Difference between revisions of "Niploma"

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Niploma

Flag of Niploma
Motto: Democracy, Liberty, Peace, Social Rights and Freedom.
Region	The Anumist Alliance
Capital	Failegn
Official Language(s)	English, Gaelic, Pali and Arabic.
Leader	Niplomian Premier
Population	659 million
Currency	SDRN Credit
NS Sunset XML

The Social Democratic Republic of Niploma is a large Liberal/Socialist Democracy situated in The Anumist Alliance region. It's population is currently hovering at the 659 million mark and the country is also a UN Delegate for over 125 days. Inhabitants are Niplomians.

History

Introduction

Niploma used to be ruled by an Oligarchy, always consiting of two Kings. In this system the so called 'ruling classes' ruled the people through corruption and 80% of the population considered to be working class were left to their own devices. Famine and riots were common place.

However by 1923 problems reached a height when 250,000 armed peasents and workers marched on Failegn demanding a coup' and a Communist Republic be installed. The Kings' army was sent to intercept them and a street battle ensued for almost three months. An estimated 125,000 peasents and workers were murdered, many of whom were unarmed, a mere 1200 soldiers were killed, many of whom beaten to death brutally. The day is remembered as the 'Battle of Failegn' due to the locale. However, it was the beginning of the revolution.

Civil War

The 125,000 workers and peasents fleed home and many were seen as heroes to the working classes. The Battle of Failegn inspired the Niplomian Communist Army (NCA), an army that soon numbered 750,000. The NCA had two points, to overthrow the Oligarchy by any means possible and install a Communist republic. By 1932 a civil war was in full flow with the Government forces being attacked throughly by the NCA. However, the NCA fought crudly with little tactics or leadership. Many were slaughtered. A more lenient faction within the NCA disbanded and created the Socialist Resistance (SR) who wanted to overthrow the Oligarchy but end the civil war straight away.

The Civil War continued regardless of the SR and the unprecidented loses on the NCA side. Failegn was being attacked every night by the NCA and the Kings lifes were constantly in danger. NCA troops were coming infamous for their terror tactics used. By the 3rd June 1934 both Kings were killed by an SR sniper. This threw Government forces and the Government itself into dissaray. To the outside world it looked certain the once-winning Government was falling by the knees. The Government ordered a retreat of all Government forces to Failegn. Failegn was fully protected and became the HQ and Base of all Government troops. The Government was in a powerful posistion, everything that the NCA and SR wished to destroy was in Failegn. Government troops numbered 550,000 and NCA troops numbered a mere 350,000. A siege began.

Second Battle of Failegn

On the 6th September 1934 the Siege of Failegn began, it soon became known as the Second Battle of Failegn. NCA troops began night excersions into the city and became highly skilled at killing Government forces leaders. Several commanders had been assinated by the end of 1934.

However, by the end of the 1934 the once small SR group had begun sweep missions around the country, freeing NCA controlled towns of tryranny and fighting skirmishes with the government forces. SR fighters only numbered 150,000 but many were highly skilled. SR had high support from locals in the Northern half of the country who suppiled the group with food and supplies. However, in the South and in Failegn itself SR troops were not seen at all.

Failegn was being held by Government troops but at a significant loss. By February 1935 Government troops numbered 360,000 and the now adapted NCA troops numbered 200,000. A final push by NCA troops began on 3rd March 1935 and was named Operation Swallow. It aimed to place as many NCA troops in the city as possible and hold out until more peasents joined the cause. Unfrotunately for the NCA Commanders, none knew of the lack of support the NCA now had, and the thriving support the SR kept. Barely any peasents supported the NCA during Operation Swallow.

In early 1935 SR began marching into the Southern half of Niploma and also began peace talks with small groups of Government troops still left in some areas. Nearly all of these troops either joined the SR or simply dropped arms and ran.

Operation Swallow began well as international photographers took photos of NCA troops entering central buildings, most famously of all, entering one of the ex-King's palaces. NCA troops suffered signifcant losses but Government troops were taken back by the suprise attack and now Government troops numbered at 150,000 troops (many of whom exhausted and left without a cause). NCA troops were in high spirit but were spread throughout the city and without many supplies or support. They numbered 80,000.

