Apple republic
August 5, 2017 4:08 PM Subscribe
We all know about banana republics. If you were to coin the term "apple republic", what would you be talking about? What characteristics of apples or their eaters or growers or owners would be metaphors for the state? What characteristics of the state would make it an apple republic instead of a banana republic? What real or imaginary political entities would you apply "apple republic" to, if any?
This question was prompted by merlynkline's reminder that "banana republic" is a term that's closely tied to the actual production of bananas, and the takeover of the state by banana producers and their allies.
This question was prompted by merlynkline's reminder that "banana republic" is a term that's closely tied to the actual production of bananas, and the takeover of the state by banana producers and their allies.
I'd think Apple® republic, i.e. a developing nation whose output is mainly the manufacturing of technology, or mining the resources for the manufacturing of technology, or the disposal of technology.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:58 PM on August 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 4:58 PM on August 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
It would be just like a banana republic, but withe apple growers and apple production, no? Because there's nothing whatsoever specific to bananas about the term 'banana republic' other than that happened to be the crop in those places/ times.
I guess fictionally it could represent some sort of axis of apple growing regions unifying through shared apple interests. WA, NY, OH all have big apple export markets, probably MI and PA too.
(N.B. Bananas, like apples, are commercially grown primarily from clones, and Apple mice have had left/right click functionality for a rather long time now)
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:01 PM on August 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I guess fictionally it could represent some sort of axis of apple growing regions unifying through shared apple interests. WA, NY, OH all have big apple export markets, probably MI and PA too.
(N.B. Bananas, like apples, are commercially grown primarily from clones, and Apple mice have had left/right click functionality for a rather long time now)
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:01 PM on August 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Immediately, it makes me think of old New England, or at least of the mythos of old New England created by people who lived in cities. Small towns in or near the mountains; many families living scattered outside. Locally grown food -- apples, oats, potatoes, pork, dairy, eggs, mutton, occasional poultry and beef -- suited to temperate/cold climates. Few imports and few exports. In short: a deathly dull but independent and sustainable life, at least till the soil is exhausted and people move west for better land or east to cities where there is something to do.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:14 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Countess Elena at 5:14 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Apples are a lot longer-lived plants than bananas - they benefit more from having stable land management/ownership.
Looking at the original exchange, it's worth noting that American apples get shipped overseas as well and that there are highly developed timing and handling procedures to have a year-round supply of fruit. Bananas picked for shipping aren't much more delicate than apples picked for shipping.
Variety development is also important in the storage and handling of both apples and bananas - however there is one principal commercial banana variety (the Cavendish - there are many other banana varieties that don't get distributed to the same degree), and many commercial apple varieties. It is unlikely that a new disease or climate shift would decimate all apple varieties equally, as it could with Cavendish.
posted by momus_window at 5:19 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Looking at the original exchange, it's worth noting that American apples get shipped overseas as well and that there are highly developed timing and handling procedures to have a year-round supply of fruit. Bananas picked for shipping aren't much more delicate than apples picked for shipping.
Variety development is also important in the storage and handling of both apples and bananas - however there is one principal commercial banana variety (the Cavendish - there are many other banana varieties that don't get distributed to the same degree), and many commercial apple varieties. It is unlikely that a new disease or climate shift would decimate all apple varieties equally, as it could with Cavendish.
posted by momus_window at 5:19 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
A country that is not that exciting but has a long shelf life. Basically a sensible place where people liked to shine things and get good grades.
posted by benadryl at 7:11 PM on August 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by benadryl at 7:11 PM on August 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm with those who would think of Apple The Megacorp rather than Apple The Fruit. I would envision a country whose economy and power structures are totally beholden to and dependent on the patronage of a giant foreign tech company, in much the same way that Banana Republics were beholden to and dependent on the patronage of giant foreign agricultural companies.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 7:20 PM on August 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 7:20 PM on August 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Sensible, cold weather people. Pragmatic voters. Think Pacific Norhwest, USA. Or think New Hampshire. Think of apples as a good storage fruit, they can be dried, canned, stored in cellars. Banana Republics are hot, tropical climates. Banana republicans carry guns to keep the bananas moving along.
posted by Oyéah at 9:05 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 9:05 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
A country where anyone who can afford to have a Mac, uses a Mac, because there aren't as many viruses / malware for the OS. Which is to say, China.
posted by batter_my_heart at 9:44 PM on August 5, 2017
posted by batter_my_heart at 9:44 PM on August 5, 2017
People bursting into song for no reason, pagan rites, wicker men....
posted by rodlymight at 10:28 PM on August 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by rodlymight at 10:28 PM on August 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
If I could add: "an "apple republic" is a term that's closely tied to the actual production of Apple computers, and the takeover of the state by apple computer producers and their allies."
posted by Toddles at 11:03 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Toddles at 11:03 PM on August 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
A country where anyone who can afford to have a Mac, uses a Mac, because there aren't as many viruses / malware for the OS. Which is to say, China.
