This is obviously directed at nations that identify as communist, socialist, social-democratic, left-anarchist, or whatever. What is your nation's approach to socialism? How do you deal with questions of equality, productivity, democracy, markets, etc? What problems does your nation confront in building socialism?
The Workers' Federal Republic of Letat is a communalist and eco-conscious society. A federal government guarantees certain basic rights: the right to freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, the right to employment, the right to participate in public ownership, the right to education and the right to a clean environment. Most decisions, especially economic ones, occur at the level of cities or communes. Even national defense exists mostly in the form of community defense organizations, though a small Federal task force also exists. Letatians use currency and markets, but production is accomplished through Popular Directorates (Directorats Populaires or "les Dipos," in Letatian French) that operate on community levels. Dipos are worker- and community-owned. Communal representatives and workers elect managers and executives and endorse each Dipo's major plans. Dipos requiring national coordination become Associated Popular Directorates (Directorat Populaire Associé) or "Dipassos". Typically, Dipassos just set standards for production and common parts to be used.
Letat uses a republican model of government. Thus, most elections are to determine representatives: Dipo and Dipasso managerial teams and executive boards, communal administrations, National Assembly and Senate seats, and of course the Letatian Presidency. All political parties are legal. Suffrage is at 18 for all persons. One must be a citizen to vote in national elections, a resident of a commune to vote in communal elections, or a member of a Dipo/Dipasso to vote in economic elections. Direct democracy is rare, though referenda are sometimes convened for important questions. Generally, a referendum is conducted via community council, where a random drawing of residents are appointed to vote on an issue after a consideration period.
Letatian socialism has seen great success in environmental protection, healthcare provision, and equality; however, there are of course problems.
There are divides over whether Dipos should be more under the control of workers or more under the control of the community. There are many executives of Dipassos who would like to have more authority, and a great deal of inefficiency in Dipassos by comparison with capitalist corporations, that make such authority attractive. Communes and the federal government constantly bicker over who should have more control and more tax money, and over what Dipos should be subsidized. Communes vary widely among themselves in the extent of markets: Chevallois is perhaps indistinguishable from most capitalist towns, with a town center of small enterprises. By contrast, Jeuns is extremely radical - all money is turned over to the communal administration who purchases goods to distribute freely among residents as they need them. Most communes direct themselves somewhere in between.
The two most common complaints are too many elections and not enough things. There are those who feel that Letatians spend too much time voting and not enough time being productive, though this is contrary to Letatian civic virtue. There is also a somewhat legitimate complaint that Dipo production does not afford them all the wealth a capitalist corporation might. For example, Letat has only .2 cars per person (less than one car per family), and only 38% of households own a television set. The government claims, however, that Letatian socialism has provided everyone with necessities and some level of comfort.
We maintain the utmost faith that Letatian socialism will continue to strive forward in the years ahead.
