Has democracy (or its absence) been good or bad for YN?

[Foreverisle]

Foreverisle is about to hold a referendum on changing the way we select our lawmakers.

Presently, the closest thing we have to a parliament is our Grand Jury. This is a body of people chosen at random (similar to the way some nations select jurors for court duty) but from across different demographic groups to ensure a balanced composition. To ensure willingness, only those who have applied to become Grand Jurors are invited.

Each Grand Juror serves a five-year term and cannot be called again after the completion of their term.

It has been suggested though that an electable parliament or assembly should replace the Grand Jury, with candidates and political parties presenting manifestos and citizens casting votes at regular intervals.

Supporters of this plan say that it is much fairer than the Grand Jury system because electing representatives means that the public can also hold them to account if necessary. They say that a legislature chosen at random cannot always be certain of providing a true reflection of the wishes of the nation as a whole.

Opponents argue that democracy would hinder the effectiveness of the legislature because electable politicians can be easily compromised by party whips and populism. They say that a legislature that doesn't have to worry about whether its members get re-elected is empowered to make unpopular but necessary decisions.

Foreverisle seeks the views of the international community before our citizens go to the polls.

Do you use democracy in your nation? Is your government and/or legislature electable, either in part or wholly?

What have you found to be the best and worst things about the system you use?

[Lillorainen]

The Federation of Lillorainen uses its own unique government system, which is called Federative National Meritocracy (this term, or the short form FedNatMer, is also used to describe the Federation's government type in general).
In this system, a one-party system, there are two parliament chambers, the Meritocratic Council and the Chamber of States. The MC consists of about 300 members, and in order to enter it, one must apply for it, to have his/her knowledge, experience, and personal merits (especially for Lillorainian society) tested; an interview is held, and the majority of all MMCs already in must approve of the candidate. The President and all Ministers have to be MMCs.
The CoS consists of representatives of the 14 Lillorainian federal states and is democratically elected; Party membership is not required, but very usual. It is the control instrument for the MC, to make sure, that Lillorainen won't suddenly end up as a totalitarian dictatorship. Unlike the MC, an MCoS is only elected for a term of four years, but can be re-elected infinite times.
Both chambers, as well as the President, have legislative initiative, and all three institutions have to approve new laws (the parliament chambers by at least 50% majority). Constitutional changes have higher barriers regarding the percentage of votes in favor, and in addition, require a referendum. The latter can also be the case for non-constitutional laws. In order to ensure the independence of the judiciary, judges are not allowed to be Party members, and also may not have a notable history in politics.
On state level, the systems may vary a bit, but are all in all somewhat similar.

This system has proven to be the most efficient ones that ever existed in Lillorainen. Despite being a single-party thing, freedoms of opinion, thought, and speech are granted by constitution and thoroughly upheld. The free exchange of ideas is an important pillar of the system - censorship is illegal.
The advantage, as usually pointed out, is, that the system grants efficiency, and is generally considered beneficial by making politicians earn the right to be in power. Similar to absolute monarchies, long-term decisions can be made, for at least the President and the MMCs don't need to worry about getting re-elected. For the same time, the people do have a say and appropriate possibilities to control what the government is doing.
While it had multiple flaws from its establishment (in 1981) to the late 1990s, it has turned out to be working quite well since then.

Foreverisle could easily copy the Lillorainian format and add a democratically elected chamber to the Grand Jury, in order to not only please both sides, but also to combine the people's voice with the efficiency the Grand Jury has.

[Foreverisle]

Greetings and thank you for your response.

That does indeed sound like an excellent system, and one which could be beneficial to Foreverisle.

It will be conveyed to the Grand Jury and indeed the people as we approach referendum day.

[Lillorainen]

Greetings and thank you for your response.

That does indeed sound like an excellent system, and one which could be beneficial to Foreverisle.

It will be conveyed to the Grand Jury and indeed the people as we approach referendum day.

Greetings, and no problem! It's pleasant to hear, that it's being considered. Good luck!

