TWI Nationbuilding Prompt Thread (OOC, TWI ONLY)

[Noronica]

1. Is your Justice System considered independent from other branches of government or is it part of an existing branch?

In practice, the Noronnican judiciary is independent of other branches of government. However, the justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Noronnican Prime Minister by consent of the Crown and Federal Assembly, (therefore allowing favouritism).

2. How do your people view the Justice System? Is it viewed as an objective and trustworthy institution or a failing, corrupt one?

With mixed views. The police and security officers are given prestige and heroic status by the general populace, as they are seen as maintaining order and peace in the nation. There are rarely protests against specific police matters. Criminals are viewed with contempt, so the population rarely takes part in appeal protests and sentences are rarely questioned. If you find yourself in a criminal court then it is highly likely that you will lose friends and family due to Noronnican views on crime.

The higher in importance the court gets, the more trustworthy it is seen as. No one would question the acts of the Supreme Court because it is such an old institution. Smaller courts are seen as corrupt, as judges have been known to take bribes, and smaller courts are small and less-funded in comparison to the Supreme Court and other courts higher-up in the system.

3. How does the Justice System handle punishment? Is rehabilitation considered feasible or does your nation view punishment and isolation as the purpose of the prison?

Oh, my sweet Summer child.

In answer to the first question: On a first-response basis, the police or Bureau of Internal Security officers carry out arrests. The police rarely carry firearms, but BIS officers do, so if the situation warrants, officers may use their firearms in their defence. Reviews of police activity are extremely rare, especially due to the fact that deaths are usually caused by BIS officers, and the BIS handles their own issues internally. While summary execution is illegal in Noronica as in many countries, there are rumours that extrajudicial killings have occurred before, (spoilers: it can happen regularly). Interestingly, the death sentence is not illegal although it is, in practice, prevented under a memorandum, (See Athara Magarat's dispatch on Capital Punishment.)

Under the Constitution, suspects are allowed to be detained for up to 48 hours without the consent of a court of law. The courts are divided between various civil matters, including criminal matters which, depending on the severity of the crime, is handled by different courts.

If you don't like getting on your hands and knees with a pickaxe then the Noronnican prison-system is not for you. A large part of Noronnican punishment ideology is 'rehabilitation via labour'. Prisoners are expected to work in various means to give back to society. This may sound positive, yet the manner in which they work has not yet been explained. The most common form of prison in Noronica is the Corrective Labour Colony. Criminals are shipped off to various isolated parts of Noronica to prison-complexes where they are put to work in fields, mines and other areas. Manufacturing companies can get into deals with prisons to employ prisoners to manufacture for them cheaply. If a prisoner is not up to hard manual labour, they are often sent into the aforementioned manufacturing jobs or they work to maintain the prison-compound. Visitation is rarely allowed, and prisoners are often cut-off from the outside world except for television and radio.

Guard practices are not really monitored, so arbitrary punishments may be handed out depending on the warden and their guards.

Rehabilitation is certainly possible, (yet sentences are rarely shortened) but it takes a long while for criminals to be re-integrated into society. Especially as society holds criminals with disgust and disgrace.

4. Is there a separation in your Civil and Criminal Codes?

As mentioned above, civil and criminal matters are presided over separately according to the specific court assigned to them.

5. Is there a way to objectively investigate politicians and judges in your system?

Definitely. Politicians and judges are held accountable to the law and can be put under investigation via the court system or a select-committee within the Federal Assembly. However, if one happens to have some measure of control over the judiciary, (the Prime Minister for example) then concessions can be made.

[Samudera]

1. Is your Justice System considered independent from other branches of government or is it part of an existing branch?
Constitutionally, it is an independent branch of the government as specified in the Constitution of 1991. But in practice, it is heavily influenced by the executive branch, the President. Though justices couldn't have any political affiliation with a political party when they are in office, it didn't bare any ex-politician to run for the office. This is further exacerbated by the system for appointing a chief justice. The President has a prerogative right to nominate three candidates, after which the candidates will be voted into the office by the Parliament.

2. How do your people view the Justice System? Is it viewed as an objective and trustworthy institution or a failing, corrupt one?
Once the Judiciary branch was the bastion of justice in the nation, having been mostly left intact during the Revolution. The Supreme Court once sentenced a former president for killing an MP in the 1990s. But lately, the Judiciary had been heavily influenced by the Executive branches, making the populace trust it less and less. The recent killing of Chief Justice Malanggeng and the appointment of pro-President Acting Chief Justice is the latest intervention from the President.

3. How does the Justice System handle punishment? Is rehabilitation considered feasible or does your nation view punishment and isolation as the purpose of the prison?
Prison sentence is usually seen as a way for the criminals to repay their 'sins' to the community. Rehabilitation is far and few, though in recent times rehabilitation is preferred as civil rights group lobby the government. Though the social stigma remains the same among the populace, and the death sentence is still used to execute the 'immoral'.

4. Is there a separation in your Civil and Criminal Codes?
Yes, there is. There is also a Religious Code in some specific courts and regions.