Operation Swallow continued until 25th August 1935 when NCA troops entered peaceful negotiations with the Government. Exhausted and finally demoralised the now small NCA (numbering 12,500) dropped arms on 12th October 1935 and all leaders were assinated. Many troops fleed Failegn and left to the South were they began to control the area. Finally, the Government troops had won the Second Battle. They numbered a weak 56,000 troops. Around them a war-torn Failegn stood and just thirty five miles from the city the SR's new HQ stood. SR troops numbered 250,000 and several million supported them. The smart SR had nearly all Niploma under its control, was peaceful to its people and hugely outnumbered Government troops.

Final Stand and the 1936 Peace Agreement

Destroyed Governmental forces began a Final Stand agains the now popular SR and the final battle for Failegn began on 23rd December 1935. SR troops numbered 250,000 and Government troops numbered an unfortunate 56,000. On 16th January 1936 SR troops held the new Niplomian 'Tricolour' (Green for Niploma, White for Peace and Orange for Socialism/Liberalism) and stormed the Governmental House. By the morning of the 17th January a telegram was wired to SR HQ declaring Peace talks could begin.

Throughout January Peace talks began. The two parties discussed about the future of the country, the war, Failegn and what to do with the small, but still troublesome, NCA. Finally on 18th March 1936 the 'Peace Agreement' was signed. It was agreed that Governmental Forces all had to surrender, its leaders be deported or shot and a new Republic be installed. NCA troops were to be left but any further insurgence was to be dealt with. The war had ended, and a new Niploma had begun.

Aftermath

Naturally the war left a huge stain across the country. Failegn had to be rebuilt and billions were given in aid in the rebuilding of the country. However by 1945 most of the country had been rebuilt and citizens were generally pleased with the new Niploma. In 1958 the Socialist Resistance government called for the first Democratic Election. SR stood under the name of Socialist Internationalist Party, a name that stands today. However, the Socialist Internationalist Party is wholly peaceful. The first Parliament and Government voted on a new name, the Social Democratic Republic of Niploma. Interestingly no NCA action has been reported since the 1950's and the group declared a diisbandment of weapons in 1967. Once peaceful, the ex-members of the NCA created the Official Communist Workers Party.

Economy

Background

Niplomian citizens are currently sitting in a transition period from heavy Socialism/Communism to a lighter form of Liberal Socialism. Although private business is allowed, it is pitifully small. Sadly for enviromentalists Book Publishing appears to be the largest industry in Niploma.

Statistics

For most Niplomians citizens they lead a reasnobly comfortable life. With a well funded public-service program they are well catered for by the state. From their own pursuits of money they do reasnobly well considering the high tax rate. GDP per Capita hovers at the $15,000 mark. The Anumist Alliance's average is normally around the $6000-$8000 area. A relatively high unemployment rate of about 5% in Niploma causes embaressement for the Government as The Anumist Alliances average unemployment rate is said to be considerably lower.

The Government's main concersn appear to be Healthcare, Education, Social Welfare and Administration. Recently, several political parties have demanded that at least some money should be spent on Law & Order and Defence. The Government is considering this.

Justice and Law

Tradionally Niploma has held up liberal social thoughts. To help aid the reader in understanding Niploma's law below is a list of crimes and their minimum/ maximum sentance:

• Treason: min. life imprisonment, max. public hangining
• Murder: min. 10 years, max. 25 years
• Manslaughter: min. 5 years, max. 10 years
• Rape: min. 5 years, max. 10 years
• Break and Enter: Non-prison sentance
• Petty Theft: Non-prison sentance/ No sentance

Culture and Religion

Culture

Niploma's culture is well known in the region due to it's diversity. It has long been a tradionally Celtic country, but due to the large Buddhist population in Niploma the country has an incredibly diverse culture. Niplomians voted Failegn as the Culture Capital of the World. Critics argue this is due to the incredibly liberal laws within the country.

Interestingly, vegetarianism is highly respected in Niploma. Buddhists, Quakers and Animal Rights activists lobbied the Government for years to push for vegetarianism for religious and health regions. Finally, the government at the time began a huge advertising campaign asking Niploma to, 'No Meat for Good Health'. After years of the population following Government advice meat-eating is at a incredible low. The Government has always claimed it began the 'No Meat for Good Health' campaign not for religious reasons but for health reasons. If so the Government has upheld it's non-sectarian values.

