Difference between revisions of "Little India"

Revision as of 15:43, 22 October 2005

NationStates Profile

‘’’The High Kingdom and Holy Empire of Little India’’’

‘’Vivat Ithilanor Secondvs, Excello Rex et Pivs Imperator Omnia Aliqvantvlvs Indiæ’’

Categorisation

• UN Category: Inoffensive Centrist Democracy
• Civil Rights: Good
• Economy: Strong
• Political Freedoms: Some
• Region: New Italy (founder)

General Information

The High Kingdom and Holy Empire of Little India is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, remarkable for its punitive income tax rates. Its compassionate, hard-working population of 1.473 billion have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Public Transport, and the Environment. The average income tax rate is 88%, and even higher for the wealthy. A robust private sector is dominated by the Information Technology industry.

The government seizes all major gold finds, smoking is banned in public areas, major cities shut down as their local sports team takes to the field every day, and graffiti artists spend lengthy periods of time in jail. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Little India's national animal is the Pilau, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Rupee.

(From October 21st 2005)

Forms

Official Form: IVNCTVS REGNI VERVNA, PARRLAY, IMRATHON, ELENI, TVLPAS, FRIDA, PROTEA ET NOROHARN, GRANDIS PRINCIPALIS ET ALBVS URBI IHAYEL, MAGNVM DVXI VÍS ET EXCELLO REGNVM ALIQVANTVLVS INDIÆ

Conventional Short Form: EXCELLO REGNVM ALIQVANTVLVS INDIÆ

Local Long Form: The United Kingdoms of Veruna, Parrlay, Imrathon, Eleni, Tulpas, Frida, Protea and Noroharn, The Exalted Princedom of Ihayel, the Grand Duchy of Vís and the High Kingdom of Little India

Local Short Form: Little India

History

A full and unabridged version of the history of Little India can be found here.

Government

The Little Indian government is relatively simple to some other political systems in the world. With ten separate Kingdoms, there are three legislative houses, with the Sovereign sat atop all of them.

Political Subdivisions

The High Kingdom of Little India is divided into ten main political provinces. Each province – which is in essence a separate country, under a federal monarchy – consists of nine smaller electoral districts – one of these is specifically for the capital of the Kingdom. The capital of each province lies at the centre of each province, and there are eight districts encircling it. Unnamed, these eight districts are known by their orientation to the capital – eg, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.

1. The Kingdom of Veruna

• The Royal City of Alinil (Capital)

2. The Kingdom of Parrlay

• The Royal City of Morinil (Capital)

3. The Kingdom of Imrathon

• The Royal City of Falbrinil (Capital)

4. The Kingdom of Eleni

• The Royal City of Garinil (Capital)

5. The Kingdom of Tulpas

• The Royal City of Torini (Capital)

6. The Kingdom of Frida

• The Royal City of Lariminil (Capital)

7. The Kingdom of Protea

• The Royal City of Bylorinil (Capital)

8. The Kingdom of Noroharn

• The Royal City of Theed (Capital)

9. The Grand Duchy of Vís

• The Great City of Sudrinil (Capital)

10. The Exalted Princedom and White City of Ihayel

• The High Citadel

Ihayel is the notable exception to this rule, as the city takes up the entire province, and is built on a hill of twelve levels. As such, there are eleven electoral districts in Ihayel, with the top level of the city housing the Sovereign Palace, Congress, the Basilica and other public buildings.

The Legislature

The House of Representatives

With 920 seats, the House of Representatives is the lowest but largest legislative House in Little India. It is comprised of popularly elected members from each of the separate divisions of the High Kingdom: 10 members are elected from each electoral district in each separate Kingdom, with 90 members from each Kingdom. 110 members are sent to the House from Ihayel – ten for each level of the city. The head of this body is the Viceroy, who is appointed by the High King upon an election in the House.

The Senate

With 92 seats, the Senate is the second largest and second most powerful House. Like the House of Representatives, it is comprised of popularly elected members from each of the divisions of Little India: 9 from each Kingdom (81); and 11 from the Exalted Princedom of Ihayel (11). A special seat is also designated for the Sovereign (the High King) or His Represenatative. Legislation passed in the House of Represenatatives must be passed in the Senate before it can pass to the High Council of Kings. The head of this body is the Chancellor, who serves as Head of Government, and, like in the House, is appointed by the Sovereign after a vote within the Senate.

