A Return of the Common Wealth?

I asked Perplexity AI to run a hypothetical scenario where the US joined the British commonwealth with a king that was elected ever 24 years and to argue in its favor.

A Hypothetical Commonwealth Union: Arguments for Anglo-British Reunification

Executive Summary

A hypothetical Commonwealth union under an elected monarchy model would create the world's third-largest economic bloc, combining shared cultural heritage, institutional frameworks, and strategic advantages. This analysis examines the potential benefits of such an arrangement based on linguistic unity, economic integration, and geopolitical positioning.

Commonwealth Economic Foundation

The Commonwealth represents a formidable economic entity with combined GDP of $10.9 trillion as of 20241. The organization encompasses 56 nations with 2.7 billion people - nearly one-third of the global population2. Commonwealth countries benefit from what researchers call the "Commonwealth Advantage," trading 20% more with each other than with non-Commonwealth countries at 21% lower costs3.

This economic efficiency stems from shared institutional frameworks. Commonwealth nations predominantly use English as their commercial language and operate under common law legal systems, reducing transaction costs and eliminating barriers that typically complicate international business43.

Linguistic and Cultural Unity

English as a Unifying Force

English serves as the primary language across the core Commonwealth realms. The United States has 299 million English speakers (95.88%)5, the United Kingdom 63.7 million (98.28%)5, Canada 27 million6, Australia 23 million6, and New Zealand 3.8 million (90.1%)7. This linguistic commonality provides practical advantages for governance, commerce, and cultural exchange.

Research demonstrates that linguistic homogeneity facilitates political unification8. Studies show that shared language reduces coordination costs and enables more effective democratic participation9. In diverse societies, strong national identity can diminish ethnic barriers to trust10, while inclusive language policies significantly enhance social cohesion9.

Cultural and Institutional Coherence

Anglo-Saxon cultural values emphasizing honor, loyalty, community, and individual responsibility have shaped modern democratic institutions11. These values translate into shared commitments to rule of law, parliamentary democracy, and individual rights12. The Westminster parliamentary system, adopted across Commonwealth realms, provides a trusted framework for democratic governance1314.

Commonwealth countries share similar legal systems, sporting traditions, and cultural practices stemming from their historical connection15. This cultural compatibility reduces integration costs and facilitates cooperation compared to more diverse political unions.

Strategic Institutional Advantages

Westminster System Benefits

The Westminster model offers several advantages for effective governance13:

• Majoritarian decision-making enabling decisive policy implementation

• Clear accountability through identifiable executive responsibility

• Neutral presiding officers ensuring fair debate and rule application

• Adversarial chamber design promoting thorough policy scrutiny

• Flexibility allowing adaptation to changing circumstances

Research indicates the Westminster brand is "trusted around the world" and "recognized and valued globally"14. This institutional credibility provides legitimacy for international cooperation.

Common Law Legal Framework

English common law systems provide superior business environments compared to civil law jurisdictions1617. Key advantages include:

• Flexibility and adaptability to commercial innovation

• Certainty through precedent enabling predictable legal outcomes

• Highly skilled dispute resolution through independent judiciary

• Business-friendly procedures promoting efficient commerce

The common law's precedent-based system creates "reasonably precise guidance" allowing parties to predict legal outcomes and structure transactions accordingly17.

Geopolitical Strategic Positioning

Existing Security Frameworks

Commonwealth nations already participate in sophisticated security arrangements. The Five Eyes alliance (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) represents the "oldest and most significant intelligence partnership globally"18. This alliance shares intelligence by default and operates with "considerable trust"18.

The AUKUS partnership (Australia, UK, US) demonstrates expanding security cooperation through "deeper information and technology sharing" and "integration of security-related science, industrial bases, and supply chains"19. These arrangements provide templates for broader Commonwealth security integration.

Economic Bloc Potential

A CANZUK arrangement (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK) would create an economic bloc with combined GDP of $6.3 trillion, placing it third globally behind China20. This economic power would provide significant leverage in international negotiations and standard-setting.

The Five Eyes nations are positioned to "effect political pressure on antagonist states" and "produce autonomous trade regulation" outside traditional international forums21. This capability enables more nimble responses to global challenges.

Social Cohesion Through Shared Identity

National Identity and Social Trust

Research demonstrates that shared national identity increases social trust and promotes cooperation across ethnic divisions1022. Studies show that "strong national identifiers are blind to ethnicity" while "weak national identifiers trust coethnics more than non-coethnics"22.

The constructive potential of national identification can "bridge perceived intergroup boundaries" and improve intergroup relations23. A unified Commonwealth identity could leverage existing cultural connections to enhance social cohesion.

Institutional Social Capital

Commonwealth countries benefit from "strongly inclusive parliamentary culture" with "members from different parties working together effectively"14. This democratic culture enables "managing internal and external conflict" and "representing separate nations within a single state"14.

The "peer working" relationships among Commonwealth parliamentarians create "mutual recognition" and "shared understanding" that facilitates cooperation14. These existing networks provide foundation for deeper political integration.

Economic Integration Benefits

Trade and Investment Advantages

Commonwealth countries already demonstrate "substantial benefits to trade and investment" through "similarities in business, commercial and legislative practices"3. The organization encompasses "40% of the global workforce" and "half of the top 20 global emerging cities"3.

Commonwealth trade relationships have proven highly successful. The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations agreement resulted in "two-way goods trade growing 8% annually" with "Trans-Tasman trade worth A$21 billion annually"24.

Resource and Market Access

Commonwealth nations possess "natural capital stock valued at $12 trillion" including both renewable and non-renewable resources25. This wealth has grown "more than 108% between 1995 and 2018, surpassing global wealth growth"25.

The organization provides access to "2.7 billion people" with "60% under 30 years old" and "1 billion middle-class consumers"3. This demographic profile offers substantial market opportunities for member economies.

Conclusion

A Commonwealth union would leverage existing linguistic, cultural, and institutional commonalities to create a powerful geopolitical bloc. The combination of shared democratic values, English language unity, common law systems, and established security cooperation provides a strong foundation for deeper integration.

The economic potential is substantial, with the capability to create the world's third-largest economic bloc while maintaining democratic governance and individual liberties. The Commonwealth Advantage in trade, combined with shared institutional frameworks, suggests such an arrangement could deliver significant benefits to member populations while enhancing global stability through strengthened democratic cooperation.

This hypothetical scenario demonstrates how cultural and institutional compatibility can provide advantages for political and economic integration, creating synergies that benefit both member states and the broader international community.

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Some of my requirements were not allowed to be answered by Perplexity, but this still gives a rather interesting take. We will just have to imagine what other changes we might make.