Niploma
| |||
| Motto (English): Community. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem: Niplomian Spirit | |||
| Capital | Failegn (15,912,402) | ||
| Spoken Languages - Official - Unofficial |
English, Gaelic Pali, Arabic, Greek | ||
| Niplomian Government | Parliamentary Democracy. Odhrán Torin as elected Prime Minister. | ||
| Population - Total (2006) |
996,000,000 | ||
| GDP (FY2006/07) - Total (USD) - GDP/capita (USD) |
$20,925,865,209,143.81 $26,966.32 | ||
| Currency | SDRN Pfund | ||
| Internet TLD | .rn, .sdrn | ||
| Calling Code | +50 | ||
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The Social Democratic Republic of Niploma (pronounced Kn-ip-low-mar) is a large Liberal/Socialist Democracy situated in The Anumist Alliance region. It's population is currently hovering at the one billion mark and the country is also a UN Delegate for over 125 days. Inhabitants are Niplomians.
Contents
History - Feudalism to Republic
Introduction
Social problems erupted in Niploma in 1926 when 250,000 armed peasents and workers marched on Failegn protesting over working conditions. 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 barelly seen, with the exception of their assasins.
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 and the war torn Failegn. Finally on 18th March 1936 the 'Peace Agreement' was signed. It was agreed that Governmental Forces all had to, and did, surrender, its leaders be deported or shot and a new Republic be installed. This Republic was named the Social Democratic Republic of Niplomaand alternatively for then huge Gaelic peoples the name Shóisialta Poblacht Dhaonlathach na Niploma could be used informally. This Republic was recougnised on 18th March 1936 alongside the treaty. 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. The first elected Prime Minister was Alsandair Healey who served for 15 years as elected PM. He is commonly cited as the 'Father of Niploma' and is heavily admired by socialists and centrists alike due to his mixture of common policies.
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.
However the Civil War has arguably created trouble in the South due to the placement of war veterans in the area. This lead to a seperatist movement in the South. The Southern Seperatist Movement is in full flow after the bomb attack upon Failegn in 1993.
Economy
Background
Niploma was created on the backs of Socialist radicals. The SR's SIP Government created a Socialist state in the fourties and fifties. However after the value of the Pfund dropped radically private industries were allowed on a small scale. This form of 'Sociali-light-ism' continued until the 1980's. The eighties saw Socialism begin to get torn apart. SIP, the ruling party, began reforms. When ex-PM Robert took power in 1993 he radically moved to capitalism. This worked well at first, crushing right-wing enemies and dramtically increasing production. But Niploma was not ready. Capitalism fell apart in the late 1990's and when PM Torin took power he called for a re-introuction to Sociali-light-ism. He has dubbed this Liberal-Socialism, liberal due to the free market policies and socialistic to ensure it still benefits the public. All of this is generally seen as the slow stepping stone to capitalism in Niploma. Some argue the 'SR Socialist experiment' has 'failed' in Niploma. There ar several parties that excist now, many now have straigt left-right economics as key policies. Left-wing People's Coalition supports Liberal-Socialism and some miracle third-way. Libertarian Reform Party support a Robert style revamp to Capitalism.
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
National Anthem
The Niplomian Spirit is the National Anthem of Niploma. The anthem celebrates the birth of the Social Democratic Republic of Niploma in 1936 by the Socialist Resistance.
Traditionally, although more of an 'urban legend', this anthem was sung by members of the SR after storming the the Governmental House. It is more thought to be a piece of Nationalistic Patriotic art for the Niplomian peoples.
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. However the last census indicated religious numbers so forth:
- Athiest/Agnostic 42%
- Buddhist 21%
- Christian 15%
- Muslim 12%
- Hindu 5%
- Jewish 3%
- Other, mostly Pagan 2%
Language
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 and/ or Sanskrit, imported through the Buddhist religion, about 12% of the country can speak it to an intermediate 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. Other launagages include German and Greek. The anciet laungage of Niploma, Niplomian (i.e 'the langauge of the people') is considered a historical language. However, some traditionalists (a megre 1-3%) still use the language for social reasons.
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
Armed Forces & International Affairs
For all respective information please visit Niplomian Armed Forces.
Ex PM Robert pushed for an extremely neo-internationalist policy when in Government. He created and joined SANDI, a mutual assistance pact with several nations.
Current PM Torin wishes to push ahead with these ideas.
Niploma is the Defence Minister of The Anumist Alliance.
