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| | {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=340 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" | | {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=340 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |
| − | |+<big><big>'''The Democratic Imperium of Praetonia'''<br> | + | |+<big><big>'''The Crown Commonwealth of Praetonia'''<br></big></big> |
| − | '''& Commonwealth Realms'''</big></big>
| + | |
| | | align="center" colspan="2"| | | | align="center" colspan="2"| |
| | {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:center;" | | {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:center;" |
| − | | width="130px"|http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/Praeflag-Smalll.png || align=center width=130px| http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/4/45/150px-Herb_Obojga_Narodow.jpg | + | | width="170px"|http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/PraeflagIII.jpg || |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | align=center colspan=2 | Flag and Coat of Arms of the Democratic Imperium | + | | align=center colspan=2 | Praetonian flag and Royal Standard. |
| | |} | | |} |
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| | | align=center colspan=2 style="background:#f9f9f9;" | http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/Praemapsmall.png<br> | | | align=center colspan=2 style="background:#f9f9f9;" | http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/Praemapsmall.png<br> |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |'''Spoken Languages'''<br> - De-facto || <br>[[wikipedia:Latin|Latin]], [[wikipedia:English|English]], [[Composite Praetonian]] | + | |'''Spoken Languages'''<br> - De-facto || <br>[[wikipedia:Latin|Latin]], [[wikipedia:English|English]], Composite Praetonian |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |'''[[Wikipedia:Capital|Capital]]''' || [[Praeton]] | + | |'''[[Wikipedia:Capital|Capital]]''' || [[Kingston]] |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |'''[[Monarchs_of_Praetonia|Monarch]]''' || [[Rex et Imperator]] [[Sarius I]] | + | |'''Monarch''' || [[George IV of Praetonia|King George IV]] |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |'''[[Prime_Ministers_of_Praetonia|Prime Minister]]''' || [[Tiberius Polax|Sir Tiberius Polax]] | + | |'''Prime Minister''' || [[Tiberius Polax|Sir Tiberius Polax]] |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |'''Area''' <br> - Total <br> - % water | | |'''Area''' <br> - Total <br> - % water |
| | | <br>10,374,236 km²<br><small>17.23% water</small> | | | <br>10,374,236 km²<br><small>17.23% water</small> |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |'''[[Population]]''' <br> - Total (2005) | + | |'''[[Population]]''' <br> - Total (2007) |
| − | | <br>3,905,000,000 (Haven: [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Haven&columns=category:population:economy:gdppc:tax:lastlogin&order_by=population&order=desc 18th]) | + | | <br>5,742,000,000 |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |'''Establishment''' <br> - Current Form <br> - Original | | |'''Establishment''' <br> - Current Form <br> - Original |
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| | |'''Constitutional Form''' | | |'''Constitutional Form''' |
| | |Constitutional Monarchy | | |Constitutional Monarchy |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''National animal''' <br> - Official (Parliamentary) <br> - Alternative (Royal)
| |
| − | |<br>Praetonian Field Cat <br><br>Lion
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |'''[[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]''' (2005) <br/> - Total (USD) <br/> - GDP/capita (USD) | | |'''[[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]''' (2005) <br/> - Total (USD) <br/> - GDP/capita (USD) |
| − | | <br>$175,070,738,114,472 (Haven: [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Haven&columns=category:population:gdp:gdppc:tax:lastlogin&order_by=gdp&order=desc 9th]) <br>$44,832.46 (Haven: [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Haven&columns=category:population:economy:gdppc:tax:lastlogin&order_by=gdppc&order=desc 3rd]) | + | | <br>$364,490,676,000,000 9th]) <br>$63,478 |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |'''[[Wikipedia:Economic_growth|GDP Growth Rate:]] | | |'''[[Wikipedia:Economic_growth|GDP Growth Rate:]] |
| − | |5.25% per annum | + | |7.62% (2006) |
| | |- | | |- |
| | |'''[[Wikipedia:Unemployment|Unemployment:]] | | |'''[[Wikipedia:Unemployment|Unemployment:]] |
| − | |2.55% (Haven [http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?region=Haven&columns=category:population:economy:unemployment:tax:lastlogin&order_by=gdppc&order=desc 4th]) | + | |1.92% |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |'''[[Currency]]''' || 1 '''[[Praefeli]]''' (Pr) = 20 [[Praetonian Currency|Shillings]] (s) = 5 [[Praetonian Currency|Denarii]] (d) | + | |'''[[Currency]]''' || 1 '''[[Praetonian Crown|Crown]]''' (Cr) = 20 Shillings (s) = 5 Denarii (d) |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | '''International Abbreviations''' | | | '''International Abbreviations''' |
