Difference between revisions of "Weyr"
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| − | The First Distributed Kingdom of '''Weyr''' is a [[Wikipedia:Confederation|confederated democratic republic]], situated primarily in the Central Pacific, with significant holdings on [[The Planet Mars|Mars]] and in [[Neptune]]. Its closest | + | The First Distributed Kingdom of '''Weyr''' is a [[Wikipedia:Confederation|confederated democratic republic]], situated primarily in the Central Pacific, with significant holdings on [[The Planet Mars|Mars]] and in [[Neptune]]. Its closest neighbors on [[Terra]] are [[Haven]] to the north, [[Hogsweat]] to the south, and Arda to the west. It comprises eighteen [[Distributions]] and has several colonies with varying degrees of independence. |
Since the middle of the second century, following the [[Sith Wars]], Weyr has declined in significance. The Second Weyrik Civil War contributed to the weakening of ties between the various Distributions. A revival of national unity caused by attacks against the Martian nations has led to numerous diplomatic initiatives, including the [[Neutrality Acts]] and the [[Self-Defense Acts]] | Since the middle of the second century, following the [[Sith Wars]], Weyr has declined in significance. The Second Weyrik Civil War contributed to the weakening of ties between the various Distributions. A revival of national unity caused by attacks against the Martian nations has led to numerous diplomatic initiatives, including the [[Neutrality Acts]] and the [[Self-Defense Acts]] | ||
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==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
Weyr has holdings on three planets. Private entities claim numerous astronomical bodies outside the Sol system. | Weyr has holdings on three planets. Private entities claim numerous astronomical bodies outside the Sol system. | ||
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==Government== | ==Government== | ||
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====Legislative Branch==== | ====Legislative Branch==== | ||
| − | The High Council of the Distributed Kingdom of Weyr is the legislative branch of the national government of Weyr. It is composed of the [[Distributed Representation]] and the [[Octagonal Council]]. The Distributed Representation consists of 2182 members, or representatives, each of whom represents a [[municipal subdistrict]] and serves for up to ten two-year terms. Representation seats are granted to each distribution based on population. A municipal subdistrict is not a municipality. Each distribution also has two councilors in the Octagonal Council, regardless of population. One of the councilors serves for up to four six-year terms; the other may be appointed for life 'on good behavior'. One third of the elected councilors stands for election every two years. | + | The High Council of the Distributed Kingdom of Weyr is the legislative branch of the national government of Weyr. It is composed of the [[Distributed Representation]] and the [[Octagonal Council]]. The Distributed Representation consists of 2182 members, or representatives, each of whom represents a [[municipal subdistrict]] and serves for up to ten two-year terms. Representation seats are granted to each distribution based on population. A municipal subdistrict is not a municipality. Each of the eighteen distribution also has two councilors in the Octagonal Council, regardless of population. One of the councilors serves for up to four six-year terms; the other may be appointed for life 'on good behavior'. One third of the elected councilors stands for election every two years. |
Each chamber of the High Council has particular powers. The Octagonal Council gives advice and approval to all executive appointments. The Distributed Representation makes financial policy. Both chambers can propose legislation, and the consent of both chambers is required to make any law. The Octagonal Council always operates by [[Wikipedia:Consensus_Democracy|unanimity minus two]]. The Distributed Representation requires a two-thirds majority. As enumerated in the Standard Law, the High Council also administers the armed forces, regulates inter-distribution commerce, and forms national and foreign policies. | Each chamber of the High Council has particular powers. The Octagonal Council gives advice and approval to all executive appointments. The Distributed Representation makes financial policy. Both chambers can propose legislation, and the consent of both chambers is required to make any law. The Octagonal Council always operates by [[Wikipedia:Consensus_Democracy|unanimity minus two]]. The Distributed Representation requires a two-thirds majority. As enumerated in the Standard Law, the High Council also administers the armed forces, regulates inter-distribution commerce, and forms national and foreign policies. | ||
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Municipal governments share a similar relationship with their distributions. Each municipality has its own written constitution, government, and code of laws, and often acts as a miniature sub-distribution. There are sometimes great differences in law and procedure between individual municipalities and even between the municipalities and the distributions within which they are contained. The highest elected official of each municipality is the Coordinator, frequently elected for four-year terms. Municipal governments vary greatly, but tend to have some form of elected legislature, whose members represent the voters of the municipality. Each municipality maintains its own judiciary, which is responsible for most criminal trials and proceedings. | Municipal governments share a similar relationship with their distributions. Each municipality has its own written constitution, government, and code of laws, and often acts as a miniature sub-distribution. There are sometimes great differences in law and procedure between individual municipalities and even between the municipalities and the distributions within which they are contained. The highest elected official of each municipality is the Coordinator, frequently elected for four-year terms. Municipal governments vary greatly, but tend to have some form of elected legislature, whose members represent the voters of the municipality. Each municipality maintains its own judiciary, which is responsible for most criminal trials and proceedings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Administrative Divisions=== | ||
