Factbook for The Nahuatl Altepetl of Aztec National League

[Aztec National League]

The Factbook for the Nahua Altepetl of Aztec National League

History

The cultural, political and social roots of the present day Aztec National League started with the Meso-American city-states that reigned unchallenged from eastern powers from antiquity to the early 1520’s. Over a tumultuous and frequently bloody millennia, by the 1520s, the individual city-states were somewhat autonomous, despite being required to pay tribute to the dominate city-state of Tenochitilán, which was ruled by the Nahua tribe. The peoples of the region, however, were almost destroyed by the arrival of the Spanish in 1521. Despite suffering massive casualties and enduring plagues, the Meso-American city-states were successful in repelling numerous European invasions for reasons that are not clear today. Legend recalls god-like beings in a small but wondrous blue machine visiting and either on purpose or by accident leaving information about the invaders. Regardless, the Nahua tribe eventually gained a position of almost uncontested rule after decades of European invasions and of internal infighting reduced other rival powers to irrelevancy.

After their experiences with the Spanish and soon discovering the equally-threatening French and British forces, the Meso-American city-states unified under the banner of the Nahua Empire. After repeated exposure to Europeans, the native peoples were able to reverse engineer a number of European technologies to augment their own. The Nahua people were able to balance the odds against them and maintained sovereignty over their lands and expand north and southward until the disastrous effects of both the American-Nahuatl war in 1840 and the American Civil War. By 1848, the United States was able to conquer all northern Nahua lands above Mexico and nearly lost Tenochitlán. Similarly, the Civil War ruined the Nahua economy - although officially neutral, the Empire had numerous business interests and trading agreements with the South – upon the Confederacy's defeat, many, if not all, Nahua assets in the American territories were confiscated. This, and the inability of the Nahuatl government to do anything about it, seriously undermined the credibility of the Empire. Short of options, the Empire disbanded in an effort to allow each individual state to stabilize its economy.

This period of instability and disunity continued on until the 1920s, in which many individual states began adopting socialist policies in the hopes of countering the social inequalities among the individual states. Fearing that this trend towards socialism would lead to the foundation of a full-blown communist state, the upper classes successfully pushed to restore the monarchy and national military on the agreement that the national government would embrace some of the social justice precepts popular with the socialists. Due to both sides respecting this agreement, the newly formed “Aztec National League”, enjoyed a long period of prosperity despite being involved with numerous small-scale skirmishes with western and eastern powers alike. Regardless of these tensions, the Aztec National League is well suited to take on the challenges of the unfolding 21st century.

Geography

Territory
Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama.

Maritime Claims
Territorial Sea: 25 nm
Contiguous zone: 30 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate
Varies from tropical to desert, includes numerous high mountain ranges.

Natural Resources:
Petroleum, gold, copper, antimony, coal, lead, zinc, iron ore, tungsten, nickel, conventional and exotic timber, arable land, chicle, hydropower, geothermal power, fish, shrimp

Land Use
Arable land: 17.66%
Permanent crops: 4.34%
Other: 78%

Natural Hazards
Tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south of the nation, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts, endemic flooding in many of the southern states, dust storms due to unusual weather conditions and extended periods of drought in Nicaragua, forest fires in Panama.

Current Environmental Issues
Air pollution from heavy industrial sectors and automobiles, urban and farm run-off, skyrocketing population and industrial demands, deforestation, land erosion, inadequate infrastructure to meet full demands on population, pollution due to heavy mining presence, water pollution.

Economy

The economy of the Altepetl is the dominate economy in the local region and easily lends itself to the role of being a major player on the world state. Currently, the nation enjoys a hard-earned trade balance surplus, though it has been achieved by restrictive tariffs and massive government subsidies to domestic private industry. Although officially market oriented, the economy is largely dependent on the public sector. This dependence has grown exponentially within the last fifteen years, to the point where the government’s role in the economy has overshadowed the private sector. Much of this growth has been due to the massive growth in education, healthcare and social welfare programs, largely spurred by the increase in popularity of leftist and socialist parties. Similarly, the monarchist establishment has greatly increased military spending over the decades, resulting in a very large budget deficit. Although currently the nation has the ability to continue on with this expenditure model, the tax rates for the nation are among the highest in the world, certainly making all sides of the political spectrum unhappy. As part of a scheme to find alternative funding mechanisms and discourage excessive growth, the government has begun massive implementation of Pigouvian taxes in lieu of traditional regulation. Although it is difficult to tell if this scheme will be successful, it is highly doubtful that it will cover the entirety of the budget debt.

