Challenge: describe "your" country

[Antonio the Sixth]

Inspired by Scott's thread. Let's have forum members submit their own ****-land. After 3 days or so, I'll make a poll with all the submitted hypothetical countries and we'll see which ones will prevail.

The basic rule is that you should describe the kind of country that would arise if your ideology was fully translated into policy. Try to avoid too rosy descriptions and include a few possible flaws as well (though obviously, it makes sense that you would like the result overall). Each description should be at least 200 words in length, and contain the basic outlines of economic and social policy and some sociological/demographic data. You're encouraged to add as much aspects as you want.

I'll already include Scottland as a submission (though not the other countries, since they don't reflect the views of the poster in question).

Scottland lays adjacent to Republitarianland and TNFland.  Politically it is, by strictly Atlas Forum standards, considered the epitome of the political center.  Its economic policy contains elements of both ordoliberalism and social democracy, with government holding most sway in medical and education policy.  The healthcare system is 100% nationalized, as is the education system, which has similar attributes to those of Finland.  Its regulatory system is strictly pragmatic, with many having been taken off the books, with older regulatory policies deemed absolutely necessary (such as Glass-Steagal) having been reinstated.  Government bailouts for any industry or bank are strictly prohibited, and the nation's constitution mandates a balanced budget each year.  Trade policies are neither protectionist or laissez faire, but the regulatory environment is friendly to world consumers, and the government makes a conscious effort to advocate for certain labor and environmental standards in other countries.  Welfare is available to those who need it, with certain time limits and restrictions attached, but it is seldom needed thanks to the highly successful education system.

This nation is a very religious one, with church attendance at 99%.  The vast majority of churchgoers attend one of the following congregations: ELCA, UMC, UCC, Episcopalian, and Quaker.  School prayer is not only encouraged, but required by schools that live in towns/cities whose ordinances mandate it.  In spite of this, the social environment is very liberal.  Abortion, same-sex marriage, and marijuana are legal across the board.  However, the low crime enforcement has given Scottland the ninth highest crime rate in the entire world.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Just an FYI: as I said in the last thread, I do not support mandatory prayer in schools and I don't anticipate the liberalization of drug laws to increase crime.  Those were caricatures on my part.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Just an FYI: as I said in the last thread, I do not support mandatory prayer in schools and I don't anticipate the liberalization of drug laws to increase crime.  Those were caricatures on my part.

Oh, sorry then. Well, anyway, some degree of self-caricature is welcome. It'll make the choice clearer and avoid moderate-heroish countries which are too similar to real-world ones.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Nathanland: A 'crowned republic' with a high degree of social deference towards but extremely high standards of personal and public behavior placed upon elected officials. It has a ceremonial President and a parliamentary system of government, constrained by a fairly detailed written Constitution that is difficult to amend (requiring a parliamentary supermajority and subsequent plebiscite to do so). The judiciary is independent and functions according to the common law.

Health care and education up to and including the university level are mostly nationalized, with some private options in the former sector and some religious options in the latter. Taxation is steeply progressive and most businesses are incorporated as cooperatives run by their workers, customers, or both. Both labor and the professions are almost universally organized, either as unions or along lines similar to the guilds of old; some of these institutions run their own post-secondary schools, which are considered honorable alternatives to a university education for people hoping to go into specific lines of work. The urban-rural population divide is roughly even, with countryside fairly immediately surrounding most towns and cities without much in between, and antitrust measures are particularly rigorous in the agricultural sector. Subsidies exist for domestic fruit, vegetables, dairying, and fisheries. Use of natural resources is strictly regulated, and most power generation is solar, geothermal, or hydroelectric. The standard of living is generally high, but the economy is not considered especially entrepreneurial or innovative. Unemployment fluctuates cyclically and when it rises is usually solved by direct government hiring and/or the presence of a guaranteed minimum income. Tariffs vary according to industry, health of the economy, specifics of the other country in countries in question, and general perceived need.