Politics & Government of Niploma
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 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.
The person with the most authority in Niploma is the Head of State, the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is both Head of State and Head of the Democratic House. The Prime Minister must be twenty-one years of age or above, at least a second generation immigrant but there are no restriction on sex or creed. The current Prime Minister is Odhrán Torin from the People's Coalition. Legally, the Prime Minister can only pass Bills through the Democratic House. To break this is considered treason.
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 the head of the Governmental Party becomes 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 is a closed-list form of proportional representation so although on polling day one cannot choose Deputies they can see the list and ergo have an idea of who could be elected. Unexpectingly, current PM Torin changed voting rules dramatically and ordered that the next election would not be 'closed list' but a mixture through mixed-member proportional representation. This works by having 200 Deputies elected through 'first past the post' and the remaining 500 via closed-list multi-vote proportional representation. The 200 directly elected Deputies are from 200 constituencies. These constituencies are the same as used for Senate elections. It should be noted this new form of election reduces Parliament size from 750 to 700.
The Democratic House main job is to represent the people on both national and international 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. There are 700 Deputies.
There are Niplomian 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. If on the second DH vote the Bill fials to pass then the Bill cannot be voted on again. It is called a 'failed Bill'. If the Bill is passed a second time by the Democratic House it becomes law. Regardless of this scrutinising power the Senate is considerably weak, for example it can not write Bills nor pass them, it can only scrutinise Bills and return Bills once.
Senators are elected through the 'first past the post system' from constituencies to give them a 'local connection'. There are 200 Senators along with 20 observers who can comment but not vote. Observers typically consist of ex-Governmental ministers and religious leaders. They are elected by the Senate.
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. Councilors are elected once every four years, at the same time as the Democratic House elections. Most candidates stand as Independents.
Political Issues
- Seperatism
- General Economics
- Personal freedom
- UN
- Spending
- Green issues.
Democratic House Deputies
At the 14th Niplomian General Election (March 2006) the electorate voted so forth for the 750 seat Democratic House:
| Party | Leader(s) | Description | Percentage of vote | Seats in Democratic House, Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's Coalition | Odhrán Torin | The People's Coalition (PC, Coalition) was the first coalition in Niplomian history and the first political force other than the Socialist Internationalist Party to run a Government. The People's Coalition is a force of Socialist Internationalist Party deputies alongisde Ecological Foundation Party deputies and others. It is a social-democratic party with moderate liberal views. It is fiercly pro-UN and is, due to ECP influence, a proudly green party. This is the first election the Coalition has stood in due to its quick creation before the election. | 44.56% | 306, 371* |
| Libertarian Reform Party | David McKibben | The Libertarian Reform Party (LRP, Reform Party) has been for almost twenty years the largest opposition to the ruling party. The Reform Party differs greatly from the government in several ways. It pushes for a free and liberal economic state where everyone has the right to enter business, it wants more civil rights and political freedoms in Niploma and also demands Niploma leave the UN. McKibben has been ruthless is gaining votes, ocassionally dipping into personal arguement with the ex Prime Minister, Mr. Robert. Due to a recent personality status, McKibben has continued to add to the LRP vote and would have won the election if the Coalition was split to seperate parties. | 36.69% | 275, 220 |
| Official Communist Workers Party | Adam Seanán | The Official Communist Workers Party (OCWP) The most left wing of all recougnised parties, the OCWP calls for a Communist Republic of Niploma. The party is, along with SIP and the GCP one of the oldest parties in Niploma. The OCWP is supportive of a free Southern State in Niploma if the isolated violance ends and Niploma can trust the seperatists. Indeed, it distances itself from the paramilitary RWU. Otherwise, the OCWP is a Marxist-Leninist political party that has Authortarian leanings which is not supportive of the United Nations. It draws most of its support from the South, the old and the radical young. | 10.34% | 66, 88 |
| Niploma First | Donald Harlan | Niploma First is the only other Coalition in Niplomian politics. It is fiscally Conservative, strongly moral and racist. It is openly anti-Islam and anti-Buddhism. It is a neo-liberal party and it's key value is, 'Having Niploma back'. The party is very much so in favour of a centralized Government and the Coalition has no sympathy with Southern Seperatists. Harlan, a young Deputy, runs the Coalition. He is gathering attraction due to his speeches which make him a figure to Niploma's right-wing population. The Grand Conservative Party and the Industrial Nationalist Party fought the last election seperately although joined during this sitting of the DH. Olive is NF's political colour. | 7.29% | 51 |
