Latest revision as of 02:31, 25 July 2006

The Tribunal Republic of Buscemistan

Flag of Buscemistan Grand Sultan Stephen I
National motto: To the west, salvation.
National anthem: Devil Took My Woman*
Region	PEEL
Capital	Stephe
Largest City	Tanookium
Official languages	Buscemish, Tanookii, PEEL Standardised Language
Government Tribune	Tribunal Republic Antonin Sulpizio
Unification Beritian Purchase Beritian Annexation First Tribunal Election	1791 1998 2049 2054
Area  • Total  • Water (%)	821,818 km² (45th) 79.892%
Population As of:  • Population, 2056 Est.  • Density	367,900,000 (42nd) 2226.3/km² (10th)
GDP (PPP)  • Total  • Per capita	2056 Est. $25,162,500,000,000(40th) $68,394.94 (?)
Currency	Seymour (BUS)
Internet TLD	.bu
*Named official national anthem in 2014, as decided through federal referendum.
NSEconomy Pipian XML

The Tribunal Republic of Buscemistan

Buscemistan is an island nation in the Turangon Belt region of PEEL, off the Western coast of the Imperial States of Slimmy. Buscemistan is one of the four member nations involved with FIST.

Introduction

Buscemistan is a nation in transition. Following the Senate elections of July 2053, the Buscemistani Conservative Party was fractured, suffering many defeats and losing its majority stake in the national legislature for the first time in history. A sea change was taking place in Buscemistani politics. Jaded by the conservative (by Buscemistani standards) dogma that had led to the party's steady decline, many BC's banded together with Bucemistan's minority parties and demanded a democratically elected head of state. On August 23rd, 2053, the Senate approved an amendment by a margin of 337-163 that effectively ended the era of Buscemistan as a Sultanate.

Buscemistani History

Buscemistan is unique among the nations of PEEL, as the two largest ethnic groups in the country (Buscemistanis and Stone Bearites) are not native to the land. Both arrived during periods of large-scale immigration, the Buscemistanis through most of the 19th century and the Stone Bearites early in the 21st century. For more on the history of these peoples and of the Turangons, see their respective pages.

Government

Buscemistan operates as a Democratic Republic. The official government title is the Tribunal Republic of Buscemistan. There are three branches of government, all democratically elected, to a degree.

The Senate

Buscemistan's oldest active branch of government, the Senate has been a staple of Buscemistani governance since the early days of the Sultanate, though it wields considerably more power now than when the nation was ruled by an all-powerful Grand Sultan. The modern Senate is a 500-member legislative body, elected by a preferential vote. Each Senator is selected from one of 500 electoral districts, each redrawn every 5 years. The districts are to be redrawn again in 2060. Each Senator serves a four-year term, with half the legislature up for grabs every other July. There is no limit on terms one can serve. The next elections are set for July 10th, 2061.

The Tribune

Buscemistan's newest political feature, having been first established in 2054. The Tribune is a democratically-elected federal executive, capable of vetoing any bill that passes the Senate, though a veto can be overturned by a two-thirds(334-vote) majority. Given the difficulty in obtaining such a majority on a controversial bill, the Tribune wields considerable power. The Tribune is also required to appoint or remove the Commissioners, the executives in charge of national policy in defense, education, healthcare, and most other major issues. The Tribune may only serve one six-year term. Antonin Sulpizio is the nation's first and only Tribune thus far; another is to be elected in 2060.

The Judiciary

After Buscemistan became a republic, one of the first powers stripped of the Sultan was the abilty to appoint judgeships. Since then the judiciary has been elected by the voting public; this has not been without controversy. Aware of the dangers in having local and federal judges indebted to special interests, the Senate established laws banning those seeking judgeships from accepting campaign donations, not from taking part in negative campaigning. Each candidate must run on his/her experience alone.

The Grand Sultan

As of the election of 2054, the Sultan of Buscemistan is no longer an official government official, though Stephen VIII has retained his throne, and he still resides at the Royal Palace in Stephe. Currently, the Sultan's role mostly involves public appearances with prominent politicians and foreign dignitaries.

Geography

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Buscemistan and Major Cities

Located in the Eastern Turangas, Buscemistan is divided into four distinct island-states. Notable features of the nation include various dormant and active volcanoes(found all over the Turangas), and most famous of all, the Great Turangan Reef.

Lucia

Buscemistan's most populous island-state, home to the national capital of Stephe, its sister city Enid, and the first island settled by 18th-century Buscemistanis.