The High Council of Kings

With only 8 seats (plus one for the Sovereign or a Regent), the High Council of Kings is the smallest but most powerful branch of Little Indian legislature. The King or Queen of each Kingdom of Little India sits on the Council, and the Sovereign must also sit. As the King or Queen of Noroharn traditionally holds the title of High King, Grand Duke of Vís and Exalted Prince of Ihayel, the Sovereign's oldest child sits on the council for Noroharn. The Sovereign is sent as the represenatative for Vís and Ihayel. All legislation passed in the Senate must receive a simple majority vote in the Council, but the Sovereign must also agree to the Legislation. If the Sovereign disagrees with the legislation, it must be sent back to the House of Representatives to be altered.

The Sovereign

The Sovereign is the Head of the State of Little India, and a symbol of the state unity. Although not holding any real power, the Sovereign is the land’s chief lawmaker, and all legislation must go through Him or Her before it can become Statute Law. The Sovereign holds emergency reserve powers, but these have rarely been used, if ever to their full potential.

The Executive

The executive of Little India is the Cabinet, comprised of members of the Chancellor’s political party, and some advisory members from the House of Representatives. The current Cabinet is as follows:

Chancellor: His Excellency Aníron Danfalas Minister of Interior: Foreign Minister: Security Minister: Environment Minister: Education Minister: Employment Minister: Transport Minister: Intelligence Minister: Cultural Minister: His Eminence Cardinal Hardína – appointed by the High King

The Judiciary

Hierarchy and Structure of the Little Indian Court System

As with the legislature, the head of the Judiciary is the Sovereign. The Sovereign appoints High Court Judges, Supreme Court Justices and acts as Most Excellent Lord Justice of the Little Indians – the highest Judicial figure in the land.

Below the Sovereign are the High Councillors, the seven Kings of Little India. This is the highest appeal ‘’’court’’’ in the land, but the Sovereign will hear final appeals.

Below the High Council of Kings are the Supreme Court Justices, fixed at ten in number. There is a Supreme Court in each main political division of Little India, mostly in that Kingdom’s capital city. They are addressed as “His/Her Lord/Ladyship, the Honourable Supreme Justice (name).

Then there is the High Court, the next lowest court. There are three High Court Judges per Kingdom, and they usually hear cases together in a Presidium. It is very rare that only a single Judge will hear a High Court case. They are addressed as “His/Her Lord/Ladyship, the High Justice (name).

The next lowest court is the crown court. There are innumerable Crown Court Judges, and again usually sit in Presidia of three or five Judges. They are addressed as “Mr/Mrs Justice (name).

The lowest court in the land is the Court of the Plebiscite. There are twelve Plebiscite Court Judges in each city and town in Little India. The Plebiscite Judges are addressed simply as “Justice (name)” with no prefix as for the Judges in the senior courts.

Demography

The Sovereign Census of the High Kingdom of Little India

Vital Statistics

Little India as a whole

Of the Individual Kingdoms

The Kingdom of Veruna

The Kingdom of Parrlay

The Kingdom of Imrathon

The Kingdom of Eleni

The Kingdom of Tulpas

The Kingdom of Frida

The Kingdom of Protea

The Kingdom of Noroharn

The Grand Duchy of Vís

The Exalted Princedom and White City of Ihayel

Ihayel

Ihayel is the capital of Little India as a whole, and was given Principality status due to its burgeoning poulation.

Background information

Occupying 6,000,000 square miles at the heart of Little India and with a population of roughly 600 million people, the Exalted Princedom of the White City of Ihayel is effectively a country in it's own right. The first city in the country, and the largest, Ihayel was given Principality status after the first High King, Ithilanor, saw that it was so large that required it's own government. The Exalted Princedom sends one hundred and ten representatives to the Little Indian House of Representatives and eleven to the Senate, but has it's own government system. With two legislative houses, the Ihayel government is much smaller than the combined Little Indian legislature. Built on a hill, the city has twelve levels, each higher than the last. The entire city is built from white marble, and the buildings get progressively larger as you move up the hill. The largest houses are situated in the eleventh level. The twelfth level houses the White Tower, and the Sovereign Palace, an immense building that combines a Palace for the Sovereign, seven smaller palaces for each of the Seven Kings of Little India, the House of Representatives and the Senate of Little India, the Senate Chamber for New Italy and the Pantheon - officially called the Holy Pantheon of the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Ihayel’s Status and Importance

Ihayel is the capital of the enormous Little Indian nation, and more than half a billion people live within the city confines. Not only is Ihayel the country’s largest and most densely populated city, it is home to the Sovereign, the headquarters of the Little Indian branch of Roman Catholicism, and also is the symbol of the state.