5. Is there a way to objectively investigate politicians and judges in your system?
Yes. Politicians and judges alike aren't immune to the laws. SCAM (Samuderan Committee Against Misconduct) usually handles this case, especially for corruption cases.

[Thuzbekistan]

1. Is your Justice System considered independent from other branches of government or is it part of an existing branch?

While the Justice System has been traditionally treated as an independent system, it is part of the Executive Branch and under the direct authority of the Prime Minister. This has been the case since the nation's founding. While this system is obviously not independent on paper, the culture surrounding the justice system is one of independence and loyalty. The courts are presided over by judges who are appointed by the Chief Justice, a cabinet position. The Prime Minister must approve of all new appointments, but is limited by law in intervening in court cases except in cases of national security.

2. How do your people view the Justice System? Is it viewed as an objective and trustworthy institution or a failing, corrupt one?

In the criminal aspect, it is well trusted to pursue criminals in an unbiased and persistent manner. If there was a book to be thrown, the judges in Thuzbekistan would have a good arm. However, its civil courts are mostly subject to the ideals of settling disputes in a way that follows socialist ideology.

3. How does the Justice System handle punishment? Is rehabilitation considered feasible or does your nation view punishment and isolation as the purpose of the prison?

While minor crimes are met with rehab and job training, more serious crimes are met with prison bars.

4. Is there a separation in your Civil and Criminal Codes?

Yes. There are almost two separate courts in the system- Criminal Courts and Civil Courts.

5. Is there a way to objectively investigate politicians and judges in your system?

Parliament is charged with this.

[Ludesie]

1. Is your Justice System considered independent from other branches of government or is it part of an existing branch?
The justice sytem is completely independent from the other branches of the gouvernment.


2. How do your people view the Justice System? Is it viewed as an objective and trustworthy institution or a failing, corrupt one?
People see justice as objective and trustworthy, especially because the laws are very soft in Ludésie, so justice system is only used for big crimes.

3. How does the Justice System handle punishment? Is rehabilitation considered feasible or does your nation view punishment and isolation as the purpose of the prison?
Our nation put all his effort in rehabilitation. There's reabilitation center at many places in the nation. Criminal should stay a couple year in these center, but can work there, go at specially adapted schools during there stay. The stay can vary from a couple months to five years. For severe crime (like killing someone), there's 3 prisons nearby the three biggest cities of the country. These prison are only used for severe cases, and the maximum stay is 15 years (there's a couple exeptions where judge decide life in prison). Death penalty is illegal since the 1930s.

4. Is there a separation in your Civil and Criminal Codes?
Yes, it's not the same system and the same laws. Also, there's two different courts.

5. Is there a way to objectively investigate politicians and judges in your system?
Yes, we have a Permanent anticorrumpt unit to investigate on politician, judge, but also buisnessman since Ludésian tend to see buisnessman as a threat.

[Great Nortend]

1. Is your Justice System considered independent from other branches of government or is it part of an existing branch?
The legal and judicial system is strongly intertwined with the other branches of the Crown, however is considered a separate branch. The unique situation in Great Nortend is that the executive, the legislature and the judicial system are not institutionally independent. This is emphasised in the way that a number of judges, such as the Lord High Chancellour, the King, the Lord High Constable and King's Marischal and the Lord High Constable are members of the executive and legislature.

2. How do your people view the Justice System? Is it viewed as an objective and trustworthy institution or a failing, corrupt one?
The judicial system is viewed as obscure and confusing by most commoners, however still honourable and objective in its application of the law of the Realm.

3. How does the Justice System handle punishment? Is rehabilitation considered feasible or does your nation view punishment and isolation as the purpose of the prison?
Whilst the Lord High Chancellour has a view to rehabilitating and supporting prisoners away from a life of crime, to remove all elements of punishment from imprisonment is considered to be impractical. The emphasis taken within His Majesty's Prisons and Gaols is on punishment and spiritual assistance. Prisoners are invited to attend chapel every Sunday.

4. Is there a separation in your Civil and Criminal Codes?
There is no specific legal separation between the civil and criminal law. In practice however, different courts have different jurisdiction and under the King's (common) law, there are differences in the application of the law.

5. Is there a way to objectively investigate politicians and judges in your system?
The Royal Inspectorate reports directly to the King and Lord High Steuard (The Earl of Barminster) on matters including corruption and malpractice within the judicial system and amongst the ministry. The two lower houses, the House of Burgesses and the House of Knights, have their independent Committees of Privileges headed by the Speaker and the Knight-Lieutenant respectively.

[The Western Isles Office of Role-Play]

TWI Nation Building Writing Prompt: November, 2018

Welcome to the inaugral Nationbuilding prompt by Belle Ilse en Terre. As always, this will be focused on some aspect of your nation that you may not have seriously considered, encouraging an attachment toand the developement of your nation.

• How is social class perceived in your nation?
• Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?
• Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?
• How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?
• What marks distinguish classes in your nation?

My (Belle Ilse en Terre's) answers:

How is social class perceived in your nation?