| − | |IMP, IP | + | |CCP, IMP, IP |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | '''Naval Craft Classification'''<br> - Imperial Navy<br> - Imperial Merchant Navy<br> - Royal Naval Flotilla | | | '''Naval Craft Classification'''<br> - Imperial Navy<br> - Imperial Merchant Navy<br> - Royal Naval Flotilla |
| | | <br>PWS<br>IMS<br>RNS | | | <br>PWS<br>IMS<br>RNS |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | '''[[Wikipedia:National_anthem|National Anthem]]''' || [http://www.cyberhymnal.org/mid/t/h/a/thaxted.mid ''For Thee, Oh Pleasant Land''] | + | | '''[[National anthem of Praetonia|National Anthem]]''' || [[wikipedia:Land of Hope and Glory|Land of Hope and Glory]] |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | '''Internet [[TLD]]''' || .ip | | | '''Internet [[TLD]]''' || .ip |
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| | | '''[[Wikipedia:List_of_country_calling_codes|Calling Code]]''' || +45 | | | '''[[Wikipedia:List_of_country_calling_codes|Calling Code]]''' || +45 |
| | |} | | |} |
| − | The Democratic Imperium of Praetonia is a [[wikipedia:country|country]] located off the North-East coast of the central [[Haven]] continent. It is surrounded by the Vascian Gulf - a sea which encompasses Praetonian territorial waters and Her [[wikipedia:Exclusive_economic_zones|Economic Exclusion Zone]]. The sea contains numerous small islands claimed as Crown Dependancies, many of them housing small naval and INSFC bases. | + | The Crown Commonwealth of Praetonia is a unitary country whose mainland is located in [[Haven|North-East Haven]], surrounded by the Vascian Gulf, a sea which encompasses Praetonia's mainland territorial waters and [[wikipedia:Exclusive_economic_zones|Economic Exclusion Zone]]. The sea contains numerous small islands claimed as Crown Dependancies, many of them housing small military observation and defence bases. |
| − | | + | |
| − | Praetonia has no land borders and proposals to build a tunnel to nearby [[Feline]] have been consistently debunked due to national security concerns. Mainland [[Haven]] has proved unstable in recent years, but Praetonia has managed to avoid any unwanted involvement in these conflicts due to Her naval power and island status.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Praetonia has several colonies in a state of nominal union known as [[Praetonian Commonwealth|Commonwealth Realms]]. They pay no taxes to Praetonia except in times of war, but maintain very strong cultural and private economic links with mainland Praetonia, whose Government has ultimate power over all the local Parliaments. Praetonia also has strong economic and diplomatic ties with [[Sarzonia]], [[Questers]], [[Skinny87]] and Scandavian States, as well as numberous others through the [[Woodstock Pact]].
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == History ==
| + | |
| − | ''Main article: [[History of Praetonia]]''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === Antiquity ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | Praetonia has been a nation since far back into antiquity and its origins are largely unknown. Records first emerged of a [[wikipedia:fuedalism|Feudal state]] which initially progressed rapidly, bringing all areas of Praetonia - even those outside the restrictive mountains surrounding the Praeton Peninsular - under a single central Government in Praeton by means of wholesale decentralisation of non-vital powers. This state produced a large intellectual class of poets, artisans and engineers.
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| − | | + | |
| − | The later [[wikipedia:kingdom|Kingdom]], however, began to stagnate and it is estimated that by 1200AD food production was at a lower level than it was in 920AD. The Fuedal [[wikipedia:monarch|Monarch's]] grip on power as also beginning to slip as the country became more and more divided, and the Praeton Peninsular more and more isolated once again. The nation could well have collapsed entirely, had explorers not arrived from foreign lands. These explorers attempted to colonise Praetonia, resulting in a series of pitched battles where Praetonian heavy [[wikipedia:cavalry|cavalry]] and pikemen successfully pushed back foreign troops equipped with [[wikipedia:firearm|firearms]] through a serious of skilled strategic manouvers.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === The First Civil War ===
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | This period sparked a revival of the Praetonian [[wikipedia:nationalism|national spirit]] and hearalded a short lived golden age in which the economy and prosperity of the nation as a whole improved greatly. This was followed by a swift collapse brought about by a series of bad harvests and inflated goods prices. This, combined with democratic ideas brought into the nation by foreign traders, sparked a civil war which ripped the nation apart and divided families between the Feudal Monarchy and [[wikipedia:parliament|Parliament]].