| + | The eighteen distributions comprising Weyr proper include six former kingdoms integrated into the former High Kingdom of Weyr at its inception. Distributions frequently act semi-autonomously in internal matters, but approximate a federal unit when dealing with issues of common defense and national policy. Distribution boundaries are drawn along geographic and historic lines, or along cultural divisions. The [[Kekkosmaa Distribution]] administers Kekkosmaa on Mars; its residents are evenly split between Kekks and Weyrean immigrants. The 'virtual' distribution of [[Azure Skai and Azure Sea]] has no physical territory; its constituency is predominantly elvish. The [[Nightingale Distribution]] consists of a single city on the eastern shore of Arda; it functions as a military outpost and is the least-populated distribution. All other distributions are located in Weyr proper, in the Central Pacific. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Distributions are further divided into municipalities, which are chartered by citizens via petition to distribution legislature. A municipality consists of one or more settlements and their immediate economic assets such as farmland, mines, manufactories, and transportation terminals. Municipalities enjoy similar status within their distribution as distributions enjoy in Weyr. Submunicipal districts are used solely for electing members of the Distributed Representation, and may spread across more than one municipality, but not across distribution boundaries. | ||
===Ministries=== | ===Ministries=== | ||
| − | Government ministries are bureaucracies with significant autonomy, despite oversight from | + | Government ministries are bureaucracies with significant autonomy, despite oversight from High Council committees. They carry out and enforce government policies, and have broad executive powers within their areas of specialty. Ministers are appointed by the High King, with aproval from the Octagonal Council. |
{| border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=100% | {| border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=100% | ||
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With the fall of [[Melkor Unchained]], a possible warming of relations is considered possible, despite racial prejudices in the new Ardan Imperium. | With the fall of [[Melkor Unchained]], a possible warming of relations is considered possible, despite racial prejudices in the new Ardan Imperium. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Society== | ||
| + | ===Demographics=== | ||
| + | The population center of Weyr remains [[Wye City]]. The remaining populace is approximately evenly distributed between the rest of mainland Weyr and Mars. The Kekkosmaa Distribution declined in population over the past year due to wars and planetwide disasters. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Ethnicity and Race=== | ||
| + | Weyr is racially diverse. There are over three dozen distinct groups claiming more than one million residents. The government makes no attempts to collect statistical data on ethnic groups in its annual census, since the Standard Law forbid the government from distinguishing between any sentients in its affairs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The majority of Weyreans, over 65%, are descendents of the indigenous populace. Quendi elves make up a large minority, and are descendents of elvish immigrants from the beginning of the second century. Humans are a growing minority that has outpaced the elvish populace. Intermarriage between the different races is common, as is xenophobia among more insular communities. Racial violence is uncommon, but questions of integration, assimilation, and immigration remain at the forefront of Weyrean politics. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Religion=== | ||
| + | The Standard Law forbids the government from interfering in religious affairs, provided they do not violate standing laws. Weyreans look to religion for mythology, traditions, and social activities, and do not consider it a source of morals or guidelines. While most people profess to identify with secularism, Weyreans are not agnostic, and may hold a wide variety of beliefs from an assortment of religions. While Weyreans tend to revere their ancestors, it is generally held that the dead cannot directly interfere in the affairs of the living. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The South Trinity distribution is unique in Weyr for having a majority of its populace profess a single religion, Krimism. Only half of those identifying as devout Krimuk attend regular services, however, and like in much of Weyr it is not uncommon for followers of Krim to celebrate Judeo-Christo-Islamic holidays. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the largest minority religions behind Krimism. A small minority profess to other religions such as Hinduism, Shamanism, and Sirithilism. Sirithilism is not widespread among the Weyrean elvish community. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Education=== | ||
