Triancia

Triancia

Flag of Triancia
Motto: "Liberty and Human Rights, defended by the Rule of Law"
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Region	The North Atlantic
Capital	Joseph II Federal District
Official Language(s)	English
Leader	Roger Stanton
Population	2.436 billion (8 SEP 2005)
Currency	Triancian Dollar
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The Federal Kingdom of Triancia is a large nation, both economically and militarily powerful, and, some say, one that has attained the status of a global power. Triancia consists of 18 provinces, 17 on one land mass, and one island province off the north coast. These provinces, true to the Federal name, share power with the national government, which, in turn, is split into three branches: The Office of The Presidency, the Parliament, and the Judiciary.

History

Triancia has a long, storied history, showing its people to be courageous, progressive, and patriotic, and chronicling its advance from unconnected group of nomadic tribes to the modern Federal Kingdom.

Pre-Triancia

(Unknown-247 C.E.):

The area making up modern day Triancia was, until roughly 300 B.C.E, primarily inhabited by nomadic tribes, which moved from place to place hunting animals for sustenance. A few villages, though not many, did exist, primarily at the northern and southern coasts, and at a number of the large lakes, where groups could fish and make a living. With the land's late Agricultural Revolution, combined with advances in domestication, more and more of the nomadic tribes gathered together to form various city-states. Those in fertile regions expanded quite fast as food sources grew. Mountainous civilizations flourished as well, off-setting arable land by valuable ores and goods produced.

The most noted political activity in this era was that of the Regiylas Empire (147 B.C.E-53 C.E.) Regiylas was one of the city-states originally formed on the northern coast, and therefore already well-established by the time the new city-states begin to flourish. Although recorded and historical evidence is lacking, it is supposed that high technology, a large military, and an imperialistic leadership saw Regiylas move over a period of seventy to eighty years to conquer surrounding city-states and territory. The Empire reached its peek around 43 B.C.E., and seemingly remained quite stable, until, it is theorized, internal political division and the increasingly strong and technologically advanced militaries of neighboring city-states brought its fall through the years 23-53 C.E. Regiylas was Triancia’s first nation-state, and some consider it to be an antecedent of the current Federal Kingdom.

From 53 C.E. until roughly 200 C.E, nothing else of such political importance took place. Any alliance of city-states that would have destroyed the Regiylas Empire either broke up shortly after the Empire’s downfall, or the warring city-states brought down the Empire without collaboration between themselves. The city-states continued to grow, expand, and advance in territory, technology, and most importantly, trade.

Around 200 C.E., the city-state of Cerzana, located on the western end of the northern coast, and nearly 1000 kilometers from the old city-state of Regiylas, showed a sudden increase in military power, technology, and tactics, according to the records from a scribe in the army of Dia’thuna, a local warlord. An attack on Cerzana around this time was met with a highly organized, well-equipped defense force from the city, rendering it seemingly ineffective afterward, as there is no mention of the warlord attacking organized settlements again. It seems that Cerzana expanded afterward, taken control the land of the city-state of Raziria, on the coast, and what was left of Regiylas, as well as dozens of settlements and villages in-between.

The self-appointed King of Cerzana, Justin the Second, laid claim to these land, calling his new Kingdom ‘Triaceria’, meaning, roughly, ‘the three keen’ or, ‘the three fierce’. Some referred to the kingdom as ‘Trinacria’, as on most maps of the time, its territory appeared in a triangular shape, and Trinacria describes ‘a triangular land’. Documents of the time period show both of these names being distorted, and twisted together. The one document where the most attention is payed to by scholars is a printed order of Justin the Second, around 247 C.E., where the Kingdom itself is referred to as ‘Triancia’. Weather this was a deliberate entry by Justin the Second, or weather an erroneous scribe wrote it as such, forcing the government to adopt it or save face, is still being debated. However, what is certain is that all Cerzanian documents, as well as most literature after that, uses the word ‘Triancia’ to describe the Kingdom. It is that year, consequently, that most historians consider the Kingdom of Triancia to have formed.

The Kingdom of Triancia

The Kingdom under Constitutional Monarchy

The Federal Kingdom of Triancia

Triancia Today

Geography

Triancia is a good-sized nation nation, around

Governmental Structure

As stated before, the power in Triancia can be divided into four categories: The Presidency, the Parliament, the Judiciary, and the Provinces. The major political parties in Triancia are responsible for the bulk of legal challenges, policies, and proposed legislature in all facets of government, as well.

