Stoddenia

Almanac Entry for the United Socialist States of Stoddenia

PHYSICAL MAP OF STODDENIA

Stoddenia

Flag
Flag of Stoddenia
Motto: "Under the Collective, We All Prosper"
See Above
Region	Revolutionary Socialists
Capital	Stoddenia
Official Language(s)	English, Local dialects, Stoddenic Patois
Leader	President Docus
Population	+/- 7 million
Currency	The Doc
NS Sunset XML

BACKGROUND

Sometime in the late 1990's, the movement known as the "Red Partisans" began forming in the hills of Stoddenia. The RPs were known for their mixed use of propaganda and handouts to the peasants. At this time, the government of Stoddenia was a oligarchy that had been indicted fourteen times for graft, civil rights abuses, and war crimes charges in the world court.

The Red Partisans formed an alternative to this activity. Following a Cuban Model, the Red Partisans built their headquarters high in the lush jungles of the southern tier of their country. They did not stay there however. Constantly among the population in the two main cities, the regional capitals and the small farming villages that dot the tiny republic, The Red Partisans exploited the lack of sufficient government interest in their activities, and were very successful acquiring goods traveling to and from the port of Oatmeal City on the coast. These goods were redistributed among the population of the countryside, and through this, the Red Partisans developed their strength.

By mid 2005, the Red Partisans, now known as the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Stoddenia (RSPS) encouraged activists in the cities to call for elections. When the Government of Stoddenia refused, the RSPS declared open warfare on the regime, and swept down enmasse from their mountain bases toward the capital. The matter met little resistance, and the people of the Capital joined in the struggle, and swept the old oligarchy from existance once and for all...

The members of the Oligarchy were put on trial for their crimes, and by the will of the people, were executed. These public executions were followed by a law outlawing capital punishment. Over then next couple months, the RSPS transistioned into an institutionalized government, complete with provisions of Absolute Civil Liberties, radical redistribution of what little wealth remained in Stoddenia, and egalitarianism as the founding principle. A provisional Election was conducted, and was open to all Parties. Only one party ran against RSPS candidates, and he was soundly defeated.

Since the victory of the RSPS in the very short, bloodless revolution, the Government of Stoddenia, as the RSPS is now called, has had little trouble balancing the desires for egalitarianism and radical democracy with the needs of restoring the economy to prosperity. One measure alone has been enacted with the aims of improving the economy. Political Freedom is at an all time high, civil liberties are untouched and absolute, and the people of Stoddenia are happy.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

Location - Stoddenia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, in the Subtropical Climate zone. It is in the region of Revolutionary Socialists, of which it is currently the only member.

Land Area - 601,500 square Miles (slightly larger than the Nation of Botswana)

Coastline - About 150 miles, including Oatmeal Harbour. Maritime Claims - Edge of the Continental Shelf represents an exclusive economic zone. 120nm beyond the shore represents Stoddenia Territorial Waters, and entrance is highly regulated

Climate - Generally Warm and Rainy on the coast. Drier past the mountains as the Mountains form a moderate rain shadow. Mountain environment realizes extremes of cold. Great Plains around the capital realize extremes of warmth.

Terrain Features - Very short coastal plain, aproximately 10 miles wide, sloping uplands to old volcanic mountain range, which disect the country. Deep gorge-like and well watered valleys cut into Volvanic Mountains. Followed by Great Plains which are flat except for a few uplands and lakes. Northern and Northeastern frontiers are covered by swamp jungle that is extremely difficult to pass without swamp boats.

Highest Point - Mount Partisan, 9,800 feet (in the Partisan Mountains, at Stoddenia Pass)

Lowest Point - Stoddenia Swamp, averaging 25 feet below Sea Level (northeast of Stoddenia City)

LAND USE

Arable Land - 38% Permanent Crops - 36.5% Irrigated Land - 22% Other Usage - 63.5% Of this:

Forest- 52%

Mining- 3%

City and town- 5%

Port Stoddenia Military Base- 15%

Energy Creation- 3%

Industry- 2%

Idle or Wilderness- 20%

POPULATION STATS

Population - 6,192,000 (Nov 2005 Estimate)

Age Structure- (0-18) 65%; (18-50) 33%; (50 and up) 2%

Birth Rate- 26.15 per 1000 people

Death Rate- 9 per 1000 people

Net Migration Rate- 20 immigrants per 1000 people

Nationality- Stoddenian (noun) Stoddenic (adjective)

Religions- Monotheism (18%); Secular Humanist (52%); Militant Atheist (15%) Other (15%)