[Strahcoin]

The Strahconian Republic operates under a constitutional presidential republic. While, unlike direct democracies, the people don't vote directly on individual issues; they do elect representatives to lead the nation on their behalf, and they are allowed to freely express their opinions and ideas without fear of persecution. The constitution ensures the government protects the natural rights of the people and prevents it from infringing upon them. This is good for

• The people, because it ensures the government works for them (and not the other way around);
• The nation, because free, satisfied citizens are more productive and patriotic;
• And the governing officials, because they have little to no fear of being violently overthrown by the general populace.

The Strahconian Republic encourages other nations to take a similar approach of adopting a constitutional republic. It also encourages the nations to take measures to prevent corruption and ensure that politicians take responsibility for their actions.

[Victorious Decepticons]

The absence of democracy has been great for our nation, which, due to this lack, does not have to worry about silly public trends, glorified memes, and other stupidity interfering with either domestic or foreign policy. While public sentiment actually does count (because we don't want any popular revolution-attempts happening), we can focus on just what the people actually care about and completely avoid outrage-of-the-day "politics." Since our government is not decided by base, mindless, popularity contest posturing, we get better officials all the way down.

At the top of the government is Leader Megatron, who rules with absolute power. Unlike some dictators on other planets, Megatron is legitimately an autocrat, instead of some "president" who goes through a ritual of faking an election every so often. This eliminates a common flashpoint for revolts since there is no disconnect between the amount of power Megatron is supposed to have and what he actually has.

Below Megatron are his direct appointees. This goes far beyond a mere cabinet. Every administrator of every district is chosen from a list of candidates generated by the Domestic Intelligence Supercomputer, which is the most powerful non-sapient computer in the known universe. It is the machine responsible for sifting through the teraflops of surveillance data that comes in through Domestic Intelligence at all times, and it is very good at predicting who will be a good administrator for any particular district.

The computer itself doesn't make the final determinations for who gets appointed, but it does generate lists for each district. Then, Leader Megatron jacks into it via a direct connection and looks through all of the data for each candidate. He then picks the ones he figures will be best for each opening.

District administrators are reviewed every year, and any who are found to be underperforming are replaced. Replacements are also chosen for any who have resigned, been killed, or have otherwise vacated their positions.

Moving up several ranks, there are the High Generals. These are also directly chosen by Leader Megatron. The top criteria is that they be experts at warfare, as is suggested by their titles. However, those who are also experts at something else, for example science or surveillance, are put in charge of corresponding government departments. Not every High General gets to run a department. All, however, have some kind of private business of their own, and some are especially known for it.

Thanks to the ability to learn extensive, minute details about all potential candidates, we are not plagued with the problems that come with low-tech cronyism. It is highly unlikely that any appointee will turn out to be baldly incompetent, attempt to start a separate fief and then revolt, sell out to an enemy, or steal more than is normally expected of a Decepticon government functionary (which is admittedly quite a bit, compared to actual "anti-corruption" nations - we ARE all Decepticons, after all).

While no government system is perfect, we think ours is as close as it comes. We will warn, however, that the key to a successful dictatorship is to have a competent dictator who is wealthy enough to not feel the need to engage in so much corruption that it brings poverty to the rest of the country. This is why we do not have any qualms about the fact that our two biggest companies are privately owned - by Leader Megatron himself. Because of this, we get actual products in exchange for the riches he gains from the nation, and it is our good fortune that these products are high-quality. It also ensures that he doesn't end up stealing from us in order to pay for his mansion or his latest extremely expensive upgrade.

A good dictator should also take pride in his nation, so that he will be highly unsatisfied if said nation ever becomes a backwater, gets infested with shantytowns, or otherwise sucks. Leader Megatron will not put up with Victorious Decepticons sucking, both because he actually loves this nation and because it would reflect badly on him if it wasn't the advanced, thriving nation that it is. This ensures that, no matter what the reason, his goals do indeed align with our own.

Of course, Megatron also embodies our national character perfectly. That's why you'll never see him trying to put a bunch of laws into place. We believe that the government should butt out of our lives as much as possible, but we do acknowledge that it has the natural right to protect itself from revolution (which always carries a high risk of death for a dictator). Therefore, we tolerate the massive Domestic Intelligence Division (DomIntel), which does all of the surveillance and data collection mentioned in the section about choosing district administrators. Thanks to DomIntel, Megatron is able to know things that, in democracies, must be guessed at through imprecise and often-wrong polling. Of course, DomIntel also roots out dissidents, spies, those who would promote the weakening of Decepticon culture, and other malign agents so that they can be duly eliminated.

