Difference between revisions of "Greater DCU"

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{{Infobox_Nation | region=[[Europe]] | motto=The Jaded and Cynical Populace of Greater DCU | map= | language= | capital= | population= | currency= | leader= | flag=http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/greater_dcu.jpg }}
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{{Infobox_Nation | region=[[Europe]] | motto=A Place for Everyone. And Everyone in their Place| map= | language=Union Standard | capital=Verde City | population=4+ Billion | currency=The Standard | leader=General Secretary McDaragh | flag=http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/greater_dcu.jpg }}
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'''The Greater Democratic Communist Union''' is a massive, socially progressive nation, notable for its complete lack of prisons. Its hard-nosed, cynical population are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt. Ruled by a democratically elected government, the nation is dedicated to and run on the principle of Progressive Communism, a philosophy that has often led to tension and, occasionally, hostilities with some of the region’s more aggressive capitalist/fascist regimes. However the strength of the People has ensured that these crises are invariably overcome.
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'''The Greater Democratic Communist Union''' is a massive socially progressive [[Europe|European]] nation. Ruled by a democratically elected government, the nation is dedicated to and run on the principles of [[Progressive Communism]] and [[European Socialism]], philosophies that have often led to tension and, occasionally, hostilities with some of the region’s more aggressive capitalist/fascist regimes.
  
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'''Greater DCU''' is a pleasant nation in which to live, as the many immigrants who arrive each year can testify to. The planned economy ensures steady and impressive economic growth while the free healthcare and education services are the envy of the region. While the Politburo is strong and centrally controlling, the democratic system ensures that civil rights are respected across the nation. The citizens of Greater DCU are generally warm and friendly, though occasionally suspicious of foreigners. The rights of Free Press and Free Speech are also held dear among the populace.  
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'''Greater DCU''' is a pleasant nation in which to live, as the many immigrants who arrive each year can testify to. The [[Wikipedia:planned economy|planned economy]] ensures steady and impressive economic growth while the free healthcare and education services are the envy of the region. While the Politburo is strong and centrally controlling, the democratic system ensures that civil rights are respected across the nation. The citizens of Greater DCU are generally warm and friendly, though occasionally suspicious of foreigners. The rights of Free Press and Free Speech are also held dear among the populace.  
  
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The current government has opened the international borders so that the ambition of [[Europe]]an Socialism may be achieved. This would permit the dissolution of the State and the implementation of true Communism. While the primary weapon in this struggle to free the Workers is information and motivation, relations with the more extreme right and libertarian regimes have always been tense. The Union has survived however and is now one of the strongest European powers.
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The Greater Democratic Communist Union is often officially shortened to ''Greater DCU'' or abbreviated to ''GDCU''. The nation can also be referred to as the Union while the term ''[[Verde]]'' describes the nation’s geographic location. ''Verdean'' is also used to denote the people of the Greater DCU and their culture and practices.
  
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''See [[Who's Who in GDCU]] for a list of notable figures in today's Verdean society''
  
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== The History ==
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==Geography==
  
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The peninsula of [[Verde]] takes its name from the rolling green fields that make up much of the region. Much of the nation is composed of flat grasslands and fields and hills with only the mountainous southeast and coastal plains offering contrast. This monotony was famously captured by the 17th century bard Seamus McDonough who wrote, ''"When one is tired of Verde, one is tired of endless fields of cabbage"''. The fact that McDonough went missing shortly afterwards also says a lot on the traditional cut and thrust of the region’s politics.
  