Language- English (78%) Local dialects (22%, mostly in the mountain districts); Stoddenian Patois (58%)

Literacy- (defined as those who can read at grade/age level, as determined by the Ministry of Public Education) 98%; male- 97%, female 99%

GOVERNMENT STATISTICS

Conventional Long Form- The United Socialist States of Stoddenia

Conventional Short Form- Stoddenia

Government Type- Constitutional Confederated Democratic Republic

Capital- Stoddenia

Administrative Divisions- 12 Districts (including Capital District) Stoddenia CD; Oatmeal; West Oatmeal; Doceopterix; Lindsayia; Derek Valley; Georg Valley; Jaxon Valley; Riveria; Montania; Lake City; East Point

Sufferage- 16 years; Universal and compulsory

Flag Description: Black Field above a red field, embossed with a white seven pointed star representing the seven planks of the RSPS' pre-revolutionary platform.

National Animal- the "Oatmeal" a beloved breed of rabbit which has a mythical origin, and is found throughout the entire area of Stoddenia, and in no other part of the world. Several areas of the country as well as the chief port are named for this animal.

==GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION== The President of Stoddenia, and various ministers as he names from time to time. All other details are unknown, but the bureaucracy is extremely complex and forms the glue that cements the confederation together. ===Executive=== The President of Stoddenia, currently a person who goes by the [i]nom de guerre[/i] Docus, was not elected but rather was the vicotr of a short and relatively bloodless revolutionary struggle against the last oligarchy in Stoddenia. ===Legislative=== The legislature of Stoddenia is legally "undefined". This is due to one of two competing theories. Either the President of Stoddenia exercises all authority in Stoddenia, or there are regular procedures for innitiative and referendum. But Stoddenia's process seems, at the first glance to be a mixture of these two theories. Twice a day, the President, or his delegate entertains visitors in the Presidential Office. On these visits, citizens of the country engage in a one topic debate. One for an issue, one against, and occasionally, one who argues for an abolition of the current government or a compromise position. The Presidential Office at that time decides policy based on the strength of the argument. Anyone in the country has the right to participate in these discussions. A legislature, of sorts, then stamps the "popular approval" on the issue, and passes it, without fail. This is the process of lawmaking in the country. There are semi-annual elections for legislature, and the number of seats depends exclusively on how many people each district seeks to send. ===Judicial=== There is no need for a judicial department as crime is unknown in Stoddenia. ===Diplomatic=== Stoddenia possesses the office of Secretary of State, who is responsible to conclude various agreements with foreign powers. The Secretary of State is in the President's Cabinet. The Secretary of State goes by the [i]nom de guerre[/i] of "K" The Secretary of State possesses powers of concluding treaties equal to the President's. The Secretary of State also oversees the diplomatic quarter of Stoddenia City, Embassy Row, and selects envoys to the United Nations. There are currently no open embassies in Stoddenia. ===Other Cabinet Offices=== None known, though there may be a Guartermaster General of the Militia and a head of the economy outside of the actual office of the Presidency. The only cabinet officer so far identified ===Political Parties=== The Revolutionary Socialist Party of Stoddenia, various issue and oppositional oriented small parties.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

While the economy of Stoddenia is weak now, the government is putting into place policies that balance the needs of the economy to prosper and the liberties, freedoms and rights of the population. To this end, the government has so far only sponsored one measure that somewhat limits marijuana usage inpublic, with the aim at growing productivity for Stoddenia's workers.

Unions membership is compulsory for public work in Stoddenia. Unions participate in policy making through the above described process.

The Nation's infrastructure leaves many things to be desired. There is one main road, the Capital road that links the capital to several cities on the Great Plains and to the Port of Oatmeal City. The valleys of the country are linked to this Capital road by foot paths. It is not likely that this situation will change anytime soon, however, as the lack of efficient transportation methods serves to protect the liberties of the valleys themselves from government intrusion. Additionally, each valley is self sufficient, growing and producing all it needs to support its population,a nd the foot paths are used primarily to export the few items that each valley produces to the country. The people of each of these valleys have set up defensive lines on the only entrances into their home territories to discourage invasion over the mountains.

Oatmeal City, however, is an ultra modern port. It was the focus of attention for the last 5 governments, who all sought to make it a world class port, that is capable of out competing any port on the face of the Planet.

There are no railroads in the Country, and automobile usage is limited to transportation of goods and people over the Capital road between cities on the Great Plains and to and from Oatmeal City. Since this is really the only road to speak of in the country, all highway monies have been put into improving the technology of this road, and it now can handle the heaviest cargoes and take the most wear of any known road, without showing the slightest signs of deteroriation itself.