[Iciaros]

While Iciaros does have an absolute monarch, in practice the monarch does very little herself. It has a parliament-like central lawmaking body, albeit an undemocratic one, known as the Imperial Legislative Commission. The Commission is a bicameral legislature, with its lower house comprising representatives from districts across the nation, and its upper house comprising representatives from provinces, which are larger administrative divisions than districts.

The problem that Foreverisle contends with seems to be an issue of accountability and representativeness versus populism and party politics. Iciaros' Commission, being undemocratic, tends more towards issues of the former variety.

In terms of accountability, Iciaros maintains a system known as the Anti-Corruption Records, which subjects senior government officials (including lawmakers) to a privacy-invasive regime, including allowing them only to operate with government-approved devices, having tracking devices implanted on them, and even having their homes and body wiretapped. These records, though confidential, rest with under the authority of a higher and independent body, which can examine them and present them as evidence to the Prosecutor's Office if corruption is alleged. While there is always a question of the higher body being corrupt, Iciaros is less concerned with this, as the people on this body are fewer in number, hand-picked by the monarch, and are themselves monitored with their own records being available to the monarch. In Foreverisle's case, they may be more interested in an independent record database, over which no one person holds the power to erase or modify data, which can be made available to independent courts in enforcing accountability of public servants.

As regards representativeness, there is no direct democratic incentive. That said, lawmakers in the Commission (particularly district representatives) are required to live in the area they represent, so they can and should be in touch with the needs of their people. Surveys managed by the central government keep careful track of a district's and province's approval of their representatives and what reasons may lie behind their approval or disapproval, where relevant. The central government therefore takes the role of ensuring that lawmakers represent their people's interests without succumbing to irrational populism. This, of course, would be less than ideal in many nations, given its character as essentially a centrally veto-able election, so its suitability would depend on the character, independence, and trustworthiness of the central government or whichever agency is entrusted with the responsibility of overlooking the process.

It may be helpful to note that one of Iciaros' semi-autonomous territories, Lyatris, uses a hybrid form of direct democracy to ensure representativeness. Between regular elections, laws passed by the legislature are 'provisional', meaning that they are effective only up until the next election cycle. In the next election, citizens are given the opportunity to ratify these legislative changes via referendum, and if ratified these laws will continue past the term of the legislature that passed it. This may be helpful to Foreverisle, though it may be necessary to somehow regulate the number and importance of laws or amendments the general populace votes on, given the possibility that they will be entirely inundated with small and insignificant issues.

As for the issue of party whips, Iciaros does not have to deal with this problem, for obvious reasons, but one reason is that there are no parties. Each lawmaker represents their area alone, and owes them their sole loyalty. This can be impractical with larger legislatures, as there would be a lack of unity to policy direction with which to advance legislative agendas, but in smaller chambers this is theoretically possible. This would, however, obviate the possibility of proportional representation, so one must be careful about taking this approach.

With populism, the best answer may be constitutional. So long as any lawmaking body is subject to a constitution, and they cannot easily amend it, this should suffice to be a barrier to irresponsible populism. If Foreverisle is particularly concerned about the legislature amending the constitution to their will, they can place additional barriers in between - for instance, requiring the approval of other agencies or independent bodies charged with protecting certain agendas. There is also the nuclear option, which is to craft an eternity clause - a constitutional clause that can never be changed, ever, until the end of time, something that Iciaros' protectorate of Fonto has done. This inflexibility has caused them no end of trouble, though, so caution must be had with this option.

Alternatively, a strong infrastructure and significant financing may allow populism to be combated at its source, through appropriate education. If one of these two things is not available, or if one would prefer not to indulge in educational meddling, one could instead regulate news agencies to ensure they do not inflame or encourage populism, and instead encourage cool, calm, and reasoned debate. Yet another one of Iciaros' semi-autonomous territories does this, and entrusts oversight of the media to an independent, non-political organisation, whose members are monitored in a system much like the Anti-Corruption Records. Perhaps this might prove useful to Foreverisle?

