[NSGS] Elizian Monarchy Referendum

[NSG Senate Administrators]

〉 The NSG Senate 〈
The Worst State of a Republic

〉 Monarchy Referendum
_________________________________________________________________________

The Parliament of Elizia

After long deliberation and discussion, the provisional government of the Federation of Elizia has come to a conclusion on how best to proceed in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2267. The decision to adopt or shun a monarchy is not one to be taken lightly, and, as an issue of such importance, we leave the ultimate choice to the people. A referendum will be held on July 5, and there will be campaigning up until then. A committee of independent investigators has selected Kevin Kadare (Collatis) as the leader of the official "pro-Republic" campaign, and Siva Jeyaratnam (Coconut Isle) as the leader of the official "pro-Monarchy" campaign. We hope the referendum campaign is productive and civilized. The result of it shall inform the Constitutional Convention on how to proceed, and they should take note that the provisional government will not accept any constitution ignoring said results. The ballot is as below.
-Malik Ibn Sajj, representative of the provisional government of the Federation of Elizia

---

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[ ] Republic

[NSG Senate Administrators]

Referendum campaigning begins now, and should take place in this thread, which is strictly IC. Collatis and Coconut Isle have been appointed the leaders of their respective sides of the official campaign, and we encourage you to work closely with them. That said, you are not disallowed from forming splinter groups, much in the style of the different campaigns of the recent British EU referendum. Should the different campaigns choose to make their own threads for organizational purposes, they are quite welcome. This is one of the big kickoffs of this incarnation, so I expect plenty of speeches, rallies, advertisements, and other RP's.

The vote will begin on July 5, 9 PM EST, and go for 48 hours. After that, the result will be submitted to the constitutional convention. Have fun.

-Merizoc

[Collatis]

Kevin Katdare smiled at the huge rally that had turned out for the start of the Republic campaign. Many supporters held signs with the official republican campaign logo on them. He shook hands with many in the crowd as he approached the stage. Stepping up to the podium, Kevin began to speak over the cheering crowd, "189 days ago, the people's voices were finally heard. 189 days ago, we finally defeated the authoritarian regime that had oppressed so many of us for so long. 189 days ago, democracy returned to a nation that had not known it for so long. And we have come so far since that fateful December day in 2015. We formed a provisional government, held elections for the senate, and now we are in the process of having a Constitutional Convention. We have made so much progress in the name of democracy. And yet, some among us wish to turn back the clock on all of that progress. Those in the monarchy campaign want to replace one outdated and anti-democratic regime with another. A monarch would have no accountability, would represent the elite, and would scarcely be different from the ENC. The idea of a monarchy is a colonial relic that has no place in our modern Elizia. And that is why we Elizians must stand for a republic. The republic would serve as a safeguard for democracy and would unite all of the great and diverse people of this nation, whether they be Malay, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, European, Aboriginal, or anything else. A monarchical Elizia is an Elizia for the rich and powerful, for those who wish to return to the days of the ENC, and for those who fear how diverse and unique Elizia truly is. A republican Elizia is an Elizia for everyone, no matter their color, creed, race, or ancestry. So on July 5th, vote for an Elizia for all, a republican Elizia!" The crowd goes wild in applause as Kevin walks off the stage.

[We Elizians]

The official headquarters of the Republic campaign are up.

[Filimons]

VICTORIA SQUARE, KENTANG (ELIZIA)

---

Léon Dimitri Mourani, the university professor and former exile, had not once in his life believed he would one day address a multitude of monarchists in the country which had many years ago scorned and banished him. Being of somewhat reticent and solemn character, the prospect of an onerous campaign was torture, but he had miraculously volunteered to lead, along with Siva Jeyaratnam, the monarchist campaign in the upcoming plebiscite. Thus, he had been brought into this situation, which was, needless to say, a rather unpleasant one. Beginning in a manner that suggested hidden, unexploited oratorical talent, the trumpet call began:

“Ladies and gentlemen, compatriots and curious observers from elsewhere, I address you with much elation; to be given the opportunity to argue for ancient heritage and deep-held tradition is not a common thing is this age, which does not, it seems, grasp that things are much easier to destroy than they are to forge. Tradition―indeed, the bequest of our progenitors―in Elizia, unlike that of other realms and other tracts of this world, has been allowed to defend itself and to reassert its position in this new, renovated and free fatherland of ours.

