Saidercray
| Region | International Democratic Union |
| Capital | Amshlay |
| Language | English |
| Population 90,536,000 | |
| Leader | President Ian Woshkal |
| Form of government | Presidential republic |
| Formation | 10 provinces |
| Foundation | August 26, 1916 |
| UN status | Member |
| National flag | 
|
| Motto | Cum pace et prudentia |
| Anthem | Loving you, our good mother Saidercray |
| National animal | White stork |
| National flower | Heartsease |
| National tree | Red Mulberry |
| Currency | Conargo |
| Internet TLD | .idu.sc |
| IDU nation code | SC |
The United Republic of Saidercray is a democratic republic in the International Democratic Union.
Contents
Geography
History
| 1621 | Saidercray divided into Saider and Cray |
| 1704 - 1743 | Saider: Magdalenean Age |
| 1909, June 26 | Cray annexed to Saider |
| 1909 - 1916 | Black and Blue War |
| 1916, August 26 | Foundation of the Republic of Saidercray |
| 1917, January 4 | Approval of the constitution |
| 1932 | Year of Hunger, Kingsson Plan |
| 1951, November 18 | Abolishment of the Regional Parliaments |
Years of division (1621 - 1909)
The foundation of Saidercray (1909 - 1917)
The process resulting in the foundation of Saidercray began on may 15, 1909. Henry VI., king of Cray, died without a son. Due to the succession, Charles XIII., the second son of the dead king´s sister Helen, would have become king of Cray. But three days before his coronation, Charles died during a hunt. Rumours have never stopped that his death hasn´t been an accident, because after Charles' death, king James IX. of Saider had become the actual successor of the throne of Cray. His coronation at Dawsingham on june 26, 1909, united the countries Saider and Cray that had been divided for 288 years. Only a few weeks afterwards, James was assassinated by an adherent of the old Crayan dinasty. This event loosened the Black and Blue War between the Saiderish government and the Crayan population, lead by John Haigler. While the Saiderish and the new king, John V., wanted to defend the status quo, Haigler aspired after and independent and democratic Cray in its old frontiers.
After the battle of Feshton on november 17, 1915, when the royalist troups obtained a glorious victory by fighting and killed John Haigler, king John committed the decisive fault: After three months without any combat, he believed that the civil war was over, although the Crayan hadn´t surrendered. The imperialist king grudged his country the peace after six years of war and sent his armys into World War 1, hoping that Saidercray would get some colonies after the victory. But this was too much for the exhausted country and its people. In april 1916, the Crayan population started a new revolte against the king - with an overwhelming success, because also the population of Saider began to fight for democracy. On july 20, 1916, large parts of the army refused to fight and went back to Saider. The remaining soldiers were no challenge for the hostile armies. On august 23, Saider surrendered; two days later, king John and his government where overthrown. On august 26, the Republic of Saidercray was proclaimed - one democratic state unitig Saider and Cray.
A committee of academics, priests and leaders of the recent revolution elaborated a constitution until december 27, 1916. In a plebiscite held with international help, the people approved it on january 4, 1917.
The Republic of Saidercray (1917 - 2006)
On february 8, 1917, the new state and its people held the first democratic election, resulting into a VCA-PPJ-coalition with Nelson Quarret (VCA) as first President of Saidercray. In the 1920s, Saidercray celebrated itself and its unity. The people were buoyant by a new zest for life, indulged in arts and cultural life and enjoyed the simple fact that they lived in such a time. Famous films like "Anny's Green Garden" (1923) or "When I Was Young" (1925) were shot, the "poet of the nation" Henry Nesswick wrote his expressionist rhymes, and the actors Donald Hurlm and Judith B. Larsson shocked society with a public kiss of one minute at the first performance of Bartholomew East's opera "Cupid and Psyche".
In the cities, the war damages weren´t only compensated, but the chance was used to modernize Saidercray's face by building novel houses and skycrapers. Saidercray prospered, but when evrything seemed to be perfect, was struck by the world-wide economic crisis. This event made the socialist party gain a lot of strength and made the PPJ take leave off capitalism. The plentiful correspondence between the PPJ's chairman Edgar Laeni and Mahatma Gandhi also had a strong influence on the PPJ's change from a social-democratic to an anti-capitalist, non-violent party and lead the PPJ to some ideas that are nowadays considered to be central points of its politics.
In 1932, the "year of hunger", Saidercray elected its first SPS-PPJ-coalition. The new government under the socialist President Conor Kingsson passed the "Kingsson Plan" which resulted into the end of the mass unemployment. In World War 2, Saidercray wasn´t attacked and successfully recovered from the effects of the economic crisis. Therefore, the country was a popular destination for refugees and emigrants - the cause for the ethnic and cultural diversity people can still find if they travel to Saidercray.