[Great Nortend]

Great Nortend has a semi-democratic form of governance. The sovereign at his own pleasure appoints his own ministers and judges. The sovereign issues writs of election to his county lieutenants who act as returning officers. Lieutenants receive applications from candidates for each constituency, and may reject those who fail legally defined criteria. MPs are then elected by those who have the franchise in the constituency. The lieutenant then endorses the writ with the name of the electee, and returns it to the sovereign. The sovereign then must approve the electee. Only then may the electee take his oaths and then his seat in Parliament. On the other hand, members of the clergy are ordained by the bishop, who is appointed by the sovereign. Lords are hereditary, elevated by the sovereign.

[The Land of the Ephyral]

═───╡❖╞────────═ DEMOCRACY IN EPHYRA ═────────╡❖╞───═

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The Ephyral Freehold operates democracy as one-third of its mixed government system, invested in the institution of the public symposium, a direct-democracy assembly divided into citizen voting blocs who ratify legislation and elect officers of state. Membership in these voting blocs is available only to freeholders who have completed military service (adult male, property-owning full citizens), to the exclusion of children, women, males without sufficient property, males who have not served, and non-citizens of any stripe. A smaller version of a Synedrion exists in each citizen municipality and colony, for the election of local officers who themselves are responsible for organising the local assembly of citizens, and interacting on behalf of their local citizens with the higher government. Non-citizen forms of this exist for Lykosian or provincial municipalities. The Symposium is represented in the Senate by three men serving an annual term as Peoples' Delegates, with the power to veto any Senate proposal including those made by the Archon of Ephyra.

The second institution of the Ephyral government is the aristocracy, embodied by the Senate or Synedrion, a body of usually between four and six hundred adult male citizens elevated to the body after completing the first office of state following election by the Symposium - these senators serve until the age of seventy-five, at which point they are given an honoured retirement, unless a sitting senator is forcibly removed from his seat, voluntarily retires, or dies. The Senate drafts all legislation, proposed by its most senior members, which must achieve a majority support of a quorum of senators to be passed on to the Symposium. The Senate is also responsible for the annual government budget, and embodies a number of other duties, acting as perhaps the most powerful arm.

The Senate is headed and checked by the third institution of monarchy, defined in this instance by rule of one as opposed to dynastic inheritance. The Archon of Ephyra is an annually elected officer of the state heading the government and the state, serves as president for the symbolic state-wide Symposium (in practice handled by the local officers), and is one of the few individuals eligible to call the Senate to order. The year-long duration of an archon's term is a power-limiting strategy, whilst he in turn may check the Senate by vetoing any proposed legislation by an inferior-ranked senator. The Archon's duties are to lead the state, carrying out the will of the Senate, direct the state's military assets, and ensure the well-being of Ephyra's citizens.

An emergency office, known as the Archon Dictator, exists in replacement of the office of archon should the need arise; typically only in dire circumstances. The Archon Dictator is appointed by the Senate, and can be either the present Archon or a different senator. The Archon Dictator is given as the name implies virtually dictatorial power, with no need for Senatorial or Symposium ratification for the duration of the crisis. His term is limited however, and once over, he is devoid of power.

The intent of this three-part government, with democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy, is to prevent the degeneration of these political models into anarchy, plutocracy, and tyranny respectively. In this manner, what can be described as "Ephyral democracy" is supported by the majority of citizens, assuming it is checked by the other two institutions, and they themselves checked in turn. Of the democracy of Ephyra's contemporaries, the Ephyral state is critical, recognising the capacity either for corruption and plutocracy in the legislature, or tyranny enabled by the people through the creation of anarchy with excessive demands for rights and freedoms unchecked by a traditionalist and reserved aristocracy.

In the end, many Ephyral would say that democracy has been good for Ephyra, but no more or less good than aristocracy or monarchy.

