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The Awakened Star Empire of The Mindset

National motto: The mind is the greatest weapon of all.
National anthem: Power to Us
Capital	Midna Beta Approximately 14.5ly from Sol.
Largest city	M-1, ~2.1 billion.
Official languages	None; English is de facto.
Government Prime Head Senator	Non-hereditary monarchy, democratically elected Senate. The Trinity (of The Mindset) Tybalt Origin
Population  - 5068AD est.  - Density	Over 4.4 billion. 377/km²
GDP (PPP)  - 5068AD est.  - Per capita	$175,581,816 million $39,563
Currency	Commercial Credit (₪)

The Awakened Star Empire of The Mindset is an interstellar economic power situated within fifteen light-years from Sol, and a founding member of the Extra Solar Union of Systems. Usually known simply as The Mindset, or inaccurately as Mindset, The Mindset is composed of a highly educated population of over four billion spanning, six systems.

The Empire, which has recently suffered decades of economic mismanagement under the tyrannical rule of Prime Nurik Dancos, is a highly industrially developed space-based nation with a non-hereditary monarchy and a democratically elected Senate of 480 seats. The Mindset is a traditionally libertarian state, with progressive policies in regards to drugs and sex. However, many purist liberals argue that The Mindset is nothing more than a dictatorship hidden behind the guise of free elections.

With a population descended from Scottish emigrants protesting the encroachment of Socialism into their society, The Mindset is outwardly a devoutly anti-Communist and anti-Socialist nation. However in reality, The Mindset has evolved an economic system approaching that of Communist China during the early 21st century, where the state controls most industry, but actively supports free trade with those corporations not state-owned. A non-hereditary monarch called the Prime, who is not bound in powers by a constitution, controls the government on a national level. A Senator oversees local government.

The Mindsettian people are traditionally pacifist, often opposing times of war with mass demonstrations in front of the Imperial Palace in the cityship of M-1. For over one thousand years, under the benevolent and enlightened rule of Prime Pr'Varia Dancos, The Mindset did not control any military assets. Since then, the Mindsettian Stellar Navy and it’s corresponding Mindsettian Ground Corps have grown in numbers since Mindsettian involvement in ESUS politics.

Territory

Main article: Mindsettian Territory

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Midna Beta as seen from Earth

Mindsettian territory is, in general, lightly defended. All but the capital system of Midna Beta is virtually defenceless bar a local militia force. This is mostly due to the traditionally pacifist nature of both the citizens of The Mindset, and the government.

Mindsettian territories encompass a roughly spherical cone of space ranging from approximately four light-years from Sol, out to twenty light-years. Approximately 0.1% of the claimed space is defended, with approximately 0.0001% being classified as "occupied."

All outlying territories are slaved to the capital system by virtue of the Mindsettian Cityships being unable to produce sufficient food for self-sustenance. Because of this, the majority of land upon colonised planets is considered agricultural in nature, providing basic food supplies for the cityship populations.

A breakdown of Mindsettian territory, and their relative populations is as follows:

Environmental Issues

There are several major environmental issues. Heavy industrialisation and cramped living space upon the densely populated cityships has resulted in water pollution in the form of industrial compounds being leaked into the supply. Reclaimed water processed from waste is often infused with cleaning chemicals such as chlorine, which has often been attributed to unhealthy respiratory systems.

Conversely, the more rural outlying systems often suffer from lack of adequate water supply, pollution of water supplies by animal waste and nitrates. Fortunately, air pollution is not an issue, though extensive deforestation is occurring on HPMS IV due to the jungle terrain preventing industrialisation projects from going ahead.

Culture

Race and Ethnicity

Most Mindsettians are biologically descended from ancient Scottish emigrants, and are essentially human bar a few artificial enhancements. For several hundred years, The Empire has practised a policy of compulsory eugenics and genetic profiling to establish the most desirable bloodlines to ensure the genetic purity of future generations. In contrast to the sensationalist tabloid beliefs about the eugenics program, The Mindset has never discriminated against anyone based upon the colour of their skin, their race, or even their religion. The eugenics program seeks to eliminate genetic diseases through selective breeding, and "merge" all races (causation, black, asian and arabic) into the most genetically stable strand of humanity.