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===In The Beginning===
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Major geographic landmarks are rare but include the Verde River (one of the largest in the region) and the Ambrosia Mts. The coastline is almost among the longest in mainland [[Europe]] the peninsula surrounded by the Bay of Cheddar to the north, the Implarian Sea to the west and the Gulf of Verde to the south. Land borders include the People's Republic of [[Vocur]] and [[Rokolev]]. The climate is generally temperate with temperatures rising further south and along the Gulf Coast.  
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The history of the Verdian region is a violent and often bitter tale. The first recorded settlers in the region date back to 4000 BC when a number of primitive tribes moved westwards across the European continent. We know little of these first peoples and all that remains of their settlements are some ancient burial mounds and early hill forts. However they appear to be primarily farmers, a marked change from the nomadic hunters who had previously roamed the empty plains. These scattered settlements were generally remote and isolated from each other, one reason perhaps that, despite lasting over two millennia, no permanent culture or civilisation was established.
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===Foreign Interference===
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==Politics==
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In 900AD a new wave of settlers arrived and began displacing the scarcely inhabited native villages. The Celts had travelled across much of Europe, and their influence can been seen across the region, before arriving at the lush river valleys and broad plains of Verde. In fact it was the Celts who first named the large river and therefore the surrounding region. We don’t know exactly why, but it was obviously decided that many among the tribe would forget their roaming past and settle these peaceful lands. These advanced iron users easily surpassed and conquered the original settlers and began to lay down the roots of a thriving civilisation. Today they still make up the largest ethnic group in the nation.
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Despite the presence of a High King at Tara, currently called Verde city, wars between the various settlements and chiefdoms were common. It was this internal strife that lead to the first “foreign” intervention in Verde. In 1324 AD the first Alamein ships appeared in the Bay of Cheddar. At the same time a minor courtier in the family of O’Connell was exiled to the remote north for the murder of his brother. Meeting the leader of the Alamein expedition, Eoin O’Connell convinced the leading nobles to back his return to glory. Supported by the superior trained and armed foreign men at arms, O’Connell overthrew the minor King of Dun Milsea. The move would lead to the establishment of a small Alamein kingdom in the east of the region while Cidonian, French and Pallux settlers would later arrive and displace many of the, now native, Celts. After centuries of intermittent warfare the borders had stabilized and the Verdian nationsates were born.
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''Main article: [[Communist Party of Verde]]''
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===The Age of Nationstates===
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By the mid 1700’s the Verdian peninsula was occupied by five distinct nations. As the foreign races settled down in their new lands they established courts and then governments to administer the lands. As ties with their home nations weakened, military alliances sprung up between the states. These ever changing and fluid pacts almost invariably led to war at least once a decade as the states struggled for supremacy. To the north the remaining Celtic chieftains, who had long since banded together, formed the Gaelic Free State. To their east, along the great river of Verde, lay the Cidonian state of Borogravia while in the SW the Pallux Church had established a diocese in the mountains of Ambrosia. Along the east coast the great Alamein city of Smithfield was the centre of their presence in the area while along the Sea of Verde the Free Cities established by French traders held sway. The fluid nature of Verdian politics ensured that barely a year would go by without some minor crisis between two nations – a crisis which would usually grow and later plunge the region into yet another pointless war. The only consensus among the states was their fear that foreign interference could tip the balance of power against them. To that point the Council of Five was established as each nation pledged not to involve outside parties in local politics.
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===The Glorious Revolution of February 22nd===
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===The Communist Party of Verde===
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On the 17th of May 1891 an historic deal was signed between the petty states of Verde. Despite every setback imaginable the diplomats at the Council of Five had finally negotiated what appeared to be a final peace for the region. Simply called the Peace Accords it was a pledge from the national governments not to engage in conflict to resolve their issues. To a populace raised on periodic wars it was a massive step in the direction of peace. To the governments however it was a chance to furiously rearm and prepare for the next war. Almost miraculously the Accords held for close to two decades before war broke out again. In that time the governments had restocked on new weapons and were each prepared to unleash hell on each other. On the 2nd of November 1918 Bishop Karl Alkanet was assassinated on the steps of Santiago Cathedral. Within two weeks each of the states had mobilised and committed themselves to war. The Great War had begun.
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Over the next 7 years the armies of Verde fought themselves to a standstill. Each offensive was thrown back, each defence tested as the citizens of Verde began to understand the horrors of industrialised warfare. Millions died in the trenches as the cities were emptied of their young men. Food began to run scarce as the armies devoured all in their path. While the soldiers were forced to run blindly into machinegun fire, the cities slowly starved.  
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The political landscape of Greater DCU, along with every other aspect of life, is dominated by the [[Communist Party of Verde]]. The Party is the only political organisation permitted to operate within the Union and it is the only source of authority. In fact there is no national [[Wikipedia:Head of State|Head of State]] or [[Wikipedia:Head of Government|Head of Government]], the highest ranking politician is the General Secretary of the Communist Party. However the Party and its political system remain resolutely democratic with all citizens over the age of 18 being allowed to stand or vote for positions.
  