| + | In Weyr education is usually the responsibility of the distributions and municipalities, and the laws and standards vary considerably. The national government plays a limited role through the Ministry of Education by setting uniform standards, providing oversight, and maintaining communication between various institutions. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Students are obliged to attend mandatory schooling starting with first grade, which is normally entered into at age 6, and following through 12th grade, which is normally completed at age 18. Parents may educate their own children at home, send their children to a public school funded with tax money, or to a private school charging tuition. Public schools are highly decentralized, and funding and curriculum decisions take place at the local level through school boards. Most distributions allow standardized proficiency exams to replace actual school attendance, virtual or physical. | ||
| + | |||
| + | After high school students have the option of pursuing higher education at a variety of public and private institutions. Public universities are funded by tax money and other sources, but students still pay a reduced tuition. Private universities charge significantly greater tuition, despite financial aid grants. Weyrean institutions range from competitive colleges and universities such as [[The Tower at Wye]]'s [[University of Thaumaturgy at The Tower at Wye|University of Thaumaturgy]] and the [[Landing City College of Militant Diplomacy]] to thousands of local municipal colleges. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Culture=== | ||
| + | The mutability of Weyrean culture prevents any defined national musical, artistic, or literary traditions. Weyr is home to a wive variety of forms and styles from virtually every nation in the world. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wye City is Weyr's cultural hub, and is home to the national film, record, and information exchange industries. Widespread file sharing allows for anyone to create and distribute their artistic vision, but prevents the large scale commercialization of the music and film industries seen in many other nations. While many Weyrean cities have nationally distinguished opera companies, museums, ensembles, and performance groups, they generate little interest abroad. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The only nationally-recognized holiday is the Festival of Sunreturn, celebrated annualy from the middle of December to the middle of January and centered around the winter equinox. It is claimed by Weyreans to be the largest continuous bout of partying, drinking, and general debauchery in the world. Local festivals and holidays vary widely between distributions and municipalities. | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
Revision as of 05:45, 25 March 2006
| |
| Flag of Weyr | |
| Motto: Leave us alone or else... | |
| No Map Available Yet | |
| Region | Arda |
|---|---|
| Capital | Wye, City of |
| Official Language(s) | Weyrik, English, Sindarin, Russian, Japanese |
| Leader | Kira li'Starhavven |
| Population | 4 billion |
| Currency | the Weyr |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The First Distributed Kingdom of Weyr is a confederated democratic republic, situated primarily in the Central Pacific, with significant holdings on Mars and in Neptune. Its closest neighbors on Terra are Haven to the north, Hogsweat to the south, and Arda to the west. It comprises eighteen Distributions and has several colonies with varying degrees of independence.
Since the middle of the second century, following the Sith Wars, Weyr has declined in significance. The Second Weyrik Civil War contributed to the weakening of ties between the various Distributions. A revival of national unity caused by attacks against the Martian nations has led to numerous diplomatic initiatives, including the Neutrality Acts and the Self-Defense Acts
Quick Facts
- Traditional Long Form: The First Distributed Kingdom of Weyr
- Traditional Short Form: Weyr, The Distributed Kingdom
- Abbreviations: FDK
- Form of Government: Bicameral Representative Democracy
- Locations: Wyr Isle, Central Pacific, Terra; Kekkosmaa, Mars; Various orbital and atmospheric locations, Neptune
History
The current Weyrean dating system starts from the publication of Josiah Willard Leigh's General Theorem of Magicka.
During the first half of the first century, the Armed Republic of Gramal threatened to invade Weyr over trade disputes. A coalition of nations including Beta Aurigae VII and San Texario rapidly deployed forces along the border. Several inconclusive skirmishes, and quick diplomatic action by Alicia li'Wye led to the signing of the Treaty of Wye in 51AL, which allowed Gramal a military installation in return for a non-agression pact. Nonetheless Gramal immediately built a physical barrier between itself and Weyr. Differences between the technologies of Weyr and Gramal prevented rapid expansion of commerce, as had been hoped.
Military expansion, coupled with rapid population and technological growth, caused Weyr to enter a short period of isolation. Population pressures led to the construction of the BattleSpire Gate Network in 76AL. Accurate star charts and investigations into the properties of the ley line web made interstellar travel through the BattleSpire cost-effective. Raw materials from the colonized planets allowed Weyr to maintain a semi-isolationist status, despite a heavy influx of immigrants. Immigration, an economic downturn, and growing secularism led to increased dissatisfaction among the southern municipalities, culminating in the First Weyrik Civil War, which led to the ultimate destruction of Southport City with the assistance of Beta Aurigae VII and San Texario.
In 91AL Weyr launched its first superluminal ship, and by the end of the century interstellar ships completely replaced the BattleSpire Gate Network, which closed in 110AL. By the end of the century, Weyr had built up a significant military force, and joined the now defunct Galactic Federation, led by the Federal Union. Alarmed by the growing power of the Unified Sith, Weyr entered the Sith Wars in the middle of the second century, which shortly led to its occupation by combined Imperial forces. After several engagements against former allies, Weyr quietly withdrew from active participation in the conflict.