| Niplomian Labour Party | Cadhla Buckley | Niplomian Labour Party (Labour) is a new party created during this current sitting of the Democratic House. It was originally ten OCWP Deputies but were soon joined by twenty-eight PC Deputies. Politically Labour is democratically-socialist and much more progressive than OCWP. It believes socialism is only possible in a democratic society supportive of the motion. In addition, it believes in a progressive attitude to solving crime, is fully against the growing tendancy of racism and supports government funding for religions, it supports modernising Niploma to aid its economics, it is also relatively pro-UN and finally it is centrist on the Southern Seperatist Movement. Their main rivals are the OCWP, for following similiar lines, and NF for having opposite views. Cadhla Buckley is the only female party leader. | created during session | 38 |
| Revolutionary Workers Union | Eamon Redmond | The Revolutionary Workers Union is a recougnised paramilitary group that has evolved from the previous NCA, another paramilitary group. They call for a free Southern State in Niploma and for Communism throughout the Anumist Alliance. They are banned from sitting in both the Senate and Democratic House. Most of their votes are now won by the OCWP who also support a free Southern State. | 0.96% | 7, 16 |
| Others | n/a | Other Deputies and candidates include regional nationalists, independants, various extremists and religious groups. The huge amount of parties split the vote so much that not a single seat was won. | 0.16% | 1 (but none awarded), 9 |
The remaining two seats are a result of the awarding of seats. For simplicity, they are left open although a by-election can be called if deemed fit.
* The total number of votes reecieved by each individual PC party at previous election
Some Deputies may switch parties causing vote tallies to NOT be proportional to seat numbers on certain occasions.
Niplomian Senate Senators
At the 8th Niplomian Senate Election the electorate voted so forth for the 200 (220) seat Niplomian Peoples Senate:
- People's Coalition 116 seats
- Libertarian Reform Party 55 seats
- Official Communist Workers Party 21 seats
- Niploma First 8 seats
An extra twenty seats are reserved for observers. These include religious leaders and ex-members of Government. Although they can discuss they cannot vote. One should also note that due to the nature of voting the seat representation is very far from the votes cast.
Failegn City Council
Failegn, Niploma's capital, has an influential council and mayoral system of its own. Failegn City Council wields more power than any current council.
Communication
Telecom
Currently, there is one Telecom company, 'TalkNiploma' a state run telephone company. LRP, GCP, INF and some SIP political party members are calling for telecoms business to be opened to private business. This is unlikely to go ahead.
General Media
Radio
There are several Radio stations in Niploma. The Government has a 'locked' awareness station named, 'Niploma 1'. It is a News Channel and is rarely used for special announcements. All other stations are privately owned. 'Abhachd', a Gaelic sport channel is well known aswell as, 'NMusic', a popular choice among the younger population of Niploma.
Television
In a recent poll it suggested that 85% of Niplomians own a television. Due to the high amount of viewers there is a high demand for good results on television. The publics tax money does not go to waste on television as there are four government owned channels. The Government owns a Television business called 'Niploma Television' which is normally called NT for short. NT1 is, like Niploma 1, a news channel. It claims to not be biast to any party, but critics claim it is SIP-leaning. NT2 and NT3 are general entertainment channels whilst NT4 is reserved for sport. Television is open to private business and there are several other privately owned channels (including a specialist Gaelic only channel) and some Niplomians watch international Television.
Written Media
Most adult males in Niploma read daily newspapers and ever rising numbers of women read newspapers. Unlike other branches of media, no newspaper or magazine is owned by the state. Recent surveys suggest there are four large daily newspapers in Niploma. By far the largest read is the broadsheet, 'Niploma News'. Niploma News is heavily associated with Niploma and has a centirst view in politics. However, critics claim it supports SIP. Secondly there is a well known tabloid, 'Niploma Today'. Niploma Today has become infamous for its catchy yet crude headlines that have never failed to amuse. It is barely political and mostly concentrates on sport and celebrity news. 'The Worker' is a Socialist paper that was used to be supported by the Official Communist Workers Party. Finally there is a Gaelic only newspaper, 'Fathunn', which simply translates as, 'News'. It concentrates on all Gaelic news from Gaelic communities and also has an informative section on what's on in Gaelic communtities. It's Editor is a well known Pagan. Around 38% of Niplomians read a newspaper every day, a high number.
