A rule allowing every country to reclaim its former possessions leaves the choice of historical borders unresolved. Scandinavian, Polish, Roman, Macedonian, Greek and Mongol examples produce competing claims rather than a single map. Even the proposed successor is uncertain: Alexander's empire might be claimed through Macedonia or Greece. Such a rule favours countries with long histories and reopens disputes over which earlier possession should take precedence.
Notable Point · 51:52-54:07
Why old empires cannot settle modern territorial claims
Reclaiming every former imperial possession would produce overlapping claims and privilege states with the longest recorded histories.