Perception of social class is largely split along regional and class divisions. The lower class increasingly tends to to view the upper class as an oppressive institution, in urban areas, whilst opinions are generally the opposite in more rural areas, where the nobility are respected and valued because of the protection they offer. The primary disagreement is more centred around a contractual relation between class, rather issues of wealth and power, though Marxist views are gaining hold in certain urban areas. The contractual relation gives the lower class physical security, and the upper class financial security. However, it is expected that the lower class will contribute to a degree of physical security for the nobles, and that the nobles will contribute a degree of financial comfortability to the lower classes.

Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?

Titles of nobility are legally established, as are the clergy, though this practice has fallen off some with the significant leaps in democratisation. The Catholic Church generally receives a more negative impression among the rising agnosticism and atheism rates, mostly for inaction during the feudal era involving the abuse of serfs.

Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?

With the emancipation of the serfs in late 2017 and early 2018, former serfs are forming an subclass underneath freemen, especially those who have been freemen for many generations. Such class already existed to an extent, but were never as widely felt with the relatively small population of freemen. With the emancipation, these prejudices have been accentuated.

How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?

Longstanding freemen have a general enmity new freemen, who tend to be more materialistic (at least those that dwell in urban environments).

What marks distinguish classes in your nation?

All nobles are granted the right to bear a coat of arms, though often wealth, usually put into clothing, cars, and architecture serve as distinctions as well, though there is a minority of wealthy non-nobles who often assume the same trappings. Generally, quality of clothing is the best indicator of informal class.

[Broader Confederate States]

Sure, deleted.

[Athara Magarat]

How is social class perceived in your nation?
Who's got the most money. Bonus question: who's the big city folk.

Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?
No, at least no legally established classes.

Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?
Outta-towners, rich folks, and Rebels.

How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?
Outta-towners are despised if they do nothing to redeem themselves, with rich folks it depends on what they do, and all the other Confederates are equal as brothers.

What marks distinguish classes in your nation?
Holding up a "Black Lives Matter" flag and chanting about perceived racism or sexism isn't going to get you very far. Especially not when the black guy in front of you isn't.

Cough, cough. TWI only...cough!

[Domanania]

Domanania's answers:

How is social class perceived in your nation?
Social classes among the common people are never really discussed. Among the religious heads and government, they can be seen as causes to all problems more often than not.


Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?
Domanium separates people into two groups. Believers, or nonbelievers. And since the government has long been influenced by this, there are legal restrictions on people who adhere to a different faith. This separation draws a line between followers of the "true faith" and others. Seeing the believers as the enlightened people who will have their souls pass through to the afterlife they deserve. Nonbelievers are seen as the enemies that will become the hordes of undead when the apocalypse comes. And through this, the government has non-believers pay a large fee once a year to renew a "False Religion Permit" to practice in their borders.


Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?
The unofficial class is "Noble", which is left over from the times of the Crown (which is currently being reinstated). They were the land holders and the rich who had sway over the crown. These noble houses still exist, and have sway over some of the government due to family and money ties.


How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?
They are seen as an Honorary title more than an actual entity. Some members of the nobles are common folk, while some are business owners and politicians.


What marks distinguish classes in your nation?
Religion and History define classes.

[Torom]

How is social class perceived in your nation?
Social class is perceived ambivalently in Torom. It is mainly accepted as part of life, but the ideas of social class are beginning to be changing with more modern views of the world.


Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?
Yes there are legally established social classes. It’s mainly between the nobility and the rest of the citizens. The noble class is met with a mix of both praise and scrutiny due to their wealth, decadence, and political power compared to the average citizen.


Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?
There are none in Torom.


How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?
N/A


What marks distinguish classes in your nation?
No specific distinguishing marks are present between the nobility and the citizens outside the obvious solendor and grandeur.

[Noronica]

How is social class perceived in your nation?

It is seen as natural for any nation to have social classes due to the inevitable split of wealth and situation. Social class is mostly seen as a historical issue, seeing as Noronica had strict social divisions between nobility and peasantry throughout the years. Some have more of a care than others on the issues of social classes, and political parties were formed during the time of industrial revolution in Noronica to represent the 'lower classes'.

Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?

Historically, the division between class was delineated strictly, peasantry, bishopry, nobility, king, etc. As Noronica modernised, classes became more fluid especially with the advent of better economic systems than feudalism emerged. Eventually, the class system became merely a description of a household's wealth and status in Noronica rather than birth or political status. However, the nobility continued into the twenty-first century through the aristocracy, as the clan system is still very much active. Although they do not play much of a significant role, aristocratic families do still exist.

Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?

Working Class, Middle Class and Upper Class.

How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?

As mentioned above, it depends on whether one really cares about social status. Those in the so-called 'Upper Class' can be perceived to be arrogant and snobbish as they have more wealth than those in the other classes.

Classes are really only based on wealth, so the anger felt towards those in the upper class is only due to wealth. Each class has its stereotypes, but social class is not what would be considered a serious issue in Noronica, only a topic for impassioned debates on capitalism and the issue of poverty.

What marks distinguish classes in your nation?

Income for the informal classes, and for those in the aristocracy, titles.