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| − | | + | |
| − | The King was eventually defeated and [[Praeton]] largely burnt to the ground. During the course of the civil war, the outlying regions of Praetonia industrialised rapidly to produce copies of foreign firearms and cannon. In the wake of the civil war a small council of wealthy Patricians and Feudal Princes took control of the Government for a brief period. The [[wikipedia:patrician|Partricians]] then turned the peasants against the Princes and they and their families were wiped out.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The King was invited back to rule under Parliament's gaze and the nation entered its second golden age, lasting until the 1720s, at which point the nation started to decline as manufacturing was hit by a major recession which then became a [[wikipedia:depression|depression]]. Protestors marched on Praeton and many were killed as troops fired into the grounds and cavalry were brought into action on 2 occassions to prevent Parliament being stormed.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === The Second Civil War ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | In 1748, the King was expelled from [[Praeton]] a second time and nearly killed by Republican terrorists who threw a bomb at his carriage. The King escaped alive and the Partician Horseguards turned on Parliament, killing several [[wikipedia:republicanism|Republican]] MPs. The army joined them and Praetonia was soon under the control of a military dictatorship. This ended in 1761 when the King, invited back to Praeton to rule over the nation in name, but under the Particians in reality. The King galvanised the army against the Horseguards and decimated their ranks. For 7 days, Praetonia was ruled under [[wikipedia:Absolute Monarchy|Absolute Monarchy]] before the King reinstated Parliament and agreed to rule in accordance with pre-1720 arrangements.
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| − | | + | |
| − | This has been viewed by many as the 'Second Civil War', although it is far more complex than that, and was the essential birthplace of modern Praetonia as a strong state with a small, professional and highly loyal standing army guarding over constitutional norms. Over the next few hundred years, Praetonia became heavily [[wikipedia:industrialisation|industrialised]] and remained fairly stable. The country grew in size and economic strength whilst remaining politically stable.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === Praetonia Today ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | In the early 20th Century, a [[wikipedia:socialism|Socialist]] Government won the elections and stayed in power for several decades, abolishing the Monarchy and spending massive sums on welfare. This Government later destabilised and collapsed, and was replaced by the [[Liberal Imperialist Party]], which gradually became more and more [[wikipedia:capitalism|Capitalist]], until it too collapsed relatively recently, making way for a stringently Capitalist [[Liberal-Tory Party|Liberal-Tory]] Government. Praetonia is currently considered a leading player on the world stage.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == Government and Politics ==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === Constitutional Form ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | All power is theoretically vested in the Monarch, but in reality Cabinet and the Prime Minister, appointed by the King, governs the country. The Monarch plays a role in Praetonian society and is widely respected by the public, but he has little direct power - relying instead upon his influence and contacts to nudge the course of Praetonian politics in his prefered direction, although he does have a great deal of non-governmental power, and he is capable of setting up official government commissions with or without the backing of Parliament. The current King of Praetonia is [[Sarius I]].
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Appointed by the Corwn, the Prime Minister in turn appoints Cabinet. Each Cabinet Minister controls a Government department, and have the most direct power of any other postion in Praetonian politics. The current Prime Minister, [[Tiberius Polax|Sir Tiberius Polax]], served as Foreign Secretary under the [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal Imperialist]] Government of Prime Minister [[Lucius Agrippa]] before leading an [[Liberal Imperialist Party|LIP]] splinter to form the [[Liberal-Tory Party]], which is currently in power with a 72% majority.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The House of Commons is the only body in Praetonian politics capable of passing laws, but these must then be studied and granted assent by the [[House of Lords]] and the Crown. Backbench MPs and Lords have little direct power, but can wield a great deal of indirect power by influencing the content Government bills as a group. Cabinet and the Crown are not capable of forcing legislation through against the will of [[Parliament]], but the promise of Cabinet posts and the threat of denying them is usually used as a way of keeping MPs in line. MPs can also be dropped from their party ticket, drastically reducing their chances of being re-elected, but this almsot never happens. Lords cannot be removed except by Court Order as a result of successful criminal prosecution.
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| − | | + | |
| − | The Courts are fully independent, and as there is no written [[Wikipedia:Constitution|Constitution]], judges' personal views rarely have any relevence in cases, although the Courts have been known to strike down authoritarian legislation found to be in contravension of the Royal Supremacy and Praetonian Liberties Act, 1861, which is presumed to take precedence over any subsequent law unless that law directly states otherwise.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Electoral System ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | General elections are called by the [[wikipedia:Monarch|Monarch]] upon the dissolution of Parliament. Elections must be called every 5 years at the most, but are more commonly called between 4 and 5 years since the last election. An election can theoretically be called at any time. Praetonia operates a [[wikipedia:first past the post|first past the post]] system where each citizen is entitled to one vote for an MP to represent his constituency. This has lead to a largely two-party democracy, with a small third party and extremely minor fourth party. The system is defended by its proponents, saying that it is the only way of ensuring a strong government able to get its programme through Parliament and the Lords.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Local elections are held every 4 years, but offset from the [[wikipedia:General Election|General Election]]. Local elections occur at the [[wikipedia:parish|parish]], urban (either town or city council, or mayoral elections) and [[wikipedia:county|county]] levels for a wide array of positions. Most Praetonians will hold some kind of public office at some point in their lives, although most positions are at a very low level and wield very little power. The county of [[Uxbridge]] is different in the sense that it is technically still an independent [[wikipedia:Duchy]] (although there has been no Duke of Uxbridge for some centuries) and is legally entitled to its own Parliament which acts in a similar manner to a council and is elected every 8 years.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Current Political Landscape ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | Praetonian politics is currently dominated by the two [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal-Imperialist]] philosophies embodied in the [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal-Imperialist Party]] and the [[wikipedia:Neo-Liberalism|Neo-Liberal]] [[Liberal-Tory Party]]. The [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal-Imperialist Party]] used to be considered the natural party of government in Praetonia, but with the emergence of the [[Liberal-Tory Party]] and the massive resurgence of libertarian capitalism, this position is in doubt. The [[Liberal-Tory Party]] defeated the [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal-Imperialist Party]] in the first election since its foundation.
