Callidia
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| National motto: "Libertas Potentia Nostra" Liberty Is Our Strength | |||||
| No map available Yet | |||||
| Region | Region | ||||
| Capital | Trenesa (Callidia) | ||||
| Largest City | Trenesa | ||||
| Population | 24,552,137(1.1.2007) | ||||
| Suffrage | 16 years of age; universal | ||||
| Official Language | Callidian | ||||
| Government - Federal President - Foreign Affairs Minister |
Semi-Presidential Parliamentary Democracy Rebecca Allirou Afyon Mattic | ||||
| Establishment - Callidian Kingdom - Callidian Republic - First Empire - Second Empire - Old Confederation - Federation |
762 BC 509 BC 86 BC 622 AD 31st March 1772 AD 6th December 1917 AD | ||||
| ISO Nation Code | UCF | ||||
| Currency | Sercen (SER)1 SER = 100 Centi (cnt.) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .ca | ||||
| Calling Code | +352
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| UN Status | Non Member | ||||
| Info: NationStates NSEconomy NS Tracker XML | |||||
Formed in AD 1917 from the Old Callidian Confederacy, the United Federation of Callidia (also known as the United Callidian Federation, United Federation or the UCF) is an environmentally stunning, economically powerful nation, remarkable for its devotion to tolerance and multiculturalism. It is mainly based on a mix of modern Finland and Switzerland, with a strong history of freedom and liberal democratic traditions. The Federation walks a fine line of neutrality in international affairs, and the Callidians see them selves as the “virile liberalists and defenders of the free world”.
Callidia’s liberal and intelligent population enjoy extremely high living standards, superb civil and political rights and great social equality, and suffrage is universal at 16; Callidia gave full eligibility to women and landless people, in 1906. The country has a well funded welfare system and the very highest standards of education and health care - all provided for free, thus making the nation's Health, Education and Welfare Systems among the best in the world. The country's population is ethnically diverse with an inceasing immigrant population. According to various international studies, Callidia has one of the lowest levels of corruption in the world. The Callidians remain strong believers in free will, human rights and international law, despite few setbacks in their long history.
The Federation invests heavily in education, training and research, investment which pays dividends by delivering one of the best educated and trained workforces in the world. This has been a key factor in the development of a modern, competitive economy in which a cutting-edge telecommunications sector has been added to the traditional timber and metals industries. Anything your mind or body could ever crave, the Callidians have plenty of it. For many, Callidia is a Promised Land, where any dream can become a reality.
Contents
Government and Politics
Main article: Government and Politics of Callidia
The Common Charter (also known as the Federal Constitution) adopted in 1918 is the legal foundation of the Federation. It ensures the rights of individuals and citizen participation in public affairs, divides the powers between the Federation and the provinces and defines federal jurisdictions. According to the Common Charter, the politics of the United Callidian Federation take place in a framework of a federal semi-presidential parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Federal President is both the head of state and head of government, as well as the Senate President and Commander in chief of the military. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the unicameral Federal Senate. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The president is elected by and from the Federal Senate for a four-year term and may be elected to the office no more than twice. The president can veto bills, and appoints, with Senate approval, the Federation Council (Cabinet) and other officers who administer and enforce federal laws and policies. The Federation Council is composed of the president and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals, who are all responsible to the legislature. Parliament, termed the Federal Senate, consists of 598 senators, who are elected for a four-year term on the basis of proportional representation. The Federal Senate makes federal law, declares war, approves treaties, decides on the state budget, supervises the activities of the Government, may alter the Federal Constitution, bring about the resignation of the President and/or the Government, and override presidential vetoes.
Constitutional justice in the court is based on the equality of all citizens. Judges are independent and subject only to the law, and trials are to be open, and the accused is guaranteed a defense.
Through referenda, citizens may challenge any law passed by the Federal Senate and through initiatives, introduce amendments to the federal constitution, making Callidia also a direct democracy.Under the Common Charter, provinces hold all powers not specifically delegated to the federation.