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All this came to a head on February 22nd 1925 when a group of deserting soldiers led by Alexandre Vinokourov declared a state of Revolution. After he and his men had seized control of Veers City’s government buildings, the factories emptied of their workers and rallied around the Red Banner. When the battleship the Golden Heron was ordered to fire into the city to disperse the revolutionaries the crew mutinied and killed their officers. Similar uprisings took place through the region as the Verdian socialist groups, after years of infighting, forgot their racial differences and set about bringing and end to the war. In some cities the revolts were wildly successful – a royal regiment would never again set foot in Veers City – while in others the authorities cracked down viciously, the massacre of St Jose’s being particularly brutal. In the various army headquarters general staffers suddenly realised that a second (or in most cases third or fourth) front had opened behind them. On the front line officers were suddenly confronted by mutinying soldiers as entire divisions heeded to call to “stop fighting the imperialist wars and join in the Revolution to free the Workers” The Vinokourv proclamation of independence from the capitalist shackles prompted a huge wave of support for the movement as even hardened troops refusing to fire on singing masses of women workers who had flowed out from the factories. Over the next six months the Red Army swelled from isolated groups of socialist thinkers to an army numbering millions. With many of its members deserters from the national armies, resistance to the Revolution was weakening even as the movement itself grew in strength. It was an unstoppable rise and one by one the petty nationstates fell. On December 25th 1925 the last national stronghold was taken. As the leaders of the old regime were either executed or fleeing the country, the Provisional Worker’s Government under Alexandre Vinokourov declared the creation of the Greater Democratic Communist Union.
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Power in Greater DCU is very much concentrated in the hands of Party officials. The roles of industrialists, the military and even the judiciary pale in comparison to those wielded by politicians. Decisions that affect the Union as a whole are made almost exclusively by either the Politburo or Assembly while local issues are often handled by the well developed network of local branches. Despite the centralising tendencies of a series of Politburos, the two-tier system continues to grant significant authority to grassroots organisations. This trend can be seen throughout the Union system – almost all state bodies (especially economic) consist of both a national, and ultimately supreme, grouping and a network of local offices working closer to the community.
  
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===A Place for everyone. And Everyone in their Place===
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===The Party Structure===  
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In the immediate aftermath of the Revolution the Provisional Government took measures to secure its power. Vinokourov had a vision of a united communist nation so it was no surprise that both nationalist and capitalist movements were mercilessly crushed. Efforts were being however to ensure a peaceful transition to a democratic government. On the 1st March 1927 elections were held for the first Assembly of the Union. Alexandre Vinokourov, the hero of the Revolution, was elected the first General Secretary of the Verdian Communist Party. Immediately closing the borders to the outside world, the new nation embarked on the grand communist experiment. It wasn’t until early 2003 that these borders were opened and a new nation returned to its place in Europe.
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The Party’s structure can be broadly divided into three bodies - the ''Populace'', the ''Assembly'' and the ''Politburo'' - stacked in a pyramid organisation. The [[Revolutionary Council]] is a separate body that oversees the rate of progress towards the Communist state. There are a myriad other councils, executives and committees woven into this basic structure but these are the major decision making groupings.
  
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== '''European History''' ==
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*'''The Populace''' consists of the entire voting public and grassroots Party branches. All citizens over the age of 18 are required to be Party members and are eligible to vote in elections.
  
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*'''The Party Assembly''' is the primary decision making body of the Union and seats the 200 Assembly Members who represent the various constituency of the Greater DCU.
  
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Almost immediately after opening its borders Greater DCU, now led by General Secretary McDaragh, joined the ComIntern, known at the time as the United Federation of European States(UFES). As one of the more moderate members of that great alliance GDCU played a vital role in bringing about a thawing in the Cold War with the EDF. When major members Cidonia and Myrth quit the alliance, Greater DCU stepped in and assumed control. Unlike the EDF the ComIntern did not collapse in on itself and at fact grew in size. Unfortunately inactivity on the behalf of newer members and an influx of fascists into the region meant that six months after the end of the Cold War the ComIntern was a pale shadow of its former self. The borders of GDCU once again closed.
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*The Assembly members elect the '''Politburo''' which is the highest decision making body in the Union. Headed by the General Secretary it is responsible for the day to day running of the nation.
  