The year 1951 saw the greatest alteration of the consitution ever and the definitive fusion of the two regions as the Regional Parliaments of Saider and Cray were abolished. The Regional Parliaments, remnants of the century-long separation, had acted as supplementary subgovernments for Saider and Cray and could adjust national laws to the special needs and realities of the region. Though being parts of the same country, Saider and Cray therefore had slightly different laws until on November 18, 1951 all national laws were enacted all over the country like they had been decided by the National Parliament. The assimilation of the legal situation had odd consequences such as sudden prolongation or abridgement of detentions. The two most considerable consequences were that from now also in the Crayan districts people drove on the right, and that alcoholic liqours with more than 7% alcoholic stregth were legalized in the Saiderish districts.
In 2007, the Republic of Saidercray changed its name into the United Republic of Saidercray.
Policy
Political system
Saidercray is a democratic presidential republic with a strict separation of powers.
The legislative branch - the parliament
The parliament is elected once every year during the national election. Every Saidercrayan who is at least 18 years old is entitled to vote, but also free to abstain from voting. The parliament contains 301 seats which are distributed pursuant to proportional representation, so that the portion of seats answers the portion of votes. The parliament has the right and the duty to vote on every bill of the government. It can remove ministers of their office by a vote won with a two-thirds majority. By a majortiy of 75%, the parliament disband itself. This results into nationwide parliamentary elections to elect a new parliament for the time until the next national election. The parliament can't remove the President or the Vice-president of their offices and can't pass bills written by the members of parliament. If members of parliament want to pass a bill, the parliament has to vote on the bill which, if it gains at least 50% of the votes, will then become the subject of a plebiscite.
The executive branch - the government
The government consists of the President, the Vice-president, the ministers and their deputies. The President and the Vice-President are directly elected by the people during the national election. For the time their term of office, the members of the government lose their status as members of parliament and are replaced in parliament by other members of their parties. The government has no franchise in votes of the parliament, but it is the only institution that can put a bill to the parliament's vote. Like the parliament, the government can initiate plebiscites. A two-thirds majority is necessary.
Amongst the members of the government, the President is equipped with some extraordinary rights: He can nominate and discharge ministers and their deputies. In opposition to this, he and the Vice-president can only be discharged by a plebiscite, not by the parliament. In September 2006, the President lost his rights to nominate judges of the Supreme Court.
The judicial branch - the courts
The courts of Saidercray divide into criminal courts dealing with criminal law and civil courts dealing with civil law. Both kinds of courts can only construe the existant laws and have no influence on them as such. In opposition to this, the Supreme Court has the right to alter or to repeal a law if it contravenes the constitution, and can prevent a bill from becoming a law for the same reason. Since the passing of the People's Justice Act in September 2006, the judges of the Supreme Court are no longer to be nominated by the President, and they do no longer remain in office until their death or retiremnt. Instead, every second year's Constitution Day five of the ten judges are elected in a democratical election. The term of office totals four years, every judge can be member of the Supreme Court for three terms of office at the most.
Parties
see: Political parties of Saidercray
- Green Democratic Party (GDP): The GDP is a small party mainly dealing with environmental issues. It´s lead by Julia Pount and has gained 7% in the last election.
- Liberal Union of Saidercrayan Capitalists (LUSC): The LUSC, Saidercray´s only explicitely capitalist party, is a averagely strong party which has gained 17% in the last election. Its chairman is Jack O´Connor.
- Multinational Party for Immigrants (MPI): The MPI represents the interest of the immigrants in Saidercray. It´s lead by the Indian Divyajyoti Mandal and has gained 7% in the last election.
- National Electoral Offensive (NEO): The NEO is a right-wing extremist party lead by Montgomery Lautegger. It has gained 0% in the last election.
- Party for Peace and Justice (PPJ): The PPJ is one of Saidercray´s strongest political parties. It´s lead by Ian Woshkal, the current President of Saidercray. In the last election, the PPJ gained 27% of the votes.
- Saidercray´s Women´s Feminist Party (SWFP): The small SWFP is a feminist party. It is lead by Evelyn Redyn and has gained 1% at the last election.
- Socialist Party of Saidercray (SPS): The SPS is a socialist party. Its chairwoman is Angela Fintosthane. In the last election, the SPS gained 25% of the votes. It's the topical coalition partner of the PPJ.
- Virtuous Conservative Alliance (VCA): The VCA, lead by Janet Finnigan, has gained 16% of the votes in the last election.
