Here is an idea for an Economist-style magazine in Elizia; I hope it will flourish and fill Elizia with invocations to the gods of free trade and ordered liberty, but realise that it will not in all likelihood. It will nevertheless be there to accept your opinion pieces, humorous (within reason, of course) letters and “humble recommendations” to the government and, if necessary or opportune, the opposition.
Quære - Biweekly Newspaper (Politico-cultural Magazine)
Account Name: Filimons and Frodtthiuda
Objective: To advise and provide worthwhile commentary for the fatherland.
Political Affiliations:Liberal conservatism
Location: Kentang (head office); available countrywide
Size: 45.000 (circulation)
Typical Uniform/Attire: N/A
Background: Quære was founded in 2001 by Hong Kong-based Elizian exiles to provide a forum for right-leaning and rather conservative criticism of the Elizian National Congress. It is initial circulation was limited to politically active Elizians in the city and Macau, but clandestine editions were successfully introduced into Elizia proper; these were widely read by those who, despite their wish for change, found the more radical, leftist alternatives to the ENC’s rule altogether unpalatable. Only months before the mass protests of 2013 which would lead to the Orchid Revolution, the publication was made available in Western Europe and North America. This expansion would make it especially prominent in its advocacy over the course of the Elizian Civil War. With peace at home, the head office was relocated from Hong Kong to Kentang, whilst Quære sought to claim a spot in the pantheon of the “New Elizia”.
Supports: Elizian nationalism, societal harmony, protection of customs, introduction of English as the country’s unifying language
Does not Support: Separatism, war and strife, absolute dominance by Malays, forceful use of Bahasa Elizia.
Any Questions from the Public to be answered?
- Does Quære endorse any party? - Quære does not, as of yet, endorse any political party in particular. Elizia’s party system is not yet well-developed and, as such, we have chosen to wait for the “spring of parties” to come to an end before we cast judgement.
- How strict will the editorial line be? - We are a liberal conservative publication and we intend to stick to that editorial line, but this will not, of course, prevent us from accepting contributions which do not conform to the minutiae of our postulates.
“Mr Hsu, what treatment do you believe former members of the ENC should be given by both the new incarnation of the state and our society as a whole? What place ought to be given to minorities which suffered under the National Congress’ rule? Does their plight, in your view, justify the enactment of positive discrimination laws? Furthermore, what is your stance with regards to our currency situation? As you are bound to know, circumstance has forced us to abandon our own currency, our dollar, in favour of green-coloured banknotes embellished with the faces of gentlemen that do not belong to us, and the multicoloured postcards of the BNM in Kuala Lumpur.”
“Sir, if you were assured the reins of this country―the leather seats of government―, what would you do to make it a prosperous, harmonious nation? Would you, given the power to do so, install a monarchy (of the elective kind, one ought to think) in place of the republic? How would you reconcile your party’s environmental postures with the urgent need of the people for an improvement in the economical realm? To close, what is your view of positive discrimination (known to you, perhaps, as affirmative action) and do you believe non-Malays in Elizia should be extended the benefits of the aforementioned policies?”