Self Government

The Senate

The Lower and smaller of the two houses, the Senate is comprised of 100 popularly elected inhabitants of the city. The head of this body is known as the Prime Minister.

The House of Nobles

Comprised of appointed hereditary nobles, the Senate has 50 seats, plus an extra seat for the Sovereign, who acts as the City's representative in the Little Indian Council of Kings.

Economy

The Little Indian treasury is overflowing, and many Little Indians have bank accounts spread over the world in numerous names, containing many thousands of Rupees. The High King and Holy Emperor maintains 306 such accounts - at last count - all holding in excess of LIRup10 billion.

For the year 40,049(current), the economy is as follows. All figures are given in US$. The current exchange rate is LIRup 2.9078 = US$ 1.

Government Expenditure

• Government budget: $9,367,612,110,710
• Government Expenditures: $7,096,771,662,890.63

• • Administration: $70,967,716,628.91 1%

• • Social Welfare: $780,644,882,917.97 11%

• • Healthcare: $709,677,166,289.06 10%

• • Education: $993,548,032,804.69 14%

• • Religion & Spirituality: $212,903,149,886.72 3%

• • Defence: $70,967,716,628.91 1%

• • Law & Order: $1,348,386,615,949.22 19%

• • Commerce: $70,967,716,628.91 1%

• • Public Transport: $1,064,515,749,433.59 15%

• • The Environment: $1,064,515,749,433.59 15%

• • Social Equality: $638,709,449,660.16 9%

• Government waste: $2,270,840,447,820 (added to the Treasury each year)

Domestic Expenditure

• Gross Domestic Product: $8,122,860,360,658.58
• per capita: $6,370.87

Trade

• Imports: $1,010,365,624,379.28
• Exports: $1,016,070,676,611.33
• Deficit: $5,705,052,232.04

IVNCTVS GENTICVM AMBROSIVS IMPERIVM NOVVS ITALIÆ

As many nations, seeking the freedom and liberty that the Little Indian people had gained, moved to the continents surrounding the island the Little Indians called Home, the government of Little India called for the binding of all the nations on the continent together, to form a region, with a single Government and leader.

These dreams were realised, and the continental forms are now known as the Divine Impeium of New Italy (officially it is called: IVNCTVS GENTICVM AMBROSIVS IMPERIVM NOVVS ITALIÆ [Iunctus Genticum Ambrosius Imperium Novus Italiæ, the United Nations of the Divine Imperium of New Italy])

The legislative body of the region is the Senate, and it's head is the Chancellor, who is appointed by the High King. His deputy is the Viceroy, also appointed by the High King.

With the foundation of the United Nations of the Divine Imperium of New Italy, the style of Holy Emperor of the People of the East was added to the title of the High King.

All nations within New Italy reserve their Sovereign power, but the government of the region as a whole lies in the hands of the regional Senate.

Religion

The main religion of Little India is Roman Catholicism, and there are services in main cathedrals every day. The Holy Pantheon of the Lord of Heaven in Ihayel is notable throughout Little India and the wider world, for being the only church in the world to hold a constant Church service. Only for certain ceremonies may the service end. The people of Little India are devoutly religious, and most especially so in Ihayel.

Acknowledged Heads

There are several acknowledged Heads of the Holy Little Indian Church of Roman Catholicism, as it is known in Little India. The Pope is accepted as Supreme Pontiff, and holds authority over all religious activity in Little India. The High King and Holy Emperor is known as the High Priest of Ihayel, an honorary title. He also holds the title of ‘’Fidei Defensor’’, the Defender of the Faith.

The Basilica of the Holy Lord of Heaven and Earth

The second largest Church on Earth, the Basilica is located in the uppermost level of the citadel of Ihayel, and is part of the Sovereign Palace complex. Round in shape, the basilica is the site of a constant Catholic service.

A Royal Funeral

For a Royal Funeral, especially that of a major Royal, the service is ended as soon as the death becomes public knowledge. The body lies in the Pantheon for forty days, and then the funeral may take place.

A Coronation

A King or Queen

In the Coronation of one of the Kings of Little India, then Church services are suspended for ten days, before the Coronation may take place. After the Coronation, there is a recess of three days before Church services are initiated.

For the High King or Queen, Sovereign of All Little India

Church services are suspended in the Pantheon for exactly a year. Services do not take place in the Pantheon from the death of one Sovereign to the Coronation of the next, although services are not suspended in any other church.

