Falastur
The Imperial Power of Falastur
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| National motto: Veni Vidi Vici | |||
| Region | Falastur Alliance | ||
| Official language | English | ||
| Capital | Terila | ||
| Emperor | Matthew VI | ||
| Imperial Regent | Anthony DeMoins | ||
| Independence | April 11 1715 | ||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked nth 4,644,820 km² 0.00002% | ||
| Population
- Density | Ranked nth
551/km² | ||
| Currency | Havanaro (~H~) | ||
| Time zone | GMT -1 | ||
| Internet TLD | .FLT | ||
Contents
Overview of an Empire
The Imperial Power (more commonly known as the Empire) of Falastur is a modern part-Monarchy part-Democracy, and the long-time leader (and now sole member) of the Falastur Alliance. It's capital lies on Falastur Island, in the Atlantic Ocean, however the Empire is far-flung all across the world. It may, perhaps, even be one of the few nations which could arguably boast that the Sun never sets on its nation. While it's history dates back little more than 300 years, it has grown to be a world leader in economic and military strength, however infrequent but lengthy periods of isolationism have forced it to a minor role on the international stage. Starting life as a English pseudo-colony, claimaing loyalty to England but keeping its distance from them, Falastur grew to be a world reknowned haven for those seeking a new life, and to this day maintains a strong policy on free and welcome immigration. It has been through a great period of colonialism, played a minor role in the Napoleonic Wars, largely avoided the World Wars, escaped Civil War and unwillingly was a stage for part of the Cold War, and through all of these has emerged to be more stable than ever, and one of the largest nations in the world.
What the UN has to say on Falastur
The following is part of a UN report recently made into the Imperial Power of Falastur:
"The Imperial Power of Falastur is a massive, economically powerful nation, notable for its devotion to social welfare. Its compassionate, hard-working, cynical population of 2.573 billion are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.
"It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it is mainly concerned with Law & Order, although Defence and Religion & Spirituality are on the agenda. The average income tax rate is 100%. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Automobile Manufacturing industry.
"Motorists' locations are constantly tracked by intelligence and law enforcement agencies, all weapon research has been banned, the wearing and manufacture of fur apparel is banned, and skateboarding is punishable by heavy fines. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Falastur's national animal is the hamster, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the havanaro."
Structure of the Empire
The Empire of Falastur can be divided and sub-divided into several parts, of varying status in the Empire.
The Unified Provinces of Falastur
At the top of the scale, the Empire is headed in Terila, on Falastur Island, where all the most important Government buildings are to be found. Falastur Island is the most important of all the lands of the Empire, even though it is home to only 500 million. The other islands of the Falastur Island Group are home to the remainder of the 2,573 million population, and they are second in importance only to Falastur Island - being host to several of the largest cities of the Holy Empire of Falastur, and declared free from the Empire longest ago. Alongside them are 3 distinct and vast stretches of land, along with 4 smaller areas, which combined with the Falastur Island Group make up the nation of Falastur itself, known as the Unified Provinces of Falastur. However, they are rarely known by this name as most international events involving Falastur either are of relevence to the whole Empire, or to the capital.
The Dependencies of Falastur
The Dependancies of Falastur are a quite vast number of lands big and small, who rely on the Empire to keep them upright, yet are not totally under the control of the Empire. The Dependancies almost solely are former States under Imperial Control, and a small few of them even hold their own miniature Empires, although the Empire of Falastur tends to try and weave a form of control into these territories, and many Dependancies are faced with a ruler who makes virtually all of his or her political decisions based on advise from or legislations made by the Falastur Government. However, the Dependancies have the power to decide their own fate, usually with the right to elect a Government if they wish or are allowed it. Further than that, the average "lives" of the Dependancies are independant from Falastur, and the citizens of each dream of one day watching their Country emerge a World Power, not merely a free State.
The Colonies of Falastur
The Colonies of Falastur are next in the list. These are Nations under complete control by the Emperor, or his lackey-Governors, but these Nations manage a fragment of superiority over the Dominions as the Colonies are Islands colonised by the Holy Empire, and not Nations conquered and subdued by it.
