Patricania
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| Flag of Patricania | |
| Motto: Live Free or Die | |
| No Map Available | |
| Region | International Democratic Union |
|---|---|
| Capital | Charlestown |
| Official Language(s) | English (French and German minorities present but not official) |
| Leader | Carl Arostegi (Liberal) |
| Population | 60,740,267 |
| Currency | Patricanian pound (£) |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Democratic Republic of Patricania (French: La République démocratique du Patricanie, German: Die Demokratische Republik Patrikanien) is a federal parliamentary republic located in the International Democratic Union. The Democratic Republic of Patricania is a very large, socially progressive nation, renowned for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population holds its civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion. The Democratic Republic of Patricania may be referred to as either the DRP or Patricania, and consists of 20 states. The national anthem is I Vow to Thee, Patricania.
Contents
History
Patricania was originally a colony of the British Empire. The town of Charlestown was founded on May 7, 1654, on the banks of the Innocent River by Irish refugees seeking safety from Oliver Cromwell. As the territory of the colony expanded, the colonists named the land after Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patricania gained its independence soon after the American Revolution. The nation was effectively ruled as a constitutional monarchy by the former colonial governor.
Between the years of 1824 to 1830, there were large numbers of French immigrants coming into the country, to escape the reign of Charles X and the restoration of the Bourbon Dynasty. The period from 1919 to 1923 saw increased immigration from Germany because of the internal strife taking place at that time. For a brief time, German immigrants and Franco-Patricanian youths clashed on the streets of major cities, with the Germans blaming the French for the conflict taking place in their country at that time. This animosity only increased throughout the 1920s and the Great Depression, reaching its peak during the Second World War. However, government intervention and the end of World War II saw a near dissipation of the violence, although distrust remained until at least the 1970s.
The monarchy remained in power throughout the 19th century and half of the 20th century, but as tensions during the Cold War rose, more extreme political philosophies became increasingly popular throughout the nation. Finally, during the latter half of 1968, civil war broke out between the fascist army and its supporters, and the republican government. The conflict lasted three years, until 1971, and resulted in a fascist victory.
The fascist government was virulently isolationist and anti-communist. This was mainly in response to the French May and public sentiment against the Vietnam War. The fascists in control of the government feared of a similar Marxist insurrection led by French Communists infiltrating the country through the large French community. Any suspected communist, particularly of French background, would subsequently be jailed and forced to denounce their past actions and the Communist Labor Party. Starting in the early 1990s and after the fall of Communism, the country began experiencing democratic resistance which resulted in the weakening of the authoritarian government and the establishment of the National Republican Congress. Beginning in 2003, riots and violent anti-government protests were common, until a republican coup finally overthrew the government.
The official founding date of the present government is October 5, 2005, when the National Republican Congress deposed the previous dictatorship. A provisional government was setup up soon after the revolution and a constitution quickly drafted, modelled after the United States Constitution and Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Patricania's capital and largest city is Charlestown, which is found in the state of New Tipperary.
Federal Government
The federal government of the Democratic Republic of Patricania is set up very similar to that of the Federal Republic of Germany and is an example of parliamentarianism. There are three branches, the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch, each checking and balancing the others.
Executive Branch
The Consul is at the highest level of the executive branch. The Consul is elected by popular vote for a term of six years, and there is no limit on the number of terms a single individual may serve. The Consul may propose an individual as President, but the Federal Assembly may disregard the Consul's proposal and elect another individual to the office, who the Consul is then obliged to appoint. However, the Consul has the power to dissolve the Federal Assembly, appoint federal judges, grant pardons, and receive foreign dignitaries. The current Consul is Carl Arostegi of the Liberal Party.
Legislative Branch
The Federal Assembly is the legislative branch of Patricania. The Federal Assembly is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Delegates and the Senate. The House of Delegates is elected according the the population of each state. The Senate, on the other hand, gives equal representation to all states. Each state recieves three seats in the Senate, bringing the total number of Senators to sixty.
Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the Federal Assembly. This is where the states can meet as equals. The Senate has only sixty members, far less than the House of Delegates, and Senators serve four-year terms, longer than Delegates. The Senate, since it is not elected according to population, is less prone to be swayed by public opinion than the House of Delegates, and is considered the more "deliberative" house. The Senate is where bills originate, except for those dealing with taxes and appropriation. However, the Senate has the power to amend those bills. The Vice President of Patricania also functions as the President of the Senate. The party which currently holds the majority in the Senate is the Liberal Party, but is closely followed by the Communist Labor Party.