“The republicans, ladies and gentlemen, have already placed dishonest posters and placards throughout the country. Our monarchy, they’ve said, would be contrary to the natural course of progress! It would not represent the diverse face of Elizia; it would be undemocratic. A ‘colonial relic’ is how they have chosen to describe it. What folly! The republican campaign understands neither modern monarchism nor Elizian history. No-one in this country has proposed an absolutist throne; on the contrary, the Crown would serve a unifying purpose; it would reign, not rule or involve itself in the tenebrous and turbid affairs of politicians, for it is, above all, the ‘escape outlet’ of the people. Our monarchical system is, furthermore, not a British invention―it is endemic to our peoples.

“To suggest our monarchical institution is uniform and monochromatic is spectacularly misinformed. The campaign argues against something it does not know or understand, for there are Muslim and Hindu sub-national monarchs. The Elizian monarchy, being a traditional rotating one, will allow for variety.

“It is a fantasy―a republican delusion―to believe class and elitism will whither away in a republic, and that altruism and social mobility would at once disappear and become impossible ‘marvel tales’ from a Chinese storybook. Withal, how could it possibly be undemocratic if approved by referendum? Our sovereign would serve as the protector of all Elizians; our head of state would belong to all, not merely the fifty or so per cent of the population voting, at one time or another, for a given politician to govern.

“Compatriots, vote for the new Elizia which does not forget its history, but instead races to the banner of peace and prosperity. Thank you very much.”

[OurTradition]

OurTradition is pleased to announce the beginning of its campaign.

[Coconut Isle]

VICTORIA SQUARE, KENTANG (ELIZIA)

---

Siva Jeyaratnam takes to the stage. This was clearly a subject matter that he cared about a lot. He desired an end to the instability that had beset Elizian politics. A head of state elected by populism had the potential to destroy the morals and values this country stood for. The ever-sweaty Indian man always spoke with a strange accent, a hint of Britishness, Elizian, a lisp, a real mixture. He always spoke in a gruff yet angry manner, seemingly always outraged.

"Ladies and gentlemen, interested onlookers and distinguished guests. This is such a great day in Elizian history, this is the day that we launch our campaign here in this beautiful Kentang afternoon! It is simply great that finally we get to express our own views through the democratic process, and our young nation has a lot to learn. Therefore, this means we need a guiding voice, a voice of reason, and the only way this can reason is to have a Monarchy. What our campaign proposes is very simple, a rotating monarchy using the five former rulers of this land, before the British occupation, the qīnwáng for the northern province, the three sultans, and a raja, to reflect our five regions and the unity of our peoples. They will rotate the monarchy every five years, much like our neighbours next door."

"Make no mistake, I know how much the other side has already tried to besmirch and discredit our campaign without even waiting for us to start our campaign. Quite frankly it is despicable the lies and misinformation that they are peddling. We must return to our traditional values and make sure that the majority do not run rampant over said values. Having a popularly elected head-of-state means that unsavoury candidates can and WILL become our President, and will necessarily mean that a large percentage of you will be disenfranchised with a popularly elected head-of-state! You've seen what it's like in America. Those elections are dangerous, and we must avoid it at all costs. In a time of change and uncertainty, we must need a safe pair of hands to lead us gently throughout the years."

"I know how organised the other campaign is. They have fancy posters, more funding, more endorsements. Perhaps no one will give us a chance. We are the underdogs, the no-hopers, the pundits say we won't win. Make no mistake though. I know we have the people of Elizia on our side. Every day Elizians know how important stability is. With a monarch, we can ensure those ENC days are forever behind us. Let's not allow the conventional politicians yet another position they can take advantage of. Let's not have our Presidents bought and influenced with money. Let's stick to tradition."

