Tharra
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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, though the Prime Minister was given sweeping authority as well.
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 a constitutional monarchy, being ruled by a hereditary emperor, whose powers are legally limited. However, in practice, the monarch usually holds much more authority than he legally should have; not to say that his powers carry any sever limits.
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 parliament at will, issue decrees (which carry the force of laws, though they must be countersigned by the Prime Minister and one other minister), issue letters patent that can deprive or grant someone nobility or political offices, he is inviolable and thus is subject to legal immunity, politically irresponsible for all policy and law, commander and chief of the armed forces, can declare war and peace, 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 Parliament.
Legislative
The legislative branch consists of the Imperial Parliament of Tharra. It is a unicameral body, with 1000 seats, its members being called senators. It is elected by direct popular vote, for a term of up to five years. Parliament's duties are to enact laws, form legislation, adopt budgets, and raise taxes. In practice, political parties are quite limited, and the Party Imperia seems to be favored (it being a strongly conservative party) and holds the majority of seats. Other parties include the Democratic Party of Tharra, and the Imperial Progressive Party. The Emperor is also allowed to appoint up to 100 "Imperial" Senators to Parliament, without election, for an entire term.
Judicial
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of Tharra, which is the highest court of appeals. It acts on the advice of the government and holds limited power. Its members consist of five appointed justices; it also deals with treason cases. The Emperor usually appoints its members from Parliamentary Senators.
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.
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.