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| − | Aside from the major parties, the [[Imperial Monarchist Party]] and the [[Communist Society of Praetonia]] are the only two parties with seats in the House of Commons. The [[Imperial Monarchist Party]] is often viewed as the 'third party', aspousing an authoritarian capitalist ideology at odds to the other two major parties. Although they are a long way behind the [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal-Imperialist]] and [[Liberal-Tory Party|Liberal-Tory Parties]], they are also a long way ahead of the [[Communist Society of Praetonia]], who have only 2 seats. This Party is considerably different to the other two, with a hard-line Communist ideology that has failed to appeal to the wealthy and prosperous nation. Both of the CSoP seats come from [[Praetonian Commonwealth|Segmentum Praetonialis]].
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| − | Several other parties exist which hold no seats in Parliament, some of which are moderately infulencial and receive some press converage. The [[Imperial Libertarian Party]] is the largest non-Parliamentary Party, and holds a number of council seats, but many see it as irrelevent when a slightly less extreme version of their ideology is already on offer from the government [[Liberal-Tory Party]]. The [[Green League]] is the primary [[wikipedia:Environmentalism|environmentalist]] party in Praetonia, and holds a small number of council seats. Its policies, however, are at odds to those of all the Parliamentary parties, save the CSoP. The only other noteworthy political party is the [[Imperial Fascist League]], a hardline [[wikipedia:Fascism|Fascist]] party. It has few council seats.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Political Parties ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=100%
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| − | |-
| + | |
| − | ! width=10% | Party
| + | |
| − | ! width=10% | Leader(s)
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| − | ! width=62% | Description
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| − | ! width=5% | Percentage of Seats in the House of Commons
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| − | ! width=7% | Seats in the House of Commons (out of 750)
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| − | ! width=6% | Members in the House of Lords
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| − | |- bgcolor=#0000CC
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| − | | [[Liberal-Tory Party]]
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| − | | align=center | [[Tiberius Polax|Sir Tiberius Polax]]
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| − | | The '''Liberal-Tory Party''' (LibTor Party / LTP) is a combination of [[wikipedia:Neo-Liberalism|Neo-Liberal economics]], [[wikipedia:Libertarianism|liberal social policies]] and [[wikipedia:Nationalism|nationalist foreign policy]]. The Liberal-Tory Party is also [[wikipedia:Imperialism|Imperialist]] and does not support an overall Imperial Parliament elected by citizens of the entire [[Praetonian Commonwealth]]. The LTP has dismantled the Praetonian welfare state, drastically reduced taxes on private individuals and business and has shifted almost all of the remaining budget into defence and the police forces. The Party has been criticised by socialist groups, but has overseen the greatest period of economic prosperity in the nation's history.
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| − | | align=center | 52.67%
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 395
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 462
| + | |
| − | |- bgcolor=#660099
| + | |
| − | | [[Imperial Monarchist Party]]
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| − | | align=center | [[Lord Locknull]]
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| − | | The '''Imperial Monarchist Party''' is an ultra-nationalist, capitalist party which is also the third largest in the House of Commons. The Party believes in the supremacy of Praetonia above all others, and would treat even very close allies with intense distrust and does not hesitate to openly criticise foreign states. Perhaps bizarrely, the Imperial Monarchist Party is also willing to enter into a dialogue with just about any nation, including historic enemies of Praetonia, if they believe that there is benefit to the Praetonian national interest by doing so. Socially they are a mixed bag, favouring liberalisation of gun laws but tightening of laws and harsher sentences for violent crime.
