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Imagine after being rejected for Common Market membership Britain decided to go with her Commonwealth instead.
The set up would be four divisions based on economic and political stability. Free movement of labour between the higher divisions to the lower but not vice versa.
Higher divisions could move manufacturing to the lower divisions and there would be free movement of goods.
Crucially the movement of one country between divisions would be decided by a court as to whether economic and political criteria were met.
The political criteria would be non racist and non discriminatory which would disqualify South Africa initially from the higher tiers and India with its caste system.
Economically the median GDP per person would have to be beyond a certain point that illustrated that wealth was not just being created but shared too.
The goal of the commonwealth would be to lift all nations to the first division and it would be hoped that rising up through the divisions would be a clear goal for all nations.
Now, national federations like the EU could be said to be founded on equality though there are conditions for membership. However how do you think a tiered Commonwealth might fare?