The Second Weyrik Civil War, which ended in 300AL with the signing of the Articles of Distribution, was the bloodiest war fought by Weyr, with over two billion casualties estimated from incomplete records retrieved from colonial refugees. Causes include dissatisfaction with the provisional government established after the death of Alicia li'Wye, commercial restrictions from associations with Arda and the Galactic Empire, and demand for greater colonial autonomy. The friction between the various distributions today has its roots in the events leading to and during the war.
The Articles of Distribution reformed Weyr as a cohesive political entity. Despite the initial destruction caused by the Third Home Fleet's orbital kinetics, Weyr's terrestrial assets remained mostly intact, and Weyr's Martian territories remained separate from the conflict altogether, attracting many colonists. Despite favoring isolation, Weyr has been expanding its military forces after Tannelorni and Osage military actions on Mars.
Geography
Weyr has holdings on three planets. Private entities claim numerous astronomical bodies outside the Sol system.
Government
Weyr is a constitutional confederated republic. Limited by design, its government powers are enumerated in the Weyrik Standard Law and modified through accumulated tradition. There are three levels of government: national, distributed, and municipal. Each level enjoys certain exclusive powers and obligations, and retains powers of nullification. The degree of these powers favors the municipal over the distributed and the distributed ovr the national government levels. Officials of each of these levels are either elected by eligible voters via secret ballot or appointed by other elected officials. All elected offices are decided in single transferable vote elections where a specific candidate who earns at least a plurality of the vote is elected to office. Suffrage is universal for all citizens.
National Government
The national government is comprised of a Legislative Branch (led by the High Council), an Executive Branch (led by the High King), and a Judicial Branch (led by the Ministry of Justice). These three branches are designed to form a balance of powers. The Standard Law limits the powers of the national government to defense, foreign affairs, the issuing and management of currency, and the management of trade and relations between distributions.
Legislative Branch
The High Council of the Distributed Kingdom of Weyr is the legislative branch of the national government of Weyr. It is composed of the Distributed Representation and the Octagonal Council. The Distributed Representation consists of 2182 members, or representatives, each of whom represents a municipal subdistrict and serves for up to ten two-year terms. Representation seats are granted to each distribution based on population. A municipal subdistrict is not a municipality. Each of the eighteen distribution also has two councilors in the Octagonal Council, regardless of population. One of the councilors serves for up to four six-year terms; the other may be appointed for life 'on good behavior'. One third of the elected councilors stands for election every two years.
Each chamber of the High Council has particular powers. The Octagonal Council gives advice and approval to all executive appointments. The Distributed Representation makes financial policy. Both chambers can propose legislation, and the consent of both chambers is required to make any law. The Octagonal Council always operates by unanimity minus two. The Distributed Representation requires a two-thirds majority. As enumerated in the Standard Law, the High Council also administers the armed forces, regulates inter-distribution commerce, and forms national and foreign policies.
Executive Branch
All executive power in the national government is vested in the High King. Actual responsibility is often delegated to ministries and other officials. The office of the High King is dynastic, although each High King must be approved by the High Council.
The relationship between the High King and the legislature reflects that between Kira li'Starhavven and the Octagonal Council at the ratification of the Standard Law. The High King has no powers independent of the High Council, and the High Council can vote to restrict her executive powers, or remove her from power entirely through a vote of no confidence. By tradition, the High King is not permitted to associate with political parties or action groups.
The High King makes 180 executive appointments, including ambassadors and heads of the various government Ministries, which must be approved by the Octagonal Council. The High King can also issue limited executive orders, and has specific duties outlined in the Standard Law, among them the requirement to attend major international functions, to supervise Octagonal Representation committees, to cast tie-breaking votes in the Distributed Representation, and to act as facilitator in the Octagonal Council. The High King's role is severely constrained despite significant historic prestige. The High King's ministers are responsible for administering the various government departments, including the Defense Agency, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These departments and department heads have considerable regulatory and political power, and it is they who are responsible for executing national laws and regulations.
Judicial Branch
The highest court in Weyr is the High Court, which consists of nine justices known as Judgemasters. The court deals with matters pertaining to the national government, including the interpretation of the Standard Law in relation to government actions and the resolution of inter-distribution disputes. Below the High Court are the courts of appeals, and below them in turn are the district courts, which are the general trial courts for national law. Quasi-independent from the national court system are the individual judicial systems of each distribution, each dealing with its own laws and maintaining its own rules and procedures. Within each distribution, the municipal court systems have comparable independence regarding local laws.
A case may be appealed from a municipal court to a distribution court only if there is a super-municipal question - an issue arising due to a distribution's local constitution or intermunicipal agreements. A case may be shifted from a distribution court to a national court only if there is a supr-distribution question, arising due to the Standard Law or interdistribution agreements. Local High Courts are final authorities regarding the interpretation of local constitutions and laws. Court decisions for appealed cases are sometimes modified by local legislatures and enacted as law.
