Tarmsden
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| Flag of Tarmsden | |
| Motto: "The Union of The People" | |
| [Currently Unavailable] | |
| Region | Newbo Forests |
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| Capital | Hozani |
| Official Language(s) | Español |
| Leader | President Lazarus Etelde |
| Population | Over 6 billion and counting |
| Currency | Forester |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Geography
Tarmsden is a massive nation in the Newbo Forests region. It is known for its breathtaking and well-preserved wilderness, ranging from a massive rainforest in the southwest to grasslands in the center, coniferous forests in the southeast, a large mountain range in the northwest, a Mediterranean-style coast in the east and a tundra in the north. There is even a desert in the mid-eastern part of the country. Tarmsden is surrounded by the ocean on all four sides. Most of the large country is rural, even with its burgeoning population. There are cities and suburbs surrounding them in isolated areas of the country, with nomads still living in areas of wilderness.
History
Tarmsden has been inhabited by human beings for approximately 10,000 years. Most of the societies were traditionally primitive with regards to their technology, and it was not until sea-faring settlers arrived from the East approximately 1,200 years ago that the modern Tarmsdenian civilization began. The settlers sought to exchange cultures with the natives and gladly traded technologies in return for knowledge about the land, as well as natural medicines and agriculture. Gradually, the two different societies, native and settler, grew closer together.
This led to strife, as native religions were replaced with the Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic) of the settlers and the settlers lost their ability to trade with natives frustrated with the changes. One change both sides adopted was the use of guns, as they had been introduced through continued trade with the West. Tarmsdenian settlers created guns and armors with strong metals, while natives used their knowledge of nature to produce deadly poisons, curing medicines and explosive ammunitions. What was to be known as the War of the Two Cultures broke out.
The war lasted for approximately 30 years, between 3472 and 4000 in the native Tarmsdenian year-count system. Although the initial campaigns of the War were won by the settlers, a prolongued guerilla campaign by the natives maintained their way of life. Eventually, the natives regrouped, entered into the Covenant of Our Lands, united and took the settler capital of Ilauwi. This brought the settler forces to the negotiating table. The resulting Contract for a Common Life (which provided for common trade and respect for land rights by abolishing the private ownership of land) has held ever since.
Following the signing of the Contract, the two societies gradually merged into one. New cities were built, the current capital of Hozani among them. This new biracial society became increasingly cosmopolitan, trading with nearby nations and developing a complex system of government. By combining traditional use of natural resources with modern technologies, the Tarmsdenians succeeded in bringing about prosperity for a rapidly growing population.
Recently, Tarmsden has seen great changes. The birth rate has rapidly increased, meaning that the cost for the government to provide services greatly increased. A number of different economic systems were introduced in an attempt to provide for the people. Although the country retained its strong democratic traditions, the state nationalized all businesses several times. Now, the national economy is making a resurgence thanks to decentralizing reforms. Tarmsden is also becoming a major leader in world affairs, working as the delegate for the region of Newbo Forests, authoring and supporting proposals on rights for people with disabilities (including UN Resolution #160, "Rights of the Disabled," national economic rights, national authority over moral issues and other causes reflecting national sovereignty, democracy, environmentalism and egalitarianism. Furthermore, Tarmsden has been the recipient of both praise and outrage for intervening to prevent ethnic cleansing and establish democracy in a number of small nearby nations.
Politics
The current Tarmsdenian political system emerged as a merger of traditional tribal governance, the Contract for a Common Life and outside systems of government. Democracy is the ancient means of selecting leaders, and elections are held for every considerable government post at the district, state and federal level. Every citizen of age 18 or over receives one vote for every ballot. Ballots include candidates for judicial, legislative and executive offices. A number of federal refernda are also held every year on issues of great importance to the people. The people may request a referendum on any issue, and if at least one-third of concerned voters do so, the referendum is held. All candidates run independently, and political parties in the traditional sense do not exist. Instead, many citizens join political clubs to meet with and discuss issues with other individuals who share their ideology. Public financing is available for all candidates, and campaign donation limits are in place.
The Tarmsden Socialists political club is the most influential in the country, as the majority of current office-holders are practicing members or leaders in the club. The Tarmsden Independents, a club composed of individuals who do not tend to gravitate towards any single ideology, are the second-most influential political club and have won presidential elections in recent years. The Tarmsden Libertarians, Tarmsden Greens, Tarmsden Traditionalists, Tarmsden Capitalists and Tarmsden Communists are also influential clubs with elected members.