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In September 2004 the borders were once again opened as Greater DCU vowed to continue in the quest for European Socialism. It was once more on its own though as the other prominent socialist nations went quiet. It was into this void that the nation strode and began to confront the latest alliance of oppressors – the FMS. Despite being an excellent target in their beady imperialist eyes, Greater DCU refused to bow down. A series of crises in Europaland and the Sea of Revolution ensured as Qantrix attempted to start a war of aggression. They finally succeeded in this mission when the Red Navy destroyed a Qantrixian fleet attempting to supply a Vocurian terrorist group with arms – it would not be the last Qantrixian fleet destroyed. The resultant war has been called the Great Southern War or simply the Southern War. At the time of writing peace has been secured in Daracnia while negotiations continue in Vocur.
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As there is only one political party allowed (the Party itself) there are no parliamentary parties operating in Greater DCU. Instead a number of loose ideological factions exist within the Assembly. However membership of these factions is not compulsory and as a result Verdean politics are generally much more fluid and personality based than foreign counterparts. The primary Assembly factions are the Social Union (currently in the ascendancy), the Conservative Communists and the Free Enterprise Alliance.
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Elections are held every 5 years and it is a matter of the Populace to vote for their representatives to the Party Assembly. The Assembly Members then elect a General Secretary and must approve of his Politburo.
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''Profiles of most major Politburo members and other prominent personalities in Greater DCU can be found at [[Who's Who in GDCU]]''
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==Economy==
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===The Command Economy===
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Unsurprisingly for a state built on the teachings of [[Wikipedia:Karl Marx|Marx]], Greater DCU operates under a [[Wikipedia:Planned Economy|planned economy]]. Ultimately all economic decisions are the responsibility of the behemoth ''Secretariat of Industry, Trade and Enterprise'' (SITE). This massive organisation includes over a dozen separate branches including the ''Central State Bank'', the ''Agricultural Production Board'', the ''Gas and Petroleum Energy Board'' and the ''Department of Arms Procurement and Development''. These massive organisations are responsible for setting production targets, running virtually all industrial, agricultural and other aspects of the GDCU economy.  
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While overall targets are dictated by the Politburo, there is substantial input from the lowest level of the industrial base as local ''Economic Priority Councils'' generate the demand for their community. Specially developed computers and software are required to process the vast amounts of data moving through the system and are necessary to manage a modern day planned economy. These systems allow SITE to assign resources to critical areas of the economy and greatly increase the overall economic efficiency of the Union.
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Although small sole traders are allowed to operate independently, the State owns all medium to large firms. Large [[Wikipedia:monopoly|monopolies]] have been established to maximise production with the bulk of a single commodity being manufactured in one or two dedicated sites. Due to an ideological opposition to ''wage slavery'' and a desire to increase motivation, workers at a given site are granted a percentage of the company’s profits in addition to a minimum wage. Dedicated SITE teams that rove the country and identify wasted resources for reassignment have further reduced the traditional inefficiencies associated with State owned firms.
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As required by [[Wikipedia:Marxist|Marxist]] ideology, private land is non-existent in Greater DCU. It is not so much a matter of the State owning the land, as it is that the very concept no longer exists.
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===International Trade===
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Despite the opening of the borders, trade with foreign nations continues to be low. The bulk of transactions are conducted with fellow socialist powers on a government-to-government basis. Few major industries have opened their doors to [[Europe]] with only the ''Department of Arms Procurement and Development'' trading on the open European market. Nonetheless there is some degree of a [[Wikipedia:balance of trade|balance of trade]] with the fruits surplus production often exported. In recent years SITE has also begun to import certain specialty goods from abroad, but there remains a political and economic limit on the acceptable quantity of foreign trade permitted. Even with this there has been talk of allowing a small number of foreign firms to locate within the Union, however few have proven willing to abide by the regulations and requirements of SITE.
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One result of this, not unexpected, trade outlook has been that the effects of [[Wikipedia:globalisation|globalisation]] on the GDCU economy have been considerably migrated. While hardly self-sufficient, the Union still retains complete control of its economic affairs. This ensures that outsourcing is an unfamiliar term to the business community and [[Wikipedia:Heavy Industry|heavy manufacturing and industry continues to make up a substantial proportion of total output. However recent modernisation drives and the maturing of the economy have resulted in the evolution of many of these firms into hi-tech precision engineering facilities.
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==The History ==
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''Main article: [[History of Verde]]''
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The fertile fields of [[Verde]] have long been an attractive settling ground for various foreign invaders. As such the history of Verde is an almost continuous series of invasions, conflict and resettlements. The first recorded settlers in the region of Verde date back to 4000 BC when [[Wikipedia:Neolithic|Neolithic]] farmers founded a few sparse settlements. These were later conquered by the [[Wikipedia:Celts|Celtic]] tribes who had passed through [[Rokolev]] and onto the plains of Verde circa 500 BC. For almost a thousand years the Celts spread across and settled on the peninsula, giving it its name and laying the foundations for a future culture. This peaceful existence was shattered in 1424 AD when a small collection of [[Alamein]] ships was sighted off the coast. In the coming centuries invaders from [[Cidonia]], [[États Confédéres d'Europe]] and [[Pallux]] would follow suit and occupied large tracts of land. By the mid 1700’s the Verdean peninsula was occupied by five distinct nations – the Gaelic Free State, the Duchy of Smithfield, the Principality of Borogravia, the Free Cities and the Diocese of Ambrosia.