[Almorea]

How is social class perceived in your nation?
Social class is informal and determined by socioeconomic factors, such as wealth and location. Perceptions of social class vary from region to region and reflect local prejudices and sensibilities.


Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?
The codification of social class was originally prohibited by Article 6 of the Constitution, which states that "the equality of the free citizens of the Federal Union shall be upheld by the government." Slavery was a legal institution until the conclusion of the Dissolution War in 1864. Native Almoreans were typically enslaved, as the servitude of white persons was banned officially in 1791.


Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?
The typical classes one would find in a developed nation- upper, middle, and "working", or lower, class. Divisions such as "upper middle class" or "upper working class" are sometimes described.


How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?
Social mobility and upward advancement is a general goal. When people try to find a scapegoat for the economy's problems, they will either attack the upper or working class, based on their own position, with the shrinking middle class a victim of economic instability.


What marks distinguish classes in your nation?
The trappings of wealth- different incomes, which lead to different cars, houses, clothes, educations, food, etc.

[Cosie]

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Social Classes
A TWI Nation Building Writing Prompt

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Updated: 7 January 2019

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[AN: This reply to a November writing prompt is being posted in January. To that, I say: Better late than never!]

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1. How is social class perceived in your nation?

The Cosian government loves to highlight the island's diversity in its tourism campaigns, with folks of all colours and creeds laughing together in peace and harmony. The picture they paint isn't actually far from reality, but the average Cosian would be quick to tell you how much of the Layman Island's society can be stratisfied.

Cultural lines are the most visible, where differences in lifestyles can even be found within one ethnic group. Though one's heritage no longer dictates their role in Cosian society, it may still help inform one of their hometown, the language they speak, their preferred cuisine, etc. Economic lines also exist, though besides owning larger stuff, the only thing that really sets the rich apart is the scale at which they can commit poor life choices. Regional lines tie in many elements from the first two, but the divide between coastal Cosie and its inland population are more pronounced compared to the others.

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2. Are there legally or religiously established classes? If so, what are they? How are they perceived?

The Cosian government tries to curry favour with almost all sectors of local society; they're not choosy when it comes to extracting people's goodwill. But, as mentioned in a previous prompt, special attention is given to the quoci people, specifically members of the various tribes within the special inland region of Quozco. As the Layman Island's native children (and a major source of tourist revenue), the government has done much to help the tribespeople preserve their way of living, from granting special land rights to awarding them frivolous luxury items.

Most Cosians don't have any strong opinions regarding the special treatment these tribes receive, seeing as most of them don't even interact with the tribespeople on a daily basis. Many buckaroos, Cosie's very own community of cowboy ranchers, do live near the quoci tribes; a lot of them are none too happy to have these "freeloaders" occupying land they think could be used for grazing instead.

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3. Are there informal or unofficial, classes? If so, what are they?

Along cultural lines, you could simply define entire ethnic groups as social classes and call it a day. It doesn't actually end there, though; there also exists sub-cultures within a few ethnic groups that can be defined as social classes by themselves. Much like how the aforementioned buckaroos are quite distinct from the larger rioll community's Hispanic roots, the buccaneers, Cosie's long-standing community of pirates, live wildly different lives from others within the Caribbean-influenced windie community.

To put it simply, economic lines separate Cosie's destitute, its working-class, its middle-class, and its high society from each other.

Regional lines split Cosie's population into two distinct types: the "urban" Cosians who live by the coast, and the "rural" Cosians who live further inland.

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4. How are these informal classes perceived? Are they hated, or sought after? Why?

Cosie's cultural lines have been blurring with each generation. With the mixed coby population serving as the island's majority, people from different ethnic groups are finding it easier and more worthwhile than ever to hang out with each other. Cultural lines haven't served as a source of tension for a long time (besides the one between quocis and buckaroos).

Along economic lines, most would obviously rather have more money than what they currently have in their piggy bank. With that in mind, the desire to be part of the upper classes (or the resentment against them) isn't that strong in the Cosian population, and nobody's going out of their way to discriminate against people based on their income. Interestingly, many well-off Cosians tend to frequent cafes in the poorer areas of the island.

Regional lines are the biggest barriers dividing a population that already claims itself to be united. Few seasiders would want to associate with the "stuffy bumpkins" from the forests and plains, while the inlanders tend to look down on the coastal folk and their penchant for chaos.

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5. What marks distinguish classes in your nation?

One's face would be the most obvious, but not the most accurate, distinguishing factor along cultural lines; it's usually a given for a Cosian Chinese to not have grown up the same way a black windie might have. What language one speaks can help separate a Spanish-speaking rioll from a Francophone padeur, or a white English-speaking windie. The typical outfit of a quoci tribesperson or a buckaroo make them easy to spot among a sea of different Cosians.

You can figure out who's who along Cosie's economic lines by the area they live in or the cars they drive (if they have one). It's not easy to tell wealthy Cosians from a glance, seeing as they wear gaudy clothes just as often as the island's hardcore poor; however, the perfume or cologne they have on can make for a dead give-away to their level of income.