In regards to local democracies, their autonomy and power varies by their classification. Settlements of Ephyral status, either founded as colonies or elevated to a fully enfranchised municipality, are afforded the least individual autonomy, and elect officers mostly as a liason with the state itself. Municipalities holding second-order Lykosian rights are left to their own devices more often than not, but again lack much power. Neither they nor the Ephyral settlements are able to devise local law, and the state is unitary, with these lower branches inevitably subject to their provincial authority and then the state itself. Federated or tributary states, incorporated into the provinces, are broadly self-ruling, electing their own elites. Whilst the residents of these areas possess barely any rights under Ephyral law, their states are enabled to enact 'tribal law', a legal term used to refer to the laws of the non-Ephyral subjects established either through conquest or voluntary subjection. A complex relationship of laws apply here, and they are largely left to run their own affairs so long as they practice nothing outright taboo to the Ephyral state (usually through the means of causing damage to the divine peace with the gods), and that their owed tax and tithes to the greater Freehold are paid.

These subject peoples are pejoratively viewed as barbarians by Ephyral citizens, although as freemen and freewomen, are able to be civilised. The elected officers of these states are often granted Ephyral or Lykosian citizenship depending on the status of their community, incentivising top-down cultural assimilation by the natives of annexed land, and encouraging the use of Ephyral language, culture, dress, and religion. In time, these federated or tributary states can be elevated to Lykosian or even full Ephyral municipal status, with the latter offering participation in the citizen Symposium for those eligible.

---

═───╡❖╞──────────────═ Article published in the name of the Senate and Freeborn Landholders of Ephyra by the Sphere of the Exterior - Diplomatic Commission ═──────────────╡❖╞───═

[Durachistan]

Without proper leadership, Durachis would be a savage race

[Apiary One]

Had there been democracy, civil rights, and due process, Apiary One would never have been as efficient and prosperous as it is today. A collectivist utilitarian ideology like the Honeybee Doctrine has no place for individual autonomy or uniqueness; the individual is reduced to a mere cog in a well-oiled machine.

[Hamidiye]

The Empire has seen first democratic reforms in the late 1870s under Sultan Abdulkadir I. 1871 Sultan Abdulkadir took the throne very much as a reformer, determined to tackle the problems of the century-old administrational institutions. Many ranks had developed into sinecure positions of little actual nececssity, and the age-old system of governance was evidently failing. The Yeniceri Corps was no longer a feared war-machine, corruption widespread, and in many cases the subjects saw the government as something that was only evident in the tax-farmer coming round ever so often. The Sultan managed to reform the Armed Forces until 1878 the Russo-Haminid war broke out over the caucasian dominions of the Empire. Here The newly-reformed Armies of the Empire showed great success, proving to the western "great powers" that the Haminids still were what they had been in the past: a world power in their own right. This lent great credibility and power to the Sultans newly named Pashas, and made even the simple peasants in the more remote areas of the Empire develop some form of patriotism: the Muslim World was equal to the western christian states! One was not china, to be exploited by their imperialism, one didn't have to prove anything. The Sultan and Caliphe was the patron of all muslims, that much was proven... and the Tax-farmer being replaced didn't hurt either. Economic reforms were sweeping the Empire, as the administration focused on the age-old principles of haminid rule: money and military might made the Empire, and both had been neglected for far too long. However the pace of reform was slow, and no inroutes to actual democratic reforms had been made until the Sultans death in 1901. In 1900 however the Hamidi Imperium was present on the world stages of diplomacy and economy, and industrialisation was well underway. The Reforms of Abdulkadirs succeessor, our beloved Sultan Suleyman IV., would come to be remembered as a golden age of the modern era.

Today the Empire functions on a semi-democratic basis, internal governance is handled by elected officials as much as appointed servants of the Sultan, and that hybrid principle seems to serve well enough. Current Sultan Mustafa VI. is seen as a moderate, unremarkable Sultan. No great reformation efforts, no wars, however his handling of the recent Afghan Rebellion of the 1980s made very clear that weakness is not something to accuse any Sultan of. The eradication of the Al-Saud-Clan, the public execution of governor Assad-Bey in Syria, no, Mustafa VI. is very much a true haminid.

