Difference between revisions of "Huskatopia"

Revision as of 16:53, 15 May 2005

Huskatopia

Flag of Huskatopia
Motto: "Le chien ne sait rien"
Region	NationStates
Capital	Huskatropolis
Official Language(s)	Woof, Revised English
Leader	Shyra Storm
Population
Currency	Claw
NS Sunset XML

Introduction

The Commonwealth of Huskatopia is a large, peaceful democracy which highly values personal liberties and a free economy. It is most notable as the only known home of the domestic caribou, devoutly protected by the many environmentalists and proud owners of this gentle, if gargantuan, pet. The national flag is surely a wonder of the world, featuring a movie-like motion of the husky emblazoned on it (the technology behind this is a closely guarded national secret). A brief stint, and ejection, from the UN left a bad taste in the mouths of both the government and populace. Thus, the nation, though welcoming contact with outsiders, has shied away from the many alliances, peaceful and otherwise, found throughout the NationStates world.

Early History of the Commonwealth

The region now known as the Commonwealth of Huskatopia was once a barren tundra inhabited by many autonomous tribes or families (known as "Packs") without any relationship other than that of species. However, the discovery of a world outside the laid back region inhabited by these Packs by Elder Abakum Miakush in 49 BC (Before the Commonwealth) caused consternation among the various tribes. Thus it was decided in 3 BC to form an alliance among the Packs for the common defense. Three years later the visions of the famous Council of Pyshma came to fruition, with the founding of the Commonwealth of Huskatopia and the start of the Era of the Commonwealth (EC).

The early government maintained the autonomy of the Packs, with the Alphas of each Pack convening each winter following the refreezing of the tundra. These meetings, hosted on a rotating basis by the various Packs, handled disputes between the Packs as well as international affairs for which the council spoke for the Commonwealth as a whole. It was during these councils that the Great Alpha was chosen from among those present to serve as a face for the Commonwealth on the international scene until the next council. Beyond this yearly meeting, however, the Packs had little in common, with each one maintaining its own localized government and largely avoiding contact with its fellow Packs.

Modern History of the Commonwealth

As history has shown again and again, isolationist states rarely last as such, but soon take on important roles in the international community. So it was with Huskatopia. As a feeling of peace once again set in, the "aristocracy" of the Commonwealth began to grow curius about the outside world discovered by Miakush so many years before. By 128 EC, the leading members of every Pack were sending their young abroad to learn from and about the world around them. Such an education soon had an effect at home, and in 151 EC, Sasha Cestibor, representing her pack in the Meeting of the Alphas, suggested a radical overhaul of the government. The reforms that followed led to the modern, truly national, government of Huskatopia.

However, the wave of change did not stop with these internal upheavals. Believing Huskatopia had something to offer the rest of the world, an intrepid group of delegates petitioned the United Nations for admittance. The hey-day of the Commonwealth's international influence was at hand. The nation soon joined its first, and to this point only, alliance, the so-called Emmaus Confederacy (which has now all but vanished into the dusts of history). Within months, the Commonwealth had taken upon itself the task of delegate. Flushed with pride, the delegation eagerly fulfilled their duty.

This moment of sunshine, however, was not to last. A serious breach of UN procedure saw the ejection of the Huskatopian delegation, over the heated protests of the nation and its neighbors. In the months that followed this national tragedy, many reflected on the events of The Opening and found the necessities of UN membership to restrictive for the internal needs of the Commonwealth. Thus, the Commonwealth once again passed out from the world stage to tend to its own peace and prosperity.

Government

The governmental structure of the Commonwealth of Huskatopia represents a unique twist on the common parliamentary democracy.

Executive

At the head of the government is the Great Alpha. Following the reforms of Cestibor, the Great Alpha was elected by the general populace. The position is largely honorary, with little power in domestic affairs. The Great Alpha serves as chief diplomat for the Commonwealth to her sister nations in the world, as well as commander of the army, should one be raised. Domestically, the only power of the Great Alpha is to convene the Council of Alphas outside of its usual annual meeting. Thus, the executive is a position designed to provide decisive leadership in times of international crises.

Legislative

The Legislature of the Commonwealth consists of two chambers or councils.

Council of Alphas

The Council of Alphas is the direct descendent of the earlier Meeting of the Alphas. Each Pack (in modern times denoting the ancient ancestral lands, rather than actual family lineage) selects one Alpha by popular vote. The CA, as it is commonly called, deals purely with international matters, such as trade, treaties, and disputes. In this way, expertise is concentrated in either domestic or foreign policy. The CA only convenes once each year, unless a special session is called by the Great Alpha.

Council of Commoners

The Council of Commoners (CC) is the most powerful branch of government, due to the isolationist stance of the Commonwealth. It consists of 100 members, elected by the nation as a whole, with each citizen opting for as many as 10 candidates. The CC handles all legislation which effects the Commonwealth as a whole. Passage requires the approval of 67 Commoners. Many committees also exist, specializing in various areas (agriculture, finance, transportation, etc.). Of these, arguably the most powerful is the Judicial Committee, which functions as a sort of supreme court for cases that cannot be resolved by the individual packs. Committee membership is subject to the same passage requirements (67 votes) as regular legislation. The CC meets year-round to deal with the affairs of the state.

Pack Government

The modern pack is, as mentioned earlier, a territorial rather than hereditary designation (though most Packs are still dominated by a single family). The governments of the individual Packs vary, but generally include some sort of executive or Beta (in earlier times the Alphas handled this role, but their involvement in the international matters of the CA precludes local involvement). There is also usually a Pack legislature and judiciary which are charged with doing exactly what the name suggests.