Government
Saidercray is currently governed by a coalition of PPJ and SPS with the PPJ as the strongest party. The coalition has 52% of the seats in parliament. The topical cabinet is formed by:
- President: Ian Woshkal (PPJ), leader of the PPJ
- Vice President: Harry Old (SPS)
- Minister of Domestic Affairs: Angela Fintosthane (SPS), leader of the SPS
- Minister of Foreign Affaris: Melanie Wathers (PPJ)
- Minister of Defense: Michael Henzoc (SPS)
- Minister of Economy and Infrastructure: Takeru Yamaguchi (PPJ)
- Minister of Environment: John Donald Icclat (PPJ)
- Minister of Education and Families: Charlotte Kilph (SPS)
- Minister of Finance: Catherine O'Conor (PPJ)
- Minister of Justice: Jeffrey Carnon (PPJ)
- Minister of Health: Grace Smith (PPJ)
- Minister of Science and Research: Frank Polernd (SPS)
Division
Saidercray is divided into ten provinces.
- Tynborough is a province in the north-west of Saidercray. Geografically seen, it is divided into a mountainious western half with Saidercray's highest mountain, the Laughing Giant, and the eastern half which shares in the fertile Central Basin. The capital of Tynborough is Cuvesbridge.
- Varaylia is the heart of Saidercrayan agriculture. The province with the capital Hilngare is situated at the western end of the Central Basin and reaches right to the mountain range which forms the boundary of the basin. Thus it gets a lot of the rain the north-east wind brings in summer. Green willows dominate the landscape and are well-suited for stock-farming.
- Fainland in western Saidercray is partially an agriculturally dominated province, yet first at all in the area around the capital Dropaney and in its north-eastern third, the land is rather hilly and a lot of ndustry can be found.
- Due to its scenic variety, Coastland is on of the most visited provinces. In addition to the Saidercrayan coast, which completely belongs to this province, and mountains in central coastland, tourists are also attracted by the Black Highlands, a pretty landscape rich in forests in northern Coastland with many hills and lakes. The only larger city is the capital Hampmouth on Sea.
- Onapany is an industrially stamped province in central Saidercray with Jallsborough as capital. In earlier days, mining has been the major industry due to the large occurences of iron and coal in Onapany's mountains.
- District of Amshlay is the by far smallest and most densely settled province of Saidercray. The province contains its and Saidercray's capital Amshlay and a land zone of several miles width around it.
- Juinlon is well-known for its huge forests which distinguish large parts of this province. The residual land is rather sterile. The capital of Juinlon is Telychester.
- Burgow
- Gubbomy and Quanding
- Winabek
For more information about the provinces, have a look at the article Provinces of Saidercray. To be able to find a province on the map, please note that the provinces have been listed according to the geographical situation of their capitals, beginning in the west. Province borders with yellow points mean that this border has once been the border between Saider and Cray.
International Policy
Saidercray is member of the United Nations, the International Democratic Union Council and the Green Think Tank.
Economy
Tax system
The most important tax people who work in Saidercray have to pay a is the income tax. It affects money which one gets in form of salary. How many percent of a person's salary go to the state depends on how much money he earns. The higher a person's salary is, the higher is the percentage of it that goes into the public treasury. For long years, the average tax rate totaled about 70%, but rised up to about 90% when in 2006 the tax system "Give and get back" was introduced. With "Give and get back", 75% of the actually collected taxes go into the public treasury. 25% go to the inhabitants of Saidercray. In doing so, every inhabitant gets an equal portion of the 25% of the tax receipts. The term inhabitants of Saidercray explicitely includes all those who live in Saidercray but don't pay income taxes. The only condition that has to be fulfilled to get the Inhabitancy Money is that a person's main residence is in Saidercray. Consequently, there is no unemployment insurance, no child benefit, no pension and so on, because also unemployed persons, children and pensioners get their Inhabitancy Money. Saidercrayan citizens who are unemployed, under age or retired get Inhabitancy Money even if their main residence is outside Saidercray. The intentions of the "Give and get back" system are to reduce financial inequality and to motivate people to get a job or to hire unemployed people. In addition to the income tax, only a few other taxes exists. Taxes affecting special activities or things, such as a tax for driving a car on a highway or a tax for buying cigarettes, don't exist.
Culture
Holidays
- Jan 1: New Year's Day
- Jan 4: Constitution Day
- Feb 8: Saidercrayan Democracy Day
- Mar 21: Spring Day
- May 1: Workers' Day
- Jun 21: Summer Day
- Jul 24: Democracy Day
- Aug 26: Republic Day (national holiday)
- Sep 23: Autumn Day
- Oct 2: Nonviolence Day
- Dec 21: Winter Day
- Dec 24-26: Christmas Days
- Dec 31: Old Year's Day
- without fixed date: Easter Days, Election Day
- 2 weeks between Mar 15 and Apr 30: Spring Holidays
- 6 weeks between Jul 1 and Sep 15: Summer Holidays
- 2 weeks between Oct 1 and Nov 15: Autumn Holidays
- 2 weeks between Dec 15 and Jan 15: Winter Holidays
Religion
| Faith | Denomination | % |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | all Roman Catholic Protestant Orthodox |
24.03 9.96 11.48 2.59 |
| Islam | all Sunni Shia |
3.61 2.45 1.16 |
| Jaina | all | 6.23 |
| Buddhism | all | 12.19 |
| Judaism | all Reformed Hasidic |
4.07 3.88 0.19 |
| Pantheism | all | 5.15 |
| Agnosticism and atheism | all Agnostic Atheist |
44.72 29.83 14.89 |
In Saidercray, religion and state are widely separated and treat each other in accordance with the motto "Live and let live". A state church doesn't exist any more nor does a church rate, so that there is no state support for any religion and that all religions are granted equal rights.