The marks for distinguishing Cosians between regional lines aren't really obvious. Some people simply assume that the average inlander would look tidier, wear simpler clothes, and maybe put on wide-brimmed hats in a public setting.

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CosiecheckForEN

[The Western Isles Office of Role-Play]

TWI Nation Building Writing Prompt: November, 2018

Welcome to the second Nationbuilding prompt by Belle Ilse en Terre. As always, this will be focused on some aspect of your nation that you may not have seriously considered, encouraging an attachment to and the development of your nation.

• What entities can tax in your nation? Who proposes taxes and who collects them?
• What sorts of taxes exist, who pays taxes and what taxes do they pay?
• What is the primary source of government revenue? What entities pay the most in taxes?
• Describe the budget process. Who determines how revenue is spent?
• What is tax culture like? How do citizens generally views taxes?

My (Belle Ilse en Terre's) answers:

What entities can tax in your nation? Who proposes taxes and who collects them?

There are two legally sanctioned entities that may collect taxes in the Ilse, The national government, and the Peers of the realm. National taxes are proposed by the House of Lords, skipping the Commons, and national taxes are collected by Agents of the Director of Finance, who is still called the Chief Exchequer by most. Peers may also collect taxes from their provinces and have burgeoning bureaucracy who carry out such work. Cities may also collect taxes in a manner determined by the city, which usually involves a local legislative body.

Local nobles also exact a tax, akin to tallage, on those who own property within their feudal domain. This particular tax is usually only exacted with the approval of the Peer, though when such permission is not granted, a similar revenue stream is generated through rent. In the Northwestern Ilse, especially in Belle Ile, tithes are collected by the Catholic Church, though with decreasing regularity, and social expectations increasing demand that such tithes be used for the poor.

What sorts of taxes exist, who pays taxes and what taxes do they pay?

On the national level, there is a commoner tax, on all person not of noble blood, and a lump sum tax on all citizens of the Ilse. There are also tariffs on certain imported goods, especially on cheaper cars. Other taxes, including national income and property taxes, and sustainability taxes have been proposed, but they still await approval. Peers tend to levy income taxes on all members of their provinces, though most provinces offer exemptions for civil service, which is predominated by nobles. Provinces also have regional taxes, such as a deforestation tax in both Surrey and the Swail, and a tax on ferries travelling between Belle Ile and La Capitale. Licensing and permit taxes is also extremely common, with licenses for driving, fishing, and other activities, though there rates fluctuate and fees are sometimes waived. Cities use property and capital gains taxes, especially in Gloria and Fort par la Mer.

What is the primary source of government revenue? What entities pay the most in taxes?

The primary source of national revenue is from the flat tax on non-nobles, and for the Peers it the income taxes, though licensing and patents, with its mildly corrupt nature, can sometimes rival income taxes. Cities usually make a great deal of money through their property taxes.

In general, the nobility and prosperous burgers pay the least in taxes, and those who are middle class pay the most.

Describe the budget process. Who determines how revenue is spent?

The national budget is proposed by the House of Lords, generally vote to subsidise their home provinces, and maintain the army and air force, in which many of them hold positions. The House of Commons, though not allowed to determine the budget process, usually floods the Lords with suggestion, with hopes that the occasional spending suggestion will be passed. The King, though he has no direct control over budget decisions in the House of Lords, often makes firm recommendations about spending, especially in regards to his infrastructure programmes.

The Peers usually appoint a Provincial Exchequer who makes budgets and proposes them to the Peer, and often to a provincial legislative body of some kind. These are generally put back into the province, maintaining a gendarmerie, internal infrastructure, and personal expenses, though these may include parks and cultural significances, such as opera houses, orchestras, museums, and the like.

What is tax culture like? How do citizens generally views taxes?

Taxes tend to be fairly light and uncomplicated, and are only mildly resented. The primary source of anger and dissatisfaction is who is paying the tax, not how much they may pay. It is very possible many people would welcome tax increases in favour of inter-provincial highways.

[Menna Shuli]

What entities can tax in your nation? Who proposes taxes and who collects them?
The only organization with actual taxing power is the national government in the form of the Têmênna Sâtêp. However, on a practical basis, local princely cast administrations in small communities (especially in the most rural areas of the country) can effectively leverage their own taxes based on traditional forms of patrimonialism. Tax proposals are voted on by the Sâtêp and are usually forwarded by the 'uhitap's office, but individual senators might propose specific taxes as required as a form of legislation. Tax collection is generally performed by the Bureau of Finances, but its highly inefficient.

What sorts of taxes exist, who pays taxes and what taxes do they pay?
In brief, there are four primary forms of tax in MS: income tax, sales tax, movement tax and import duties. In addition, there are other, minor and niche taxes, usually in the form of tariffs. Income tax is applied directly to annual incomes and is usually collected from employers on a per paycheque basis (if applicable), sales tax is factored into the cost of most consumer goods, movement taxes are levied at worker and warrior caste individuals who leave their place of birth as part of a promisory system, and import duties are levied at incoming goods. Income tax is regressive for the most part, with the Princely Caste paying an average of 5% on income, and workers paying an average of 39%, although it is far easier to collect on taxes from the vêhitap.

