Difference between revisions of "Tharra"
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The main religion is [[Roman Catholicism]], which is adhered to by 96 percent of the population. It is also the State Religion, as layed down by the constitution. Other religions are tolerated, but a permit is still needed to practice them. As a result, clergy hold a special place in the land, especially since the Emperor is the legal holder of the style "Most Catholic Monarch"; Catholic dogma also plays a large part in government. Cardinals especially hold top advisoral positions, along with leading nobles (cardinals usually being nobles themselves). Religiously, the official position of the church is to accept HH Leo XIV as pope, and the [[Holy Vatican See]] as the true Holy See of NS. | The main religion is [[Roman Catholicism]], which is adhered to by 96 percent of the population. It is also the State Religion, as layed down by the constitution. Other religions are tolerated, but a permit is still needed to practice them. As a result, clergy hold a special place in the land, especially since the Emperor is the legal holder of the style "Most Catholic Monarch"; Catholic dogma also plays a large part in government. Cardinals especially hold top advisoral positions, along with leading nobles (cardinals usually being nobles themselves). Religiously, the official position of the church is to accept HH Leo XIV as pope, and the [[Holy Vatican See]] as the true Holy See of NS. | ||
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| + | Socially, people are organized into several "Classes" though social mobility is still almost always possible, given the right amount of income and influence. There is the Imperial Household, which consists of all male line descendants of Emperor Karl I; the Clergy, which are all Catholic priests, bishops, etc.; the Nobility (divided into high and low); the Patricians, which are the wealthy commoners who usually are powerplayers in corporate politics; the Commoners, who are the average free citizens, numbering over 80 percent of the population; and the Serfs, who are agricultural peasants tied to the land, makeing up about 15 percent of the population. | ||
=Economy= | =Economy= | ||
Revision as of 20:24, 30 June 2005
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| Flag of Tharra | |
| Motto: Glory to the Emperor! | |
| Region | The Kingdom of Burgundy |
|---|---|
| Capital | Corva |
| Official Language(s) | English |
| Leader | HIM Emperor Josef III |
| Population | Over 4.2 billion |
| Currency | Ducat |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Overview
The Empire of Tharra is a massive, safe nation, remarkable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 4.124 billion are ruled with an iron fist by the corrupt, dictatorship government, which oppresses anyone who isn't on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Large corporations tend to be above the law, and use their financial clout to gain ever-increasing government benefits at the expense of the poor and unemployed.
It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt, moralistic government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Commerce. The average income tax rate is 100%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Uranium Mining.
Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Tharra's national animal is the imperial eagle, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the ducat.
History
First Empire
Tharra is one of the eldest and most influential nations in nationstates. However, the unity of the empire is something relatively knew.
Until about three centuries ago, the area now known as the Empire of Tharra was actually a collection of small kingdoms and principalities. It was at this time that HRH Karl III Grand Duke of Leige began his quest to expand his small grand duchy. By the time of his death, he had been crowned Karl I, first Emperor of all Tharra.
As the centuries passed, the empire would expand, incorporating new nations, which were acquired in various ways, from marriage to conquest. Tharra, always a catholic country, would even be recognized by the Pope, when HIM Emperor Karl IV was awarded the style of "Most Catholic Monarch" after he authored several great works defending the church.
However, the feudal system would end up collapsing, due to internal debt and unrest. When HIM Emperor Karl Josef II issued an imperial decree that officially freed the serfs, revolution erupted. The Emperor was deposed and executed, and the government overthrown by a Stalinist coup.
Communism and Military Rule
For the next fifty or so years, the nation was ruled by a Stalinist regime under the Communist Party, and was renamed "The People's Republic of Tharra". This too ended up collapsing when a military coup ended the Party's control and established a military junta.
Restoration
It would be upon the death of the nation's leader, General Sverner, that the junta would begin to crumble. Determined to retain its stability, the Head of the Imperial House (HIH The Prince Albert) was invited back and the monarchy was restored.
The nation's first constitution was drafted soon after, but in reality, many of the executive powers still lay in the hand of the Emperor, who is, according to the constitution, inviolable and subject only to God. In fact, the constitution was suspended soon after, and an "Imperial Charter of Government" introduced to define the government instead. This was met with mixed feelings, but in reality, it was the bad conotation of the word "constitution" that had caused this to happen.
Serfdom was reintroduced to prevent economic crises, late into the reign of Emperor Albert I. The serf population still stayed low numbering only 15 percent of the population. Currently, the government has adopted a Capitalist system, with some neo feudalistic elements, though industry is heavily focused on ("Neo Capitalism").
And thus a new age dawned, and the Empire was restored.
Geography
The Geography of the Empire is wide and varied. The mainland has, for the most part, a mild climate. It's western borders are sheltered by the great Imperium Mountains, whose elevations can reach up to 16,000 ft. Climate in these areas is, as can be expected, quite cold for most of the year, with the area being labeled "Tharra's Arctic". The artic and tundra areas extend throughout most of the north and western regions.
In contrast, the east and middle regions have mild summers and winters. They are covered in rich grasslands and forests. Most of the subjects live in this area, and cities abound here.
Off the mainland, there exist a series of island colonies, which share a Caribbean style climate, having sandy shores and rich variations of flora and fauna. Cities here are not as common, as they are mainly used for agricultural revenue, but the isles still do hold somewhat of a population. The colonies are all collectively organized into the Viceroyalty of the Isles.