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 7.33%
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 55
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 213
| + | |
| − | |- bgcolor=#3399FF
| + | |
| − | | [[Liberal Imperialist Party|Liberal-Imperialist Party]]
| + | |
| − | | align=center | [[Lucius Agrippa|Sir Lucius Agrippa]]
| + | |
| − | | The '''Liberal Imperialist Party''' (LibImp Party / LIP) was once considered the natural party of government in Praetonia, but since to the emergence of the [[Liberal-Tory Party]] the party has noticed a marked drop in popularity. The Party stands for [[wikipedia:liberty|social liberalism]] combined with [[wikipedia:Social Democracy|Social Democratic economics]]. The party is also, as the name suggests, Imperialist and nationalist in matters of foreign affairs. The party has presided over relative economic prosperity, but this has been dampened by high individual and business taxation. Despite this, the Liberal-Imperialist Party has been extremely successful both internally and in foreign matters, and Liberal-Imperialist governments settled much of the [[Praetonian Commonwealth|Commonwealth]].
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 39.73%
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 298
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 674
| + | |
| − | |- bgcolor=red
| + | |
| − | | [[Communist Society of Praetonia]]
| + | |
| − | | align=center | [[Thomas Walter]]
| + | |
| − | | The '''Communist Society of Praetonia''' is a loose collection of radical Communist and Socialist groups. They could be described as a 'fourth party', but have only 2 seats a small number of largely old and somewhat senile Lords. Their views, although rarely appreciated and often deprecated in mainland Praetonia, are increasing in popularity among certain segments of the [[Praetonian Commonwealth|Commonwealth]] population, notably in [[Segmentum Praetonialis]], which has a large working class made up of factory workers and miners. The Society is staunchly Left wing economically, and would nationalise most business, and relatively authoritarian socially.
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 0.27%
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 2
| + | |
| − | | align=center | 16
| + | |
| − | |}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == Economy ==
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| − | {{Image|http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/CPIbanner.jpg |right|Trein|The logo of the [[Confederation of Praetonian Industry]], a quasi-union organisation which represents business.}}
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| − | | + | |
| − | The Praetonian economy is historically very strong and has been enjoying significant increases since the rise of the [[Liberal-Tory Party]] to power. Like most high-GDPPC economies, the Praetonian economy is primarily service-based, but agriculture, industry and research have all been industrialised and are going strong in Praetonian today. The success of these historic sectors has allowed to country to maintain a strong positive balance of trade, and has not lead to the country being forced to purchase vital strategic goods from foreign powers. The country has a very strong GDPPC, the third largest in [[Haven]], leading to a consequentially strong overall economy as judged by GDP.
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| − | {| border=1 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=340 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
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| − | | align="center" colspan="2"|
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| − | <big>'''GDP Distribution'''</big>
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''[[Wikipedia:Service Sector|Services]]''' || 58%
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''[[Wikipedia:Secondary sector of industry|Industry]]''' || 27%
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |'''[[Wikipedia:Primary sector of industry|Agriculture and Raw Materials]]''' || 11%
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |'''[[Wikipedia:Quaternary sector of industry|Research]]''' || 4%
| + | |
| − | |}
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Research Sector ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | Although technically its own sector, most research is carried out either by companies located within other sectors, or universities which generally are not classes as businessness, despite being entirely privately run and operated. There is a long history of exploiting the market potential of research in Praetonia, and most universities have spin-off companies which help students and researchers to market any discoveries they make. Sometimes the rights to these are sold wholesale, but usually they are used as the basing for a new company which is given substantial government support in the form of tax breaks until it has started making an appreciable amount of profit.
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| − | | + | |
| − | The research sector, although generally small as a proportion of GDP, is the ultimate basing for all future earnings, and a lot of attention is therefore attributed to nurturing viable research with a future in industry, not only by the government but also be private organisations designed to promote business such as the [[Conferderation of Praetonian Industry]] and the [[Royal Research Council]] made up of several prominent research institutions as well as a number of wealthy businessmen, scientists, engineers and other interest parties.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Service Sector ===
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| − | | + | |
| − | The Service Sector is the largest in the Praetonian economy, and primarily services the domestic market. The largest segment within the Praetonian service sector consists of the multitude of healthcare businesses which emerged from the privatisation of all state industry. [[wikipedia:Tourism|Tourism]] also makes up a major part, with the ports and airports formost amongst the transportation element. Praetonian [[wikipedia:retail|retailers]] have been particularly successful, and many are looking abroad to expand their markets. The most important element of the sector with regards to exports and the largest by turnover and profit, if not by manpower, are the banks, insurers, stock brokers and other [[wikipedia:financial services|financial service providers]], including the [[Imperial Bank of Praetonia]] and the [[Imperial Central Index]] stock exchange.
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| − | The service sector is by far the largest employer in Praetonia, with most low-paid jobs to be found on the checkouts of major retailers. A significant percentage of employees of this sector are also amongst the most highly paid in the country, primarily merchant bankers and stock brokers, as well as senior management and consultants. The sector has the advantage of never having been nationalised wholesale in the way that the industrial and large portions of the raw materials sector have been, and so although the sector has experienced no recent spurt in growth, it has maintained steady and impressive performance over a long period of time, and has built an extremely sound financial backing for itself.
