Bynter
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| Motto (English): Liberty and Country, as One. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | Zindyth (1,109,000) | ||||
| Spoken languages - Official - Unofficial |
English Greek, Latin and Russian | ||||
| Establishment - as singular tribal communities - as a kingdom - as a loose federal collective - as a constitutional monarchy - as a constitutional monarchy with a fully fledged Parliament |
BC 490 CE 659 CE 1159 CE 1451 CE 1491 (January 31st) | ||||
| Population - Total (2006) |
5,000,000 | ||||
| Government - Head of State - Prime Minister |
King Seva III Dr. Simon Petrov (NLP) | ||||
| GDP (FY2006/07) - Total (USD) - GDP/capita (USD) |
$0 $0 | ||||
| National Animal | Bynter Roaming Bear | ||||
| Currency | 1 Crown (C) = 100 Krut (K) | ||||
| Calling code | +97 | ||||
Bynter (full name - Constitutional Monarchy of Bynter) is a vast land based country with significant coastal land and constitutionally owned islands. Bynter has a complete Monarchy where His Majesty Seva III assumes the role of King. The King wields little actual power and has not for centuries. Today, power is vested in Bynter's democracy which is led by the current Prime Minister Simon Petrov.
Bynter prides itself on its vast history that has spanned neigh on two thousand five-hundred years. It's history included a lengthy civil war (circa. 800-1159) that rid the country of Kingdom status and created the Bynter and Vurt Collective (1159-1451). This collective fell apart due to governance and a Constitutional Monarchy began that, for fourty years, dictated the country but in 1491 conceded to allowing a Parliament. This Parliament started with few powers although in the Freedom & Governance Act 1731 (a pivotal moment in Bynter history) the elected Government had almost complete powers and left the King (and Queen) with few actual powers.
Bynter is a predominately Christian Protestant country with much of the populus taking communiun from the 'Church of Bynter'. The Catholic Church still excists, especially in the islands of Vurt and Downe were Catholics actually form a majority.
Bynter has a temperate climate and historically consisted of woods and greenland. Regarded as mostly flat with the exception of border mountain ranges Bynter has some of the most fertile lands in the world. Bynter's population are refered to as 'Bynterial'.
Bynter as a term refers to the country as a whole. The traditional main land mass historically reffered to as 'Bynter' is commonly known as the 'mainland' whilst the remaining islands of Vurt & Downe retain their original names yet fall under the juristiction of Bynter. Therefore, Bynter and Vurt & Downe together make the 'Constiotutional Monarchy of Bynter'
Contents
History
Democracy Prevails (1638-1763)
The then King, Milan II, was now facing severe problems from inside his Parliament. In 1645 a cross-party initiative signed the New-Democratic Deal for All. The 'NDDA' asked of the King to enable the Parliament to form an Excecutive. Although originally against the idea Milan was pushed by his wife, Elizabeth, to accept the proposals for otherwise a rebellion may spark up. So it was that in 1658 an elected Executive was created. The day the Executive first sat is known as Governance Day which occured on 16th April 1658. The day is recougnised as another turning point in bynter as it brought an end to Royal absolute authority. 'Governance Day' is now celebrated as a national holiday.
To appease the weakened Milan (whom felt betrayed by his own people) the first government passed Upper House Bill which created a Senate - of which the King would play a pivitol role in. It was, however, a dozen governments further who dealt the knockout blow to the Crown. The first Liberal Party led Government passed the Freedom & Governance Act 1731 which created:
- An independent Government solely answerable to the people & congress, not the Crown.
- The right of any citizen to defend oneself from undue force.'
- The Bynter Defence Force (armed forces) to pledge allegiance to not just the Crown but to, 'All Bynterials, the elected Parliament and Congress, all those under threat across this globe and to oneself.'
- The right to privacy from any body who is not endorsed by the Government
- A Judicial branch in Government
This act is seen as the most important piece of legislation in bynterial history - providing a true backdrop for democracy and rights.