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These nationstates warred almost constantly for two hundred years as the petty factions dedicated themselves to the destruction of the rivals. The fluid nature of Verdean politics ensured that barely a year would go by without some minor crisis between two nations – a crisis which would usually grow and later plunge the region into yet another pointless war. However the “war to end all wars” occurred in 1918 when large-scale industrial warfare broke out between the powers. For seven years the petty states fought each other to a standstill as life in the region continued to deteriorate rapidly. As millions of young men continued to die on the battlefields, their families were starving in the cities. All the time the following of socialist radicals such as continue to grow. Finally the long awaited revolution took place on the 22nd of February 1925. Masses of workers, soldiers and all citizens from around Verde rallied to the Red Banner of  [[Who's Who in GDCU|Alexandre Vinkourov]] and the [[Communist Party of Verde]]. After several months of civil war the old regimes had been washed away and the Greater DCU established.
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After the Revolution the borders to the [[Europe]] were shut and work began on [[Reconstruction|reconstructing]] Verdean society. Eighty years later the result is a unified socialist state founded on the twin principles of [[Wikipedia:democracy|democracy]] and [[Wikipedia:Marxism|Marxism]].
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==Society==
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Visitors to Greater DCU are often surprised by the generally pleasant atmosphere and society, which contrasts sharply with the stereotypical image of communist nations. Social affairs are directed by the Party, which ensures that while no one is too rich, poverty is almost unheard of. While the [[Wikipedia:Planned Economy|planned economy]] maximises employment, free healthcare and education (regularly ranked among the highest in [[Europe]] by the [[UN]]) have resulted in a well educated and happy populace.
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Status in Verdean society is primary based on standing within the local Party organisation, which is in turn highly dependant on performance within a professional sector. For example a highly innovative engineer will attract praise from his local Party branch and thus gain prestige and respect within the community. There are a number of civilian awards based on military orders that are often rewarded to community members for admirable work in either the local community or in their workplace.
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===Demographics===
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As a result of centuries of invasion and settlement there is no standard [[Wikipedia:ethnic|ethnic]] makeup in Greater DCU. While it is known that those of Celtic descent make up the largest proportion of the population, exact figures are unavailable. This is a direct result of the Party’s insistence on the '''One People, One Party, One State''' policy which does not allow for the existence of ethnic divisions within the Union. As such the term ''Verdean'' is used to describe all peoples within the Greater DCU.
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The same theory applies to languages within the Union. While there have traditionally been five separate and distinct languages, during the [[Reconstruction]] a new, common, language was developed. Simply referred to as ''Union Standard'', the tongue is now the first language of the majority of the population, certainly those under thirty. The use of the preceding languages is still common however and most citizens are capable of speaking a second tongue. While these languages have been bastardised after several centuries of isolation, a Cidonian descendent from GDCU could still communicate with a citizen of [[Cid City]].
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===Sport===
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Sport is a highly popular pastime in Greater DCU with participation encouraged at all levels. Most sports remain firmly amateur although certain clubs will subsidise their players to a degree. These days tough training regimes and diets are also common among the top athletes. The popularity of certain games can vary across the nation eg [[Wikipedia:Gaelic games|Gaelic games]] are more popular in the north-west while soccer predominates in the Smithfield. Overall though the most popular team games are [[Wikipedia:rugby union|rugby union]], Gaelic football and soccer. Cycling and tennis also enjoy firm followings.
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While national teams, in particular soccer, once took part in European tournaments; wars, isolation and general regional tension have limited this participation. It has been a number of years since a team from Greater DCU played outside the Union.
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===Religion===
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Perhaps surprisingly for a Socialist nation, religion in Greater DCU is tolerated, if not encouraged. The Union is even home to a Cardinal of the [[Pallux|Church of Pallux]]. This is the product of a deal between the revolutionaries and clergy during the [[History of Verde|Revolution]]. The Church would surrender all material power and influence and in return it would be permitted to maintain its structure and wealth. Both sides benefited from this arrangement – the Communists faced one less foe in their struggle while the Church was able to guarantee its long-term survival.
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While hardly taboo, religion is rarely mentioned in Greater DCU today and never in official channels. Local Party officials tend to passively discourage religious participation and there is no doubt as to the secular nature of the State. Cardinal Desmond currently heads a congregation that makes up, approximately, 7% of the Verdian population, most of whom are residents of the Ambrosia region. Ambrosia remains the traditional stronghold of the Church but even there the faith is in sharp decline.
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==Military==
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''Main article: [[Military of Greater DCU]]''
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Relations between capitalist and socialist nations in [[Europe]] have rarely been better than tense and so the maintenance of a strong military is a necessity for any state that preaches [[European Socialism]]. In Greater DCU the principle guardians of the Party are the ''Red Army'', ''Red Navy'', ''Union Air Force'' and ''Strategic Rocket forces''. Each body plays a key role in the defence of Greater DCU and overall the military receives a substantial percentage of the nation’s yearly budget. Conscription is required to maintain the manpower levels (and in particular the massed ranks of the Red Army) but professional soldiers continue to form the backbone of the armed forces.
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While the [[Communist Party of Verde|Party]] continues its domination of all aspects of political life into the military, there is generally little interference of the workings of the officer corps. So while each [[Wikipedia:Company (military unit)|company]] has an attached [[Wikipedia:political officer|political officer]], these are generally officers selected to oversee morale and handle civilian relations and are subordinate to commanders in the field. The same applies in reverse and those who pursue a military career as a senior officer may not sit on either the Assembly or Politburo (unless in their capacity as chief of Staff).
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[[Category:Nations]]
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[[Category:Europe]]
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[[Category:Greater DCU]]