All statistics courtesy of http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/nseconom ... nal+League
Exchange Rate: 1 Cacao (CCO) = $1.6930
Gross Domestic Product (USD): $713,632,063,652,955.12
GDP Per Capita (USD): $33,084.47
Unemployment Rate: 2.58%
Percentage of People below the poverty line: 19.2%
Government Budget: $753,305,955,954,300.12
Government Expenditures: $708,107,598,597,042.12
Projected Surplus (2011): $45,198,357,357,258.00
Exports: $87,481,363,041,681.73
Imports: $81,956,897,985,768.75
Trade Surplus: $5,524,465,055,912.98

People

Average Life Expectancy at birth:
Males: 72.4 years
Females: 78.1 years

Population Age Structure
0-14 years: 18.6%
15-64 years: 80.8%
65 years and over: 5.8%
Median Age: 37.7 years

Nationalities:
72% Meso-American (Predominately Nahuatl), Metizos (Native/European Mix) (20%) Of foreign decent: (8%)
(Caucasian: 41%, Black: 29%, Asian: 15%, South Asian: 11%, other nationalities: 4%)

National Languages:
Nahuatl (official), various Meso-American languages, English (official) and Spanish (official)

Major Religions:
Indigenous Religions: 72% various Meso-American religions (predominately Nahuatl), Catholicism: 10%, Christian: 6%, Atheism: 4%, Islam: 3%, Hinduism: 3%, Judaism: 1%, Atheism/Agnosticism/No religious affiliation: 1%

Population Distribution
Male % of population: 48.9%
Female % of Population: 51.1%

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate:
0.001%

People Living with HIV/AIDS:
25,600,000

Literacy Rate(Able to read and write by age 12):
97.92%

Military

Branches of the Military
Jaguar Warrior Ground Forces (Army), the Nahuatl Air Force, the Nahuatl Navy, the Maritime Patrol Force (Coast Guard)

Military Funding as percentage of Government Expenditures:
20% (http://www.nationstates.net/nation=azte ... government)

Military Service Requirements
Required for all males 18-22 years of age, recruiting of highly skilled or special candidates begins as early as 16 in rare cases. Female enlistment is voluntary, but encouraged. Those with physical disabilities may choose to enroll in a civil service program as well. Everyone who enlists in the military is given the option to pursue a college degree.

Government

The government of the Aztec National League can be classified as a Republic with a strong socialist approach to economics. The national government establishes a number of regulations and requirements that local and state governments are required to implement locally. All levels of government - local, state, and national, are popularly elected - Local, state, and legislative elections are conducted every two years with only one-third of the constituencies having an election per cycle (in other words, the terms are staggered). National elections take place every five years, the most recent taking place in 2013.

Full name: The Nahuatl Altepetl of Aztec National League
Shortened: Aztec National League or the Nahuatl Altepetl
Abbreviation: ANL or NA
Government Type: Socialist Republic
Legislature Type: Unicameral
Party System: Multiparty System
Capital City: Tenochitilán
Suffrage: Universal – 18 for both men and women
WA Membership: Expired, not renewed

National Leadership
Executive
Huey Tlatoani: Quetzalcoatl Nochtli, (In office since September 23, 2003)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Xochitl Izel
Minister of War: General Yaotl Nopaltzin
Minister of State Security: Tenoch Itztli
Minister of Education and Social Welfare: Zyanya Cuali
Minister of Public Health: Itzeli Santellan
Minister of Economics and the Treasury: Cuauhtémoc Itotia
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure: Monteczuma Matzatl
Attorney General: Camaxtli Zuma

Legislative Leadership
Speaker of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan: Xiuhcoatl Tlaloc (Socialist Labor Party)
Majority Leader of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan: Izel Coszcatl (Socialist Labor Party)
Minority Leader of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan: Coyotl Tlacelel (National Action Front)

Seat breakdown of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan (2013 election):
Socialist Labor Party: 324 (64.8%)[/b]
National Action Front: 160 (32.2%)
Green - 10 (2%)
Independents - 2 (.004%)
Total number of seats: 500

Judicial System
Dual court system split between state and national courts. State courts serve as the forum for all criminal most civil trials; national courts are purely for appellate purposes. Military court system has original jurisdiction over all military criminal and civil proceedings, but may be appealed at the national level. All law is based off of a mixture of Meso-American and European law.

Administrative Divisions:
Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Panama

Date of formation:
23rd of September (Traditional, declared official in 2003.)

Communications and Major Media

Newspapers
The Journal of Tenochitilán

[Aztec National League]

OOC Note: If you held an embassy in my nation prior to 2008, please re-apply if you are still interested in maintaining one. Given the amount of time between the last time I was active and now, it is impossible for me to see which nations had an embassy in my nation at the time.