'Vurt Independence War' (1763-1820)
As the National Party enjoyed unrivalved political excellence the nationalist movement in Vurt began to arise again. A paramilitary guerilla group known as the 'Vurt National Army' took again to arms to counter Bynterial rule in the island. The group had already been calling volunteers for several years and began the armed resistance once again on 13th March 1763 with the assination of Bynterial Officers in the Army.
The guerilla war continued for a further two years and became known as the 'Vurt Independence War'. The mostly Catholic population of Vurt failed to take kindly to Bynterial soldiers (mostly Protestant) who raged a war of disgusting proportions via the rape and torture of locals. To counter the Catholic majority the National Party supported Bynterial peoples to move to Vurt. Those who did were of typical Protestant background and were mostly farmers and the like. This created within the century the creation of two Vurt classes:
- Poor local Catholics mostly opposed to Bynter
- Rich Protestants favouring Bynterial rule.
The turn of the century still continued the war which came to an end in 1820 after a peace deal. The tough National Party led Bynterial side argued a tough deal that gave some the return of prisoners yet retained crown rule over the island. The agreement signed in Rivinium was named the 1820 Bynter-Vurt Peace Deal. In addition to retaining crown rule the island of Downe had to accept a Bynter led military base which added to military precense on the island. The VNA and all other seperatists left with little - the return of prisoners and reconciliation through a stronger economy. Things for both Vurt and Bynter were, however, going to get worse.
Near Famine (1820-1840)
With many Bynterials fighting in Vurt the economy failed in Bynter. Twinned with three failed harvests in 1820, 1822 and 1823 caused a severe shortage of food. The continued National Party Government requisitioned food from the Vurt population. Although many Protestants reluctantly agreed the poor Catholics put up a struggle. Although causing tensions the struggle failed to stop the Bynterial Government taking food.
The food was returned to Bynter were it was consumed and saved hundreds of thousands from starvation. Such heavy attention on the famine caused many workers - especially industrial workers and miners - to feel at disadvantage. Near to absolute poverty, sent to war and nearly hitting famine meant a movement was created - the Labour Movement.
Coalition & Split due to 'The Solidarity Movement' (1840-1918)
In 1867 the two major political parties of the day - the traditional National Party and the more radical yet centrist Liberal Party settled their differances over a long period so to conquer what theyu saw as, 'The threat of Bynterial Socialism'.
Labour Unions began to create havoc for Bynter's weak economy. The Northern Miners Board (the largest union at the time) called twenty-six major strikes between 1840-1846. This was not a single occurance either. Unions across Bynter began to work together in what became known as The Solidarity Movement.
This movement was not limited to direct action. The Independent Labour Party was created in 1841 and began a rapid growth. At first the party was a 'Marxist-Leninist Party devoted to a dictatorship of the proleteriat' (1848 ILP Manifesto) and gained in local Councils soon creating a then termed 'Socialist North and Industrialist South' refering to the somewhat 'stranglehold' the ILP had. Elections in the mid 1800's also proved beneficial with the ILP tolling 19-26% of the vote but ending up seriously underrepresented due to voting law regarding the 'working class'.
The National Party and Liberal Party leaders met late in 1866 to discuss a possible merger. This merger would create a common platform to crush the 'Solidarity Movement' and any left-wing attempt at power. These lengthy talks, known as the Winter Talks, ended in a suprising outcome - a full merger. A new party (slightly led by the 'Nationals') and was to be called the National Liberty Party of Bynter. These talks also produced a short manifesto outlining the viewpoints of this new political party:
- To favour Royalty - National Party led
- Further promote civil and political rights - Liberal Party led
- Increase overall power of Congress - Cross-Party
- Work together in strength to crush the Ind. Labour Party - Cross-Party
- Increase the 'Rule of Law' etc - National Party led
- To continue an agressive stance against the Vurt Seperatists - National Party led
- Power Bynter through an Industrial Revolution - National Party led
Such a broad spectrum caused a significant split within the now united party of National Liberty Party of Bynter. The broad spectrum caused the 'Radicals' within the Liberal Party to form a 'moderate and modern' party. The New Democratic Party was formed.