Government
(See also the Tharran Monarchy)
The Empire is an absolute monarchy, being ruled by a hereditary emperor. The philosophy of the Divine Right of Kings is strictly adhered to, and the Emperor is believed to be God's representitive on earth, answerable only to him.
Executive
The Emperor is Head of State, and is officially head of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government. He has veto power over all laws, can dissolve the Estates at will, issue Imperial Decrees (which carry the force of laws), issue letters patent that can deprive or grant someone nobility or political offices, he is inviolable and thus is subject to legal immunity and may only be judged by God, politically irresponsible for all policy and law, commander and chief of the armed forces, can declare war and peace, decider of policy, and pardon and commute sentences. His office is hereditary and subject to the laws of succession to the crown.
The Prime Minister holds the position of Head of Government. He usually handles the day to day running of the government, including chairing the Cabinet and directing its activity, along with advising the Emperor. The Cabinet is made up of the heads of each ministry, which are staffed by various civil servants. They are the Ministers of Defense, Interior, General Affairs, Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Education, Health, Justice, and Culture. It also is made up of the Emperor and President of the Council of State. Its duties are to advise the government on matters of state.
There is also a Privy Council, made up of fifteen appointed members (including six members of the Imperial House), who offer advice to the government and have the task of reviewing and amending all bills, before they are passed by the Estates.
Legislative
The legislative branch consists of the Imperial Estates of Tharra. It is a tricameral body with three chambers ("Estates"). All members of the first two Estates are appointed by the Emperor via letters patent, and can be dismissed at his will. Members of the Third Estate are elected by all citizens over the age of 17 in the General Election held at least every five years, if the Estates are not dissolved before that time.
The First Estate consists of representitives of the Catholic clergy, and thus is made up of 100 appointed archbishops, bishops, and priests. In practice, nearly every archbishop and bishop holds a seat, as do the most influential priests in the realm. All cardinals automatically are given a seat, to represent the Holy See.
The Second Estate consists of representitives of the nobility. It is made up of 350 appointed members, including all 250 members of the Higher Nobility and 100 members of the Lower Nobility. Representitives are usually the most senior member of each family.
The Third Estate is made up of 400 representitives of the commoners, elected by popular vote from amongst the adult populace, as stated. In practice the Third Estate has little power, as the other two estates usually ally to outvote it.
When the Emperor dissolves the Estates (at least every five years, though usually sooner) only the Third Estates is truly dissolved, as the other Estates are only temporarly dissolved with their members rarely being dissmissed.
The Estates are in session for most of the year, and have the task of forming and passing legeslation, as well as levying and rasing taxes.
Judicial
The judicial branch consists of the Parlement of Tharra, which is the highest court of appeals and justice. It acts on the advice of the government and holds limited power. The Parlement also must register all laws, save Imperial Decrees which are automatically effective. Legally, it can refuse to regester other laws, though ultimately the Emperor can veto its descision by issueing "Letters of Justice" which force it to do so. It consists of four appointed justices, and one appointed chief justice, called the "Chancellor".
The Emperor can overrule an court descision by issueing "Letters of Justice" and imposing his own judgement, as Head of the Judicial Branch.
Lesser courts are in each city, and consist of civil and criminal courts. The former having a single judge and the latter three justices to carry out judgment. Juries do not exist.
Demographics
A majority of the population is of Austrian or Swiss descent (97 percent). English is the official language, with about 83 percent of the population speaking it. Latin is the language of state, and commonly taught in schools, though only 10 percent actually speak it daily. The remaining languages are varied, but include Frence (3 percent) and German (2 percent).
The main religion is Roman Catholicism, which is adhered to by 96 percent of the population. It is also the State Religion, as layed down by the constitution. Other religions are tolerated, but a permit is still needed to practice them. As a result, clergy hold a special place in the land, especially since the Emperor is the legal holder of the style "Most Catholic Monarch"; Catholic dogma also plays a large part in government. Cardinals especially hold top advisoral positions, along with leading nobles (cardinals usually being nobles themselves). Religiously, the official position of the church is to accept HH Leo XIV as pope, and the Holy Vatican See as the true Holy See of NS.
Socially, people are organized into several "Classes" though social mobility is still almost always possible, given the right amount of income and influence. There is the Imperial Household, which consists of all male line descendants of Emperor Karl I; the Clergy, which are all Catholic priests, bishops, etc.; the Nobility (divided into high and low); the Patricians, which are the wealthy commoners who usually are powerplayers in corporate politics; the Commoners, who are the average free citizens, numbering over 80 percent of the population; and the Serfs, who are agricultural peasants tied to the land, makeing up about 15 percent of the population.
Economy
The Empire holds a very stable economy, and has managed to rebuild itself as a capitalist power. Originally, it was a major agricultural exporter, but with the onset of communism, it became a poor industrial nation, with a huge deficit. After the military junta's rise to power, capitalism again returned, and with the monarchy in power again, its once again a superpower. A huge economy and national budget of trillions define the Empire. The major sector is uranium mining, and the currency is the ducat.
Armed Forces
The Emperor is in command of the armed forces, and thus the entire military, as Commander and Chief. It is through him that war is declared. The Ministry of Defense also holds much authority in military matters, holding a commanding position in such matters.
Several branches makeup the armed forces, the minimum age for entry being seventeen years (the age of majority). Soldiers serve ten years a term, though terms can, and often are, extended in times of war.
The branches are the Imperial Guard, which serves as an elite number of troops, the most skilled of which serving as bodyguards to the Imperial House and other members of government; the National Guard, which guards the Empire's internal borders and defends them in times of war; and lastly, the Grand Army, which is the basic group of average soldiers.
