This is really cool, but I feel like its missing the ability for a state to break up. As messed up as representative districts are, it may be worth trying those, or counties.
Probably natural borders and strategic objectives would make the most sense. Like the borders should probably be rivers/mountain ranges etc, unless there's something a region desperately needs (e.g. California and a reliable water supply).
Maybe population density can be used as a rough measurement of natural borders, so that taking over a statelet with a low population density is harder than taking one with a high?
I think plenty of states would break up. It's hard to say which, but I think Eastern Oregon, North/South Florida, or parts of California/Nevada could.
A few regions would surely break away, like the Upper Peninsula (Michigan) or the Delmarva Peninsula/Eastern Shore (mostly Maryland, partly Virginia).
Those regions are landmasses are separated by water from the rest of the state and wouldn't necessarily be part of the same country in a balkanized US.
Mountainous areas would definitely define major fault lines as highways are blown and armored vehicles consolidate land otherwise. Major rivers have generally already done that with state lines but would probably increase the squiggles somewhat.
I think its also worth mentioning that existing infrastructure may bring certain cities together, given that it isn't decimated. Its especially important to note in regions which lack certain natural resources and rely on imports.
This is really cool, but I feel like its missing the ability for a state to break up. As messed up as representative districts are, it may be worth trying those, or counties.
Probably natural borders and strategic objectives would make the most sense. Like the borders should probably be rivers/mountain ranges etc, unless there's something a region desperately needs (e.g. California and a reliable water supply).
Maybe population density can be used as a rough measurement of natural borders, so that taking over a statelet with a low population density is harder than taking one with a high?
Many people may move during a balkanization, so that could end up throwing numbers off.
Sorting regions by needs is a very good idea.
I think plenty of states would break up. It's hard to say which, but I think Eastern Oregon, North/South Florida, or parts of California/Nevada could.
A few regions would surely break away, like the Upper Peninsula (Michigan) or the Delmarva Peninsula/Eastern Shore (mostly Maryland, partly Virginia).
Those regions are landmasses are separated by water from the rest of the state and wouldn't necessarily be part of the same country in a balkanized US.
Mountainous areas would definitely define major fault lines as highways are blown and armored vehicles consolidate land otherwise. Major rivers have generally already done that with state lines but would probably increase the squiggles somewhat.
I think its also worth mentioning that existing infrastructure may bring certain cities together, given that it isn't decimated. Its especially important to note in regions which lack certain natural resources and rely on imports.