WHAT IS GOOD FOR GANDHI (GOOSE) IS GOOD FOR NEHRU (GANDER)!

Since 1960, the year that Nigeria unhooked itself from the British colonial yoke, Britain has had 10 referenda on different issues ranging from the European Union membership to Scottish autonomy. It is about time that Britain supports and organizes referenda in its former colonies to disentangle the political, cultural, and economic gossamers, called countries, that it spun in Africa and Asia during colonial rule. The tensions in these gossamers resulting from the use of incompatible materials (peoples) have continued to impede development in all areas of human endeavor.

Referenda are meant to create harmony, right past wrongs, assuage hurt feelings, and promote independence. Referenda should be conducted in such a manner that the decks are not stacked. My proposal for a “Proportional Referendum” will overcome the majority using its superior voting power to thwart the wishes of the minorities. Britain should use its great powers to organize proportional referenda in its former territories where there continues to be senseless massacres of humans because of religious and tribal differences. A prime example is the “insane contraption” called Nigeria created by the British.

Using the example of a country called Anajiri with 3 major incompatible tribes – Awusa, Oruba, and Igo. Of 100 million Anajirians, there are 50 million Awusans, 30 million Orubans, and 20 million Igoans. There are 2 questions on the referendum to breakup Anajiri. The first question is, Do you want Anajiri to be broken up? And the second question is tribe-specific and directed to Anajirians to garner their disposition to the Awusans, Orubans, or Igoans desiring to leave Anajiri to determine their own fate and is framed thus: Do you want the Igoans to leave Anajiri? Regardless of the number of tribes, the analysis will be the same.

Let us explore different scenarios:
1. SCENARIO A
First question: Do you want Anajiri to breakup?
60% Awusans against, 40% for a breakup of Anajiri.
75% Orubans against, 25% for a breakup of Anajiri
5% of Igoans against, 95% for a breakup of Anajiri

Second question: Do you want Igoans to leave Anajiri?
90% of Awusans against, 10% for Igoans to leave Anajiri.
80% of Orubans against, 20% for Igoans to leave Anajiri.
5% of Igoans against, 95% for Igoans to leave Anajiri.

Analysis:
1. Total percent of Anajirians not wanting a break-up = 53.5% or 53.5 million people.
2. Total percent of Anajirians wanting a break-up = 46.5% or 46.5 million people.

Majority of Anajirians do not want a breakup.

3. Total percent of Anajirians not wanting the Igoans to secede = 70% or 70 million people.
4. Total percent of Anajirians wanting the Igoans to leave = 30% or 30 million people.

Majority of Anajirians do not want the Igoans to leave.

Interpretation:
Number of Anajirians not wanting a breakup is 53.5% or 53.5 million people which outnumbers the population of the Igoans who have voted massively for secession. Perfunctorily a majority of Anajirians are against both a breakup and the Igoans leaving. The total number of Anajirians supporting an Igoan exit is 30% or 30 million people. This is more than the population of Igoans. Some Awusans and Orubans support the Igoan cause. Therefore, it appears that the Awusans and the Orubans are ganging up to oppress the Igoans. The Igoans must be allowed to secede from Anajiri or be given autonomy.

2. SCENARIO B
First question: Do you want Anajiri to breakup?
60% Awusans against, 40% for a breakup of Anajiri.
75% Orubans against, 25% for a breakup of Anajiri
5% of Igoans against, 95% for a breakup of Anajiri

Second question: Do you want Igoans to leave Anajiri?
90% of Awusans against, 10% for Igoans to leave Anajiri.
90% of Orubans against, 10% for Igoans to leave Anajiri.
45% of Igoans against, 55% for Igoans to leave Anajiri.

Analysis:
1. Total percent of Anajirians not wanting a break-up = 53.5% or 53.5 million people.
2. Total percent of Anajirians wanting a break-up = 46.5% or 46.5 million people.

Majority of Anajirians do not want a breakup.

3. Total percent of Anajirians not wanting the Igoans to secede = 81% or 81 million people.
4. Total percent of Anajirians wanting the Igoans to leave = 19% or 19 million people.

Majority of Anajirians do not want the Igoans to leave.

Interpretation:
Number of Anajirians not wanting a breakup is 53.5% or 53.5 million people. The total number of Anajirians supporting an Igoan exit is 19% or 19 million people. This is less than the population of Igoans. Therefore, it appears that the Igoans do not have a case for exiting Anajiri. If they do, at least their unanimous support should equal their population in Anajiri.

The principle of a proportional referendum in the case of the breakup of a country is that, if the percentage or number of the people supporting the exit of a part of the country is greater than the number or percentage of people living in that part of the country, the secession should be approved despite a majority of the country opposing it. The interpretation is that the opposition to secession is coming from individuals who are benefitting from the status quo and have mobilized and poisoned some people against the secession. Despite their campaign some people not living in the area clamoring for secession see merit in their case for secession. Contrarily if the total number of the populace advocating secession is less than the population of the agitators for secession, the secession should not be approved.