[Yuyencia]

Yuyencian mans are great wisdom 「metapolitical」 perspective evaluation politic. Are consider 「democracy」 label meaningless. Yuyencian mans politic struture are evident some deliberate and election but are also not majority resident mans are capability vote or office run （yuyencian mans electorate are compose only member major social group，catholic faith practice，and property are own。）. yuyencian mans are also strong local autonomy govern tradition permit mans decision community need satisfact。yuyencia society are harmony and politic most satisfactory，yuyencian mans are to currnet arrangement hold positive opinion。

[Outer Sparta]

Before Outer Sparta adopted democracy (1989 onwards), we were ruled by an absolute monarch during the Dynastical Ages (500-1989). The results of that period was mixed: while some leaders pushed the country progressively in certain dynasties, other leaders were corrupt and brought the end to several dynasties, including the Spyridon Dynasty in 1989. Before the violent end of that dynasty, there had been many tumultuous events, such as the Immigration Wars (1952-54), where the government bombed migrant neighborhoods to enforce anti-immigration acts that were passed, marches to end the dynasty structure, provocation of Thebes in the 60s as they sought power and influence over the Spyridon Dynasty. The marches in the 70s were brutally suppressed by military force and those imprisoned were put to hard labor in prison camps. Ultimately, over 2000 people were killed and thousands more were sentenced to prison and/or capital punishment for "treason." In the 80s, there had been intelligence reports that Thebes would plan a full-on invasion in response to the hundreds of years of the Spyridon Dynasty trying to conquer their main rival. However, the dynasty had ignored them and enacted more police state measures. Facing international sanction, insurmountable protest, and even other countries aiding Thebes, the dynasty collapsed and a parliamentary democracy was to be established. The monarch had its powers curtailed under the new system, therefore becoming a constitutional monarch. Elections were held in 1990, but Outer Sparta would get caught in war as Thebes invaded, sparking the Sparta-Thebes War (1993-98).

After Thebian forces were repelled by Sparta and a peace treaty was signed in 1998, Outer Sparta continues its democratic system. The 2000 election was a milestone and it marked the start of a new, post-war era. The 2004 election saw the victory of the Sparta People's Party (SPP), a center-right party. From 2004-2018, Outer Sparta was ruled by a grand coalition between the SPP and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by charismatic leader Tom Leonidas. After Leonidas resigned in 2018, the SDP won and set a coalition with other, more left parties, led by Alexi Palas.

Today, many Spartan view democracy as a good thing. It is what led to prosperity of the country as the country made huge gains in economic output following the war. The horrors of the end of the Spyridon Dynasty still remain in the public's mind, and it has led to negative views of the former system, especially to that of the declining Spyridon Dynasty. The grand coalition between 2004-2018 has been credited with helping the country heal after the war and prosper into a developed, cosmopolitan nation.

[Laredo-]

The system in place has it's potential flaws, but Laredo has managed to keep organized through one-party rule.
All citizens 21 or older, are eligible to undergo the process for joining the formal ranks of the Social Syncretist Party. If they are approved for membership by their respective provincial congress, they may join. After eight years of service on the provincial level, they are eligible to be elected into the national-level legislature if approved by the Supreme Congress. Only after another eight years on the Supreme Congress can they run for the office of President, if approved as a candidate by the other legislative members in a congressional vote. The next President is then elected from the list of approved candidates by popular vote.
The Supreme Congress is actually divided into two groups with an equal number of seats. Elected members and appointed members. As Party Chairman/Chairwoman, the President has the authority to appoint any Party member into the other 75 seats.

[Romextly]

Romextly is partially democratic. For example, I'm an Emperor who rules for life. But my governors can be democratically elected by the two parties:Conservative and religious. This has let me effectively attend the large issues but stymies the democrats.

[Luziyca]

The absence of democracy in Rwizikuru has been a mixed bag: while it has allowed things to get done rather quickly, the problem is that an absolute monarchy naturally prioritizes its own interests.

Thus, while the absolute monarchs will say it is good for Rwizikuru, the ordinary folk, not so much.

[Konolas]

It’s abit hard to tell if your people are getting executed for talking about democracy

[Aldina]

Aldina has experienced unprecedented stability and growth since the 1818 restructuring of the Empire into what would become the Imperial Federation. Included in this restructuring was a number of republican reforms intended to efficiently balance the needs of Aldina's many client states and vassals, resulting in the parliamentary monarchy that we now enjoy.

