This news podcast discusses the history and implications of sovereignty purchases, focusing on the proposal by President Trump to buy Greenland. The podcast explains the concept of sovereignty purchases, detailing how a significant portion of the US was acquired through such deals, including examples like the Louisiana Purchase and the Gadsden Purchase. However, it highlights the problematic aspects of these historical transactions, particularly the lack of consent from indigenous populations. The discussion concludes that while such large-scale land acquisitions are unlikely today due to the emphasis on self-determination, smaller-scale agreements, like leasing land for military bases, continue. For example, approximately 40% of the United States' landmass was acquired through sovereignty purchases.
