Schultaria Prime
{{Infobox_Nation | subject_name=[
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| Flag of Schultaria Prime | |
| Motto: "Go forth and spread throughout the universe" | |
| Schultaria Prime | |
| Region | Primex |
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| Capital | Schultaria Prime |
| Official Language(s) | Schultarian Alphabeitc / Schultarian Symbolic / English |
| Leader | Central Director Elliot Schultz |
| Population | 1.342 Billion |
| Currency | merlon (Sm) |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Pre-Nationstates History
From "A Stepchild Nation": A History of the Schultarian Peoples
Schultaria Prime has enjoyed democracy in the modern sense for well over 250 years, but has only enjoyed the freedoms of independent democratic autonomy for only a century. Belonging to one of the most populous regions known in the world, Schultaria was regarded as little more than a small city state for the first 75 years of its existence, constantly exchanged between larger nations during its tumultuous beginnings. Seen as little more than a bargaining chip of men and natural resources, modern day Schultaria Prime was a part of no less than 5 larger nations; however, its relative isolation to its “parent” states had a positive effect on national development, but those positive impacts came at a terrible price to political freedom and the welfare of the average citizen.
Though the “parent” countries of modern day Schultaria never took a very active interest in the social politics of the nation, the consumer potential of both the vast natural and commercial resources were exploited to the fullest extent. Like the English East India Company of lore, Schultaria became, in the truest and most literal sense became the property of several megalithic multi-national corporations. 75 years after they were granted of Democracy by their first “parent” nation, Schultaria was subsequently reduced to little more than profit margins and headcounts. This could be called the “Dark Ages” in Schultarian history, but the population was not entirely reduced to cogs in the corporate machinery; rather, due to open and protected harbors and coastlines, Schultaria became a commercial shipping (and later a highly successful bureaucratic) center of operations. For 50 years, these highly successful multi-national corporations kept a dominating grip on the economy, but the maintenance of policy within Schultarian borders was strictly consigned to the newly established Central Governing Council, establishing a bond of trust between the monetarily wealthy and general middle classes.
However, this trust was shaken on Schultaria Prime’s 125th democratic anniversary; while celebrations and parades were going on in the cities and towns, the Central Governing Council was deciding on the all-important issue of re-drafting the concept of voting and enfranchisement rights. A revolutionary piece of legislation, the “Stock Vote Enfranchisement Act of Myrle” was the centerpiece of debate; within the text of the document stood the all important clause: “Therefore, enfranchisement shall be distributed as a commodity. Votes for national elections shall have a price to be set annually by the Central Governing Council.” Many within the government saw this as a chance for the government to collect external revenues without having to follow the burdensome paperwork of creating more tax codes. They couldn’t have been more incorrect in their judgment.
The first national election following the passage of that act has become the greatest fiasco in Schultaria Prime’s history. Corporate executives, purchasing votes by the thousands, packed the ballots with pro-company representatives and electors, creating the largest victory margins ever seen in any modern-day Schultarian election. Largely ignoring the cries of the people, the new corporation government oligarchies began the process of privatizing the nation: all national services in transportation and healthcare were replaced by more expensive alternatives, the national legislatures were disbanded and replaced by CEO-style directorate boards, and they slowly began to chisel away at the rights of franchise.
After 15 years of corporate oligarchy and dwindling personal freedoms, Pro-democracy parties and left-wing revolutionary groups went public chanting, “We aren’t the bottom line!” In every populated area throughout the nation an organized attempt to revolt was led by a then unknown bureaucratic manager by the name of Merle Schultz. Armed rebellion soon overtook the nation, but it was a largely bloodless affair due to the fact the rebellion was considered to be supported by every citizen making less than 10,000 standard Schultarian Dollars a year (which was over 85% of the population at the time). Fearing retribution, the corporate government leaders, their private security forces, and their respective business partners fled and the new Schultaria Prime government was hastily installed to fill the power vacuum.
Now, the nation-state of Schultaria Prime has come to reinvent itself. Remembering the humiliations of state puppetry, a constitution supporting the ideals of an independent and well developed Social Democracy were ratified to the popular acclaim of the nation. Following the ideals of Merle Schultz, the country has been officially dedicated in his honor, his first name lends strength to the country’s currency, and his last name lends support and a rallying cry to the nation's citizens
