an office in the UK. Living and working there (even on a a short term assignment) made me think it would be great if the English speaking countries of the world (that were on the same developmental level economically) had a reciprocity agreement as far as employment, movement of capital and trade goes. Despite regional differences we have so much in common and the easier movement of people and goods between these countries just seems logical. I'm not speaking of something as overreaching as a European Union (no single currency, etc...). Just a trade and employment agreement.

Countries:

USA
Canada
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Australia
New Zealand

Yes, there are non-English speaking minorities in many of these countries, but in general they have the same basic cultural and linguistic roots, plus similar legal systems. What do you guys think? I just think it would be great for an Aussie to be able to move to California, a Canadian able to move to New Zealand an Englishman able to move to Florida and a New Yorker able to move to Scotland - all easily and painlessly. I think such freedom would be a great boon to all those countries.

Well, British and Irish already are in a union together with freedom of movement and Aussies and Kiwis already can move freely between each other's countries. I've noticed Canadians go in the US line at immigration control at American airports, is that correct? As an Englishman under age 30 I can move to Canada/Australia/NZ on a working holiday visa with little fuss, often for longer than a citizen of most other nationalities. I believe the US was invited to join the scheme but refused.

It's a nice idea, but perhaps belongs to the pre-1960s era when the Anglo demographic and cultural influence in those countries were stronger and with international travel/communications being more expensive then we had the luxury of looser immigration controls without the risk of being swamped by huge numbers. With today's PC world I can't see giving special treatment to citizens of countries consisting of mostly white people getting the thumbs-up... I'd be interested to know how easy visa-wise international immigration was between those countries 50+ years ago compared to now.

[dunno what to put here]

I wish the UK would move away from Europe and towards its anglosphere friends..

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by jeffredo

I've thought about this for years - ever since I worked in London for nine months. I was there with my US based company that opened an office in the UK. Living and working there (even on a a short term assignment) made me think it would be great if the English speaking countries of the world (that were on the same developmental level economically) had a reciprocity agreement as far as employment, movement of capital and trade goes. Despite regional differences we have so much in common and the easier movement of people and goods between these countries just seems logical. I'm not speaking of something as overreaching as a European Union (no single currency, etc...). Just a trade and employment agreement.

Countries:

USA
Canada
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Australia
New Zealand

Yes, there are non-English speaking minorities in many of these countries, but in general they have the same basic cultural and linguistic roots, plus similar legal systems. What do you guys think? I just think it would be great for an Aussie to be able to move to California, a Canadian able to move to New Zealand an Englishman able to move to Florida and a New Yorker able to move to Scotland - all easily and painlessly. I think such freedom would be a great boon to all those countries.

This already exists MINUS the U.S.

It's really easy for Brits, Aussies, Canadians to get work visa and emigrate to the other's countries...tons of programs in place. They all feel 'united' under the old Queen of England.

The U.S. is the misfit. We have a lot more influences well beyond the UK, and we don't necessarily seem to have any programs anywhere to easily bring in Commonwealth people...so, they, in turn, have almost no programs in place to bring in young Americans for a work experience in their countries.

In short, this definitely exist between all the countries listed and each other....but the U.S. gov't doesn't want in on the game, for who knows why reasons.