Difference between revisions of "Gyre"
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| − | The ''' | + | The '''Dual Commonwealth of Gyre''' comprises a large island or small continent in the Western Atlantic, as well as associated offshore islands and a handful of territorial dependencies. It is viewed variously as a constitutional monarchy without a monarch or a republic with an entrenched aristocracy. |
Gyre is a first-world industrial economy notable for the strong economic presence of the aristocracy as directors of private corporations, and the state's reliance upon similar (national) corporations for much of it's finance. | Gyre is a first-world industrial economy notable for the strong economic presence of the aristocracy as directors of private corporations, and the state's reliance upon similar (national) corporations for much of it's finance. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | ===Prehistory: to 750 | + | ===Prehistory: to 750=== |
The origins of the indigenous Gyric (Skarharnic) population are unknown, as they do not resemble any ethnic groups in Vasconia or Europe. Theories range from pre-Indo-European or archaic Vasconian Indian settlers to Atlantean colonists, the Lost Tribes of Israel, or an autochthonic branch of ''H. sapiens''. What is known is that agriculture dates to approximately 750 BC; and that by around 1 AD they had developed bronze-working, megalithic architecture, and stone ring-forts, indicating a high level of indigenous technological development (although contact during the early Nordic Bronze Age cannot be ruled out). | The origins of the indigenous Gyric (Skarharnic) population are unknown, as they do not resemble any ethnic groups in Vasconia or Europe. Theories range from pre-Indo-European or archaic Vasconian Indian settlers to Atlantean colonists, the Lost Tribes of Israel, or an autochthonic branch of ''H. sapiens''. What is known is that agriculture dates to approximately 750 BC; and that by around 1 AD they had developed bronze-working, megalithic architecture, and stone ring-forts, indicating a high level of indigenous technological development (although contact during the early Nordic Bronze Age cannot be ruled out). | ||
| − | ===The Age of Kings: 750 to 1550 | + | ===The Age of Kings: 750 to 1550=== |
The prehistoric age came to an end with the arrival of Irish missionaries during the Eighth century AD. Although the native chieftains proved hostile to Christianity, the missionaries' example prompted the adoption of writing and the beginning of written history. More immediately useful to the Gyric population were Viking traders, who began arriving fifty years later, and brought with them European agricultural species such as sheep, goats, cattle, horses and crops such as oats, barley, rye and wheat, as well as technological innovations including iron and steel production and ship-building. | The prehistoric age came to an end with the arrival of Irish missionaries during the Eighth century AD. Although the native chieftains proved hostile to Christianity, the missionaries' example prompted the adoption of writing and the beginning of written history. More immediately useful to the Gyric population were Viking traders, who began arriving fifty years later, and brought with them European agricultural species such as sheep, goats, cattle, horses and crops such as oats, barley, rye and wheat, as well as technological innovations including iron and steel production and ship-building. | ||
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The "Communications Revolution" hit Gyre with full force, with those ''Enröchanë'' who did not invest in computer technology often finding themselves losing wealth to their peers and to innovative bourgeoisie corporations; the nation today has what some critics have called a "cult of technology", accused of obsession with consumer electronics, robotics, and military hardware. The reciprocating forces of consumer demand and corporate promotion continue to escalate Gyre's technological development, and only time can tell what the future will bring. | The "Communications Revolution" hit Gyre with full force, with those ''Enröchanë'' who did not invest in computer technology often finding themselves losing wealth to their peers and to innovative bourgeoisie corporations; the nation today has what some critics have called a "cult of technology", accused of obsession with consumer electronics, robotics, and military hardware. The reciprocating forces of consumer demand and corporate promotion continue to escalate Gyre's technological development, and only time can tell what the future will bring. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Politics== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Political System=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Under the Third Charter of 1966, Gyre is established as the "Dual Commonwealth", with universal suffrage, a ''Garünet'' elected by commons and aristocracy alike, and a bicameral system of ''Kurjant Enröchanë'' and ''Kurjant Vecherë''; the former composed of the aristocracy, and the latter of the commons. The aristocracy are forbidden to vote in the elections of the ''Kurjant Vecherë'', but in the election of the ''Garünet'' and in referenda they enjoy votes weighted by rank and holdings to bring the aristocracy [i]as a whole[/i] to nearly the same number of votes as the much larger common electorate. In practice neither of the ''Kurjantë'' have ever acted in unity, and party lines cross the bounds of the Councils to act in both fora. Laws proposed by the ''Kurjant Vecherë'' must pass the inspection of the ''Kurjant Enröchanë'' and vice versa, further establishing the balance of powers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Elections in the ''Kurjant Vecherë'' are proportional, with seats in the 199-member Council apportioned according to party votes by the Commons; the ''Vecherë'' then elect one of their number as ''Üdra Kurjantev'' (Low Councillor), who functions primarily as a chairman. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Political Parties=== | ||
Revision as of 11:16, 19 June 2007
| |
| Flag of Gyre | |
| Motto: Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam | |
| No Map Available | |
| Region | Western Atlantic |
|---|---|
| Capital | Karzhannan |
| Official Language(s) | Skarharnë |
| Leader | National Leader |
| Population | 3.67 billion |
| Currency | mark |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Dual Commonwealth of Gyre comprises a large island or small continent in the Western Atlantic, as well as associated offshore islands and a handful of territorial dependencies. It is viewed variously as a constitutional monarchy without a monarch or a republic with an entrenched aristocracy.