Judicial System
Main article: Judicial system of Callidia
The judicial system of Callidia is divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts with responsibility for litigation between the individuals and the administrative organs of the state and the communities. Callidian law is codified and its court system consists of local courts, provincial appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. The administrative branch of justice consists of administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court. The administrative process has more popularity as it is cheaper and has lower financial risk to the person making claims. In addition to the regular courts, there are a few special courts, such as the Market Court, Labour Court, Insurance Court and Military justice, in certain branches of administration. There is also a High Court of Impeachment for criminal charges (for an offence in office) against the President, the justices of the supreme courts, members of the Government, Chancellor of Justice and the Ombudsman of the Senate.
Constitution
The Common Charter and its place in the judicial system are unusual in that there is no constitutional court and the supreme court does not have an explicit right to declare a law unconstitutional. In principle, the constitutionality of laws in Callidia is verified by a simple vote in the Senate. However, the Constitutional Law Committee of the Senate reviews any doubtful bills and recommends changes, if needed. In practice, the Constitutional Law Committee fulfils the duties of a constitutional court. A Callidian peculiarity is the possibility of making exceptions to the constitution in ordinary laws that are enacted in the same procedure as constitutional amendments. An example of such a law is the State of Preparedness Act which gives the President certain exceptional “emergency” powers in cases of national emergency. As these powers, which correspond to US executive orders, affect constitutional basic rights, the law was enacted in the same manner as a constitutional amendment. However, it can be repealed in the same manner as an ordinary law. In addition to preview by the Constitutional Law Committee, all Callidian courts of law have the obligation to give precedence to the constitution when there is an obvious conflict between the constitution and a regular law. That is, however, very rare.
Subdivisions
Callidia is a Federation made up of 23 Provinces. The cities of Trenesa and Poerte are provinces in their own right, termed urban provinces (or free cities), and they have the competencies otherwise granted to both provinces and municipalities, as well as regions. The remaining 21 provinces are further divided into 98 regions and 1327 municipalities.
Provinces
Each Province has its own constitution, legislature and government. Under the Common Charter the Provinces are free to organize their governments any way they like, as long as they conform to the sole requirement of the Constitution that the structure of each provincial government must "conform to the principles of republican, democratic, and social government, based on the rule of law".
Some Provinces have separation of powers, while others have a parliamentary system. The Provinces are governed by a cabinet led by a Governor, together with a legislative body known as a Provincial Parliament, which can be either unicameral or bicameral. However, the provinces have no stand-alone judiciary, as the Constitution defines jurisdiction to be exclusively a federal matter.
All tasks that do not explicitly fall to the Federation according to the constitution are matters of the Provinces. The degree of autonomy of the municipalities, however, is stated in the Constitution.
Regions
The regions are administrative divisions of the Provinces. A region is governed by a Regional Council, which serves as a forum of cooperation for the municipalities of the region. The main tasks of a region is regional planning and development of enterprise and education. Currently, the only region where a popular election is held for the Council is Ladore.
Municipalities
The municipalities represent the most local level of administration and act as the fundamental administrative units of the Provinces. Municipalities have the right to levy a flat percentual tax, and they provide two thirds of public services. Municipalities control many community services, such as schools, health care and the water supply, and local streets. They do not maintain highways, set laws or keep police forces, these tasks are the responsibility of the federal or provincial governments.
A Municipality is governed by a Municipal Council (or a City Council), headed by a Mayor, which generally functions as a parliamentary style legislative body, holding votes on issues that affect their particular area. The Municipal Councils are legally autonomous and answer only to their voters. The size of a council is proportional to the population, the extremes being from 9 in some towns up to 85 in some cities. Municipal elections are held simultaneously accross the country every year.
Each municipality has a distinct coat of arms. It is posted to the borders and shown in official documents advertising the municipality. Also, municipalities may have a logo distinct from a coat of arms.
Although a municipality must follow the laws set by the Provincial and the Federal Governments, it makes independent decisions. That is, the decisions of a municipal council, if legal, cannot be appealed (exept by a popular iniative). Municipalities co-operate in Regions. These are governed by the member municipalities. In the Ladore Region, there is a pilot project underway, with regional elections.
Military
Main article: Callidian Defence Forces
The military of Callidia, officially known as the Callidian Defence Forces (CDF), is a institution somewhere between a militia and a regular army. It is equipped with modern, sophisticated, and well-maintained weapons systems and equipment. The defence budget equals about 1.4 % of the GDP.