Current Composition of the Senate
- Liberal Party - 35 seats
- Communist Labor Party - 21 seats
- Green Party - 2 seats
- National Patriot Alliance - 2 seats
- Total - 60 seats
House of Delegates
The House of Delegates is the lower house of the Federal Assembly. The House of Delegates allows the states to be represented proportional to their populations, and as such better demonstrates public opinion. The current maximum number of delegates permitted in the House is five hundred, and each delegate serves a two-year term. The House of Delegates may impeach federal officials and initiate revenue bills. The majority party in the House of Delagates is the Liberal Party. The Communist Labor Party is the formal opposition to the Liberal Party, holding the second larget number of seats.
Current Composition of the House of Delegates
- Liberal Party - 300 seats
- Communist Labor Party - 175 seats
- Green Party - 13 seats
- National Patriot Alliance - 12 seats
- Total - 500 seats
President
The President of the Republic is elected by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. The position is similar to the position of the German Chancellor and British Prime Minister. The current President is Aeneas Poirier of the Liberal Party.
Judicial Branch
The judicial branch of the federal government of Patricania is the Supreme Court. There are seven judges appointed by the President and confirmed by the Congress. Each judge may serve for life or until their retirement. The Supreme Court's primary duty is to determine which laws are constitutional and which are not.
Politcal Parties
There are several political parties in the Democratic Republic of Patricania that operate at the federal level. The two largest parties are the Liberal Party and the Communist Labor Party, and the National Patriot Alliance is largest third party. The Green Party is a minor, yet growing, political force.
| Party | Leader(s) | Description | % of Seats in the Senate | % of Seats in the House |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Party | Chairman Carl Arostegi | The Liberal Party is the representative of the liberal movement in Patricania. It adheres to the values of classical liberalism and libertarianism, and does not concern itself with religious or traditional morals, unlike the National Party and the Patriot Party. It is found in all states, but is affiliated with local likeminded parties in the areas where it is less influential. | 58.3% | 60% |
| Communist Labor Party | General Secretary Henry Ulbricht | The Communist Labor Party, often abbreviated as CLP, is a far-left party which promotes a socialist revolution, first, by gaining as much representation for the proletariat as possible through democratic political means, and then by overthrowing the government and purging it of all the "corrupt capitalist oppressors". The Communist Labor Party is found primarily in the poorer urban areas and in scattered rural counties of several states. However, it has attracted a large number of university students and is extending its campaign into middle class neighborhoods. | 35% | 35% |
| Green Party | President Énée Poirier | The Green Party of Patricania is the Patricanian branch of the Green movement. The party follows the Four Pillars of the Green Party; ecology, social justice, grassroots democracy, and non-violence. They are the main opposition against the compulsory two-year military service required for all individuals who understand the oath. | 3.3% | 2.6% |
| National Patriot Alliance | Chairman Steve O’Connor | The National Patriot Alliance is the largest right-of-center party in Patricania. The National Patriot Alliance is sometimes called to "the Alliance" or abbreviated to the NPA in conversation. It was formed by merging of the National Party and the Patriot Party in an attempt to combat the power of the Liberal Party. It is comparable to the US Republican Party in that it is socially conservative and supports a return to traditional religious values. However, it is in favor of more government involvement in and control over the economy. It is found in every state, but is still labelled as either the National Party or the Patriot Party is some areas. | 3.3% | 2.4% |
Armed Forces of Patricania
See Main Article: Patricanian Defense Forces.
Political Divisions
There are twenty states, all existing since the dictatorship before the establishment of Patricania, although some have been renamed to express the ideals of freedom upheld by the Democratic Republic of Patricania.
- Aquidneck
- Blackstone
- Calvert
- Carroll
- Douglass
- Franklin
- Hallsylvania
- Hanson
- Howard
- Jefferson
- Karlsland
- Montgomery
- Monocacy
- New Tipperary
- New Yorkshire
- Patapsco
- St. Patrick
- Providence
- Susquehanna
- Sussex
Culture
Language
Most of the populace of Patricania speaks English, but a large minority speaks French as a result of the increase of immigration from France during the early 19th century. English is still kept as the only official language for historical and administrative purposes, and also to keep the country unified under a single language. However, all students are required to have a working knowledge of French and are encouraged to experience Franco-Patricanian culture. Subsequently, students living in areas with French majorities are required to become fluent in the English language.
German also has a small hold in Patricania, with many all German neighborhoods in the major cities, but it is not nearly as prominent as English or French. However, it is still offered as a language in schools and children learn about German culture in elementary and middle school.
Sports
The two most popular sports in Patricania are American football, and Association football, both of equal popularity. American football, known in Patricania as "gridiron", is played by two leagues, the Patricanian Gridiron Conference and the National Gridiron Conference. Both of these leagues are governed by the Patricanian Gridiron Federation. Every year, the champions of these two leagues play in the Libery Bowl to determine the top team in Patricania.
Association football in Patricania is simply called football, and operates in a fashion identical to that of gridiron. Two leagues, the Patricanian Football Union and the National Football Confederation, are overseen by the Patricanian Football Association. The PFA also organizes the St. Patrick Cup between the leagues' best teams.