Mindsettian Culture

The Mindset is renowned for its education system, which by far receives the most funding than all other government departments. It is due to this emphasis on the importance of education that The Mindset has firmly established itself as a nation of enlightened thought and technological progress.

Those who observe Mindsettians from a more conservative society may consider Mindsettian society to be morally corrupt, where only the strong and smart survive, with drugs and sex being exploited at every street corner. For the most part, they'd be correct. Mindsettian Culture lays heavy emphasis upon self-motivation and pursuing dreams without outside help. This cultural phenomenon is perhaps best shown through the complete lack of a welfare state, and the expectance of citizens to perform civic duties in order to gain free healthcare and education.

Religion

Religion, in all forms, had been outlawed since 2066AD. Those caught practising or preaching within Mindsettian space, regardless of religion or nationality, are executed as per orders of the Prime, under the charge of "Disrupting the National Intellect." Briefly, in 3114AD, the Senate overturned the law. The Prime declared this to be a direct violation of the rights to a fair, secular education - as guaranteed by the whim of the Prime - and overturned the law, executing all members of the Senate in the process. Shortly thereafter, the Prime formally stripped the Senate of its constitutionally binding powers over his office, and created the reformed Senate, with power only to deal with local issues. It is for this reason that The Mindset is officially atheist.

History

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Map of Mindsettian Territory, circa 2045AD.

The history of The Mindset is long and diverse, spread across several millennia. In order to aid navigation, the history section has been divided into several subsections for ease of reading. For an overview of leaders throughout history, refer to List of Mindsettian Heads of State.

• Formation Wars (2027-2081) details the drawn out fight for Mindsettian independence from socialist Scotland.
• Mindsettian Royal War (2086-2086) chronicles the rise and fall of a false claim over the throne of Mindsettian Scotland.
• Centenary Jubilee (2100) deals with the joint birth of the 100 millionth Mindsettian citizen, and the dawn of a new century.
• Antarctic Expedition (2116-2170) describes the Mindsettian expedition, and subsequent founding of an Antarctic colony.
• echo01; deals with the development of the first conscious Mindsettian AI.
• Mars Expedition (2176) deals with the first Mindsettian trip to Mars.
• STL Expedition (2254) gives an account of the production, launch and fate of the first Mindsettian interstellar craft.
• The Mindsettian Depression (2371) documents the severe downturn in the Mindsettian economy during the summer of 2371, and the massive changes that resulted.
• Prime Pr'Varia Dancos (3451) is elected as Prime of The Mindset.
• The Mindset forms the Extra Solar Union of Systems (3571).
• The Shivan Wars explains the meagre Mindsettian contribution to the war effort.
• Prime Nurik Dancos (4730) forcefully secedes his father as Prime, and implements a new economic model.
• The Trinity (of The Mindset) (5142) explores the demise of Prime Nurik Dancos at the hands of three sentient AIs.
• ESUS Civil War (Current) deals with the ongoing Mindsettian involvement in the ESUS civil war.

Politics

The Mindset is composed of two separate branches of government, the democratically elected Senate, and the Office of the Prime. The Senate as no powers beyond regional administration, and is not granted authority to influence the decisions of the Prime in matters that do not concern local government. The Prime is appointed for life by the previous Prime shortly before their death. Any Mindsettian citizen is eligible for the office. Legally, upon assassination of the current Prime, the title is passed onto the assassin. This was taken advantage of by Prime Pr'Varia Dancos's son, Nurik, who was angry about the succession of the title being non-hereditary.

At rare times, the title of the Prime is awarded to more than one person. This is currently the case with the Trinity (of The Mindset), a triumvirate of three artificial intelligences who detonated neutron weapons inside the massive Mindsettian Cityships orbiting Midna Beta, killing approximately 300 million people, including Prime Nurik Dancos.

Composition and Elections

With forty Senators for each Mindsettian territory represented within the Senate, plus eighty for each cityship (of which there are three), the Senate presently has 480 members. When it first convened on 6th March 2132, the Senate had 21 members. Senators serve for terms of six years; the terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years: each time there are elections in about three worlds for one of the two seats.