Gyre is a first-world industrial economy notable for the strong economic presence of the aristocracy as directors of private corporations, and the state's reliance upon similar (national) corporations for much of it's finance.
Contents
History
Prehistory: to 750
The origins of the indigenous Gyric (Skarharnic) population are unknown, as they do not resemble any ethnic groups in Vasconia or Europe. Theories range from pre-Indo-European or archaic Vasconian Indian settlers to Atlantean colonists, the Lost Tribes of Israel, or an autochthonic branch of H. sapiens. What is known is that agriculture dates to approximately 750 BC; and that by around 1 AD they had developed bronze-working, megalithic architecture, and stone ring-forts, indicating a high level of indigenous technological development (although contact during the early Nordic Bronze Age cannot be ruled out).
The Age of Kings: 750 to 1550
The prehistoric age came to an end with the arrival of Irish missionaries during the Eighth century AD. Although the native chieftains proved hostile to Christianity, the missionaries' example prompted the adoption of writing and the beginning of written history. More immediately useful to the Gyric population were Viking traders, who began arriving fifty years later, and brought with them European agricultural species such as sheep, goats, cattle, horses and crops such as oats, barley, rye and wheat, as well as technological innovations including iron and steel production and ship-building.
By 900 AD the Skarharnic population had fully adopted all the introductions of the Norse traders, and by 1000 AD the island had been unified under the Adravön or High King. The end of the Viking Age saw the decline of North Atlantic shipping and the relative isolation of Gyre from European contact; it was occasionally visited by Norwegian or Danish traders venturing west from Iceland, who reported the island as a flourishing pagan kingdom inhabited by fierce warriors; of special note to the Europeans were a minority Christian population, which never amounted to much due to hostility from the indigenous religion and the distance from Rome.
Local literature from the time records the building of castles throughout the land as a kind of local feudalism developed; the development of a written system replacing the oral epics of the past; and, interestingly, some trade with Vasconian Indian populations further west.
The Age of Colonialism: 1550 to 1850 AD
The relative isolation of Gyre came to an end in 1550 with the first European explorers landing upon its shores (although Basque fishermen had been in contact with their Skarharnic counterparts for at least fifty years before that). By 1600 English and French explorers and colonists were stopping at Karzhannan Port on the way to Vasconia. This led to a surge in trade and an upswing in (Protestant) Christianity; the former was controlled by the High King's officers, and the latter suppressed by him with reactionary fervor. In 1650 the Enröchanë (Margraves, approximately equivalent to European Dukes), hungry for a slice of the trade revenues, marched on the royal capital at Karzhannan, executing the King and declaring the formation of the Kurjant Enröchanë (Margraves' Council) with an elected Garünet Kurjantev (First Councillor) as chairman and nominal head of state.
Under the Kurjant Enröchanë trade with Europe and Vasconia increased, Christianity expanded as a minority religion, particularly among the commons, and Gyric trading posts expanded alongside European colonies in Vasconia. The colonial ambitions of the Kurjantë were doomed to failure; although the Enröchanë now had modern ships and cannon, the European powers remained at the forefront of technological development, and were less politically fragmented; since the Enröchanë now had individual standing armies, debates in the Kurjant often dissolved into brawls, and were solved outside the council halls by armed skirmishes. Still, despite the inefficient political structure, the individual Enröchanë flourished, and Gyre made it into the industrial age unconquered by European powers; the Skarharnë retained their medieval reputation as fierce warriors.
The Age of Industrialism: 1840 to 1925
Industrial development in the early 19th century took place under the aegis of the Enröchanë, who developed at this time their hold on the Gyric economy; but this, alongside news of popular revolutions in Europe, created a disenfranchised and growing middle class, as well as an expanding working class. In 1839 famine sent many farmers into the cities, and this, combined with the already present disenfranchised classes, gave spark to an abortive Republic in 1840. The Republic spread throughout Gyre until 1850, and lasted in Karzhannan until 1852, when the armies of the Enröchanë pushed the revolutionaries back to the capital and crushed them after months of siege and heavy street fighting. In the wake of the revolution the Kurjant Vecherë (Commons' Council) was established, and the franchise extended to all male citizens over 20 years of age; the election of the Garünet Kurjantev was extended to the commons. The aristocracy, however, were given a weighted vote depending upon a formula incorporating their rank and the population of their lands, which meant that a united aristocracy could effectively impose it's will over the Kurjant Vecherë and a united commons could impose theirs upon the Kurjant Enröchanë; in theory, of course, neither was united, and both commons and aristocrats courted alliances among the other Council to further their aims.