[Diarcesia]

Democracy has been good for Diarcesia.

[Reo]

Economic democracy seems to be the least problematic economic route for Reо̄, especially as we are a post-capitalist society.

[Aikoland]

Democracy, which was first introduced to Aikoland at the end of the 18th century, has widely been considered good for our nation. It is often held that the introduction of democracy (and the resulting checks on the powers of the sovereign) are the primary reason as to why our monarchy still exists to this day.

[Republica Federal de Catalunya]

The evolution from a Medieval style parliamentary system evolving towards a Modern liberal Democracy since the end of the XVIIIth century. Is considered a very positive step in our history. If we compare our two western neighbours, that had started democratization, mercantilization of economy, extension of schoolarship and industrial revolution much later, and had long periods of absence of democracy. Or, our northern neighbours that shared the same steps in the XIXth century we are closer to our northern partners than our western 2 partners.
In spite of the political turmoil 1918-1947 liberal Democratic goverments either in Monarchy or republic proved to be modernising factor, provided political and legislative stability (that helped to economic development too) and able to adapt a to changing society.

[Hanisia]

Hansia is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy. It has some forms of democracy. His Majesty the King also plays a significant role in governance.

There are 5 components in the governance of Hansia.

1. Legislative component (Parliament)

Parliament makes laws.
Parliament consists of 2 houses, the Commons and the Lords.
There are elections for both houses. Commoners vote for their MPs, while the House of Lords is partly appointed and partly elected by other Lords. Not all Lords are allowed to sit in the upper house, there are elections among functional constituencies. Lords who have been elected are known as Lord MP.

The House of Commons contain 600 seats, elected by a parallel voting system. 150 seats are from party list proportional, while the other 450 are local seats elected by STV.
The House of Lords contain 100 seats, designed to be the "second sober thought" on the bills that the Commons pass. 20 seats in the Lords are allocate proportionally to parties, in the same ratio as how the Commons are, this is to ensure that the parties that control the Commons have the ability to raise their concerns in the Lords, and for the governing party to have representatives in the Lords to be accountable. 60 seats are divided into functional constituencies where Lords who have been given life peerages for their service to the country in different fields vote for a representative for their own functional constituencies. For example, the legal sector has 8 seats in the Lords. Lords who have been appointed as Lords for Law will consult the legal society on their opinion, and then vote for the 8 representatives of Law to be appointed to the House of Lords. The final 20 seats in the House are the Monarch's appointees, and can be appointed at his discretion.

The House of Lords is inherently undemocratic. Functional Constituencies in various sectors (eg. Legal, Medical, Education, IT, Sports, Arts and Culture, Commercial, Industrial etc) have electors who are Lords of that field, and these Lords can vote in any way and even disregard the opinions of the sectors they represent. However, the sectors are the ones recommending the appointment of Lords (Lords who vote for Lord MPs), and can influence the outcome of election in their functional constituency. While it is undemocratic for giving some sectors over representation, it has been argued that these sectors can offer technical know how in the governing of the country. As such, the house is a "second sober thought".

Lords can reject bills from the Commons, and if they disagree on the same matter 3 times, the issue goes to the King, who, in this instance, can decree the bill into law. (bypassing one house).

2. Executive component (Government).

The government enforces laws.
The government is led by a Cabinet, who comprises of Cabinet Ministers. The cabinet is led by a Prime Minister, who may appoint deputy prime ministers. All Cabinet Ministers must be an MP. Cabinet is responsible to Parliament. Additionally, the PM may appoint Deputy Ministers and Assistant Ministers who are not Cabinet Ministers but are part of the Government.

3. Judiciary component (Courts)

The judiciary is strictly independent, and interprets laws.

4. Professional component (Civil Service)

HM Civil Service is a politically independent group of civil servants that assist the government in carrying out policy. It can operate even if the government is not formed (ie Hung Parliament). It is seen as a professional body that maintains stability.

5. Ombudsman

This is an independent body that serves as a check against the politicians. Parliamentarians and Ministers are subject to scrutiny to a Political Accounting Board that ensures that politicians declare their income, donations, etc.
It also ensures that politicians do not lie to citizens (ie politicians are legally disallowed from lying about facts). Politicians who are in breach may be subject to a ban from office by the King.