The nation, while heavily Christian, does not have a state church. The general culture is mostly religious and 'traditional', with strong regional variation (devolved regional governments exist, are structured similarly to the central government but without analogues of the President, and have powers pertaining mostly to taxation and laws regarding region-specific elements of economy and culture). The main denominations are Anglican, Lutheran, and Catholic, in proportions varying from place to place. Other denominations and non-Christian religions exist as respected minorities. All religions are tax-exempt. Public broadcasting, a shared national-regional responsibility, often plays folk music and reports on local festivals and customs. Gay marriage is legal and generally accepted, as are at least some forms of non-conformity to expected gender roles, but remarriage after divorce is granted only ad hoc. Drug use is generally frowned upon; marijuana and tobacco are legal but very heavily regulated and taxed. Abortion is legal in the first trimester but tightly regulated. Prostitution is legal but pimping and soliciting are not. Prophylactics are freely available, but they are not very commonly used and non-marital sex is not viewed very positively. The general tendency is towards large extended family structures, with same-sex couples generally adopting children from within their extended families. The government takes pride in making social services as comprehensive as possible. The prison system is in general thought of as rehabilitative in function but sentencing guidelines for rape are extremely severe. The death penalty is nonexistent.

The state is constitutionally defined as pacifist and lacks a standing army. It uses its international presence to advocate for disarmament and mediated resolutions to world conflicts. It accepts immigrants and refugees from around the world and once they are settled treats its immigrant and refugee populations as subnational cultural groups among others.

[afleitch]

but remarriage after divorce is granted only ad hoc. Drug use is generally frowned upon; marijuana and tobacco are legal but very heavily regulated and taxed. Abortion is legal in the first trimester but tightly regulated. Prostitution is legal but pimping and soliciting are not. Prophylactics are freely available, but they are not very commonly used and non-marital sex is not viewed very positively.

That's horrifying

[afleitch]

Andrewland is a parliamentary democracy headed by the President elected by the people. It is a titular position that holds very little political power. The parliament is unicameral and citizen’s referendums are held on important constitutional issues. The voting age is 16.

The nation itself is constitutionally secular. Religious observance is generally low as per most western nations but religious observance is relatively respected. However the inherent rights of individuals are held higher than the rights a person has acquired because of a chosen personal philosophy. As a result there are no religious or political exemptions to equality law which forms a keystone of the constitution.  The nation prides itself on the pursuit of knowledge and personal advancement. Children at school are taught to express themselves though art and to engage in philosophy and mythology. Such courses are thorough and introduce students to a critical understanding of past and present religious mythology. Physical Education is compulsory but varies from athletics to team sports to yoga and is tailored to each student.

Sex and human relationship education is comprehensive. Contraceptives are free and abortion is legal, however the rate of abortion and teenage pregnancy is kept low by a strong understanding of sexual health. LGBT rights are constitutionally protected.

Families are strong and flexible with the government providing assistance to families to allow the elderly and the infirm to remain cared for as part of the family unit if possible. Caregiving is often provided by the extended family. The economy is modern and balanced. Unemployment can be a problem at times, but the government provides vocational training. The lowest 20% of earners are exempt from income tax and only pay taxes on consumer goods. Most towns and cities operate co-operatives and credit unions are increasingly more popular than banks. There is no set retirement age, though government assistance is provided to those over the age of 67 depending on whether or not they are still in work.

[Lambsbread]

Since I haven't the attention span to actually write a long post, I'll just say America with socialism for now

[freefair]

Since I haven't the attention span to actually write a long post, I'll just say America with socialism for now

When left leaning American's say they'd like socialism in their nation, then praise Scandanavia, capitalist nations with falling levels of spending it confuses me, do they actually mean total nationalization/tight regulations/abolition of private property, or just Northern European style social democracy.
To increase public spending to Norwegian levels, the US would only have to increase it by less than 2% of GDP.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

but remarriage after divorce is granted only ad hoc. Drug use is generally frowned upon; marijuana and tobacco are legal but very heavily regulated and taxed. Abortion is legal in the first trimester but tightly regulated. Prostitution is legal but pimping and soliciting are not. Prophylactics are freely available, but they are not very commonly used and non-marital sex is not viewed very positively.

That's horrifying

I never said I was a role model.

Families are strong and flexible with the government providing assistance to families to allow the elderly and the infirm to remain cared for as part of the family unit if possible. Caregiving is often provided by the extended family. The economy is modern and balanced. Unemployment can be a problem at times, but the government provides vocational training. The lowest 20% of earners are exempt from income tax and only pay taxes on consumer goods. Most towns and cities operate co-operatives and credit unions are increasingly more popular than banks. There is no set retirement age, though government assistance is provided to those over the age of 67 depending on whether or not they are still in work.

I really, really like everything in this paragraph, by the way.