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| − | === Industrial Sector ===
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| − | The industrial sector is the primary export provider in the Praetonian economy, and is highly automated. A great deal of emphasis is put on reinvestment to maintain market positions and overtake foreign competitors. The largest Praetonian manufacturer is the famous [[Imperial Praetonian Shipyards]] followed closely by the engine and machinery manufacturer, [[Imperial Oil & Gas]], which also has an arm in raw materials. Although an extremely profitable sector and a major source of money for the Praetonian economy, the industrial sector is no longer a major employer, with most employees machinery specialists, engineers or scientists who operate and design the factories which now operate with little or no unskilled labour.
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| − | The industrial sector was at one time wholly owned by the state, but has been [[wikipedia:privatisation|privatised]] and the sector subsequently experienced massive growth. In what was an already prosperous and powerful sector, this rapid expansion was the primary cause for the resurgence of the Praetonian economy in recent years. The sector also includes a number of high-tech companies such as [[Imperial Electric]] and [[Duchy Pharmacheuticals]]. The sector is expected to continue strong growth figures as it looks abroad for further expansion into foreign and domestic markets, spurred on by new-found competition and investment via the [[Imperial Central Index|stock market]].
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| − | === Agriculture and Raw Materials Sector ===
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| − | {{Image|http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/PraeFarm.jpg |right|Trein|An industrialised farm located in Neo-Praetonia owned by Uxbridge Farm Industries.}}
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| − | A diverse sector, primary industry in Praetonia covers a vast array of business from [[wikipedia:intensive farming|intensive farming]] to [[wikipedia:oil industry|oil]]. The largest company in this sector is [[Imperial Oil & Gas]], which has extensive interests in oil and gas reserves across the world, followed closely by [[Imperial Metallurgy]] which mines a variety of minerals and ores across Praetonia and the [[Praetonian Commonwealth|Commonwealth]]. The sector includes various smaller mining and hydrocarbon extraction companies, as well as numerous other, more specialised producers such as [[Imperial Atomworks]] which extracts [[wikipedia:Uranium|Uranium]] as well as manufacturing [[wikipedia:nuclear reactor|nuclear reactors]] as its primary business.
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| − | [[wikipedia:Agriculture|Agriculture]] in Praetonia is highly mechanised, with a several consortiums controlled by and made up of land owned by the historic land owners of the country, most Lords, owning most of the agricultural land and farming it on a massive scale with extensive use of hydroponics and industrialised production of farm animals, milk and eggs. Many of these companies also own stakes in companies with bioengineering interests, such as [[Duchy Pharmaceuticals]]. These consortiums have experienced massive growth in recent years by buying up land taken in [[Praetonian Commonwealth|colonial expansions]] and the Commonwealth as a whole is now able to feed itself, although this is still largely reliant on the control of [[wikipedia:shipping lanes|shipping lanes]]. Remaining small farms have largely switched to [[wikipedia:organic food|organic production]] due to the much larger selling price per unit mass and considerably lower initial cost of production.
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| − | == International Relations ==
| + | Mainland Praetonia has no land borders and proposals to build a tunnel to nearby [[Willink]] have been consistently rejected due to national security concerns. Praetonia does, however, share land borders through her colonies with a number of countries, including [[Sarzonia]], [[Hamptonshire]] and the Borman Empire. Praetonia has several former colonies which have now been legally amalgamated to form a unitary Crown Commonwealth of Praetonia. The former colonies maintain very strong cultural and private economic links with the mainland which have been strengthened by complete political union. |
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| − | === Friends and Allies ===
| + | Praetonia has a strong [[Capitalism|free market economy]] and a well funded and professional military, of which the navy is especially well regarded. Praetonia wields a great deal of diplomatic power through her foundership of the [[Sovereign League]] and her membership of both [[ACTO]] and [[APOC]] and pursues a foreign policy aimed at promoting Praetonia's national interest, free trade and liberty. In recent years relations with the [[CAD]] powers formerly viewed as enemies have thawed. |
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| − | Praetonia maintains strong relations with a group of democratic, mostly capitalist nations, although [[Liberal-Tory Party]] policy is to be open to diplomacy with any nation, primarily as a means of securing free trade. The current government's primary international concerns including securing free trade with foreign countries, stimulating the expansion of Praetonian business into foreign markets and expanding Praetonian influence abroad. Praetonia is currently a member of the [[Woodstock Pact]] for whom Praetonia drafted the new pact charter. Praetonia is also a member of the [[Organisation of Maritime Powers]], the [[Council of Air Powers]] and the [[Questerian Commonwealth]].
| + | ==History== |
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| − | '''List of Nations with Strong Relations with Praetonia'''
| + | ===Empire to Grand Commonwealth=== |
| − | (In no particular order.)