Distribution and Municipal Governments
The distribution governments have significant influence over most Weyreans' daily lives. Each distribution has its own written constitution, government, and code of laws. There are sometimes great differences in law and procedure between individual distributions, concerning issues such as property, immigration, crime, health, and education. The highest elected official of each distribution is the Coordinator, whose term varies between distributions. Each distribution also has an elected legislature (almost identical to the High Council in every distribution except Wye), whose members represent the voters of the distribution. Each distribution maintains its own judiciary, with the lowest level typically being supermunicipal courts, the highest being that distribution's High Court. In many distributions, court justices are elected by the people; in others, they are appointed.
Municipal governments share a similar relationship with their distributions. Each municipality has its own written constitution, government, and code of laws, and often acts as a miniature sub-distribution. There are sometimes great differences in law and procedure between individual municipalities and even between the municipalities and the distributions within which they are contained. The highest elected official of each municipality is the Coordinator, frequently elected for four-year terms. Municipal governments vary greatly, but tend to have some form of elected legislature, whose members represent the voters of the municipality. Each municipality maintains its own judiciary, which is responsible for most criminal trials and proceedings.
Administrative Divisions
The eighteen distributions comprising Weyr proper include six former kingdoms integrated into the former High Kingdom of Weyr at its inception. Distributions frequently act semi-autonomously in internal matters, but approximate a federal unit when dealing with issues of common defense and national policy. Distribution boundaries are drawn along geographic and historic lines, or along cultural divisions. The Kekkosmaa Distribution administers Kekkosmaa on Mars; its residents are evenly split between Kekks and Weyrean immigrants. The 'virtual' distribution of Azure Skai and Azure Sea has no physical territory; its constituency is predominantly elvish. The Nightingale Distribution consists of a single city on the eastern shore of Arda; it functions as a military outpost and is the least-populated distribution. All other distributions are located in Weyr proper, in the Central Pacific.
Distributions are further divided into municipalities, which are chartered by citizens via petition to distribution legislature. A municipality consists of one or more settlements and their immediate economic assets such as farmland, mines, manufactories, and transportation terminals. Municipalities enjoy similar status within their distribution as distributions enjoy in Weyr. Submunicipal districts are used solely for electing members of the Distributed Representation, and may spread across more than one municipality, but not across distribution boundaries.
Ministries
Government ministries are bureaucracies with significant autonomy, despite oversight from High Council committees. They carry out and enforce government policies, and have broad executive powers within their areas of specialty. Ministers are appointed by the High King, with aproval from the Octagonal Council.
| Ministry | Minister | Description | Headquarters | End of Year Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Finance | Karyl Watts | The Ministry of Finance oversees taxation, drafts tariff and taxation legislation, manages national financial assets including foreign and domestic investments, and regulates corporations falling under its jurisdiction. | The Exchange, 1400 3rd Avenue | WC1,400,328,000 |
| Ministry of Justice | Judgemaster Kriu Black | The Ministry of Justice is in charge of a broad area of legal affairs, in particular taking charge of nationality, family registration and registration of real estate, prosecution of criminal cases, correction and rehabilitation of offenders, litigations involving the interests of the State, immigration control and registration of foreign residents, and the protection of the rights of citizens. | High Court Building, 1500 3rd Avenue | WC1,100,489,00 |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Consul-General Josiah Willard Gibbs | The Ministry of Foreign affairs manages all international relations, including consular matters, trade discussions, dissemination of information regarding culture, policies, and travel, drafting legislation involving non-domestic entities, monitoring and reporting on international affairs, and advising the government on foreign policy. | Diplomatic Tower, Hall 5101 | WC184,600,077,000 |
| Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry | Firria Mirl Sia | The METI oversees economic development both abroad and at home as it relates to companies operating in Weyr or based in Weyr and operating elsewhere. | The Exchange, Hall 2408 | WC1,970,600,000 |
| Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare | Mildvan Fyrn | The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare is responsible for regulating domestic and imported medical products within Weyr, and for providing assistance to the poor and the unemployed, including oversight of public and private shelters, dispenser units, pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. | Tower of Kings, Hall 3201 | WC350,100,944,300 |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries | Bel Jun Li | The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries comprehensively undertakes administration related to agricultural, forest, and fishery products, from production to consumption to rural development and promotion of the welfare of rural inhabitants. Its purpose is to achieve a stable supply of food and promote the sound development of agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. | Environmental Affairs Building, 1600 3rd Avenue | WC30,400,328,000 |
| Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | Fernand Greene | The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is responsible for creating core national systems. These systems include the national administrative organizations, the public service personnel system, local tax/finance, the election systems, fire/disaster prevention, information and communications, postal services, and statistical systems. | Tower of Kings, Hall 2801 | WC1,030,340,022 |
| Ministry of Education and Culture | Alin Serjak | The Ministry of Education and Culture manages Weyr's educational and cultural affairs. | Tower of Kings, Hall 2701 | WC60,010,070,000 |
| Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport | Irina Voroviev | The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is responsible for promoting national land planning policies, infrastructure policies, and social policies. It is tasked with planning the environmentally responsible development of physical, economic, and social infrastructures, and the transport that links them together. | Tower of Kings, Hall 2601 | WC21,000,400,000 |
Politics
The Weyrean electoral system is based on Single Transferable Vote system. Elections are held every four years for the Distributed Representation's 2182 seats, which are a major target for parties since only the Octagonal Council's 36 seats are available for elected representatives.