What is the primary source of government revenue? What entities pay the most in taxes?
A large body of minor taxes form the bulk of government revenue, but the largest single tax revenue comes from income tax. The Vêkivêv'at, or merchant caste, pay the largest bulk sum, due to their relatively sizable population and fair incomes, at $9,349,868,933.59 after factoring in tax collection inefficiencies.

Describe the budget process. Who determines how revenue is spent?
Budgets are proposed every year by the 'uhitap, usually with a period of advisement by selected vekivela and important vehitap. It is then discussed and voted on by the Sâtêp as a piece of legislation, with all that that entails, albeit that the standard tradition of dropping legislation after a triple proposal is ignored. Internally, revenue spending once budgets have been applied are determined by the heads of various bureaus and departments with approval by the Satep.

What is tax culture like? How do citizens generally views taxes?
Taxes are universally seen as a burden by urban-dwellers, although there are huge inefficiencies in collection as a result of poor documentation and a huge black market. Princes will often offshore their revenue to prevent taxing if applicable, and many lower caste individuals are paid under the table or in cash.

[Dormill and Stiura]

What entities can tax in your nation? Who proposes taxes and who collects them?
The National Congress of the United Republics is given the enumerated right to lay and collect taxes, as stated in Chapter II, Article 22, Section 5 "[Control the revenue of the nation, including;] Lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises", and taxes are collected by the Bureau of Revenue and Taxation of the Ministry of the Treasury at the national level. Also in the Constitution, it grants the Republics the right to lay and collect taxes through Chapter VII, Article 2, Sections 2 and 3 "No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken." and "No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any Republic to any other Republic." The tax code of the United Republics is determined by the National Congress, where legislation starts with the Forum Committee on the Treasury, where any legislation follows the formal path of all other legislation. However, the Forum requires a quorum of 2/3rds in order to vote on matters relating to the Treasury. Each Republic is also allowed to propose their own tax codes, though it is a subject of continued debate as to whether a Republic can overturn or amend the federal tax code, or only add to it.

What sorts of taxes exist, who pays taxes and what taxes do they pay?
In the United Republics, there are Income Taxes (which is generally levied in the form of Payroll Taxes), Capital Gains, Corporate, Inheritance, Property Taxes, a variation on England's Council Tax, Sales Taxes (this tax is not directly set by the National Congress, but is provided as a range that Republics and Municipalities tax within.), Alcohol, Carbon, a proposed Gas/Diesel tax to promote a transition to Hybrids, EVs, and public transport, and some minor tolls and tariffs.

Broadly, everybody in the United Republics pays taxes in some form or another. The most notable exception is that members of the National Congress, the President, and most officers of the government, do not have their "incomes" taxed, as they are legally considered "compensation for services". There is a debate with regards to that if other government employees should also be exempted from income taxes, but the only major party to support such measures is the Socialist Party.

What is the primary source of government revenue? What entities pay the most in taxes?
Government Revenue is generated by taxes, with some instances of borrowing from foreign nations in particular situations. The wealthiest portions of the nation pays out the most in taxes, though most of the tax revenue is generated by the much larger middle class.

Describe the budget process. Who determines how revenue is spent?
Government Budgets start as proposals by various economic ministries and offices, each of which submits their own reports on a decennial basis to the National Congress. These reports serve as the basis for the economic policy, which then becomes bills and laws through the National Congress. The Republics also debate on where they stand on tax laws through the Council Committee on Taxation, and make adjustments on any bills presented to the Forum there before a final vote is made. After an appropriations bill becomes law, the Treasury takes the time to ensure the proper finances, within a margin of error given how some projects go, are set aside for its use.

What is tax culture like? How do citizens generally views taxes?
For as much as the education system has attempted to make taxes easy to understand, it is still widely believed that the nation's taxes are overly complicated and in need of reform and simplification. Additionally, as mentioned prior, there are active debates over the responsibility the Republics have when it comes to taxation and whether government employees should be taxed. Most citizens, even the richest, view taxes as a necessary means of financing the government that offers as many services as the United Republics does.

[The Western Isles Office of Role-Play]

TWI Nation Building Writing Prompt: February, 2019

Welcome to the first Nationbuilding prompt by Dormill and Stiura. As always, this will be focused on some aspect of your nation that you may not have seriously considered, encouraging an attachment to and the development of your nation.

This month's topic, due to its sudden relevance recent conversations will be climate.

1. Describe the Climate of your nation to the best of your ability, you may also use Koppen-Geiger Classifications.
2. Describe the average daily weather in your nation's capital or other major city.
3. Describe any climate "anomalies" that exist in your nation, these can range from a seasonal/temperate climate in unusual latitudes or other weird phenomenon.
4. What was the worst storm in your nation's history?

Secretary's Answers:

1: Dormill and Stiura's climate can be generally divided into two distinct zones, Coastal and Inland temperate, or Cfb and Highland Cfb. This division defines the sub-region of the United Republics between the Inland and the North Coast, with the North Coast being generally cooler than the Inland.

