Vetalian Enclave

Overview

Enclaves, or in Vetalian government terminology "Vetalian Trade Exclaves" are the primary sources of foreign interaction with Vetalian culture. They consist of a sovereign Vetalian plot of land or water, usually no more than a few hundred square kilometers in size, that is developed rapidly in to a sizable city for the purpose of conducting trade with the nation in which they are based. These cities also provide diplomatic services and cultural community for expatriate Vetalians, with most choosing to live in a trade city if possible when working abroad. As a result of their economic policies and Vetalian law, they tend to boast a high per-capita GDP and extensive services that may not be available in the host country. This tends to boost economic output in the host state as well as give Vetalia effective power to influence their host economy, a form of indirect imperialism that is in line with the country's preferred methods of dealing with foreign states.

Government

Vetalian enclaves have a mixed form of government, with an elected legislature and executive branch appointed by the mainland government to administer the territory. The local legislature has the power to draft laws, elect local officials, and appoint judges, while the executive branch is responsible for ensuring that all taxes and other funds owed to the central government are paid. They also have the power to veto laws (with a 3/4 majority overturn power in legislatures) and to commission forces in to local militia units. They also serve as representatives to the Vetalian Senate for matters concerning the enclaves as well as liaisons to foreign officials or government officials from the mainland.

The three appointed positions of the enclaves are:

Viceroy: The head of state, responsible for vetoing/passing legislation and putting central government policies in to effect. Settlement Officer: Responsible for managing colonial funds and settling accounts with the central government when taxes are due. Governor-General: Head of the colonial police, fire, and military services as well as aide to the Viceroy. Lieutenant Governors: Responsible for administering subdivisions of the central colonial government, especially cities

The rest of the ranks in colonial service are identical to their mainland counterparts, although colonial ranks are generally translated to one lower than their mainland versions. For example, a Proconsul of Finance for an enclave would rank as a Consul of Finance if transferred to service in Vetalia proper.

Economy

Vetalian enclaves are notable for their powerful economies, which are the product of deliberate engineering by the central government to encourage this rapid economic growth. Tax rates are flat and very low, sometimes as low as 4-5% but usually averaging in the 8-10% range, with no taxes on investment or capital gains. Property taxes have a significant abatement, usually lasting 3-5 years depending on the class and purpose of the land. In addition, the permitting and planning process is expedited, with few if any ways to block development unless there is clear proof that it violates the law or poses undue risk to the inhabitants. In some enclaves, especially those with tourist markets, these laws are more strict to preserve the natural environment and the tourist dollars it attracts. However, the goal is for rapid growth and rapid entry in to local markets, as part of the enclaves' greater quasi-imperialist strategy.

In the case of the most difficult to develop enclaves, laws regarding criminal products such as drugs and weapons are relaxed and privacy laws strengthened to make it difficult to track criminals upon leaving the enclave. The entire process rests on a mutually beneficial relationship between the government and crime interests; in exchange for keeping their activities peaceable and paying the government a cut of their profits, the government leaves them alone and turns a blind eye to their activities.

Generally, enclaves have a high per capita GDP which places them in the top levels of world development, but tend to have a lower level of income relative to Vetalia proper. Average per capita GDP in the enclaves ranges from around $40,000 to $60,000, or about 55 to 85 percent of per capita income in Vetalia. However, since this does include non-Vetalian residents of the enclaves, who tend to have lower income than the Vetalian nationals, these statistics are usually adjusted to reflect this fact. On average, a Vetalian citizen in the enclaves has a per capita income of around 90% of the Vetalian level, which is roughly equal in terms of purchasing power due to the lower costs of enclaves relative to Vetalia.

Culture