Chief Imports- Stoddenia is extremely self sufficient, with all necessary resources to be found within the national territory. Therefore, tis primary imports are kitschy items that interest people.

Chief Exports- Food stuffs, raw minerals, Steel, petroleum, plastics, other hydrocarbon products, Zinc, Cement, Gypsum, textiles, furniture, aluminium, titanium.

Merchant Marines- 15 Ships, including 2 super tankers to aid in the petroleum export industry.

Market Status- Government monopoly on all commodities. Local, small scale production by individuals is permitted.

Airports- One regional Airport in Stoddenia, One international Airport in Oatmeal City, 2 dirt airstrips, one in Georg Valley City and one in Riveria City

MILITARY STATISTICS

Standing Military- 0

Citizens' Militia- 5.3 Million. The nation of Stoddenia prides itself on the discipline and organization of the Citizens' Militia. Each valley composes one division of the Citizens' Militia and each are charged with defense of their valley. In the Great Plains, defense is coordinated by Stoddenia CD. Each Citizen, regardless of age, maintains a weapon in their home, and drills with their division once a year between the ages of 14 and 50. During drill, all other activity stops, and citizens who fail to report for drill report to the brig instead. The Coastal regions split their citizenry between the Citizens' Militia and the Citizens' Navy, which patrolls long distances out to sea to spot any invasion force incoming, and transmits information back to the cities on the coast. Their cutters are also extremely heavily armed and have achieved distinction in their destruction of the oligarchic navy's destroyers and submarines. These highly trained partisans are extremely lethal in their tasks and take no prisoners.

Military Branches- Citizens' Militia, Citizens' Navy.

TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES

Stoddenia has just endured an threat of assult on its territory by the Empire of Torontia. It has not established firm (reciprochal) diplomatic relations with any other country as of the time of this publication. It is now on course to establish its first embassy with the Infinite Empire of Yallak. ===The Military District of Port Stoddenia=== It has recently come to light that the Stoddenic Government has begun the process of leasing the village of Port Stoddenia and its district out as an area for foreign military missions. The area is reknowned for port facilities that are capable of docking capital ships to the grade of Cruiser and lower, dry dock facilities nearby, land for an airstrip and an extensive impact area for maneuver and artillery/aircraft missions. At some point in the future, Stoddenia has vowed to grant exclusive license, but for now, it is open to Stoddenia's allies.

Cultural Characteristics

Mass Transit

Most people find mass transit very popular. The government outlays very little for mass transit, but regulates the industry. As a result, all mass transit throughout the country is free. Both local and national service is available by both bus over the Capital Road and aircraft. ===Television=== There are very few broadcasts of programming that is not culturally uplifting. The State has a monopoly on broadcasts. Companies that would normally produce programming for mass consumption, such as soap operas and sitcoms are heavily regulated and do not produce those sorts of programming. There is chiefly programming aimed at children in the mornings, News throughout the mid-day, historical and scientific programming offered in the afternoon, National news in the evenings, and, contrary to the rest of the day, comedic television programming in late prime-time until midnight. Between midnight and 5 am, underground, unregulated programming is permitted, and mainly consists of pornography, horribly made serial dramas from the nation's University television programme, and pirated movies. Space on this public access schedule is limited, and is based on a rotating schedule, by city or village, drawn from a lottery. The vast majority of the viewers of State television view the historical and scientific programming, with the second largest crowd tuning into the Nightly news reports, then followed by the childrens' programming, then followed by the public access content, and finally the day time news. ===Education=== Education to the age of 16 is compulsory. Curriculum is determined by the community with government oversight to ensure proper observance of the laws in Stoddenia. From age 16 to 18, students can decide what carreer paths they wish to pursue. Their names are then entered into a lottery, based on the needs of the economy projected six year out (essentially the time they are to finish undergraduate work). They enter university at age 18, and attend for free. Their tuition is paid by their service in the National Service Program, which conducts all public works and fulfills all government contracts in the country. Upon completion of their studies, all students can choose if they wish to remain in their chosen field, or simply graduate. If they remain in their career, they are guarenteed a job in that field for four years. If they choose to go into another career, they are permitted a free choice of where they would like to work. The student who follows this path then enrolls with the union representing his field, and jobs are awarded on the first come first serve basis. Until they are awarded a job, the student must work for one week a month in either the National Service Program or enroll with the Citizens' Militia for a four year term, and thier enrollment in the National Service Program is waived.