The military was nationalized, although armies still retained the names of the marches from which they had come - a practice which continues to this day, despite the essential cessation of links between the marches and individual armies. The navy was entirely nationalized.
The Age of Dictatorship: 1925 to 1966
The early 20th century was marked by rapid modernization, the rise of the proletariat, and finally economic downturn following World War I. While Gyric participation in that conflict was minimal, the demise of ready markets for Gyric goods and spread European economic troubles to Gyre. This, alongside the Russian Revolution and socialist uprisings across Europe, led in 1925 to political unrest and in 1925 to a short-lived Second Republic being declared in Karzhannan.
Concurrent with the rise of socialism had been the rise of nationalism; and a vote of no confidence in the Garünet Kurjantev following the capitulation of the revolutionaries resulted in the establishment of a far-right nationalist government in 1926 under Garünet Ivar Valdünsev. In accordance with his romantic reinterpretation of history, Valdünsev reestablished the monarchy with himself as Adravön. Socialists and anarchists were brutally suppressed and many corporations (most of them belonging to bourgeoisie captains of industry rather than the Enröchanë) were nationalized. Military production was increased, and when World War II broke out Valdünsev entered on the side of the Axis.
The fall of Germany led Valdünsev to withdraw from the war and sue for peace; faced by the prospect of a land war on Gyre against the powerful Gyric army led the Allied powers to settle into an uneasy peace. During the early Cold War the aging Valdünsev, erratically controlled by a series of ministers, proved an unpredictable and unliked ally in the the struggle against Communism. His death in 1965 was heralded by a growing movement of social liberation, echoing the hippie movement overseas, and his son lasted only a few months before the Enröchanë, eager to avert a third Revolution, deposed him and abolished the monarchy for a second time. The powers of the Garünet Kurjantev were much reduced, and the First Councillor became once again a figurehead for the political struggles in the Councils rather than a head of state in his own right.
Gyre's first nuclear test in 1948 was followed by the rapid development of nuclear reactors a pebble-bed type, and led to the firm establishment of a nuclear navy (and, in Valdünsev's later years, follies such as a nuclear-powered tank, bomber, and cruise missile).
The Age of Modernity: 1966 to present
While the Enröchanë remained strongly opposed to Communism, Valdünsev's death signaled a growing social liberalism under which small businesses were promoted by a series of forward-thinking Garünetë hewing to the center-right, developing the economy throughout the remainder of the 20th century; interspersed by Christian and pagan socialists of the center-left, who developed social programs largely through the aegis of the Churches. Military spending remained high in the shadow of the Cold War, and the center-right did not cut spending drastically following the decline of Communism in the 1990s; while the Garünetë after Valdünsev have pledged "no first use" of nuclear weaponry, they remain committed to the nuclear navy and retaliatory strike capabilities, paying little more than lip-service to non-proliferation.
The "Communications Revolution" hit Gyre with full force, with those Enröchanë who did not invest in computer technology often finding themselves losing wealth to their peers and to innovative bourgeoisie corporations; the nation today has what some critics have called a "cult of technology", accused of obsession with consumer electronics, robotics, and military hardware. The reciprocating forces of consumer demand and corporate promotion continue to escalate Gyre's technological development, and only time can tell what the future will bring.
Politics
Political System
Under the Third Charter of 1966, Gyre is established as the "Dual Commonwealth", with universal suffrage, a Garünet elected by commons and aristocracy alike, and a bicameral system of Kurjant Enröchanë and Kurjant Vecherë; the former composed of the aristocracy, and the latter of the commons. The aristocracy are forbidden to vote in the elections of the Kurjant Vecherë, but in the election of the Garünet and in referenda they enjoy votes weighted by rank and holdings to bring the aristocracy [i]as a whole[/i] to nearly the same number of votes as the much larger common electorate. In practice neither of the Kurjantë have ever acted in unity, and party lines cross the bounds of the Councils to act in both fora. Laws proposed by the Kurjant Vecherë must pass the inspection of the Kurjant Enröchanë and vice versa, further establishing the balance of powers.
Elections in the Kurjant Vecherë are proportional, with seats in the 199-member Council apportioned according to party votes by the Commons; the Vecherë then elect one of their number as Üdra Kurjantev (Low Councillor), who functions primarily as a chairman.