Latest revision as of 06:08, 30 June 2005

Greater DCU
greater_dcu.jpg
Flag of Greater DCU
Motto: A Place for Everyone. And Everyone in their Place
Region Europe
Capital Verde City
Official Language(s) Union Standard
Leader General Secretary McDaragh
Population 4+ Billion
Currency The Standard 
NS Sunset XML

The Greater Democratic Communist Union is a massive socially progressive European nation. Ruled by a democratically elected government, the nation is dedicated to and run on the principles of Progressive Communism and European Socialism, philosophies that have often led to tension and, occasionally, hostilities with some of the region’s more aggressive capitalist/fascist regimes.

Greater DCU is a pleasant nation in which to live, as the many immigrants who arrive each year can testify to. The planned economy ensures steady and impressive economic growth while the free healthcare and education services are the envy of the region. While the Politburo is strong and centrally controlling, the democratic system ensures that civil rights are respected across the nation. The citizens of Greater DCU are generally warm and friendly, though occasionally suspicious of foreigners. The rights of Free Press and Free Speech are also held dear among the populace.

The Greater Democratic Communist Union is often officially shortened to Greater DCU or abbreviated to GDCU. The nation can also be referred to as the Union while the term Verde describes the nation’s geographic location. Verdean is also used to denote the people of the Greater DCU and their culture and practices.

See Who's Who in GDCU for a list of notable figures in today's Verdean society

Geography

The peninsula of Verde takes its name from the rolling green fields that make up much of the region. Much of the nation is composed of flat grasslands and fields and hills with only the mountainous southeast and coastal plains offering contrast. This monotony was famously captured by the 17th century bard Seamus McDonough who wrote, "When one is tired of Verde, one is tired of endless fields of cabbage". The fact that McDonough went missing shortly afterwards also says a lot on the traditional cut and thrust of the region’s politics.

Major geographic landmarks are rare but include the Verde River (one of the largest in the region) and the Ambrosia Mts. The coastline is almost among the longest in mainland Europe the peninsula surrounded by the Bay of Cheddar to the north, the Implarian Sea to the west and the Gulf of Verde to the south. Land borders include the People's Republic of Vocur and Rokolev. The climate is generally temperate with temperatures rising further south and along the Gulf Coast.

Politics

Main article: Communist Party of Verde

The Communist Party of Verde

The political landscape of Greater DCU, along with every other aspect of life, is dominated by the Communist Party of Verde. The Party is the only political organisation permitted to operate within the Union and it is the only source of authority. In fact there is no national Head of State or Head of Government, the highest ranking politician is the General Secretary of the Communist Party. However the Party and its political system remain resolutely democratic with all citizens over the age of 18 being allowed to stand or vote for positions.

Power in Greater DCU is very much concentrated in the hands of Party officials. The roles of industrialists, the military and even the judiciary pale in comparison to those wielded by politicians. Decisions that affect the Union as a whole are made almost exclusively by either the Politburo or Assembly while local issues are often handled by the well developed network of local branches. Despite the centralising tendencies of a series of Politburos, the two-tier system continues to grant significant authority to grassroots organisations. This trend can be seen throughout the Union system – almost all state bodies (especially economic) consist of both a national, and ultimately supreme, grouping and a network of local offices working closer to the community.

The Party Structure

The Party’s structure can be broadly divided into three bodies - the Populace, the Assembly and the Politburo - stacked in a pyramid organisation. The Revolutionary Council is a separate body that oversees the rate of progress towards the Communist state. There are a myriad other councils, executives and committees woven into this basic structure but these are the major decision making groupings.