Listing of Embassies within and of the Aztec national League

Greetings to the nations of the world,

In this document you will find an up-to-date listing of all nations who maintain an embassy within the Aztec National League. Nations interested in applying should please refer to the appropriate thread (coming soon) or telegram the Nahuatl Altepetl of Aztec National League directly.

-Xochitl Izel,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Nahuatl Altepetl of Aztec National League

Listing of nations with an embassy of the Aztec National League

[Aztec National League]

Note: This particular post is entirely an OOC retrospective:

Hey, it's my tenth year NS anniversary! Hopefully, this will be a jumping off point for the next ten years. In any case, I've written some thoughts about my time on NS and why I want to come back.

So, ten years ago today, I was bumbling around on a Star Trek gaming forum and came across a year-old game called "NationStates" where you could create a free web-based nation based off of whatever you wanted, no matter how ridiculous or non as you whims may be. As someone who had idealistic, passionate feeling on politics and society, I was instantly hooked - the chance to live vicariously in a world tailored to my own liking? Besides, I needed something to escape being a high school student in the early 2000's! For a good couple of years, I was logging on hourly long into the night, checking to see if there was any response to my posts, my declarations, my troops movements, to me.

But then life seemed to get in the way. I went to college, and while I was faithful to NS for several years, I felt a disconnection. Then I got elected to student office and got to work in the political milieu. Eventually, checking went from hourly to being daily; daily to being weekly; and so on and so on. Eventually, my nation was deleted some time back in 2008 or 2009 for inactivity. Though I revived it almost immediately, the badge of my nation's birth was replaced with a mere reference to being formed in "Antiquity", only indicating that my nation was formed some time before the current forums, before Jolt, when NS hosted its forums the first time around.

Despite that revival, I've never felt able to get back into the hunt; something was different. By that time, I felt I was well on my way of living the live that I was writing about in NS. Not only that, but many of the players of my generation soon went the way of the dodo and into oblivion. I didn't feel a connection like I did before. Today, that feeling persists, but I still have the desire to play NS, wanting to explore new facets of my nation - both light and dark, that come with my own personal growth and experience. Sometimes, I catch myself escaping into my mind, perhaps two or three times a week, wondering "what would the ANL's leader, Quetzalcoatl Nochtli, do?"

So today, I decided to get out of my mind and put the pen back to paper, so to say. Maybe this is won't be the beginning of a new golden era for my nation. Certainly, working more than 40 hours a week isn't conducive to NS. But who knows - I always felt that my nation and my characters were in some form an extension of myself. Maybe in playing NS, I can find old traits of myself that I thought was lost. Maybe I could realize something in me that I didn't notice before. Regardless, I know one thing is certain - I need to come back, even if it's for a short while. I could try to pick up from where I left off, and for the most part, I am. To just do a gritty reboot and start from scratch wouldn't feel right. But, perhaps what I need is a different approach to the old story. A different trajectory, you may say...and thus the story begins again.

[Aztec National League]

The Constitution of the Aztec National League
__________________________________

Preamble:
__________________________________

The constitution of the Aztec National League must be relevant to the modern world; a world that presents fierce challenges and glorious opportunities. Not only must the Aztec National League possess a military might that is only surpassed by the might of its warriors, but it must have ensure that its own citizens share the fruits of nation's collective labor. Through this Constitution, the people of this nation have created a true world power, one that is capable of harnessing the strength, ingenuity, and spirit of the Nahua people. It is for this reason why this government, the government of the Aztec National League, is charged with being the vanguard of Aztlán, the defender of the Nahua people, and the hand of brotherhood, solidarity, and justice.

Section 1 - Provisional Statements
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1.) The government of the Aztec National League shall function as a Republic – a representative democracy in which no institution, public or private, shall abridge the eligibility of any citizen-in-good-standing to vote for any reason.

2.) The government of the Aztec National League shall allow private citizens and firms establish competitive markets for industries determined to be non-essential to the wellbeing of the people. The government shall maintain the ability to regulate, nationalize and participate in these industries with an affirmative vote of the legislature and the approval of the chief executive.

3.) The government shall consist of three branches of government: the executive branch (headed by the Huey Tlatoani), the legislative branch (Tlatocayotl Tetzalan), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court). Each branch will be independent and co-equal and, should the need arise; act as a check on one another. Additionally, the national government shall retain the right to establish, modify, or abolish constituencies for the purposes of administering the will and functions of the national government. These lower constituencies shall operate as a republic with officials and representatives elected by the local constituents.