Political Parties
| Party | Leader(s) | Description | Popular Vote Percentage | Seats in DR* | Seats in OC* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle-Center Party | Matsu Iro Akimoto | The Middle-Center Party is a party representing non-aligned voters and politicians with a diverse set of interests. It is strictly moderate as a whole, and rarely votes as a block, forms coalitions, or takes actions that will favor a single ideology or party, despite dominating the Distributed Representation and its previous incarnations for several centuries. | 29.84% | 651 | 9 |
| Weyr First Party | Finnocci Kato | The Weyr First Party is a party primarily representing Weyrean nationalists. Conservative and somewhat right-wing, it advocates a greater involvement in foreign affairs and a powerful military with limited presence abroad. Many of its members push for greater immigration restrictions, and demand closure of free public services. It forms a coalition with the Imperial Weyr Party. | 26.12% | 570 | 4 |
| Imperial Weyr Party | Nicolai Falme | The Imperial Weyr Party is a party representing Weyrean nationalistic militarists favoring a powerful central government headed by a constitutional monarch with significant independence from legislative and judicial oversight. Its more radical components propose a full rewrite of the Standard Law. It has gained popularity and taken in many members from the Weyr First Party. | 13.34% | 291 | 2 |
| Dissolution Now Party | Niko Alfieri | The Dissolution Now Party is a party representing rural and colonial voters. It advocates greater regional autonomy and the dissolution of the Distributed Kingdom as a single entity. It has never had a large following in urban areas, and as a result has never held a large number of seats in the Distributed Representation. It has few allies outside the Middle Center Party. | 14.67% | 320 | 2 |
| Party of the Book | Cristina li'Wye | The Party of the Book is a coalition party representing moderate Christian, Islamic, and Jewish mutual interests. It has little support from and sometimes incurs opposition from more fundamental elements for having few major goals aside from greater regional autonomy regarding religious issues. Nonetheless it has a presence in the Distributed Representation, and forms a coalition with the Dissolution Now Party. | 11.96% | 261 | 1 |
- (*)Independent or non-mainstream representatives and councilors are not listed.
Foreign Relations
Galactic Empire
Relations with the Empire have remained cool despite a century of peace. Weyr continues to view the Empire as a potential threat rather than as an ally, and still dedicates significant resources towards countering a potential Imperial threat. With the termination of the imperial governor at Paradigm during the Second Weyrik Civil War, Weyr’s status with the Empire remains in question, although neither the High King not the High Council have officially broken or reinforced ties with the empire. The prevalent view of the Empire is as an entity that is best left alone both politically and economically.
Arda
Weyr’s entry into Arda has come as a shock to many Weyreans, who have had little in common with that region. The exact reasons for the High Council's decision to enter Arda remain in question. Scholars suggest that the government at the time was most likely seeking powerful military allies to both counter the influence of the Empire and to give the Kingdom more clout on the international scene. Weyr maintains an ambivalent view towards Arda, and has thus far not attempted to either sever ties or to expand upon them, although High King Kira li'Starhavven has hinted that Weyr may choose to terminate its current membership in the region. Politicians have taken to blaming Arda for any racial or interspecies tensions within Weyr, and general hostility towards Arda has been on the rise throughout Weyr.
With the fall of Melkor Unchained, a possible warming of relations is considered possible, despite racial prejudices in the new Ardan Imperium.
Society
Demographics
The population center of Weyr remains Wye City. The remaining populace is approximately evenly distributed between the rest of mainland Weyr and Mars. The Kekkosmaa Distribution declined in population over the past year due to wars and planetwide disasters.