2: For most of the year, Courlaroux and Kapolder generally experience high humidity and clear weather, with rain being averagely frequent. In winter, however, the weather broadly changes to increased overcasts and rainfall.

3: The White and Blue rivers in southern Dormill are slightly warmer on average than the rest of the nation, providing the widest area of arable land compared to the Helle or Kapolder river valleys.

4: The Blizzard of 1829 was the most violent recorded snowstorm in Dormill and Stiura, affecting most of the Inland with several feet of snow. This was compounded by a cold front that kept the majority of the affected areas frozen for over a week. The Blizzard of 1829 resulted in the death of several hundreds of citizens.

[Nhoor]

The climate on the islands of Nhoor is cool and temperate, and regulated by the seas that surround it. It generally classifies as an oceanic climate (Cfc) according to Köppen. Winds mostly come from the west and rainfall is strongest on the western sides of the islands. There is no marked wet and dry season Temperatures generally lie between 22°C in summer and -10°C in winter (slightly cooler in higher areas), but locally on the eastside of Oreqh summer temperatures of more than 30°C, or temperatures dropping to below -20°C in the northeastern part of Jōnsoch pw Ta̦rleqh in winter are no exceptions.

Sārruc, the capital and largest city of Nhoor, has around 320 rainy (or snowy) days a year. The sky is usually cloudy even if it doesn’t rain, and sunny summer days with a completely blue sky are rare and cherished. Winter days are usually chilly and gloomy.

The eastern side of the eastern mountain ridge on the island Camhɵrlanh has a couple of small areas with an ET (tundra) climate.

The storm that is considered the most severe in Nhoor by popular opinion is the 1923 November storm, which flooded parts of the west coasts of especially the northern islands, hitting the cities of Sārruc and Sā̦qdws, and causing land slides on several places; 53 deaths were recorded, mostly due to drowning.
A storm that hit Orleqh in 1988 was probably far worse however, with floodings, uprooted trees, destroyed farmhouses, and further damage to nature. The northern part of the island was hit far more severely than the rest of the island and as few civilised areas had been hit, this storm didn’t linger in people’s memories for long.

[Creek Islands]

Describe the Climate of your nation to the best of your ability, you may also use Koppen-Geiger Classifications.
The climate of the Creek Islands is predominantly classified as both Tropical rainforest climate (Af) and Tropical monsoon climate (Am) according to the Köppen climate classification, with warm to hot temperatures all year round and high levels of rainfall. In the northern portion of the archipelago, which experiences a monsoon climate, wet and dry seasons are clearly defined, with extreme precipitation during the months of March and September, and a cessation of seasonal rains causing an irregular drought during the months of October and January. In the plateau-filled center of the archipelago, the Campestre, pockets of a Tropical savanna climate (Aw) are scattered through.

Describe the average daily weather in your nation's capital or other major city.
Nova Baia has a humid tropical monsoon climate (Am) according to the Köppen climate classification, with an average annual compensated temperature of 26,7 °C (80 °F) and high air humidity, with a rainfall index of around 2,300 (90.6 in) annually. The seasons are relatively well defined with respect to rain: the winter is relatively dry (December to March), and the summer is very rainy. There have been occasional occurrences of hail rain in the city.

Describe any climate "anomalies" that exist in your nation, these can range from a seasonal/temperate climate in unusual latitudes or other weird phenomenon.
At higher altitudes on the Campestre region, there have been numerous, isolated occurrences of snowfall in past decades. Studies have classified the high-altitude region as with a Subtropical highland climate (Cfb/Cwb). The explanation of this mysterious climate is still unknown, due to the fact that the Creeker archipelago is near the Equator and such weather would be unlikely to happen in natural circumstances.

What was the worst storm in your nation's history?
The most severe and destructive storm to hit the Creek Islands was the Lima tropical storm, that happened on April 27th, 1971, running through the northernmost states of the archipelago; Ilha do Pará and Paranágua. The storm flooded vast portions of land, especially those around coastal plains and swamps and causing major, damaging landslides. 37 deaths were recorded and small municipalities had their structures and houses critically damaged, on account of disregard to violent winds.

[The Western Isles Office of Role-Play]

TWI Nation Building Writing Prompt: April, 2019

Welcome to the second Nationbuilding prompt by Dormill and Stiura, yes I know I am a month late on this sush March was a slow month. As always, this will be focused on some aspect of your nation that you may not have seriously considered, encouraging an attachment to and the development of your nation.

This month's topic, due to its sudden relevance recent conversations will be the famous peoples of your nation.

1. Who is considered to be the most famous person in your nation's history? Why are they regarded as such?
2. Who is considered to be the most infamous person in your nation's history? Why are they regarded as such?
3. How does your nation handle celebrities?