The Office of the President

Main Powers

The President of Triancia is a direct predecessor to the Triancian Monarchy, and still maintains remnants of the power and prestige as afforded the King or Queen. In strict constitutional terms, however, the President's power is limited to "the creation, and enforcement of laws and policy as applied to the nation's relationship with the other peoples of the world." The President currently maintains control over several areas of government. They are classified as Departments, run by Secretaries, and Deputy Secretaries. The leaders of these Department’s are collectively known as the Presidential Council.

Office of the President

• Maintains control of the Departments under the Presidency.
• President Roger Stanton

Department of Defense

• Deals with all issues pertaining to the defense of Triancia from hostile nations and/or organizations.
• Secretary Robert Wernick

Department of State

• Deals with Triancia's relationship to the world at large, and with the establishment of Embassies and special Envoys out-of-country.
• Secretary Timothy Garner

Department of Commerce

• Deals with the issues of international economics as they pertain to Triancian interests, including the ownership of stock by the Triancian Government, and diplomatic relations with multinational corporations that maintain extraterritoriality.
• Secretary Albert Washlyn

The National Labratories of Triancia

• Deals with the sciences considered to be 'for the benefit of the scientific community and mankind as a whole', primarily physics and chemistry, as well as the Directorate of Aerospace Research, which houses Triancia's space program.
• Director Eric Nolan

Succession

Unlike other governments of similar structure, the President is not obligated to select a successor in case of temporary or permanent disablement, or death. The president can select a President-Regent, to serve in his absence, or when he is unable to discharge his duties. The President-Regent has no power unless the President cannot discharge his duties. The President-Regency is not a full time job, and, indeed, most President-Regents fulfill other duties in an Administration. The President-Regent is usual a Secretary of a Department, though, in a few cases, the PR is a member of Parliament, or the Judiciary, and, in rare cases, the PR is not a member of the Government at all.

If, however, a President does not select a President-Regent, the Presidential Council shall administer the Office until the President can once again discharge his duties. If the President dies, either the President-Regent or the Presidential Council, whoever is in control, will administer the office only until new elections can be held, as soon as possible.

Other Powers

The President also can, at his leisure, appoint a Royal Governor to each of the 18 provinces, who can in turn appoint Lord Mayor's to each city. However, as the constitution stipulates, the Royal Governors and Lord Mayors only have the power granted to them by the provinces, and most (but not all) provinces have laws in place that render the Royal appointees to figure heads. As a result, the appointees are mainly just the President's official supporters in the provinces, and usual campaign supporters being rewarded for their help. An exception to the rule would be the province controlled by the Royalist Party, which has given the Royal Governor executive power in the province, but even they work behind the scenes to make sure that only an acceptable appointee is selected.

The President can veto a Parliamentarian law, if a majority of the Person’s Holding Executive Power in the Provinces presents him with a petition.

The Parliament

The Judiciary

The Provinces

Political Parties of Triancia

Like any democratic country with freedom of speech and expression protected under the law, a great number of political parties exist, from the National Socialist Party, to the Libertarian Party, and even the Eco-Triancia Party, which advocates, among other things, the outlawing of any new construction. However, in the grand scope of Triancian politics, five parties hold sway. An exact percentage of popular support is impossible to state, as it changes frequently. However, a general statement of support is possible. Since Triancian politics generally swing to the left, the party affiliations on the Left-Right scale should take that into account, and measure off of the Triancian Center. The five main parties are as follows:

The Royalist Party (Far-Right)

By far the smallest of the main parties, the only reason the Royalist Party has stayed on the radar is the power of it supporters, mainly the idle rich, and a few powerful businessman. The Party supports a neutralization and/or elimination of the Parliament, and a return to the days of Kings, Queens, and Royalty. The Divine Right argument plays a part here, mainly with fundamentalist Christians. Imperialism is also a key plank in the party platform, with some in the party saying that other countries must be brought ‘into the great Kingdom’. So far, they have only managed to control one province, but they still hope to one day wrestle control of one of the main branches of Government.

The Republic Party (Moderate)

The Republic Party, since it's inception in the 1920's, has remained a small but fierce party. In recent years, however, the Party has picked up speed, gaining quite a good amount of support in three provinces, and moving to change their government accordingly. They advocate an overhaul of the Triancian government, creating a truly Democratic Republic in the style of the United States, with a strong system of checks and balances, a bicameral legislature, and the elimination of the last vestiges of royalty in the Triancian Government.