"Lastly, I want to thank my campaign co-leader, my good friend Léon for supporting me. We may not agree about everything, but I'm glad we can work together on this campaign."

[Collatis]

Kevin Katdare shifted the papers in his hands as he approached the stage on which he was about to give another speech for the Republic campaign. The Monarchy campaign had recently been spreading falsehoods among the people of Elizia, and it was urgent that We Elizians respond.

"Hello Kentang! What a beautiful day to be fighting for such a beautiful thing. This is a beautiful square within a beautiful city within the beautiful country we call home. Now the thing we are fighting for is not so obviously beautiful. It may appear messy, even chaotic, at times. But it is still a beautiful thing. Democracy is what I speak of, and is what we are fighting for. Democracy is what we fought for in the Orchid Revolution, and in the many years before it. Democracy is what millions of people stood up and fought for in the Arab Spring only a few years ago. Democracy is what billions of people wish for around the globe. And yet, those in the monarchy campaign want to stifle our newborn democracy before it has even taken off.

Here in the We Elizians campaign, people of every color, creed, and origin are represented. And not only are we diverse, we also represent the majority of the population who want to preserve this democracy we have fought so hard for. The Elizian people do not want to bring back a colonial relic, just when we are on the verge of joining the rest of the world in the 21st century. The Elizian people do not want an outdated institution that will only work for the elite and powerful. And most importantly, the Elizian people do not want the misinformation that is being spread by the monarchy campaign.

The monarchy campaign claims that a monarchy will bring stability compared to the "change and uncertainty" true democracy would bring. And yet they also advocate for the strange method of having the monarch change every five years. They do not realize that we are not Malaysia. We are our own unique and diverse nation, and we deserve a system that reflects that.

The monarchy campaign also claims that a republic will somehow lead to unsavory candidates. They even go as far as to call democracy "dangerous". They claim they want stability, but the truth is that they fear the people of Elizia finally taking their country back after decades of oppression. They don't trust the Elizian people to choose their own leader, to choose their own government. They are using scare tactics to convince you that the power should be in the hands of a powerful few, because that completely worked out with the ENC, rather than in the hands of the people, all the people.

But luckily, they do not represent Elizia. They do not represent you and they do not represent me. And with all of your help, we Elizians can take back the country we call home, and vote for democracy on July 5th!"

Kevin stepped back from the podium with a smile as the crowd applauded and cheers for democracy and a republic spread throughout the square.

[Filimons]

---

IV July MMXVI

---

The Kentang Courier Publishes Dr Léon Dimitri Mourani’s “Modest Letter of Correction” to We Elizians and Kevin Katdare

The Kentang Courier, having been approached by the OurTradition campaign and Dr Léon Mourani, has acceded to publish this open letter in response to Kevin Katdare’s speech at a rally yesterday. In spirit of impartiality it nevertheless invites the republican campaign and its leaders to counter or issue a response of of some form, for the upcoming referendum in our country is not to be taken lightly and, if at all possible, ought to examined reasonably, not with mere appeals to the emotions and sentiments of the masses. The text of Dr Mourani’s document can be read below:

Kevin Katdare, the leader of the republican campaign, has been known to argue passionately, but in all sincerity, unsuitably for his proposal; he does appear to understand the republican system, but the countless monarchies that have, at one moment or another, populated this world remain alien to him for reasons which are not entirely clear and which we shall not venture to find, for all attempts at this will deviate from our purpose: an Elizian monarchy standing up for national unity and respect for tradition.