The Callidia Defence Forces are under the command of the Chief of Defence, who is directly subordinate to the Federal President (who is the commander in chief) in matters related to the military command. The current Chief of Defence is Admiral Elatan Andros.
The military branches of the CDF are:
- Callidian Army
- Callidian Navy
- Callidian Air Force
The Border Guard is under the Ministry of the Interior but can be incorporated into the Defence Forces when required by defence readiness.
Military doctrine: Self-defensive; independent defence of all of domestic territory.
Geography and Climate
Main article: Geography and Climate of Callidia
Callidia is a very mountanous country with a warm temperate climate, particulary in the south, and a cold subarctic climate in the north.
Education
Literacy is at 100 %, and the government is spending massive amounts of Sercens to ensure that the education system remains one of the best in the world. Universities are free for all students and are praised as some of the world‘s best, and are well funded, given the government's devotion to education. International Students are eagerly welcomed, and finansical support for those living with expenses, both Callidian citizens and students from abroad, is provided extensively, by the government and private scholarship funds.
The educational system in Callidia is based on a nine year comprehensive school (or “basic school”), with mandatory attendance. It begins at the age of 6-7 and ends at the age of 15-16. After graduation from comprehensive school there is a choice between upper secondary school and vocational school, either public or private. The second level education is not compulsory, but an overwhelming majority attends. Both primary and secondary education is funded by the government, and a free lunch is served. Besides public schools, parents may also choose to educate their own children at home or to send their children to parochial or private schools.
There are two sectors in the tertiary education: universities and polytechnics. The focus for universities is research, and they give a more theoretical education. The polytechics are not academia; they focus on more practice-oriented teaching, and development instead of research. Attendance is compulsory in the primary and in vocational schools and polytechnics, but voluntary in universities. No tuition fees are collected from Callidian citizens in universities or polytecnics. Callidian students are entitled to a student benefit, but it may be revoked if there is a persistent lack of progress in the studies. The benefit is generous, and thus sufficient for living, so students don’t have to work to fund their life during studies. State-guaranteed student loans are also available.
Health
Callidia has a completely free public healthcare system. Callidia far outspends (combined private and public expenditures) many other nations in healthcare, measured in terms of both per capita spending and percentage of GDP. Obesity used to be a public health problem, and was estimated to cost tens of billions of Sercens annually. Improvements in the diet and exercise during the past two decades have paid off. Callidia is now one of the fittest and healthiest countries in the world. The government encourages people to eat heathy food, and live heathy lives. Value added tax is lower for heathy food and vegetables, and the government eagerly funds sports. There is 71 population for one doctor, and the average salary of a doctor in Callidia is one of the highest in the world.
Callidia spends a substantial amount of Sercens on medical research. As of 2006, non-profit private organizations funded 26% (such as the Chromeaux Medical Institute), private industry funded 17%, and the tax-funded National Institutes of Health funded 57% of medical research in Callidia.
The life expectancy is 88 years for both men and women.
Language
The native Callidia language has always been spoken in the lands of the modern day federation. The Callidian (Caethron) language derives from the Svandinavic dialects and Finnic descent intergrated with elements of Latin vocabulary. Latin was a official language during the Callidian Empire, and thus it is tougth in schools today also.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Callidia
As Callidia is a geographically large and ethnically diverse country. About 32% of the Callidian population claim to have foreign background. So there are cultural variations and distinctions from province to province and region to region. The modern Callidian culture is mostly multicultural.
Callidian culture values education, the performing and fine arts, and diplomatic resolutions to conflicts. They place high value in their participation in international organizations. The Callidians constantly sought a harmonious existence with their surroundings, evident in their integration of their society into the natural terrain of the country. Callidians are known for love of philosophy.
An average Callidian is very educated and cultured and active in politics. Poets and artists thrive in Callidia. Beauty moves the pens of poets, while the vast grasslands, thousands of lakes and epic mountains serve as a canvas for paintings. Some of Callidia's major exports include wine, art, and luxury goods.