Before 2142, state legislatures appointed the Senators (an example of indirect election); since the passage of the Ratification of the Prime's Republic, Senators have been elected directly by voters. Senators are elected by their world as a whole; if both Senate seats are contested in one election year, the elections will be separate and all voters will cast votes for one candidate in each of the two races. Because of the staggered terms, this will only occur when a Senator fails to complete a full six year term due to death or resignation, or when a world joins the Empire, in which case one of the two usually serves a four year time.

If a vacancy occurs between elections, generally the governor of the world appoints a replacement to serve as senator until the next biennial election.

The Senate has the ability, by a two-thirds vote, to expel one of its members. This right has not yet been exercised, although this is partly because many Senators choose to resign before being expelled.

The Senate itself is headed by a Head Senator, the most current of which is Senator Tybalt Origin of cityship M-1. Election as Senator of M-1, the largest population base in the Empire, is automatic qualification as Head Senator. The Head Senator is responsible for communicating the needs of the Senate to the Prime.

Political Parties

The Senate is currently held by an overwhelming majority by the Mindsettian Libertarian Party (MLP), with a coalition opposition by the Mindsettian Social-Democratic Party (MSDP) and the National Movement for Democratic Reform Party (NDR).

Economy

General Overview

The economy of The Empire is generally highly advanced. It is one of the larger (though by no the means largest) economies currently active in space. However, it has been long plagued by a sizable trade deficit caused by much higher levels of internal trade than external. Exports generally consist of hydrogen, advanced alloys and technology. Imports are generally raw materials, food and technology. The currency is fairly strong, and exports tend to make healthy profits in foreign markets, where Mindsettian technology is seen as "unique" and valuable.

The internal market is not taxed, and is highly diverse. Major corporations help fund the defence of The Empire in pittance for a highly free market economy. The primary contractor for the Mindsettian Stellar Navy is the MUAND Corporation. Corruption is generally fairly low, though the lack of laws governing the growth of companies results in low levels of successful business start-ups. Three major corporations produce approximately 95% of all products consumed within the Empire.

Recent economic statistics:

• GDP per Capita: $39,536.55
• GDP: $175,581,816 million (USD)
• Consumption: $160,129,137 million (USD)
• Unemployment Rate: 2.75% (122,127,500 people)

Energy Resources

The Mindset draws much of it's industrial wealth from an abundance of raw materials located in a huge asteroid belt formed by the unpredictable gravity tides of the binary stars of Midna Beta. In addition to this, The Mindset also employs controlled Cold Fusion technology to obtain common isotopes as a by-product of generating energy.

Industries

The Directorate of Economic Affairs, as the name implies, directs trade in the name of the Prime within the Empire. It is a large government organisation that is trusted with seeking out and arresting those who do business that is against the law. It is also tied with the Central Bank of The Mindset, negotiating inflation rates, and attempting to control the value of the Commercial Credit. In agreement with the Prime, the Directorate has not raised taxes from 0% for over three thousand years.

Education

General Overview

The Mindsettian education system is renowned for it's hard, compulsory and strict practises, resulting in one of the most highly educated populations. The government devotes approximately 17% of it's GDP to education each year. Education in The Mindset is compulsory between the ages of 2 and 25. There are no private schools--education is entirely controlled by the government, to the dismay of many liberal political parties.

All Mindsettian citizens are expected to complete a degree level, or equivalent, course before the age of 30. Failure to do so often results in high-unemployability. Heavy emphasis is based upon self-learning and developing practical skills out with the boundaries of schooling. Those children who show exceptional talent will be allocated greater time with a tutor than those who seem inclined to menial jobs. Laziness is not permitted, and is harshly punished.

Pre-School and Primary Education

From the ages of 2, students are expected to attend a pre-school education course in basic arithmetic and language skills. Between the ages of 3 and 10, children are obliged to attend a Primary learning facility, progressing through seven grades before graduation. Within this time, students will be expected to grasp complex mathematics such as calculus, be fluent in both English and Common Mindsettian and understand the finer points of geography, physics, information technology and more. All levels of education are free, provided the student completes a fixed number of hours of "civic duties" (usually five hours minimum per week), usually amounting to tasks such as cooking meals for the elderly or cleaning public places.

Secondary Education

Mindsettian education is based upon the ancient system of Scotland, namely, the inclusion of Standard Grades and Highers as the main forms of education certification.