The united move allowed the National Liberty Party to control Government. They could not, however, stop the ILP advancing its support.
In the historic election of 1909 the Independent Labour Party broke key stronghold constituencies of the National Liberty Party and entered in coalition with the National Democratic Party. This Government (known as the New Century Government) remoulded Bynter to a wholly different country. The Government created nationalised industry, advanced powers for Labour Unions, equal voting rights for women, stripped the Royalty almost bare, sympathised with the Vurt Seperatists via the 'progressive Vurt stradegy' - removing soldiers, introduced the National Care & Health Service - a Government ownded Health Service for all and, finally, created a more equal society by reform of pay and work.
This Government continued to win another win in 1914 and continued its reforms. Awash with scandal and the key loss of experiance the Government began to fail in its second term. In the 1918 election the 'New Century Government' lost to the National Liberty Party. This victory created another chapter in Bynter's history - the 'Conservative Era'.
This chapter did not end quietly for the 'left' though. The 'Independent Labour Party' joined together official with the 'National Democratic Party' creating the Social Democratic & Labour Party of Bynter. Slowly this party would reform to a social democratic and not socialist theme.
'Conservative Era' (1918-1934)
'Barleti' (1918-1926)
The SDLP failed in the March 1918's famous election. The new SDLP was riddled with inexperiance and lost hope with voters. This left many swinging middle class voters to choose the National Liberty Party which led a succesful campaign. The NLP brough in 429 seats whilst the SDLP strung together a mere 93. The leader of the NLP, Marin Barleti, formed a new Government. Working cloesly with internal factions within his party Barleti formulated and devised the most conservative platform Bynter had seen for many decades.
Barleti began a campaign against all trade-unions and what he termed the 'lower-class'. At first he nationalised the mining industry - which was supported by the SDLP and mining unions - only to then control wages and work hours to a highly innapropiate level. This had, of course, generated a huge amount of money of which Barleti piled into commerce and had Zindyth become a hub for international trade and business. Under government funding Bynter had a private stock market - the Zindyth Stock Exchange - which brought more and more money into the country. Towards the later end of his first term Barleti privatised most of the industry nationalised by the new century Government. Prior to the 1922 election Barleti's National Liberal Party created a manifesto that showed some incredibly right-wing views. Continually hammering out the need to, 'retain traditional values' the infamous manifesto nearly lost Barleti the election. His party returned 337 seats whilst the SDLP - favouring from the strife of much of Bynter's worst off population - put up a strong 250 seat opposition.
Barleti began to fall out of touch with members within his own party. The Deputy Prime Minister Branko Đurić even led a petition to remove him from office. Angered by an attempt to be ousted Barleti petitioned the National Liberty Party to have Đurić removed - which was refused. Đurić became a personality figure in Bynter and became a thorn in the side of Barleti - who was beginning to be seen as an authortarian figure.
Barleti began action in Vurt in 1924 with the placement of 4,000 troops in Rianium - Vurt's largest city. The troops, acting on orders, accused most Catholics of being terrorist sympathisers. To counter the agression seperatists created the Vurt National Defence Force. The paramilitary group began to take orders from regimes abroad and would, over the next dozen years, build up a strong armed force.
In 1925 Barleti stood down due to health problems. He died from a liver failure later in the year. Although much criticised he made Bynter progress economically twnety years faster than its rivals. He had, unfortunately, caused tensions in Vurt that would continue for years.
Politics & Government
Bynter's Consititution adopts the monarchy as head of state but it is the elected Parliament and Government who take full Excecutive and Legislative power.
Legislative Branch
The bicameral Congress of Bynter splits into the National Parliament and National Senate.
