Maanenland

Maanenland

Flag of Maanenland
Motto: Endevour Through Defiance
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Region	DUN EIDEANN
Capital	New Westminster
Official Language(s)	English (Official) , Russian , French
Leader	Lord Lieutenant Commander Alexander JAMESON
Population	(See Entry below)
Currency	Maanian Pound
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The Grand Duchy of Maanenland or Koninkrijk der Maanenland is a small nation located in the region of Dun eideann.

History

The present territory of the Grand Duchy was formerly a loose alliance of semi-autonomous nations each with the King of Maanenland as is it's head. The Princes of these Kingdoms were mere ceremonial figureheads to the more powerful Dukes , the most powerful of these being the Duke of Cliffton who used his army to conquer the surrounding duchies slowly annexing a greater empire and eventually leading a coup against the monarch and his subordinate princes. The present borders were established following the conquest of all other duchies and the annexation of some borderlands.

After the uniting of the former United Kingdom of the Maanenlands under one soverign duke work began on gaining a common language (English was chosen due to it's prevalance) and a system of standardisation throughout the duchy. This included beginning the process of industrialisation and a common infrastrucutre program centered on the new city of New Westminster where the new offices of the new government were under construction. During this period of destruction and upheavel many local customs and unique customs were lost and many cities were destroyed and rebuilt.

During this time there was always a call for introducing new democratic process and the disbanding of the fedual system , although initally resisted by the ruling classes the growing militancy of the working classes forced an entire new consitutional monarcharic system with greater limits imposed on the power of the Grand Duke. A new national parliament and the evolution of government continued to gain in strength and importance during the industrial revolution.

Following several years of relative peace and stability in the new nation turmoil occured on the 13th August 2005 when the radical Maanenland First party came to the power under the leadership of Alexander Jameson to the shock of international observers. True to their election manifesto elections were cancelled and work began on building a new better nation based on the principals of promoting a new stronger identity for the nation and greater development of the nation through an executive that promotes the national interest before what the electorate wants.

Government and Politics

The Grand Duchy of Maanenland is a constitutional monarchy with executive power residing directly in the Council of Ministers and headed by the Lord Lieutenant. Soverignty is vested fully in the Duke of Cliffton who is a ceremonial figurehead of the nation. The power of the monarch traditionally is "protector of the duchy" , in this role he (or she) is the person who officers of the government swear their allegiance to and work for rather than work under the government, officers of the duchy however generally always follow the direction of the Lord Lieutenant hence why it is said that executive power rests with him. This arrangement is designed to protect the citizens of the duchy from tyrannical rule and has proven it's worth many times in history. Traditonally the Duke takes the title of Commander to denote his control over the armed forces of the duchy. However as the present Lord Lieutenant was a high ranking officer in the Maanenian Navy he , as is tradition , also takes control over the armed forces and takes the title of Commander. He is still however subordinante to the Duke on military matters.

The legislative branch of the government in Maanenland has always been non-exsistant with the executive implementing policy and deciding what legislation is to be passed. This has allowed for strong governance and clear national leadership especially in times of crisis. The Judicial branch has no power over the legislative process and only serves to interpret laws set down by the legislature. This again has allowed for strong governance , the main check on executive power is that the Duke may technically over-ride any laws passed that he deems not in the national interest but this has been generally rare.

To protect the people of Maanenland there are a series of statutes which constitute something resembling a written constitution , however there is no official constitution in the duchy with the rule of law and the dual-soverignty of the government and duchy being the two main pillars. The Citizens Charter spells out the rights of each citizen. The Act of the Duchy signifies the legal powers of the government but does not specify the framework for governance, instead it refers to the powers of the Duchy and the powers of the Lord Lieutenant. Both statutes can only be repealed or amended by a joint decision of the Duchy (the Duke as representative of the citizens) who would call a referendum and the Council of Ministers.

Military