Bonstock
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| Flag of Bonstock | |
| Motto: Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're an asshole. | |
| map of Bonstock | |
| Region | Wysteria |
|---|---|
| Capital | Port Yuko |
| Official Language(s) | English |
| Leader | Pesident Roberto Sanchez |
| Population | < 4 billion |
| Currency | Avoir |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Federal Republic of Bonstock is a republic based on the Bonstocknian peninsula, on the island of Isa in south-eastern Wysteria. It shares land borders with Weird Ed, The Steppe, and Zecro. Formerly the head of a large empire in Eastern Asia, its resources were strained in two civil wars and five Asian wars, to the point where its overseas possessions were lost.
Bonstock was organized as an independent nation sometime in the 19th century. Throughout its history, Bonstock has been known for both a strong anti-communist doctrine and for imperialist ambitions in Asia. New elections have brought in a more moderate government, with aims of molding Bonstock into a more democratic nation.
Contents
History
Bonstocknian history is divided into 4 distinct periods: The Archaic Period, the Civil Wars, the Asian Wars, and Modern Era. The Archaic period, according to legend, began hundreds of years ago with the arrival of Viking settlers near modern Port Yuko. However, this is hotly debated by anthropologists and archeologists, who believe taht the earliest European settlers came from Zecro only a few hundred years ago. During the late Archaic period, Bonstocknian trading companies, most notably the Bank of Bonstock, established a large overseas empire, including Maropian Coast, a small trading colony on modern Taiwan.
The Archaic Period came to an end when a constitution was put in place, and Charles Ste. Evremonde was put into power, after which the Federal Republic was declared. A favorable pro-market government allowed for the expansion of Bonstocknian business, and the economy boomed as the population rapidly expanded. During this time, Ste. Evremonde waged war abroad in White Tundra and Multaan, the latter of which incited an attempted communist coup d’état which was brutally put down, later seen as the First Bonstocknian Civil War. Ste. Evremonde later retired, and Hu Li, his young, female Secretary of State who many presumed to have been his lover was elected to office. However, after an abortive blockade of Ertomia for selling slaves, Bonstock was attacked by Ertomia’s ally Dark Terror. The ensuing air raids killed 5 million Bonstocknians, and the economy fell apart. Hu Li faced a mounting crisis, and when a mob of communist workers besieged the government buildings, she fled to Maropian Coast. Bonstock proper fell to a rebel government under Alfred von Strauswitz. After the rebel invasion fleet heading to Maropian Coast was defeated, Hu Li began an operation to regain Bonstock proper. An amphibious task force landed an army in the middle of the Bonstocknian penninusla, and the rebel government collapsed. Hu Li and von Strauswitz were killed in the fighting. The commander of the Government Army, Gustav Adolph, became president.
There ended the period of Civil Wars. Gustav Adolph, after a brilliant reconstruction project brought Bonstock back on its feet, entered a war against Japann. Accused of trying to take over Japann, Bonstock went to war with its former allies. Bonstock maintained current possessions, but lost its bid for control over Japan. Later, after an abortive invasion of Yemen, Gustav Adolph was assassinated, and replaced by General Burns. Burns was deposed 20 years later by Gustav’s son, Harald. After an abortive invasion of Okinawa, a minor peacekeeping operation in Myanmar turned into a human rights debacle after Bonstocknian forces ransacked the town of Mergui and massacred its inhabitants. The other nations in Asia used Bonstocknian taxation of the Straits of Malacca as a pretext for war, and Bonstock lost her overseas possessions.
However, Harald's domestic policies proved to be a great success, and eventually Bonstocknian credibility in the world was restored. Harald retired after 40 years in office. In the ensuing elections, socialist Roberto Sanchez was elected. The Sanchez administration promised reforms, although these have not yet materialized.
Politics
Bonstock is a republic, with three main branches of government. The President makes up the executive branch, and is appointed by the Senate. In previous times, the Presidents held considerable authority, backed by the power of secret police forces and the military. The legislative and judicial branches have been traditionally less prominent, limited to proposing and interpreting laws, respectively. The legislative branch is known as the Senate, and has 300 members, each serving two year terms. Their purpose is to propose laws and appropriate funds and levy taxes. The judicial and branch is headed by the Bonstocknian Supreme Court, with 15 judges interpreting laws through their judicial decisions.
There are two main political parties, the Social Democrats and the Capitalist Moderates. The Social Democrats are considered Center-Left, but have been sometimes associated with left wing communist activities. The Capitalist Moderates are more of a centrist party, which sometimes leans to the right. They are the party associated with many of Bonstock’s previous regimes. Recent elections have swept the Social Democrats into power in the Senate.
Geography
Bonstock is a northward jutting peninsula on the island of Isa, in Wysteria. The peninsula is divided by the Peninsular Mountains, which stretch length of Bonstock. Bonstock is heavily forested, with large coniferous forests back dropped by the mountains. Most of Bonstock has a fairly continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Moist air from the sea contributes to the moderation of the climate to the north, which would otherwise be subtropical. Bonstock’s only land connections are to the south, in cold, heavily mountainous terrain.
Economy
The Bonstocknian economy has always operated on a more or less full model of capitalism, despite heavy government spending on defense which called for heavy taxation. In recent years, such taxation is lowering, but is still much higher than that of other industrialized nations. Bonstock’s exports include airplanes, weapons, and electronics, though most of the workforce is involved in service industries. Bonstock is entirely self sufficient in terms of farming, and is thus able to feed a large population.
Bonstock’s primary trading occurs with nations in Wysteria, with Zecro being Bonstock’s top trading partner.
The United Nations considers Bonstock’s economy to be “Frightening.” With a per-capita GDP of nearly 40,000 US Dollars, Bonstock is considered in the top bracket of industrialized nations.
Transportation
Bonstock is covered by extensive rails and highways. Domestic air travel is provided by many companies, most notably AeroBonstock Airlines and Bonstocknian Airways. International flights are mostly out of Port Yuko. Shipping is usually out of Port Yuko, as well. For short distances, most citizens use public transportation, as Port Yuko is far too crowded to rely on automobiles. For long distances, most rely on air travel.
Demographics
A recent census showed the Bonstocknian population at about 7 billion people. Of these, about twenty percent trace their origins to Bonstock’s original settlers. Most of the populace is descended from later-day immigrants, which settled in Port Yuko for economic opperatunities. Most of the populace traces its origin either to Europe, the Middle East, or East Asia, with a significant number being considered “multi-racial.” Bonstock has been traditionally a very open society; anyone who agrees to do military service and pay taxes can be a Bonstocknian citizen.
Religion
An avowedly atheist government has helped contribute to a great lack of religion in Bonstock. Eighty percent of the populace professes to have no religion, and five percent are Islamic and Christian each. The remaining ten percent is considered “other.” In Bonstocknian popular life, religion is disdained. Very few attend church, and many resent religious leaders.
Culture
Most of Bonstock’s culture can be traced to that of most modern Western civilizations. The primary language is English, and most Bonstocknian youths watch Western movies, listen to Western music, and eat foods such as McDonalds. This contrasts to the more “Spartan” culture of old days, when most Bonstocknians were farmers and soldiers dedicated more to defending their homes then enjoying modern pleasures.
Bonstock has also been a center of education and science, though with a heavy bent towards helping the needs of the army. A large space program has been almost entirely military run, and many of the tens of thousands of universities and colleges are geared towards sciences, as opposed to liberal arts.