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| − | * [[Sarzonia]]
| + | Praetonia was a [[wikipedia:feudalism|feudal]] [[wikipedia:monarchy|monarchy]] until the First Civil War in the 17th century. This war culminated in the Battle of Kingston and the Storming of the Palace in 1653, during which the King was captured by the Patrician Parliamentary army and subsequently executed in public after trial before the House of Commons, the rest of the Royal Family being allowed to go into exile in [[Questers]]. In 1654 the Grand Commonwealth of Praetonia was proclaimed, abolishing the Monarchy and House of Lords and vesting all sovereign power in the House of Commons, whose own ability to act was severely constricted by the Charter of the Rights of the People which was created at the same time and banned the levying of taxation above 1% of income on any person and the levying of any taxation against capital transfers other than income. |
| − | * [[Questers]]
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| − | * [[Pacitalia]]
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| − | * [[Isselmere-Nieland]]
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| − | * Verdant Archipelago
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| − | * [[Space Union]]
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| − | * [[Halberdgardia]]
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| − | * [[Hamptonshire]]
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| − | === Tarrifs and Trade ===
| + | An extremist libertarian construct, the Grand Commonwealth was resisted directly and indirectly by rural areas throughout its existance and as a result suffered from repeated famines until the establishment of the National Grain Reserve in 1708, which stored grain imported from Praetonia's fledgling colonies and which has endured to this day. Although subject to much instability and corruption, especially in the wake of its controversial decisions to privatise the military and the judiciary in 1655 and 1672 respectively, the Grand Commonwealth presided over the longest period of sustained economic growth in the history of Praetonia and the accompanying benefits in quality and length of life for the people. |
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| − | Following the rise of the [[Liberal-Tory Party]], Praetonia has taken a much more laissez-faire view to international trade and has seeked to encourage free trade across the world, but particularly between Praetonia and foreign powers. The following is a brief list of Praetonian policy concerning trade with foreign nations.
| + | ===Grand Commonwealth to Kingdom=== |
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| − | * Reciprocal tarrifs are imposes as a general rule, with any state which drops all tarrifs with Praetonia receiving a removal of tarrifs in return.
| + | The end of the Grand Commonwealth began in 1756 when the National Grain Reserve, which had prevented famine since its inception 48 years earlier, failed to supply sufficient food to the city dwellers. This, combined with wide-spread disatisfaction with the general non-existance of and where existant abuses of power by the now privatised police force and military, lead to a popular uprising in favour of a New Monarchy. This was opposed by a large minority of people who remained loyal to the ideals of the Grand Commonwealth and the resulting civil war lasted for another 5 years. In 1761 the rightful heir to the throne, King George I, having returned from Questers and served in the war, re-entered [[Kingston (Praetonia)|Kingston]] to muted fanfare, ruling in the manner of [[wikipedia: Charles I|Charles I]] with a Parliament still in existance but significantly weaker than that under the Grand Commonwealth. |
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| − | * 'Reciprocal Plus' tarrifs which reciprocate foreign tarrifs with a fixed percentage extra are imposed as sanctions. These usually have a cap beyond which tarrifs are merely reciprocal.
| + | ===Kingdom to Democratic Imperium=== |
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| − | * Embargoes are legal and are often used against powers which are a direct threat to Praetonian [[wikipedia:national security|national security]] as well as against nations upon which the government wishes to impose sanctions but with whom there is little trade.
| + | The new Kingdom of Praetonia, despite starting on much stabler grounds than the Grand Commonwealth, fell much more quickly, in 1820, following the disastorous reign and early death of King George II, the heir of his namesake. The 'Third Civil War', as it is sometimes called, was in fact a bloodless coup in which Parliament seized control of the capital with public and military consent and invited a Questerian relative of the royal family, Queen Elizabeth I, to take the throne. The governments that emerged became progressively more nationalist and socialist in their outlook. At the time it was widely believed that state monopolies were the most efficient means of running an economy, and much of the economy was nationalised. This was resisted by a significant minority of the population, mostly the descendents of those who had fought for the Commonwealth in the Second Civil War, and many businesses moved abroad. Warburton Coal Ltd. gained a parliamentary exemption after the 2nd Duke of Warburton and his workforce threatened to flood the mines and bring the country's economy crashing to a halt. |
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| − | * Foreign companies are allowed to buy shares in Praetonian companies freely. Certain strategic industries are protected by a government [[wikipedia:golden share|golden share]] which prevents them from falling out of Praetonian hands without permission.
| + | ===Democratic Imperium to Crown Commonwealth=== |
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| − | * Foreign governments cannot buy shares in Praetonian companies without permission from the Praetonian government. This also applies to foreign government-owned businesses.