Secretary's Answers:

1. The most famous person in Doraltic history is likely President Nicholas Favre, who is credited with the longest reign of any President in Doraltic history and the architect of modern Federalism. His fame also extends through his social programs and the expansion of Dormill and Stiura's influence throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2. The most infamous person, on the other hand, is Ludovic Denis. Denis was the last President of the United Republics before the Imperial War and he is remembered exclusively for his actions leading into his reign. He instigated a race war between the people of Dormill and Stiura and in his later years attempted the genocide of the Baimjedian people of southern Dormill, claiming them to be non human. He is the example that is most often shown as to why Dormill and Stiura should stay as far away as possible from extremism.

3. Dormill and Stiura gives no real special privileges to celebrities that it doesn't extend to other citizens. That being said their wealth and fame has made them a target for lawmakers on the left as "capitalism gone too far" or for reactionaries
to claim these people as the end all be all reason for societal collapse. The average person obviously follows their chosen celebrity as closely as legally possible and the tabloid industry is alive and well, even though the government has intentions to introduce a "Truth in Reporting" law to force these tabloids to either rebrand themselves as non-news or perform accurate reporting, but affairs in the world has kept the attention of Congress away from that annoying bug.

[Nhoor]

An additional answer to the question who is the most famous or infamous person in Nhoor's history, is one regarding a person who is both famous and infamous:
Wnhaced Sa̦nti̦rherwscɵs (/’u̯ake:d ɕɑncəɹe’rɯ:skɔs/ WA-kayd shahn-chuh-ray-rOOs-koss, 1723 – 1804) was a prolific writer, poet, and playwright who contributed a lot to the Nhoor language and basically helped shape its modern variant. His most known work is Uqar li rhwmwsili (‘The wolves’ weapons’, 1751), a satirical epos that can be seen as a protest against the decadence of the nobility and the rich and wealthy citizens of Nhoor. The work is mandatory at primary school and children have to learn it by heart, with most adults still being able to recite large parts of it upon request. Although most ordinary people despise Sa̦nti̦rherwscɵs because of this, literary experts considered him one of the greatest Nhoor who ever lived. In most towns and cities streets, parks, and the occasional school are named after him.

Among the famous are: Conad Broq (/’ko:nɑd bro:ɴ/ kOH-nad brOHng, *1926). Leader of the socialist dock workers’ union of Nhoor who famously offered himself in exchange for the impopular director of a transhipment company and his pregnant wife who were taken hostage by a drug gang. During one of their clandestine operations in the port of Cinharda in October 1982, the gang was caught in the act by the harbour police and in an attempt to secure a way out for themselves, they took the director and his wife hostage. The exchange was done smoothly, although the wife gave birth too early because of the excitement, but the situation ended in a stalemate for several days. During the final liberation attempt, Broq was shot in his left leg, which had to be amputated. Although Broq wasn’t able to work anymore after this, his actions lead to more attention to the working conditions of dock workers, which significantly improved after that.

Among the infamous are: Ƨīnhāro Buysony (/’tsi̯a:ro ‘byjsoɲ/ ts-yAH-roh bWEE-soñ, *1951). Director of an adoption agency that turned out to sell children that were less likely to be adopted into slavery abroad. When her scheme was discovered in 2004, she was at first believed to have known nothing about it, and two of her assistants were sentenced to a lifetime in jail. New evidence that emerged in 2011 and 2012 revealed however that she was the real head of the operation and that one of the convicted assistants was innocent. Buysony was arrested before she could leave the country and is currently spending the remainder of her life in prison.

Nhoor's handling of celebrities: There is a growing criticism regarding Nhoor’s non handling of celebrities. People generally become as famous as the populace wants them to be and ‘becoming famous’ is basically the goal instead of the side effect that should come with other noteworthy actions. In the last twenty or even thirty years or so, the main purpose of Nhoor television shows is to keep famous people famous, which had lead to the premature end of promising careers of singers, actors, and even sportspeople, who were offered more money for participating in talkshows as so called society experts. Tabloid journalists in Nhoor are mostly lazy, as they don’t have to make a lot of effort to find dirty stuff about the rich and famous; most of them will happily provide juicy details on whatever people want to know. There is an ongoing discussion in parliament and in public whether or not this has gone too far and if opposing quality requirements to television shows can be seen as a limitation of the freedoms of speech and press.

[Polar Svalbard]

TWI Nation Building Writing Prompt: May, 2019

First Nationbuilding Prompt by me, yay.

This month's topic, which I thought about while writing some ideas, is simple. What interesting things are happening in your nation? These can be ideas you have, stuff not big enough to be in the news, stuff that's in the news, stuff that's planned, etc. You can have multiple answers, some ideas are what's going on domestically, internationally, any companies having interesting things, scandals, etc.

My answers:

Let me think about it.

[Athara Magarat]

The so-called "Hornet Wars" are still ongoing in Athara Magarat. In other internal news, a clan has become extinct after three separate families that constituted it were murdered the same night.

For international, Athara Magaratis are getting eager to welcome Nhoor to the Cooperative Union. I think I will have more in the news but this is it for now.

[Corindia]

Obviously there's a lot of space stuff seen in Corindia, but stations aside, I'm working on other missions as well.

[Enchanta]

The Modernist War is the major thing