Education
School system
| Level/Grade | Typical age |
|---|---|
| nursery school | 3-5 |
| kindergarten | 5-6 |
| elementary school | 6–12 |
| 1st Grade | 6–7 |
| 2nd Grade | 7–8 |
| 3rd Grade | 8–9 |
| 4th Grade | 9–10 |
| 5th Grade | 10–11 |
| 6th Grade | 11–12 |
| lower school / upper school | 12-15 / 12-18 |
| 7th Grade | 12–13 |
| 8th Grade | 13–14 |
| 9th Grade | 14–15 |
| 10th Grade (only upper school) | 15–16 |
| 11th Grade (only upper school) | 16–17 |
| 12th Grade (only upper school) | 17–18 |
Saidercray's school system includes three kinds of schools: the elementary school, the lower school and the upper school. At the age of six, all children enter the first of six grades of the elementary school. These six grades are jointly passed by all children of an age-class. After the sixth grade, all children who have achieved an average mark of between 1.00 points and 7.49 points enter the lower school, all children who have achieved an average mark of between 7.50 points and 12.00 points enter the upper school. At the end of the 9th grade, which is the last compulsory grade, all pupils with an average mark of at least 5.00 points recieve their lower conclusion. Those who have achieved an average mark of at least 10.00 points in the 9th grade of a lower school are allowed to visit the last three grades of an upper school where they can try to get their upper conclusion. To recieve an upper conclusion, it is necessary to achieve an average mark of at least 5.00 points at the end of the twelveth grade. An upper conclusion allows its owner to study at a university.
National symbols
Flag
The flag of Saidercray shows a black blue stork, a yellow star and blue scales of justice on white ground. The two storks represent the two parts of the country, Saider and Cray. The yellow star represents the unity of these two parts. The scales of justice represent Saidercray's region, the International Democratic Union. Finally, the white background represents peace. Saidercray's topical flag replaced the country's hitherto existing flag due to a plebiscite in August 2006 and is designed by an artist from Stolidia. The old flag had shown a blue and a black beam to represent Saider and Cray, and a yellow star and a white background representing what they still represent nowadays. The scales of justice missed on this flag which was often called the white stork on white ground due to the extremely large white part.
Anthem
The national anthem "Loving you, our good mother Saidercray" was composed in 1917 by John Jelkind. It became the national anthem in 1977.
- Loving you, we see the eternal day
- Which is full of honour, light and peace
- Loving you, we see the eternal day
- Hate has died, and joy and luck increase
- We are children of your shapely shores
- And your fruits have made us grow
- In the very centre of our cores
- Takes its rise a solemn vow
- Loving you, our good mother Saidercray
- We shall be your peace for all our days
- Loving you, our good mother Saidercray
- We shall be your noble spirit's grace
Motto
Saidercray´s motto "Cum pace et prudentia" is Latin and means "With peace and prudence".
National animal
Saidercray's national animal is the stork. The stork was the main heraldic figure in the coat of arms of king Rory III., the last Saidercrayan king before the country's division in 1621. Rory's two successors, Queen Paula II. of Saider and King Anthony VII. of Cray retained the stork as a heraldic figure to underline the in each case exclusive pretension to the crown of the whole Saidercray. For the sake of discrimination of Saiderish and Crayans, Paula coloured the Saiderish stork black (this colour should represent the many mountains and rocks of Saider), whereas Cray's stork became blue like the sea. Today, the stork is a protected species. Many Saidercrayan buildings have stork's nest on the top of their roofs, though many of them are only dummies and have never been lived in by a stork family. The stork also appears in many common sayings. E. g., "to colour a stork" means to separate things or people that belong together.
Did you know?
- The oldest living Saidercrayan is Mrs. Hermione Nyger, born March 13, 1894, and therefore 112 years old.
- For two days in summer 2006, Saidercray has already been a member of the United Nations.
Weblinks
Saidercray at NationStates: http://www.nationstates.net/Saidercray
Saidercray at NSEconomy: http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy.php?nation=Saidercray
Saidercray at Sunsetrpg: http://www.sunsetrpg.com/economystatistics.php?nation=Saidercray