| + | The process of nationalisation and socialisation was completed when the Liberal Imperialist Party rose to power to wide-spread public acclaim and ended millenia of isolationism. Liberal Imperialism endured for more than two decades, when a swing back towards liberalism brought the Liberal Tory Party, itself a faction split from the Liberal Imperialist Party, to power. The Party proceeded to privatise all of the state industries and welfare service, drastically cut back on taxation and introduce wide-spread deregulation. The 'Liberal Tory revolution' has been heralded as a 'New Renaissance', having brought unparralled growth in the power and prosperity of the country as well as a large increase in the liberty of the individual Subject. |
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| − | == Empire and Colonies == | + | ==Economy== |
| − | ''See main article: [[Praetonian Commonwealth]]''
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| − | The Praetonian Empire, colloquially referred to as the [[Praetonian Commonwealth]], is a quasi-federal body of states each with their own Parliament, although the Praetonian parliament is the only one capable of legislating for the raising an army, or levying taxes. In addition, it can abolish the colonial parliaments at will, and so is the only one that could be considered sovereign. As well as strong local government, the colonies are granted a fixed 37% representation in Parliament with seats divided between colonies based on relative populations. Although there are some fairly minor parties espousing independence, the swiftness of communication and travel between the colonies, along with generally small native and non-Praetonian immigrant populations has led to a strong sense of loyalty to the 'mother country' and no independence parties currently hold seats in the Praetonian parliament.
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| − | [[Category:Praetonia | Nations]] | + | {{Sovereign League}} |
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| | + | [[Category:Praetonia]][[Category:Nations]] |
The Crown Commonwealth of Praetonia is a unitary country whose mainland is located in North-East Haven, surrounded by the Vascian Gulf, a sea which encompasses Praetonia's mainland territorial waters and Economic Exclusion Zone. The sea contains numerous small islands claimed as Crown Dependancies, many of them housing small military observation and defence bases.
Mainland Praetonia has no land borders and proposals to build a tunnel to nearby Willink have been consistently rejected due to national security concerns. Praetonia does, however, share land borders through her colonies with a number of countries, including Sarzonia, Hamptonshire and the Borman Empire. Praetonia has several former colonies which have now been legally amalgamated to form a unitary Crown Commonwealth of Praetonia. The former colonies maintain very strong cultural and private economic links with the mainland which have been strengthened by complete political union.
An extremist libertarian construct, the Grand Commonwealth was resisted directly and indirectly by rural areas throughout its existance and as a result suffered from repeated famines until the establishment of the National Grain Reserve in 1708, which stored grain imported from Praetonia's fledgling colonies and which has endured to this day. Although subject to much instability and corruption, especially in the wake of its controversial decisions to privatise the military and the judiciary in 1655 and 1672 respectively, the Grand Commonwealth presided over the longest period of sustained economic growth in the history of Praetonia and the accompanying benefits in quality and length of life for the people.
The end of the Grand Commonwealth began in 1756 when the National Grain Reserve, which had prevented famine since its inception 48 years earlier, failed to supply sufficient food to the city dwellers. This, combined with wide-spread disatisfaction with the general non-existance of and where existant abuses of power by the now privatised police force and military, lead to a popular uprising in favour of a New Monarchy. This was opposed by a large minority of people who remained loyal to the ideals of the Grand Commonwealth and the resulting civil war lasted for another 5 years. In 1761 the rightful heir to the throne, King George I, having returned from Questers and served in the war, re-entered Kingston to muted fanfare, ruling in the manner of Charles I with a Parliament still in existance but significantly weaker than that under the Grand Commonwealth.
The new Kingdom of Praetonia, despite starting on much stabler grounds than the Grand Commonwealth, fell much more quickly, in 1820, following the disastorous reign and early death of King George II, the heir of his namesake. The 'Third Civil War', as it is sometimes called, was in fact a bloodless coup in which Parliament seized control of the capital with public and military consent and invited a Questerian relative of the royal family, Queen Elizabeth I, to take the throne. The governments that emerged became progressively more nationalist and socialist in their outlook. At the time it was widely believed that state monopolies were the most efficient means of running an economy, and much of the economy was nationalised. This was resisted by a significant minority of the population, mostly the descendents of those who had fought for the Commonwealth in the Second Civil War, and many businesses moved abroad. Warburton Coal Ltd. gained a parliamentary exemption after the 2nd Duke of Warburton and his workforce threatened to flood the mines and bring the country's economy crashing to a halt.
The process of nationalisation and socialisation was completed when the Liberal Imperialist Party rose to power to wide-spread public acclaim and ended millenia of isolationism. Liberal Imperialism endured for more than two decades, when a swing back towards liberalism brought the Liberal Tory Party, itself a faction split from the Liberal Imperialist Party, to power. The Party proceeded to privatise all of the state industries and welfare service, drastically cut back on taxation and introduce wide-spread deregulation. The 'Liberal Tory revolution' has been heralded as a 'New Renaissance', having brought unparralled growth in the power and prosperity of the country as well as a large increase in the liberty of the individual Subject.