He speaks of democracy as incompatible and antithetical to monarchy; the republic is, in his eyes, the natural host of a civilised democracy of the twenty-first century; crowns and sceptres are but ghastly reminders of a by-gone age which ought to be forgotten on our eternal, non-stop course to progress. Ignoring, for our purposes, his whiggish naïvité, it becomes necessary to bring contemporary constitutional monarchies―that is to say, true outposts of freedom in this world―to light; Mr Katdare would like to believe we wish to turn Elizia into Saudi Arabia, but our ideal lies elsewhere, for we are not absolutists.

He subsequently dismisses the monarchy, once again (we have already issued a statement of correction), as a “colonial relic”, but that is untrue and can only make us wish for reform in the realm of education; monarchism is not merely a British (European, even) concept, for its brilliance is known to all mankind. Kingdoms have existed in what is today Elizia for many centuries. The Britons did not bring it to this archipelago in the form of the Royal Society’s latest innovation, for it was already in our possession.

Furthermore, he goes on to declares the monarchy would not be able to represent Elizians. This is, of course, false; the Malay Muslims and Hindus are directly represented, whilst our Hindu raja’s wife is from a Chinese household. We also finds ourselves in the need to ask Mr Katdare to prove social mobility is diminished in a monarchy, for our statistics suggest this is not true of modern constitutional monarchies; indeed, of the countries with the highest social mobility―Denmark, Norway, Finland and Canada―three are constitutional monarchies. Now, it would stupendously silly to compare our predicament to that of any of the aforesaid nations; it is for that reason that I recommend Mr Katdare recognises “favouring the elites” is not innate to a monarchical structure and that our republic, should we end up with one after the vote, will likely suffer from it, too.

A tirade then ensues in which we are accused of being anti-democrats who “don’t trust” the body politic. No, we are not zealous and suspicious anti-democrats; on the contrary, we are rather fond of democracy and, wishing to preserve it and protect all the groups calling Elizia their home, we believe the monarchy will be of greater use to the country and its attempts to forge a definitive national identity and prevent a sort of ochlocracy from materialising.

Furthermore, to say we do not represent Elizia (in its entirety) is obvious. The republicans do not either. It is precisely because this cannot be solved by a unanimous decision that we have opted to have a plebiscite as the civilised people that we are. Regardless of the result on 5 July, we shall come together as a nation and continue working for the improvement of the fatherland. Elizia is not merely a political party, a campaign, or a programme; it is our land, our home and the reason of our labour. We are, after all, the old men who plant trees well-aware of the fact that they won’t enjoy their shade. Our problems are deep-rooted and will take very long to solve. Our injuries are profound and will take very long to heal.

[New Werpland]

The Singaporean parliament is a little too nice looking.

What about the Sarawak State Assembly? I think it's more realistic for a backwards country emerging from authoritarian misrule.

[OurTradition]

Paper produced by OurTradition to outline the basic functioning of the monarchy.

[Sardeed]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic

[MERIZoC]

The Singaporean parliament is a little too nice looking.

What about the Sarawak State Assembly? I think it's more realistic for a backwards country emerging from authoritarian misrule.

(Image)

As I said earlier, this is strictly IC. Please follow that.

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic

Voting has not yet started.

[NSG Senate Administrators]

Voting for the referendum will now start. The vote will last exactly 48 hours, and any votes cast after that will not be counted. Here is your ballot.

Code: Select all

[floatleft][box][b]What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?[/b]
[  ] Monarchy
[  ] Republic[/box][/floatleft]

-Merizoc

[Filimons]

Angry at the electoral authorities’ unpunctuality, Dr Mourani cast his vote.

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[X] Monarchy
[ ] Republic

[Coconut Isle]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[X] Monarchy
[ ] Republic

[United Provinces of Atlantica]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic

[Ainin]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic

[Ikania]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[X] Monarchy
[ ] Republic

[Zurkerx]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[ X ] Republic

[MERIZoC]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[X] Monarchy
[ ] Republic

[Beta Test]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic

[Collatis]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic

[Skappola]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[X] Monarchy
[ ] Republic

[Britanno 2]

What should be the nature of the executive of Elizia?
[ ] Monarchy
[X] Republic