Energy policy
The Ministry of Energy is responsible for the federal government's energy policy. Energy policy is of exceptional importance, for Callidia needs a lot of energy because of its cold climate and the structure of its industry. It has thus done pioneering work on developing more efficient ways of using energy.
Callidia started planning the introduction of nuclear power in the '50s. The energy generated in the country now comprises around 40% nuclear power, 25% from hydroelectricity, and 25% from solar and wind power.
Foreign relations
Callidia's foreign policy is based on military non-alliance and neutrality. Public opinion is against joining any military alliances. Foreign trade is highly important.
Callidia has good relations with all its neighbors, and is not involved in international conflicts or border disputes.
Economy
The United Callidian Federation is a nation historically built on trade, and this tradition has shaped the nation into a major economic power.
The highly industrialized, stable modern free-market economy of Callidia, which is based on abundant forest resources, capital investments, and technology, can be described as a capitalist mixed economy, in which corporations, other private firms, and individuals make most microeconomic decisions, and governments prefer to take a smaller role in the domestic economy, although the combined role of all levels of government is relatively large, at 36% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Most businesses in Callidia are not incorporated and do not have a payroll but are simple sole proprietorships. Callidia has a extensive social safety net, and regulation of businesses is slightly less than the average of developed countries. The largest sector in Callidia’s economy is high-technology, which employs roughly three quarters of the work force.
The economy is fueled by an abundance in natural resources such as timber, petroleum, and precious metals. Callidia has a large tourist industry, and is also a major exporter in goods such as airplanes, steel and electronics.
The forest industry and metalworking are Callidia's traditional industries, but other industries produce manufactured goods ranging from electronics to motor vehicles. Callidian-designed consumer products such as textiles, porcelain, and glassware are world-famous. The wood processing technology is one most developed in the world.
Economic activity varies greatly across the country. For example, Gauvadon is the center of the Callidian financial, publishing, broadcasting, fashion, and advertising industries, while Caille is the most important center for film and television production. The Niben Bay Area is a major center for technology. The Middleland is known for its reliance on manufacturing and heavy industry, with Porthago serving as the historic center of the Callidian automotive industry, and Valaport serving as the business and financial capital of the region. The Soutwest is a major area for agriculture and tourism.
Callidia welcomes foreign investment. Areas of particular interest for investors are specialized high-tech companies and investmen. The Country has almost no corruption.
Callidia has an independent central bank, where experts and not politicians set out monetary policies.
Intelligence
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency, commonly known as NSA is Callidia's counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of the intelligence machinery alongside the Federal Intelligence Office (FIO). It comes under the oversight and direction of the Senate Intelligence and Security Oversight Committee (SISOC). The service's central duties include protecting the parliamentary democracy, fighting serious crime, counter-terrorism, counter intelligence, preventing internal security threats within the nation, pre-emptive security work and it also participates in cracking down international crime, and provides expert services for industrial counterintelligence and personal background checks. For example, refugees will be investigated by NSA to determine whether or not they are under persecution in their home country, and Callidian corporations may request assistance in the prevention of industrial espionage. It also works to secure the communications and information systems of the government and critical parts of national infrastructure, which involves a significant amount of cryptography.
While mainly concerned with internal security, it does have an abroad role in support of the mission.
The NSA comes under the authority of the Interior Minister within the Federation Council.
The agency is headed by the Director of the National Security Agency who is directly supported by an internal security organisation, secretariat, legal advisory branch and information services branch. The Deputy Director is responsible for the operational activity of the service, being responsible for four branches; international counter-terrorism, counter proliferation and counter espionage, domestic counter-terrorism and technical and surveillance operations.
Operations of the service are required to be proportionate and compliant with Callidian legislation. The service is not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Federal Intelligence Office
The Federal Intelligence Office (FIO), commonly known as Intel, is Callidia's external intelligence agency. Under the direction of the President and oversight of the Senate Intelligence and Security Oversight Committee, it works alongside the NSA. FIO is responsible for the Federation's espionage activities abroad, and its function is obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and persons. It is also responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications, and it coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialized activities to produce foreign signals intelligence information, which involves a significant amount of cryptanalysis.
The service has had its headquarters at Imperial Cross in Trenesa since 1995.