The Parliamentarian Party (Left)

The Parliamentarian Party, in contrast to the Republic Party, has lost popular support from a previous high level, mostly due to the popularity of the recent Presidents. They currently hold control over four provinces. They advocate a neutralization and/or elimination of the Office of the President, and a transition to a Parliamentarian system of government.

The United Liberty Party (Right)

The United Liberty Party exists to cut down the central Government's role in the lives of citizens. Although they are backed by a number of Triancian corporations seeking deregulation, they also advocate secular support for all religions (as opposed to the current Separate Church and State policy in place), and a movement of federally controlled or regulated bureaus of government be released to the provinces and the cities. They currently have a small following, controlling two provinces.

The Federalist Party (Left)

Currently the Party in control of most of the Government, the Federalists control eight provinces, a majority of seats in the Parliament, and the Office of the President under Roger Stanton. They are for maintaining the status quo of government, maintaining strict governmental controls on the economy, the separation of church and state, and, due to the Federalist’s long-standing control over the Presidency, making more of a place for Triancia in global affairs.

Laws and Policies of Triancia

Civil Rights and Freedoms

Despite a relatively large religious division (here, a significant Muslim minority) and Triancia's roots in monarchy, the nation has always prided itself on a very high level of civil rights for its citizens, no matter their color or creed. Most civil rights enjoyed by Triancian Citizens are given to them by the Fifth Article of the Constitution of the Federal Kingdom of Triancia, entitled 'Civil Rights and Freedoms'.

Coverage of Civil Rights

Simply put, the Triancian Government considers all persons equal under the eyes of the law, with the following exceptions:

1. Person's under the age of 18 have limited rights until reaching the age of majority or emancipated by a mutual agreement between guardian and the minor, with oversight from a municipal, provincial, or federal judge.
2. Those incarcerated for a felony lose the right to vote or participate in a Political Literacy Exam. They may also lose certain other rights, mainly those dealing with reparations to victims in a corresponding civil case. A felon's right to take the Political Literacy exam must be reinstated when he has duly served his sentence.
3. Those certified as mentally incapacitated, or physically unable to discharge the duties of a citizen in a responsible manner may be limited to the rights of a minor under the age of 18. The mentally incapacitated’s right to take the Political Literacy Exam may be decided on a case-by-case basis.
4. Illegal Aliens are not allowed to take the Political Literacy Exam, and may have their property or physical being searched without probable cause or a warrant. They also have no Rights to Protect from Discrimination, limited Rights to Expression, and may be deported to their country of origin or asylum at the Government’s pleasure. They maintain all other rights.
5. Resident Aliens, including diplomatic personnel normally may not take the Political Literacy exam, and may be deported to their county of origin if convicted of a felony. They maintain all other rights. Permanent Residents paying taxes shall not be restricted from taking the Political Literacy Exam in order to vote, or voting itself, but may not hold public office.

Civil Rights Granted

Rights Protecting Aganist Discrimination

It is illegal for any group, excluding private non-profit organizations, to discriminate in employment, housing, or providing of service on the basis of race, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, physical disability, or any physical features, unless it is /impossible/ to provide service, employment, or housing to the individual because of that condition, e.g. A business hiring for a position the requires use of two hands can refuse to employ a quadriplegic for that position. Single violations of this ruling can result in the Government forcing a group to provide service for an individual. Widespread violations by the same group could result in the above plus forced disbandment of the group, and/or seized assets to provide for reparations.

Rights of the Accused

1. All persons in Triancian have the right to a trial for any crime, impartially judged, and decided by a jury of their fellow citizens. They have the right to appeal any trail to a higher court, and receive a speedy response.
2. No search of a person’s property may be conducted without a warrant, or a person’s physical being without probable cause. This section have stated that an automobile at a person’s residence is property, while on a road it would be consider part of a person’s physical being.
3. No person may be incarcerated without being charged with a crime, and guaranteed a trial at a later date, excluding Prisoners of War, whose treatment is provided for in accordance with international conventions.
4. No person may be forced to incriminate himself, by torture or deception, or be enticed into an illegal action by a member of law enforcement.
5. As the purposes of imprisonment should be primarily the rehabilitation of criminals, cruel and unusual punishment, including torture, cannot be inflicted on either the accused or convicted. Capital Punishment may only be used in a non-military setting when the person has committed the premeditated murder of two or more individuals, or whose indirect actions have knowingly caused the death of ten or more Triancian citizens.