The Territories of Falastur
Bottom of the list are the Territories of Falastur. These lands essentially have the status of being part of the country of Falastur. They are ruled almost directly by the Emperor, with almost no semblance of independance at all. Their citizens often have few rights, but have been taught to live their lives happily. After all, their status ensures a peaceful and safe environment, and they are free from trouble from outside aggressors by the protection of Falastur. If nations, particularly those with a population under 100 thousand, but sometimes those as large as having 100 million citizens, collapse due to inside problems, they are often given the opportunity to be integrated into the Empire as a territory at the last moment, saving them from falling apart and becoming the land of a more oppressive and opportunistic dictator, (as there are so many around). In fact, the Empire is becoming a world benchmark for the backward, 4th world countries, seen as a country dedicated to the upholding of countries that could not survive on their own.
Protectorates of Falastur
Falastur also has under its wing a small number of Protectorates.
Government
In order to maintain control over such a large political body, Government in Falastur is very much decentralised, and focuses on a series of tiers of Government down to the local level. The Government is also split into two sections - the Monarchist half of the Government headed by Emperor Matthew VI of Falastur, and the Democratic side, headed by Anthony DeMoins. These two leaders share equal power, and a strong friendship, despite the age gap between them. There is rarely any conflict between the two sides of the Government, and they are largely supportive of each other.
Monarchist Government
The Monarchist half of the Government is much smaller than the democratic half, despite its half-share in the Government. It compromises three distinct sections - The Emperor himself, the "Inner Circle", and local Justices of the Peace.
The Emperor
The only truly hereditary position in Falasturian politics, the position of Emperor is the prestigious position of Head of State over the whole Empire, and it is traditionally held by the most senior member of the Falasturian Royal Family. However, this tradition is not true at present, as the current Emperor, Matthew VI (currently aged 17) took the throne on the abdication of his father, Emperor William II, three years ago. The Emperor wields great power, however he is not an absolute Monarch, most importantly due to a restraining law dating back to the political reforms of Emperor Stephen I immediately following the Civil War between the years 1969-73, any decisions on law and legislation may only come into effect once the document presenting the law is ratified and signed by both the Emperor and the Imperial Regent. The Emperor is widely seen as the public front of the Government also, taking a much more active role in publicity and worldwide diplomatic journeys than the Imperial Regent. The Emperor also chairs meetings of the Inner Circle, a body dedicated to providing the Emperor sturdy, reliable advise on matters of state, acting as the Senate of the Monarchist Government. The position of Emperor formerly was subject to Salic Law, however in recent years the law has been modified to give females equal status to males.
The Inner Circle
The Inner Circle is a conglomeration of the greatest minds and the greatest Nobles in Falastur. With a full membership of a little over 100 men and women, it is smaller than its democratic equivalent - the Imperial Senate - and meets less regularly, however it is just as vital in the decision-making process of Falasturian law. When a proposed legislation is brought to Falasturian Government, it is sent to the Office of the Lord Chancellor of the Court, who then brings the issue up along with others at the bi-weekly meeting of the Inner Circle. The issues are discussed, decided on, and presented to the Emperor, who decides on a subsequent course of action. Unlike the democratic side of Government, however, the Emperor may choose to ignore the advise given to him, however in recent years this has happened little. The Inner Circle is traditionally composed of around 25 heads of the leading Noble families of Falastur and around 80 scholarly citizens - leading figures in Falasturian society appointed to the Inner Circle if they prove themselves worthy of the very important place, and if their background and career shows they would be a valuable, contributing member. The Inner Circle is also appointed by the Emperor of Falastur. In the present climate of work restricting the time members - particularly the scholars - have for attending the meetings of the Inner Circle, video conferencing is becoming an increasingly preferable choice, and the Emperor himself has made use of this himself many a time in the last year. Another popular option is the appointing of a Deputy or Secretary who is lengthily briefed before meetings on the the actions and reasonings of their employer, and then sits in for them at meetings.
Justices of the Peace
Justices of the Peace are local citizens of high esteem or of particular note, who are appointed by the Inner Circle, with the Emperor's seal, to oversee a small area - known as a Barony, or Justicial Province, and ensure legislation is carried out there. They have a small court which can hear local appeals against laws, and by law work together with the democratic local Councils to govern and present grievances to higher tiers of Government. Although the position of Justice of the Peace is traditionally a part-time job, with a staff being appointed to the Justice to oversee most paperwork and legal appeals, a recent legislation has come into power offering Justices a sizeable income to do the job full time. Despite conceptions that such a Governmental institution would become entangled in the democratic side of local Government, and each would undermine the other's authority and position, the two complement each other surprisingly well, and such underminings are rare.
Democratic Government
The Democratic side of Falasturian Government is much more expansive than its Monarchist counterpart, and caters for virtually all of the local aspect of Government. It also consists of many more echelons of Government.