Religion

Due to the diversity of Niploma no religion is considered largest with the exception of Athiesm, a philiospohy most Niplomians have uptaken, but of course is not a religion in itself. The religious numbers are so forth:

• Athiest/Agnostic 28%
• Buddhist 21%
• Christian 19%
• Muslim 15%
• Hindu 9%
• Jewish 6%
• Other, mostly Pagan 2%

Launguage

English is Niploma's main official laungage. It is spoken fluently by almost 100% of citizens. Gaelic is considered Niplomas second laungage, it is taught to a high level in the vast majority of schools. About 60% of Niplomians speak good to fluent Gaelic. Other laungages include Pali, imported through the Buddhist religion, about 12% of the country can speak it to a good level. Arabic is spoken fluently by about 5% of the population. Due to all this, much of the country is not just bilingual, but trilingual.

Holidays

Niploma celebrates several holidays. The most recougnised are:

• New Years Day - 1st January
• Niploma Day - 18th March
• May Day - 1st May
• Buddha Day - 16th May
• Samhain - 31st October
• Christmas Day - 25th December
• New Years Eve - 31st December

Politics and government

Niplomians hold their political system as a supreme example for all other nations to follow. It was formed when the Social Democratic Republic of Niploma was formed and thus is highly regarded. It consists of several tiers, a ruling Lower House (the Democratic House), a scrutinising chamber (the Niplomian Peoples Senate) and the local Councils at the lowest level. Of course, there is a head of state, a Prime Minister, who heads the Republic and the Democratic House.

There are Democratic House 'General Elections' every four years which determines who sits in the Democratic House (those who do are called Deputies). The winning party of the General Election forms a Government and this Government elects a Prime Minister. Anyone who has been out of jail - if indeed they ever have been - for six months and is over sixteen can vote in a General Election. The voting system used is Proportional Represenation. The Democratic House main job is to represent the people on national matters. For example the Democratic House is the only instituition that can raise or lower taxes, send Niploma to war or to disband any public services etc, etc. There are 750 Deputies.

There are Niplomian Peoples Senate elections every eight years which will determine who sits in the Senate. Those who do are called Senators. The Niplomian Peoples Senate has only one job, to scrutinise Bills passed by the Democratic House. If the Senate believes a certain bill is incorrect or 'wrong' it is sent back to the Democratic House for a second vote/ to be re-written. The Senate can only return a Bill once. Unlike the Democratic House it can not write Bills. Therefore it has seriously limited power. Senators are elected through proportional represenation. There are 200 Senators.

At the bottom are local councils, part of the current Governments 'Autonomy Bill'. Every borough within every county has its own council which administrates local matters such as transport, housing, supplies and electricity etc, etc. Councilors are elected once every four years, at the same time as the Democratic House elections. Most candidates stand as Independents.

Finally at the top is the Head of State, the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is both Head of State and Head of the largest political party in the Democratic House. The Prime Minister must be twenty-one years of age, at least a second generation immigrant but there are no restriction on sex or creed. The current Prime Minister is Adráin Robert from the Socialist International Party. He has been in office for twelve years (a Prime Minister can stand for re-election several times over).

Political Parties

• Socialist Internationalist Party (SIP) A Centre-Left party that has longed been glued to the Niplomian people. It fully supports further intergration with The Anumist Alliance but in a peaceful diplomatic manner. It has revolutionised Niploma by raising taxes from the pitiful levels they once stood at and has pushed these towards social and economical reform. SIP is a both economically and socially 'left wing', but has never too radical to be seen as extreme Liberalists or Communists. However, SIP has recieved significant criticism over it's lack of care for the Enviroment, an issue once strong in Niplomian politics, and it's level of administrative corruption. As of recent years it has fallen from grace, constantly losing votes, mostly from the young.

• Libertarian Reform Party (LRP) A Centre-Right party that has been in opposition for several decades. It is economically right-wing party which favours military spending and the lower of taxation. It has long been victimised the lower classes due to it's 'flat tax' system that would harm the poor but favour the rich. LRP claims to be a reformist party due to being the largest Capitalist party. Interestingly LRF is socially liberal, this is a fact backed up by it's looseing of gun ownership laws, the help it gave in the 'Drug Reclassification Bill' - which effectively made every drug legal - and the long support it has had for Pro-Choice campaigners. LRP has long been a target of humour from critics due to it's constant second place spot in politics. Along with SIP, LRP has long avoided Enviromental matters and interestingly some of its Deputies have deffected to more enviromental parties. LRP has steadily received more votes, mostly due to how the party has made more and more people richer and this part of the electorate traditionally votes LRP.