Ethnicity and Race
Weyr is racially diverse. There are over three dozen distinct groups claiming more than one million residents. The government makes no attempts to collect statistical data on ethnic groups in its annual census, since the Standard Law forbid the government from distinguishing between any sentients in its affairs.
The majority of Weyreans, over 65%, are descendents of the indigenous populace. Quendi elves make up a large minority, and are descendents of elvish immigrants from the beginning of the second century. Humans are a growing minority that has outpaced the elvish populace. Intermarriage between the different races is common, as is xenophobia among more insular communities. Racial violence is uncommon, but questions of integration, assimilation, and immigration remain at the forefront of Weyrean politics.
Religion
The Standard Law forbids the government from interfering in religious affairs, provided they do not violate standing laws. Weyreans look to religion for mythology, traditions, and social activities, and do not consider it a source of morals or guidelines. While most people profess to identify with secularism, Weyreans are not agnostic, and may hold a wide variety of beliefs from an assortment of religions. While Weyreans tend to revere their ancestors, it is generally held that the dead cannot directly interfere in the affairs of the living.
The South Trinity distribution is unique in Weyr for having a majority of its populace profess a single religion, Krimism. Only half of those identifying as devout Krimuk attend regular services, however, and like in much of Weyr it is not uncommon for followers of Krim to celebrate Judeo-Christo-Islamic holidays. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the largest minority religions behind Krimism. A small minority profess to other religions such as Hinduism, Shamanism, and Sirithilism. Sirithilism is not widespread among the Weyrean elvish community.
Education
In Weyr education is usually the responsibility of the distributions and municipalities, and the laws and standards vary considerably. The national government plays a limited role through the Ministry of Education by setting uniform standards, providing oversight, and maintaining communication between various institutions.
Students are obliged to attend mandatory schooling starting with first grade, which is normally entered into at age 6, and following through 12th grade, which is normally completed at age 18. Parents may educate their own children at home, send their children to a public school funded with tax money, or to a private school charging tuition. Public schools are highly decentralized, and funding and curriculum decisions take place at the local level through school boards. Most distributions allow standardized proficiency exams to replace actual school attendance, virtual or physical.
After high school students have the option of pursuing higher education at a variety of public and private institutions. Public universities are funded by tax money and other sources, but students still pay a reduced tuition. Private universities charge significantly greater tuition, despite financial aid grants. Weyrean institutions range from competitive colleges and universities such as The Tower at Wye's University of Thaumaturgy and the Landing City College of Militant Diplomacy to thousands of local municipal colleges.
Culture
The mutability of Weyrean culture prevents any defined national musical, artistic, or literary traditions. Weyr is home to a wive variety of forms and styles from virtually every nation in the world.
Wye City is Weyr's cultural hub, and is home to the national film, record, and information exchange industries. Widespread file sharing allows for anyone to create and distribute their artistic vision, but prevents the large scale commercialization of the music and film industries seen in many other nations. While many Weyrean cities have nationally distinguished opera companies, museums, ensembles, and performance groups, they generate little interest abroad.
The only nationally-recognized holiday is the Festival of Sunreturn, celebrated annualy from the middle of December to the middle of January and centered around the winter equinox. It is claimed by Weyreans to be the largest continuous bout of partying, drinking, and general debauchery in the world. Local festivals and holidays vary widely between distributions and municipalities.
Economy
As a market economy, Weyr’s private businesses make most economic decisions with little government oversight. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry coordinates national investments and initiatives and provides a means of conflict resolution, but otherwise employs neo-liberal free-market policies. National, distributed, and municipal governments negotiate directly with private businesses for goods and services, which are financed via a small, efficient tax system.
Lacking easily accessible sources of raw materials, Weyr's manufacturing sector is dependent on imported raw materials for survival. Disputes betweenAllanean immigrants, indigenous Kekks, and established Weyreans in northern Kekkosmaa, Mars, have prevented full scale exploitation of the nation's only sizeable heavy metals deposits. Service is the largest economic sector, followed closely by data manipulation industries. The mining industry has suffered from international free market competition, forcing the premature closure of previously profitable operations. Weyr's manufacturers focus on the local market, producing cars, electronics, mitaril-steel, and ball bearings, among others. Agricultural production focuses on staple crops such as corn and wheat, with other produce imported from nations such as Pilon and the Resurgent Dream. Rice farming introduced by Osage settlers in southern Kekkosmaa and improved upon by native Weyrean companies is making inroads into agricultural operations across Weyr.
Military
Weyr is in an unusual position of being a nation-state with a strong military tradition, that has chosen to forcibly restrict the capabilities of its armed forces. A subsection of Weyr's Standard Law prevents the military from procuring any offensive capabilities or deploying in force beyond Weyr's borders. As a result, Weyr's offensive military capability is severely limited.