  • The Populace consists of the entire voting public and grassroots Party branches. All citizens over the age of 18 are required to be Party members and are eligible to vote in elections.
  • The Party Assembly is the primary decision making body of the Union and seats the 200 Assembly Members who represent the various constituency of the Greater DCU.
  • The Assembly members elect the Politburo which is the highest decision making body in the Union. Headed by the General Secretary it is responsible for the day to day running of the nation.

As there is only one political party allowed (the Party itself) there are no parliamentary parties operating in Greater DCU. Instead a number of loose ideological factions exist within the Assembly. However membership of these factions is not compulsory and as a result Verdean politics are generally much more fluid and personality based than foreign counterparts. The primary Assembly factions are the Social Union (currently in the ascendancy), the Conservative Communists and the Free Enterprise Alliance.

Elections are held every 5 years and it is a matter of the Populace to vote for their representatives to the Party Assembly. The Assembly Members then elect a General Secretary and must approve of his Politburo.

Profiles of most major Politburo members and other prominent personalities in Greater DCU can be found at Who's Who in GDCU

Economy

The Command Economy

Unsurprisingly for a state built on the teachings of Marx, Greater DCU operates under a planned economy. Ultimately all economic decisions are the responsibility of the behemoth Secretariat of Industry, Trade and Enterprise (SITE). This massive organisation includes over a dozen separate branches including the Central State Bank, the Agricultural Production Board, the Gas and Petroleum Energy Board and the Department of Arms Procurement and Development. These massive organisations are responsible for setting production targets, running virtually all industrial, agricultural and other aspects of the GDCU economy.

While overall targets are dictated by the Politburo, there is substantial input from the lowest level of the industrial base as local Economic Priority Councils generate the demand for their community. Specially developed computers and software are required to process the vast amounts of data moving through the system and are necessary to manage a modern day planned economy. These systems allow SITE to assign resources to critical areas of the economy and greatly increase the overall economic efficiency of the Union.

Although small sole traders are allowed to operate independently, the State owns all medium to large firms. Large monopolies have been established to maximise production with the bulk of a single commodity being manufactured in one or two dedicated sites. Due to an ideological opposition to wage slavery and a desire to increase motivation, workers at a given site are granted a percentage of the company’s profits in addition to a minimum wage. Dedicated SITE teams that rove the country and identify wasted resources for reassignment have further reduced the traditional inefficiencies associated with State owned firms.

As required by Marxist ideology, private land is non-existent in Greater DCU. It is not so much a matter of the State owning the land, as it is that the very concept no longer exists.

International Trade

Despite the opening of the borders, trade with foreign nations continues to be low. The bulk of transactions are conducted with fellow socialist powers on a government-to-government basis. Few major industries have opened their doors to Europe with only the Department of Arms Procurement and Development trading on the open European market. Nonetheless there is some degree of a balance of trade with the fruits surplus production often exported. In recent years SITE has also begun to import certain specialty goods from abroad, but there remains a political and economic limit on the acceptable quantity of foreign trade permitted. Even with this there has been talk of allowing a small number of foreign firms to locate within the Union, however few have proven willing to abide by the regulations and requirements of SITE.

One result of this, not unexpected, trade outlook has been that the effects of globalisation on the GDCU economy have been considerably migrated. While hardly self-sufficient, the Union still retains complete control of its economic affairs. This ensures that outsourcing is an unfamiliar term to the business community and [[Wikipedia:Heavy Industry|heavy manufacturing and industry continues to make up a substantial proportion of total output. However recent modernisation drives and the maturing of the economy have resulted in the evolution of many of these firms into hi-tech precision engineering facilities.

The History

Main article: History of Verde

The fertile fields of Verde have long been an attractive settling ground for various foreign invaders. As such the history of Verde is an almost continuous series of invasions, conflict and resettlements. The first recorded settlers in the region of Verde date back to 4000 BC when Neolithic farmers founded a few sparse settlements. These were later conquered by the Celtic tribes who had passed through Rokolev and onto the plains of Verde circa 500 BC. For almost a thousand years the Celts spread across and settled on the peninsula, giving it its name and laying the foundations for a future culture. This peaceful existence was shattered in 1424 AD when a small collection of Alamein ships was sighted off the coast. In the coming centuries invaders from Cidonia, États Confédéres d'Europe and Pallux would follow suit and occupied large tracts of land. By the mid 1700’s the Verdean peninsula was occupied by five distinct nations – the Gaelic Free State, the Duchy of Smithfield, the Principality of Borogravia, the Free Cities and the Diocese of Ambrosia.