• Ecological Foundation Party (EFP) The only 'Green' party in Niplomian politics that is famous due to its rapidly inreasing number of votes, mostly from the 'radica' young. The EFP party started as a coalition from dissatified members of the Communist Workers Party, SIP and LRP. The Deputies joined together to found the Ecological Foundation. After five years of agreement (and disagreement with their own parties) they became a political party and sat together, away from their old peers. In the EFP political statement they claim that they are more than a one vision party. Although Enviromental issues are the core part of the party they seem to hold values not too dissimiliar to SIP. However, they demand that more and more businesses be regulated and that there should be no consideration for military spending, a point that has always caused it to be a ridicule to agressive members of the LRP.

• Grand Conservative Party (GCP) Both a socially and economically right wing party, the GCP has long struggled to gain significant votes, especially since being knocked of the third largest party spot by the EFP. The GCP fiercly refuses to intervene with UN or The Anumist Alliance matters. Due to this it has long been a serious rival of SIP. GCP is alone in believing that Niploma should spend much more on defence, but is by no means as extreme as certain other parties. GCP recommends a flat tax rate of 11%, a number that has been ridiculed by the lower and middle classes alike who see it as a death wish upon Niploma's poorest.

• Official Communist Workers Party (OCWP) The most left wing of all recougnised parties, the OCWP calls for a Communist Republic of Niploma. It believes that workers should unite and form a Communist government, thus doing away with the Democratic House and the Niplomian Peoples Senate. It proposes that we should resign as TAA delegate and should avoid intervention within the region. For several decades the DH has long argued as to whether or not the OCWP is completely un-patriotic and highly dangerous. However, since a certain band disbanded from the OCWP the party has been seen as mainly peaceful.

• Industrial Nationalist Foundation (INP) INP calls for a halt to racial integration and declares it wants all first, second and third genereration immigrants out the country. It believes that true, racially pure Niplomians should run the country and sees the current Parliament immoral for debating with what the INP calls, 'failures of our God'. INP has long been intertwinned with Evangelicism, an extreme brach of Christianity.

• Revolutionary Workers Union (RWU) The only party to not sit in either the Democratic House or Niplomian Peoples Senate. The party was originally part of the Official Communist Workers Party until it was dismissed from the party register for paramilitary actions. The party demanded all workers unite to bring a true Communist regime by any means possible. It goes on to say that a Communism should forcibly spread to the whole of The Anumist Alliance. For the above reasons the Democratic House banned the RWU from taking up its seat, a Bill that soon backfired as all Deputies are seen as living political martyrs to their supporters. Several of it's Deputies have been jailed for paramilitary action.

Democratic House Deputies

At the 12th General Election the electorate voted so forth for the 750 seat Democratic House:

1. Socialist Internationalist Party 291 seats (38.73% of vote)
2. Libertarian Reform Party 196 seats (26.12% of vote)
3. Ecological Foundation Party 91 seats (12.17% of vote)
4. Grand Conservative Party 60 seats (7.93% of vote)
5. Official Communist Workers Party 46 seats (6.13% of vote)
6. Industrial Nationalist Foundation 43 seats (5.80% of vote)
7. Revolutionary Workers Union 23 seats - of which none are seated - (3.12% of vote)

Niplomian Peoples Senate Senators

At the 6th Senate election the electorate voted so forth for the 200 seat Niplomian Peoples Senate:

1. Socialist Internationalist Party 104 seats
2. Libertarian Reform Party 42 seats
3. Grand Conservative Party 24 seats
4. Official Communist Workers Party 13 seats
5. Industrial Nationalist Foundation 12 seats
6. Revolutionary Workers Union 5 seats - of which none are seated.

Councilor Percentage Numbers

Across the country the Councillor numbers are so forth:

1. Independent 39%
2. Socialist Internationalist Party 16%
3. Libertarian Reform Party 13%
4. Ecological Foundation Party 11%
5. Official Communist Workers Party 8%
6. Grand Conservative Party 6%
7. Revolutionary Workers Union 5%
8. Industrial Nationalist Foundation 2%