Rights of Expression

1. No anti-sedition law may be passed by the Federal, or any provincial or local governments. It also states that all persons in Triancia have the right to assemble, and petition for redress of grievances, so long as it is done in a matter that does not threaten the safety of the public.
2. The press shall remain free and independent from any governmental or corporate influence, and shall be free to report anything they wish, so long as it is not slanderous or libelous. This section does not allow the press access to all information, but does protect them should they find anything certain groups would wish kept secret. Interpretation of this section by the Judiciary state that information reported in violation of a signed contract cannot be considered criminal, only civil. The restriction on corporate control of news organizations has been interpreted to mean that no corporation may bias, distort, or suppress information from any owned press agencies. Finally, the Federal government has been successful in arguing for the right to establish a publicly-owned news appratus, supported with public funds, so long as the law protects this organization from being manipulated by undue government influence.
3. No persons shall be restricted from practicing their religion, so long as it does not interfere with anyone else's civil rights. The government shall show no preference to the practice of any one religion. There has been some disagreement as to the interpretation of this section. Some Triancian citizens, mainly those in the New Liberty party, say that it allows for support of religious activities, providing that such support is secular in nature, and offered to all petitioning religions. The current ruling Federalist Party, however, has maintained strict Separation of Church and State as a key plank in the party platform.

Political Literacy

Although all Triancian citizens able may indirectly affect the government through assembly and petition, to vote or hold a government job (including military service) requires a citizen to take the Political Literacy Exam. This applies to all Federal jobs and elections, and most Provincial and Municipal jobs and elections.

The Exam is not meant to keep uninformed citizens from voting or holding a government job. Rather, its goal is to make sure that all those interested voting or government employment have a rudimentary knowledge of the workings of the Triancian Government, the general state of world affairs, the names of those representing them, and the positions of the major parties. It is hoped that this will lead to a more active an informed citizenry, one capable of avoiding deception and seeking the truth.

The Exam is given in a number of different languages to suit the diverse number of citizens need. Beyond the language, all citizens are given the same exam, in keeping with the Rights to Protect against Discrimination. An updated Exam is produced every year, and citizens are required to pass it every five years in ordered to retain franchise. The exam may be taken, and franchise granted, as early as twelve years of age. Both study materials and the test itself are available in a large number of public buildings, from courthouses and cities halls, to libraries and post offices, even in the Parliament Building and Presidential Palace itself. This test is usually given at the end of a high school or college course in civics or political science, as well as before any citizen’s mandatory service in the military, ensuring that all citizens have passed the Exam at least once in their lives. If the test is failed, it can be taken again in twenty four hours time.

Provinces and municipalities may choose not to require the Exam, and instead offer universal suffrage in their elections for all citizens eligible for the Exam, as well as making all such citizens eligible for government employment. This is the only other option available for local governments.

Policy on the Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Triancia, with it's large military budget, can be expected to field a number of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in addition to it's conventional arsenal. The specific weapon technology itself is listed elsewhere, but the policy is as follows.

Nuclear Weapons

Triancia maintains a 'second strike' policy in regards to nuclear weapons, in effect designating them as a deterrent force against the nuclear armament of other countries. Nuclear weapons can also be used on a country that engages in biological warfare. It should be noted that any ICBM or SLBM launch against Triancia is considered a nuclear attack, regardless of the true payload. This policy has also be described as an 'all-or-nothing' one, as one attack by an enemy with nuclear weapons is basis for a massive strategic counterattack, as well as authorization of battlefield commanders to use tactical nuclear weapons.

Chemical Weapons

Unlike other nations, Triancia considers chemical weapons, in small amounts, as a valid weapon of war. Almost exclusively used is a poison called Karecin-12, which, depending on it's concentration and time exposed to air, can kill in anything from 30 seconds, to five minutes. It is made so that, when exposed to oxygen, it will become inert and non-lethal inside of six hours, hopefully minimizing civilian and friendly causalities. Karecin-12’s composition as a highly-lethal, but short-lived compound fits well within Triancian policy, and will realistically be used when Triancia is backed into the proverbial corner, against large troop concentrations threatening the Triancian homeland. There are rumors that Triancia is developing compounds designed to kill livestock and crops, but they cannot be substantiated. Such a weapon would be a strategic one, used over the long-term to destroy the enemy’s food production capabilities. Lastly, Triancia will use non-lethal agents, both in domestic policing and military roles.

Biological Weapons

Under no circumstances will Triancia engage in biological warfare. While Triancia maintains small amounts of weaponized viruses, they are currently kept in secure facilities, under heavy guard, as scientists work on countering them with either vaccines or anti-viral medication.