The National Parliament houses 600 Members of the National Parliament (MNP). MNP's are elected every four years or eariler - if the King chooses. MNP's are elected in 'mixed-member proportional representation' with two-hundred MNP's being elected via plurality from two-hundred constituencies. The remaining four-hundred are voted in a party-list. MNP's vote on Bills presented by the Government to the National Parliament. If passed the Bills can then be activated and carried out by the Excecutive branch. In addition MNP's are expected to debate on national issues, represent the Bynterial people and question the Government.
The National Senate consists of 100 Members of the National Senate (MNS or Senators). Senators can debate on issues and advise both the National Parliament and Excecutive Branch. Fifty Senators are appointed for life (unless excused by the King) by the King whilst the remaining fifty are elected from fifty exceptionally large constituencies every 12 years or less - usually co-inciding with National Parliament elections. Senators also elect half of the High Court judges.
Excecutive Branch
The Excecutive Branch is formed (run and administrated) by the largest party or coalition in a National Parliament election. In the January 2005 election Dr. Simon Petrov of the National Liberty Party formed the Government.
The Government consists of the Prime Minister and Cabinet - a dozen or so member group of officials who control sectors of the Excecutiv). The PM and Cabinet construct Bills, control day to day running of the country, liason with other world leaders and King Sava III and also advise the rest of the Excecutive - the Civil Service.
Bynter's large Civil Service ensure Bills passed by the Legislative are brought into service. In a nutshell the civil service make bring Bills into action and make sure, through liason with the Cabinet and organisations affected - such as the Police Forces, that laws are being enforced.
Judicial Branch
The highest court is the High Court of Bynter, which currently consists of nine justices (although can contain as many as the King deems fit). The court deals with matters pertaining to the Government, major crimes, and interpretation of the Constitution, and can declare legislation or executive action made at any level of the government as unconstitutional, nullifying the law and creating precedent for future law and decisions.
The King appoints all members of the High Court although all must recieve majority approvement from the National Senate. The Senate can, at any time, excuse any members of the High Court if a majority of Senators disagree with the King's choice at a later time. Face value determines this as fair and democratic in later phases but one must remember that half of Senators are appointed and, therefore, already under significant influence from the King.
Monarchy
Along with all powers listed above the King, currently Sava III, has further minor powers all of which are merely 'for show' and 'exercise no practical power' as described in the Constitution. Strangely, and met with opposition, is the unchanged law that defines the King & Queen 'Absolute Rulers of Downe Island'. This is, as expected, an unpracticed position. The King is also, by tradition, Head of the Church of Bynter. If no King is present the Queen takes this title.
The full title of the current King Sava II is: His Royal Highness Sava III, Graceful Ruler of these lands of Bynter, Official Adjudicator of Policy, God-Given Rex, Absolute Ruler of Downe Island and Last Defender. Due to the seperation of 'Ruler...of Bynter' and 'Absolute Ruler of Downe' much debate has surrounded whether or not, by name, the King actually has any true power vested in his name in respect ro Bynter. Interestingly the island of Vurt is not included hinting at its complete connection to Bynter or, again, if it is not under any Royal Rule.
Geography
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Demographics & Culture
Ethinicty & Religion
According to Bynter's 204 Census the ethnicity break down found 93% of the country to be 'caucasian' (of which 84% declared themselves as 'Bynterial' in origin), 4% to be 'arabic', 1% to be 'other asian' and 2% as 'other' (mostly hispanic).
Also covered in the Census was religion. Of the 86% who declared themselves religious the results were as follows for Bynter (the mainland only):
- Church of Bynter - 77%
- Catholic Church - 9%
- Greek Orthodox - 5%
- Islam - 5%
- Judaism - 3%
- Other - 2%
In the islands of Vurt & Downe 91% declared themselves religious and the breakdown was as follows:
- Catholic Church: 43%
- Church of Bynter: 41%
- Greek Orthodox: 6%
- Baptist Church: 4%
- Judaism: 2%
- Other:4% (Mostly other Protestant)
Economy
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