4.) Should this Constitution pass, the all current elected officials shall continue to serve the entirety of their terms without being subjected to a new election.

5.) The official title of the nation shall be “The Nahua Altepetl of the Aztec National League”.

Section 2 - The Chief Executive
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2.1 The Huey Tlatoani

The Huey Tlatoani shall be vested with executive rights, powers, and responsibilities. The Huey Tlatoani shall be elected by the people and the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan shall confirm the Tlatoani-Elect one month following an election. A term for the Huey Tlatoani shall last five years.


2.2 Candidate Eligibility Requirements for the Huey Tlatoani

Any citizen of the general public may run for the office of Huey Tlatoani. However, prospective candidates must have obtained at least 30 years of age. Also, a candidate will not be eligible to run for the position of Huey Tlatoani if the candidate has any prior criminal record.


2.3: Responsibilities and powers of the Huey Tlatoani

A) The Huey Tlatoani shall be the Supreme Commander of the entire military and intelligence forces of the Aztec National League.

B) The Huey Tlatoani may propose and enact treaties with foreign nations with the consent of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.

C) The Huey Tlatoani has the ability to grant reprieves and pardons at his discretion, except in impeachment inquiries.

D) The Huey Tlatoani shall be responsible for maintaining government departments and organizations to administrate the government and its many functions.

E) The Huey Tlatoani shall be responsible to appoint a council of advisors to advice on policy issues. In addition to that, the Huey Tlatoani shall appoint ambassadors, state officers, officials, deputy department ministers and department ministers. All appointees, except those specified by law, are subject to approval from the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.

F) The Huey Tlatoani shall fill any vacancies in the executive branch with the approval of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan. If the legislature is not in session, the Huey Tlatoani may issue a recess appointment which shall be effective for 120 days. The Huey Tlatoani must nominate a qualified person to fill any vacancy in the executive and judicial branch within 90 days after the vacancy occurred.

G) The Huey Tlatoani shall have the power to appoint officials and create temporary agreements with foreign governments at his discretion. These temporary agreements shall last a maximum of 120 days before needing approval by the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.

H) The Huey Tlatoani shall be responsible for maintaining his records and preserve them for inspection by an inquiring body. The Huey Tlatoani may declare any document as classified for any reason, but the Supreme Court of the Aztec National League may strip these documents of that protection should the Huey Tlatoani not have a compelling interest driving the declaration in question.

I) The Huey Tlatoani shall report information regarding the State of the Nahua Altepetl and People at least once a year.

J) The Huey Tlatoani may approve of and execute legislation approved by the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan. Additionally, he may veto any act the legislature approves, though this veto may be overridden with a three-fourths vote of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.


Section 2.4: Succession of the Huey Tlatoani

Should the Huey Tlatoani die, be incapacitated, or otherwise unable to execute the aforementioned duties, the Speaker of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan shall, for a period of no more than one year, assume the responsibilities of the Huey Tlatoani until such time that the Huey Tlatoani is able to executive the duties of his office or until the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan is able to appoint an eligible individual to complete the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 3: The Legislature
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Section 3.1: The Tlatocayotl Tetzalan

The legislature shall consist of one house, the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan. The Tlatocayotl Tetzalan shall convene by the first Monday of the new year and adjourn sin die on the last day of October, except in years in which an election is to take place, in which the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan will adjourn sin die on the last day of July. A term for a member of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan, or Tlatocayotli, shall last five years.


Section 3.1.1: The Powers and Responsibilities of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan

A) To appropriate money to all the various domestic programs and institutions of the government.

B) Provide for the tools to advance the state of science and technology in the Aztec National League.

C) To approve or disapprove the creation, consolidation, regulation, and disbandment of municipalities.

D) To establish regulations or designate an executive agency to establish regulations.

E) To approve or disapprove the use of military force taken by the Huey Tlatoani.

F) To establish rules regarding acquisition and capture of foreign lands.

G) To create lower courts and approve executive appointments to the judicial system

H) To establish and adjust tax rates, fees, and levies.

I) To borrow money from domestic and foreign lenders, both public and private.

J) To produce money and create and maintain its value.

K) To establish, regulate and maintain a national banking system.

L) To adjust interest rates on loans.

M) To establish monetary regulations.

N) To establish civil and criminal procedures and sentences.

O) To select the leadership of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.

P) To establish and enforce rules pertaining to the conduct of the members of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan and the debate that is conducted in order to advance legislative work.

Q) To conduct any business deemed necessary and proper to fulfilling the functions of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.


Section 3.1.2: Requirements to pass legislation

It shall be necessary for the the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan to obtain a simple majority, unless otherwise mandated by the rules of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan, to pass a piece of legislation or internal rule.