Which is to say a country whose digital citizenry is brought to their knees when their OS of choice has a popularity spike making it the number one target for bad actors?
posted by Samizdata at 12:12 AM on August 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Which is to say a country whose digital citizenry is brought to their knees when their OS of choice has a popularity spike making it the number one target for bad actors?
posted by Samizdata at 12:12 AM on August 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bananas can be harvested year round; apples have an annual harvest. So my guess is that an apple republic would have a lot of seasonal workers who have to get enough work during the harvest season to be able to live the rest of the year. Or alternatively, a big influx of temporary migrant labour during apple harvest time.
posted by girlgenius at 3:00 AM on August 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by girlgenius at 3:00 AM on August 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah, for the fruit, I think of cooler climates (Washington state, New England), and innumerable varieties = tolerance and diversity. So basically, Canada. Lol. But with communal bonfires every October to drink cider.
posted by kevinbelt at 4:06 AM on August 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 4:06 AM on August 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Since my understanding of the term "banana republic" revolves around the things mentioned by merlynkline there, the state subverted to corporate interests, usually used in the context of smaller developing countries during the twentieth century, I would infer "apple republic" to be suggesting one or more companies like Apple Inc. subverting a more developed or larger country such as Ireland or China; perhaps also implying a different type of subversion, like Ireland being used as a tax shelter to the point that the rest of Europe is forcing them to collect taxes from Apple.
posted by XMLicious at 4:22 AM on August 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 4:22 AM on August 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: What real or imaginary political entities would you apply "apple republic" to, if any?
Well, let's see:
Millions of loyal subjects, who embrace the latest announcements from the Leader.
Check.
A country that is not that exciting but has a long shelf life. Basically a sensible place where people liked to shine things and get good grades.
Yup, check.
People bursting into song for no reason, pagan rites, wicker men....
Definitely, though more frequently during Karnival.
Sensible, cold weather people. Pragmatic voters.
To a t.
The country you mean is Germany - die Apfelrepublik.
Germany's national identification with - and insatiable veneration of - anything "apple" (even their proverbial potatoes are "earth-apples") is such that it's the stuff of political satire.
More materially: it's the only place I ever heard of where apples are the top adult food allergy.
posted by progosk at 8:30 AM on August 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well, let's see:
Millions of loyal subjects, who embrace the latest announcements from the Leader.
Check.
A country that is not that exciting but has a long shelf life. Basically a sensible place where people liked to shine things and get good grades.
Yup, check.
People bursting into song for no reason, pagan rites, wicker men....
Definitely, though more frequently during Karnival.
Sensible, cold weather people. Pragmatic voters.
To a t.
The country you mean is Germany - die Apfelrepublik.
Germany's national identification with - and insatiable veneration of - anything "apple" (even their proverbial potatoes are "earth-apples") is such that it's the stuff of political satire.
More materially: it's the only place I ever heard of where apples are the top adult food allergy.
posted by progosk at 8:30 AM on August 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: That is fascinating, progosk. I had no idea about that! There are lots of fantastic answers here, but learning about the organic, vegan, right-wing-extremist apple growers of the former East Germany just blew a fuse in my brain. Thanks!
posted by clawsoon at 9:34 AM on August 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 9:34 AM on August 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: You should do an FPP on that. Just your last two paragraphs, with a couple of words changed. I think it would be great.
posted by clawsoon at 9:37 AM on August 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 9:37 AM on August 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
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Less-serious answer: Closed ecosystem. Proprietary hardware. Old-timey robust backbone hiding under a fancy, well-designed facade. Millions of loyal subjects, who embrace the latest announcements from the Leader. Single-button mice.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:43 PM on August 5, 2017 [5 favorites]