These nationstates warred almost constantly for two hundred years as the petty factions dedicated themselves to the destruction of the rivals. The fluid nature of Verdean politics ensured that barely a year would go by without some minor crisis between two nations – a crisis which would usually grow and later plunge the region into yet another pointless war. However the “war to end all wars” occurred in 1918 when large-scale industrial warfare broke out between the powers. For seven years the petty states fought each other to a standstill as life in the region continued to deteriorate rapidly. As millions of young men continued to die on the battlefields, their families were starving in the cities. All the time the following of socialist radicals such as continue to grow. Finally the long awaited revolution took place on the 22nd of February 1925. Masses of workers, soldiers and all citizens from around Verde rallied to the Red Banner of Alexandre Vinkourov and the Communist Party of Verde. After several months of civil war the old regimes had been washed away and the Greater DCU established.

After the Revolution the borders to the Europe were shut and work began on reconstructing Verdean society. Eighty years later the result is a unified socialist state founded on the twin principles of democracy and Marxism.

Society

Visitors to Greater DCU are often surprised by the generally pleasant atmosphere and society, which contrasts sharply with the stereotypical image of communist nations. Social affairs are directed by the Party, which ensures that while no one is too rich, poverty is almost unheard of. While the planned economy maximises employment, free healthcare and education (regularly ranked among the highest in Europe by the UN) have resulted in a well educated and happy populace.

Status in Verdean society is primary based on standing within the local Party organisation, which is in turn highly dependant on performance within a professional sector. For example a highly innovative engineer will attract praise from his local Party branch and thus gain prestige and respect within the community. There are a number of civilian awards based on military orders that are often rewarded to community members for admirable work in either the local community or in their workplace.

Demographics

As a result of centuries of invasion and settlement there is no standard ethnic makeup in Greater DCU. While it is known that those of Celtic descent make up the largest proportion of the population, exact figures are unavailable. This is a direct result of the Party’s insistence on the One People, One Party, One State policy which does not allow for the existence of ethnic divisions within the Union. As such the term Verdean is used to describe all peoples within the Greater DCU.

The same theory applies to languages within the Union. While there have traditionally been five separate and distinct languages, during the Reconstruction a new, common, language was developed. Simply referred to as Union Standard, the tongue is now the first language of the majority of the population, certainly those under thirty. The use of the preceding languages is still common however and most citizens are capable of speaking a second tongue. While these languages have been bastardised after several centuries of isolation, a Cidonian descendent from GDCU could still communicate with a citizen of Cid City.

Sport

Sport is a highly popular pastime in Greater DCU with participation encouraged at all levels. Most sports remain firmly amateur although certain clubs will subsidise their players to a degree. These days tough training regimes and diets are also common among the top athletes. The popularity of certain games can vary across the nation eg Gaelic games are more popular in the north-west while soccer predominates in the Smithfield. Overall though the most popular team games are rugby union, Gaelic football and soccer. Cycling and tennis also enjoy firm followings.

While national teams, in particular soccer, once took part in European tournaments; wars, isolation and general regional tension have limited this participation. It has been a number of years since a team from Greater DCU played outside the Union.

Religion

Perhaps surprisingly for a Socialist nation, religion in Greater DCU is tolerated, if not encouraged. The Union is even home to a Cardinal of the Church of Pallux. This is the product of a deal between the revolutionaries and clergy during the Revolution. The Church would surrender all material power and influence and in return it would be permitted to maintain its structure and wealth. Both sides benefited from this arrangement – the Communists faced one less foe in their struggle while the Church was able to guarantee its long-term survival.

While hardly taboo, religion is rarely mentioned in Greater DCU today and never in official channels. Local Party officials tend to passively discourage religious participation and there is no doubt as to the secular nature of the State. Cardinal Desmond currently heads a congregation that makes up, approximately, 7% of the Verdian population, most of whom are residents of the Ambrosia region. Ambrosia remains the traditional stronghold of the Church but even there the faith is in sharp decline.

Military

Main article: Military of Greater DCU

Relations between capitalist and socialist nations in Europe have rarely been better than tense and so the maintenance of a strong military is a necessity for any state that preaches European Socialism. In Greater DCU the principle guardians of the Party are the Red Army, Red Navy, Union Air Force and Strategic Rocket forces. Each body plays a key role in the defence of Greater DCU and overall the military receives a substantial percentage of the nation’s yearly budget. Conscription is required to maintain the manpower levels (and in particular the massed ranks of the Red Army) but professional soldiers continue to form the backbone of the armed forces.

While the Party continues its domination of all aspects of political life into the military, there is generally little interference of the workings of the officer corps. So while each company has an attached political officer, these are generally officers selected to oversee morale and handle civilian relations and are subordinate to commanders in the field. The same applies in reverse and those who pursue a military career as a senior officer may not sit on either the Assembly or Politburo (unless in their capacity as chief of Staff).

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