Section 3.1.2: Candidate Eligibility Requirements for members of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan

All citizens who are 25 or older may run to be a member of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan. All Tlatocayotli shall be voted in popular, open elections. Additionally, members of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan shall be divided into two classes immediately after convincing for the first time after the first election. The first class will serve a term of three years while the second class will serve a term of five years. Both classes will thereafter serve staggered terms lasting no more than five years.


Section 3.1.3: Vacancies within the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan

Should a Tlatocayotli be unable to complete his or her term, the party of which the Tlatocayotli belonged to shall appoint a citizen of the former Tlatocayotli's constituency within one month of the notice of vacancy to complete the remainder of the term.

Section 4: The Judicial Branch
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The Judicial Branch shall consist of the Supreme Court and whatever lower court the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan creates. The judicial system shall declare the legality of the actions taken by all government agencies and branches at all levels, and the legality of actions taken by private individuals and firms. In addition, the lower courts shall be responsible for handling cases of criminal and civil matters, including sentencing, as assigned by the legislature.


Section 4.1: The Powers of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court shall be the highest court in the Nahua Altepetl and have the authority to review laws approved by the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan and actions taken by the executive branch. Additionally, the Supreme Court shall:

A) Settling conflicts between the various states of the Nahua Altepetl

B) Try all cases in which the defendant is accused of providing aid and comfort to hostile nations and treason.

C) Trying cases in which the verdict in lower courts have been appealed

D) Ensuring that all lower courts are following a uniform code of ethics and procedure


Section 4.2: Powers of the Lower Courts

The Lower Courts shall be designated responsibilities by the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan.


Section 4.3: Appointments to the Judicial Branch

The Huey Tlatoani shall appoint well qualified individuals to fill all Supreme Court and Lower Court vacancies and the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan shall interview and confirm all appointees. Terms for appointees to the Court shall be ten years.

Section 5: Amendments
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This Constitution shall be amenable if the legislature finds it necessary. The Tlatocayotl Tetzalan may consider and approve of amendments to this Constitution with a two-thirds affirmative vote.

Section 6: Ratification (obsolete after 2004)
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In order to be ratified, this constitution shall require to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan. After receiving approval from the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan, this proposed constitution shall require a simple majority of the national voting population voting in the affirmative to approve this document.

This constitution shall be deemed effective once a Huey Tlatoani is sworn in and the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan is able to reconvene under the new government.

Section 7: The Rights Afforded to the citizens
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1.) Neither public nor private entities may infringe on a citizen's right to the freedom of speech and expression. This, however, does not prohibit the government or private entities from regulating how such speech is delivered, nor does it protect actual slander or libel. In addition, the government may use prior restraint only if the judicial system determines that it is warranted. In addition, all citizens are granted freedom to exercise any religion, conduct a peaceable assembly and petition their government.

2.) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a public trial. His or her guilt shall be determined by an impartial jury and determined in accordance to Aztec civil and, if necessary, criminal procedure. The accused shall be informed by the state of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him or her; to have the ability to obtain witnesses in his or her favor, and to have at the defendant’s request, legal console provided pro bono by the state.

3.) The government shall provide all citizens with a basic amount of food and clothing, medical care, housing, social security, employment education or employment training. Citizens however, may choose to not accept such provisions from the government at any time.

4.) All citizens have the right to review government documents except for those that are classified by the executive branch and such classification is not stripped by the judicial branch.

5.) No citizen shall be discriminated against by public and private entities on the basis of race, gender, socioeconomic status, active-duty military status, veteran status or sexual orientation.

6.) Citizens are afforded the right to buy and possess arms and weaponry. However, the government may regulate which citizens can buy such arms and what arms are available to the public.

7.) Drugs and other controlled substances approved by the government shall have their production, sale and use legalized, subject to government regulation.

8.) No person within the Aztec National League shall be subjected to excessive bail, be forced into double jeopardy, self incrimination, torture and other cruel and unusual punishments.

9.) All citizens shall be afforded the right to privacy and protected from unwarranted search and seizure.

10.) The rights of the citizens expressed in this constitution shall not be the only rights afforded to by the people.

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-Ratified by the 3rd Session of the Tlatocayotl Tetzalan of the Aztec National League on May 4th, 2004.
-Approved by the majority of the people on September 15, 2004.
-Signed into law by Quetzalcoatl Nochtli, Huey Tlatoani of the Republic on October 1, 2004

-Officially ratified and placed into effect on October 2, 2004
-First amended on July 6, 2005
-Amended again on May 23, 2007
-Most recently amended on September 28, 2013