The Weyr Self-Defense Forces are Weyr's regular armed forces, controlled by the civilian Defense Agency and subordinate to the High King. Although highly trained and fully qualified to perform the limited missions assigned to them, the Self-Defense Forces are small, understaffed, and under equipped for extensive military operations. Their international activities are confined to disaster relief and limited peacekeeping efforts.
Weyrean military doctrine is based on maintaining the integrity of Weyr's borders and ensuring the safety of shipping within its Exclusive Economic Zones and shipping columns. Repeated Skeelzanian attacks against Neptune, continued tensions between Martian nations, and a large-scale attack by rogue Tannelorni militants against the Martian orbital civilian infrastructure have prompted Weyr to expand its military capabilities, prompting debate over negating Article 9 of the Weyrik Standard Law entirely.
Self-Defense Fleet
The Self-Defense Fleet originated as a special arm of the now defunct Sky Guard, and rapidly expanded into its role as an orbital and interplanetary superiority force, becoming an independent military department in 81AL. Despite changes in force structure to deal with changing threats, the Self-Defense Fleet has retained an intact core of career officers, enlisted personnel, and traditions.
The Self-Defense Fleet is separated into four units, organized for their individual missions. The Fleet of the Arc patrols interplanetary lines of communications within the Sol system. The Fleet of the Main patrols interplanetary lines of communications within colonial systems. The Fleet of the Line is a rapid response force with no permanent basing that patrols all systems claimed at least in part as Weyrean territories. The Strategic Fleet handles acquisitions, logistics, intersystem strategy, and training. The Self-Defense Fleet consumes over two thirds of Weyr's defense spending.
An acquisition and maintenance drive scheduled to be completed by 314AL is expected to make the Self-Defense Fleet capable of carrying out its assigned duties.
Fleet of the Arc
The Fleet of the Arc is tasked with securing lines of communications for Weyrean transports within the Sol system. Despite proximity to two major orbital port facilities, Earthbound II and Marsbound II, the Fleet of the Arc's eighty-nine ships spend most of their time on maneuvers or on patrol in an attempt to discourage surprise attacks against massed fleet formations. Most of the ships in operation are cruiser or frigate hulls optimized for insystem patrol and pursuit missions - only the Necessary Evil has superliminal capabilities, and no ship except the Necessary Evil carries strategic armament. In addition to running regular patrols, it operates navigation beacons, scanner networks, customs points, and orbital security platforms. A unit within the Fleet of the Arc maintains over one thousand MIRV nuclear satellites situated in polar orbits over Terra and Mars in conjunction with the Ground Self-Defense Forces.
Fleet of the Main
The Fleet of the Main patrols lines of communication within all systems except Sol claimed at least in part by Weyr. Its composition and deployment is similar to that of the Fleet of the Arc. The Fleet of the Main does, however, have modern Ships of the Line deployed with its garrisons, allowing for rapid intersystem reinforcement without sacrificing the greater power offered by the elimination of superluminal systems and their supporting equipment. The Fleet of the Main also coordinates planetary surface garrisons and militias, and is responsible for orbital defense and customs.
Fleet of the Line
The Fleet of the Line was designed to provide rapid reinforcement to any system with or without known translation beacon coordinates, and embodies the new Weyrean strategy of not giving the enemy a static target to the point of not remaining in any single inhabited system for more than several days while on patrol. The Fleet of the Line has SIN-class Ships of the Line under construction by Paradigm Shipyards, to be delivered in late 306AL.
Strategic Fleet
The Strategic Fleet is headquartered in Earthbound II station, and coordinates logistics and strategy for the entire Self-Defense Fleet. It employs a rotating staff of active-duty officers drawn for year-long postings to various departments in an attempt to prevent stagnation and ensure active participation from field commanders. The Strategic Fleet manages the Weyr Defense Academy in conjunction with the Ground Self-Defense Forces.
Ground Self-Defense Forces
The Ground Self-Defense Forces are a direct successor of the High Guard, inheriting centuries of tradition and a capable core of professional personnel. Although severely during after the Second Weyrik Civil War, the Ground Self-Defense Forces have been brought back to their authorized strength of five hundred thousand personnel, and are planning further expansion to improve defensive cover for Weyr's Mars-based and extrasolar territories. The Ground Self-Defense Forces rely on superior equipment, shock tactics, and heavy orbital and aerial support in compensation for numerical inferiority. Lack of heavy transports and logistics capabilities, in conjunction with Article 9 of the Standard Law, prevent it from assuming the offensive far beyond Weyr's borders.