Standard Grades are taken from the age of 11. The course lasts two years, in which each student is assigned a timetable of eight subjects according to their previous strengths. Exams are sat at the end of Grade 12, with a mark being assigned in the form of a number: 1 for the highest quality work, generally 90% or above correct, and 7 for what is effectively a fail.

Higher Grades are taken shortly after the completion of Standard Grades. Highers are much more theory-based than their cousins, and last only one year. Students take five Highers, and are awarded a grade ranging from A (70% or above correct) to a D (effective fail).

Advanced Higher Grades are taken shortly after the completion of Highers. Only A-class students are eligible for these courses. They share the same grading system as Highers, and similarly take one year to complete. The main difference is the level of the work: Advanced Highers are effectively University level, and are usually highly theoretical in nature. Those who are unable to take Advanced Higher courses are progressed into the next stage of the education system, usually a degree in waste management.

Degrees are compulsory for work within The Mindset. Even the most menial task requires a qualified, degree-level expert to complete. For this reason, there is perhaps more universities within The Mindset than the next four-hundred nations combined. Most universities offer a wide variety of courses, ranging from golf-course management to quantum computing.

Further Education

The Mindset offers an extensive network of state-owned colleges, in which students can retake or attempt new Highers, Advanced Highers, and various other minor qualifications.

Higher Education

The Mindset's universities offer three levels of degree: Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate. In addition to these three, there is also an (Hons) title available to those who show exceptional promise within their course.

Some examples of specific degrees follow each general term.

• Bachelor's degrees: BA, BS, BSc, BFA, BCL, LLB, MB, BChir
• Master's degrees: MA, MSc, MS, MPhil, MRes, MFA, MTh, M.Div., MBA, MPA, MPAff, MLitt, MPM, MPP, LLM, MEng, MSci, MChem, MPhys, MMath, MESci, MGeol, MTCM
• Doctorate degrees: PhD, EdD, EngD, DNursSci, JD *, DBA, DD, DSc, DLitt, DA, DMA, DMus, DCL, ThD, PharmD, DPhil, DOM, OMD, PsyD

Foreign Affairs and Defence

Military

The Mindsettian military has a long and proud history, but in recent decades has suffered massive budget cuts as a direct result of the implementation of a pacifist foreign policy. Conversely, since the rise of Prime Nurik Dancos and his successors, the Trinity (of The Mindset), the military has been reinvigorated with a massive cash injection. There is currently a huge rise in military recruits, mostly from lower income families, and those who failed basic degree level education.

Mindsettian Stellar Navy

Main Article: Mindsettian Stellar Navy

The Mindsettian Stellar Navy is the backbone of The Mindset's ability to project military power across the vast gulf between star systems. Using the latest technology, and the largest machines ever constructed by the Empire, the navy enjoys considerable military prowess. The feared Battleforge class heavy battleship is stuff of legend, distorting planetary orbits with it's sheer size.

Mindsettian Ground Corps

Main Article: Mindsettian Ground Corps

Though less impressive than a fleet of massive warships, the Mindsettian Ground Corps is nonetheless one of the most important military assets controlled by the Empire. The Corps are large enough to populate the entirety of a small nation, and are known for their skills in hand-to-hand combat when all else fails.

Foreign Policy

The Mindset, being the founder and current Co-Senior Director of the Extra Solar Union of Systems, plays an important role in promoting the ideals of the ESUS, and upholding it's constitution against corruption. Though sharing no formal alliances outwith it's ESUS binds, The Mindset considers itself "friendly" with many nations, including Klonor, Central Facehuggeria, Metallinauts and various others. The Mindset has sometimes expressed support for The Fedral Union, but has not officially announced any condoning of their policies.

Though not a member of the United Nations, The Mindset sees itself as part of the universe, with an economy greatly geared towards external trade. The Mindset is not interested in spreading it's ideals to other parts of the unviverse, and is slow to provoke, but is often devastating when angered.

The Mindset considers itself at war with any nation aligned with the Shivans, or who are anti-ESUS. The Mindset also considers those members of the Galactic Empire as possible hostiles. These include nations such as Unified Sith and Al-Imvadjah.

Alliances

Relevant Links

The Offical Mindsettian Web Portal

The Extra Solar Union of Systems Forum

The Mindset on Nationstates