Beritius

The second-most populous island-state. During a dire economic period, this mostly unsettled land was sold to the Republic of the Stone Bear so that nation might develop an overseas colony. When in the late 2040's the Stone Bearite government was on the verge of collapse, the colonists appeal for help led to Buscemistani annexation on October 15th, 2050.

Andris

The largest island-state of Buscemistan, Andris features a highly-developed southern and eastern coastline, where the warm, temperate climate attracts beachgoers year-round. The northern regions of the island feature spectacular scenery, with a good deal of land set aside as national parks.

Norther

The smallest island-state of all, Norther is also the least populous, accounting for just over 7% of the national citizenry.

Borders

Buscemistan, as a series of islands, lacks a true border other than the point at which one is in international waters. Beyond the waters, however, lie several nations, most of whom are much too far away to be considered true neighbors. In fact, no nation lies within even 100 miles of Buscemistani shores.

Military

Since the repeal of the military draft in 2054, Buscemistan has maintained a very small standing army. While the nation does place naval power as the top defense priority, no division of defense receives a considerably large budget. Some have argued for this lackadaisical attitude to change, as international conflicts become more common in modern PEEL. Currently rumours have spread that Defense Commissioner Morganbee Silverstone has been looking to acquire modern-battle caliber warships from various regional manufacturers. Some have also speculated that military conscription could be reinstated in a time of emergency.

Religion

Never a big part of Buscemistani culture, religious worship by the general public has only gone down in recent decades, and a large majority of Buscemistanis recently identified themselves as not affiliated when asked the religious preference.

Religious Breakdown of Buscemistan

• 67.8% Not Affiliated
• 11.4% Tanookii Spiritualism
• 8.9% TheLampIncidentism
• 5.6% The Reformed Churched of the Goddess
• 4.3% Lesbianity
• 2.0% Others

Education

Accounting for over one-third of the federal budget, a good education is obviously important to the people of Buscemistan. Students enjoy several perks and privileges unknown to children in many other countries, and the free national collegiate system is a source of extreme pride. Much of the modern education system is credited to First Tribune Antonin Sulpizio, himself a former educator and leader of the City of Gano's Union of Public and Private Educators. Some, meanwhile, have argued that the progressive education system has done little to stem the tide of misdemeanor crimes committed by minors, and have proposed diverting educational funding toward law & order.

Transportation

In a nation of far-flung islands, it is imperative that travel between and within each island be as easy as possible. Buscemistan is fortunate to have one of the most well-funded transportation programs in the region.

Land

Automotive travel is not easy in Buscemistan, a nation of several densely populated cities scattered amongst largely rural areas. In the cities streets are narrow and large freeways uncommon, and so trains, trolleys, streetcars, bicycles, and motorcycles have become the most popular forms of overland transportation.

Sea

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Public Docks, Cray's Harbor

Sea travel is hardly uncommon in Buscemistan - the nation has the PEEL region's highest per capita boat ownership, and domestic manufacturers such as Perla and Life Aquatic keep such luxury goods affordable for the middle and upper classes. Others among the Buscemistani citizenry often take a public ferry when sea travel is essential, though one can ride in comfort with a private service. Also available for discriminating customers are taxi services, making stops at more than just the predetermined ports-of-call one will find with a larger ferry.

Air

Affordable domestic air travel remains beyond the means of the average Buscemistani, save for the very wealthy. Most accomplish their island-hopping by boat, as detailed above.

Culture

Art

Literature

Fashion

Film

Sports

Cuisine

Prized throughout the region, Buscemistani cuisine emphasizes dietary diversity without neglecting taste. Traditional dishes often make use of hearty portions of grilled or sauteed seafood, crabmeat being most popular of all. Also part of a regular meal is a generous helping of fruit, typically citruses or melons. Citrus fruits are served with meats, leafy salads, or eaten on their own. The weakness of the Buscemistani diet is its lack of significant starches or whole grains. As much of the soil is either rocky or sandy, very little starches will grow easily, but among the few are sweet potatoes and other native tubers.

Buscemistani Miscellany

• Agriculture in Buscemistan
• National Parks Service of Buscemistan
• List of Major Buscemistani Corporations
• Armed Forces of Buscemistan
• Public Holidays in Buscemistan
• Tourism in Buscemistan
• Maritime Buscemistan
• List of Famous Buscemistanis
• Major Cities in Buscemistan
• Gender Roles in Buscemistan