The coronation of the Sovereign includes the seven Kings/Queens using their own Crown to crown the Sovereign and returning it to their own head. Then, the Sovereign will speak an oath to the seven Kings/Queens, and they will remove their Crowns to the respective Chapel of their Kingdom, and then the Sovereign will take it from there and crown Himself with it and then transfer the Crown to the King. Then the Pope crowns the Sovereign. The Sovereign then places the Crown on the Pope's head, who returns it to the Sovereign's head.

The Calendar of Little India

Each year in Little India consists of 365 days. These 365 days are split into thirteen months and one festival day. Each month lasts 28 days. The year begins on 1st Andar - September 25th of the Gregorian Calendar. The months are as follows:

Andar

Oredin

Pana

Kalim

Lomora

Hesin

Haleth

Mansé

Lithe - the month during which Overlither (Midsummer's Day) occurs

Thivieth

Ostoma

Garil

Michael - the month during which Christmas Day (Michaelmas) occurs

The single festival day is known as Festabrin

Foundation Day: 1st of Andar - anniversary of the foundation of Little India

Ithilanor Day: 3rd of Kalim - Ithilanor's birthday

Succession Day: 18th of Haleth - the day of the High King's accession to the Throne

Coronation Day: 29th of Mansé - the anniversary of the Coronation of the High King

The High King's Birthday: Overlithe (Midsummer's Day)

Rolls Day (the day of the release of the new versions of the Rolls): 4th of Lomora

Michaelmas: 25th of Michael - a Wiccan variation of Christmas Day

• When writing the date, the Little Indians have a complex - and unique - system. First, the month is written, followed by the day of the month. Then is the numerical year. After a colon comes the regnal number of the reigning monarch - ie 1 for Ithilanor; 2 for Donna; 1000 for Ethamar - and the regnal year.

For example, the beginning of this year was written:

Andar/1/4049:2000/49

• The festival period for the 1st Day of Andar - New Year and Foundation Day - lasts for two days, Festabrin and Andar/1. Festabrin is the only day of the year that is not within a month, and the festival for Andar/1 begins on this day, and carries over the night to Andar/1

The Monarchy and it's Position in Society

Whilst many Monarchs are Constitutional and hold little real power, the High King has full authority in Little India. Although he entrusted this power to the House of Representatives and the Senate, he can dissolve both Houses and assume complete and autocratic rule in a national emergency. This power has never been utilised. The High King can also overrule any Senate action, and can veto any legislation.

However, the High King has never assumed the full role of Autocrat of Little India, even though it is -a long abandoned - part of His title. His position is Constitutional in all but name.

The Monarchy in Little India plays a very important role, not only in society and public life, but also in legislative, executive and judicial decisions. The High King sits on and presides over the High Council of Kings, the Highest legislative house in Little India. He sits for Vís and Ihayel, and represents the nation as a whole. Also, the monarch must approve all legislature; all laws bear the sovereign's cypher, signature and seal, and all proclamations are made in the Sovereign's name.

The monarch of each individual Kingdom of Little India plays a significant role in representing the people's views in the Council, and also take part n local festivals and proclamations.

The Sovereign, that is the High King of Little India, is a symbol of unity, and is the symbol of the state, and is symbolic of peace. Through Him, the many diverse peoples that call Little India home are irrevocably bound, and cannot be put asunder.

The Monarchy also features in certain religious ceremonies. The Sovereign Family - that is the High King and His immediate Family - appear at festivals, and at talks and openings, and receive foreign Ambassadors and Ministers, as well as initiating alliances by signing treaties.

Military

Although a paicifist country, the High Kingdom of Little India maintains a small military guard to important officials.

The divisions of the Royal Military of Little India are as follows:

1. His Majesty's Police Force

2. The White Guard

3. The Black Guard

His Majesty's Police Force

The police of Little India act as guardians of the people's safety in the major towns and cities. Each city has three police departments, whereas Ihayel has eleven.

The police are unarmed security forces that protect the public from all forms of crime.

The White Guard

The White Guard are a lightly armed force of guards for the seven Kings of Little India, as well as for Senators. Each person under the protection of the White Guard has 50 men at his or her disposal.

The Black Guard

The Black Guard act specifically as guards for the Sovereign Family - the High King and immediate members of His family. Handpicked from the Elite of the White Guard, it is unknown how many Black Guards are in service, and their identities are kept secret. There are certain criteria for becoming a Black Guard.

• Male
• Aged between 18 and 30 years
• No disabilities, physical or mental, and taller than 5' 6"
• Unmarried
• Confirmed members of the Religion
• Of good moral and ethical background
• Born in wedlock
• Attended Military School
• Have attained either a Diploma or University Degree

Trivia and Interesting facts