The role of the King.

The King has an influential role in society, and is an apolitical arbitrator. He decides who forms the government (based on control of parliament) and appoints 1/5 of the House of Lords. The King can sack the PM if the PM is found to have failed in his/her duties by the Ombudsman, and in times of emergency or parliamentary deadlock can assume control of government, and the civil service.



Politics in Hansia.

Hansian politics (in parliament) is largely dominated by 5 major parties.

1. Christian Solidarity Alliance (CSA)
CSA is a right wing conservative party that pushes for moral policing, anti-LGBT, anti-abortion etc. It is the 2nd smallest of the 5 parties.

2. Hansian Conservative Party (HCP)
HCP is a centre-right party focused on social conservatism, free market economics, privatisation etc. It is the largest party in Parliament.


3. Liberal Party (LP)
LP is a centrist party. Its ideology is a focus on free-market economics and financial liberalisation, but advocates for social liberalism (in contrast to the Conservatives). It is the 3rd largest party.

4. LabourFront (LF)
LF is a centre-left party. Its ideology is a mix of social liberalism, nationalisation of essential services, and the protection of workers' rights. It is the 2nd largest party.

5. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
SDP is a left wing party. It advocates for democratic socialism and liberal social policies. It is currently the smallest party.

6. Other minor parties
They include the Green Party, Republican Party, Nationalist Party, among others.


Past trends

The current government is a HCP-CSA coalition, and marks a considerable shift to the right in Hansian politics. In the past, there have been LF-SDP coalitions, LF-LP coalitions, and HCP-LP coalitions. HCP and LF are the 2 main parties and traditionally fight to form the government. Their performance and the performance of the other parties have often influenced shifts in government policy. Triple party coalitions are uncommon, as the ideologies have jarring clashes. The last time a triple coalition was formed (HCP-CSA-LP), LP clashed with CSA over automatic death sentences, resulting in LP abandoning the coalition and supporting a motion of no confidence, While the HCP-CSA government was toppled, LF, SDP and LP could not agree on forming a new government for 6 months. In this interim period, the King presided over a temporary committee of Lord MPs to act as Cabinet, with the civil service continuing the operation of governance.

Democracy is seen as a necessary but not ideal form of government due to inherent weaknesses.
Workarounds have been implemented to prevent democracy from impeding government. The King strengthened and elevated the Civil Service to a component of governance to ensure that even without political leadership, government functions could still continue. The Ombudsman was also created to prevent manipulation of the electorate and manipulation of the system. Politicians are subject to scrutiny to avoid foreign influence, corporate influence and (albiet with little success) religious influence. Politicians who have deceived the electorate in bad faith have also been banned from office, or sometimes even charged with misleading the people and treason against the king. While politicians have attempted to restrict the power of the ombudsman, the House of Lords and the King have vetoed such bills.

[Chadtonia]

Both.

Chadtonia has not been a democracy for very long, and it has been a very rough uphill battle for Chadtonia.

In the short time that Chadtonia has been a democracy:

Chadtonia has been involved in five wars, and many brave soldiers lost their lives. Whatever you think of war, no correct sentiment can be made for those who pay the ultimate price.

Chadtonia's second president, Clayton Deylanna was assassinated by the Minister of Defense at the direction of a vice president Albert Greenbuckle.

Alan Greenbuckle was then elected as President, since the information of his involvement of the assassination plot were not known to the general public at the time. Subsequently, many years later, Albert Greenbuckle's presidency was formally revoked by unanimous consent.

Chadtonia's original capitol building was set on fire by political activists twice, and remodeled as close to the original design as possible twice as well.

Chadtonia has inadvertently disbanded a federal court system by removing The Department of Diplomatic Endeavors for Chadtonia. Government officials keep trying to pass new legislation to create a superior federal court system, but as of yet, to no avail.

Chadtonia's public education is excellent, in spite of that fact that most of these public schools are in buildings 300 or more years old.

Chadtonia's oldest theater (a building slightly over 500 years old) is being restored, but it will take 300 years to complete the job.