[politicus]

Since I haven't the attention span to actually write a long post, I'll just say America with socialism for now

When left leaning American's say they'd like socialism, do they actually mean total nationalization/tight regulations/abolition of private property, or just Northern European style social democracy.
To increase public spending to Norwegian levels, the US would only have to increase it by less than 2% of GDP.

I suppose US Socialism would be a decentralised market based version with worker cooperatives controlling most of the economy.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Since I haven't the attention span to actually write a long post, I'll just say America with socialism for now

When left leaning American's say they'd like socialism, do they actually mean total nationalization/tight regulations/abolition of private property, or just Northern European style social democracy.
To increase public spending to Norwegian levels, the US would only have to increase it by less than 2% of GDP.

I suppose US Socialism would be a decentralised market based version with worker cooperatives controlling most of the economy.

I would think that would make the most sense as a (relatively) realistic goal, yes.

[afleitch]

but remarriage after divorce is granted only ad hoc. Drug use is generally frowned upon; marijuana and tobacco are legal but very heavily regulated and taxed. Abortion is legal in the first trimester but tightly regulated. Prostitution is legal but pimping and soliciting are not. Prophylactics are freely available, but they are not very commonly used and non-marital sex is not viewed very positively.

That's horrifying

I never said I was a role model.

Families are strong and flexible with the government providing assistance to families to allow the elderly and the infirm to remain cared for as part of the family unit if possible. Caregiving is often provided by the extended family. The economy is modern and balanced. Unemployment can be a problem at times, but the government provides vocational training. The lowest 20% of earners are exempt from income tax and only pay taxes on consumer goods. Most towns and cities operate co-operatives and credit unions are increasingly more popular than banks. There is no set retirement age, though government assistance is provided to those over the age of 67 depending on whether or not they are still in work.

I really, really like everything in this paragraph, by the way.

Thank you One of things I dislike most in the world is the 'nuclear family'; any structure that excludes or sidelines other people as caregivers is a tad corrupt and is unethical. Infirm grandparents in particular are too often removed from the family or feel the need to remove themselves from their children and grandchildren. Care homes are wonderful but staying with their families with external support is far better. Homes should be larger and families much more broad. I was handed from my mum to my nana to my aunt to my sister and everyone in between. I know too many people whose entire adult supervision was their mum, dad and their teacher with other relatives being a novelty. Meh. Just my own thoughts on the matter.

[Donerail]

SJoyceland is a liberal democratic republic, with a constitution and a presidential system, that has been certified drone-free since 1974. The constitution contains a Bill of Rights that protects basic freedoms, with a heavy emphasis on civil liberties: it bans slavery and torture, provides for freedom of religion, expression, press, association, and speech, and provides for rights to equal treatment, due process, and a fair trial. In contrast to some other nations, it also contains a right to keep and bear arms, a right to self-defense, and a right to own property. The constitution cannot be suspended in a time of war or emergency and the amendment process is laborious - the most recent amendment passed a decade ago, and granted same-sex couples the right to engage in civil marriage. The constitution also establishes a federal model of several different states, with their own legislators and governors and such.

The 250-member Legislature is elected by proportional representation from multi-member districts, and major political parties include the current ruling coalition between the Liberal Party and the SJoyceland Freedom Party. The Liberal Party is presently the foremost defender of the numerous rights established in the Constitution and supports the economic status quo - they also support greater international involvement, though oppose intervention, and they're supported by urban professionals; the SFP wants to decrease the size of government economically and verge on isolationism, but supports social liberalism and is backed by the young and other groups (think of Paul supporters in the US). Other influential parties include the Social Democratic Party and Alliance of Conservatives - the former is leftist and democratic socialist and supports more international involvement and is supported by lower-income folks, while the latter is socially conservative but more economically and internationally moderate and is generally backed by people who are a little more wealthy and a pretty good bit more socially traditional than the SDP, as well as a standard Green Party that's ecosocialist and green and such and who draws support from academics, students, artists, and other such folks. Current makeup is: LP 118 seats, SDP 98 seats, AoC 22 seats, SFP 10 seats and Greens 2 seats. The Liberal Party has been the largest or second-largest party for decades, though until recently was typically in coalition with the SDP - the SFP is a relatively new party. Several other parties (such as the SJoyceland People's Party, a far-right group, and several regionalist parties) regularly contest elections but rarely elect officials.

Economic policies are relatively laissez-faire (for the Atlas Forum, at least) - taxes are kept as low as possible and are flatter than most other nations, the budget is balanced, the debt is kept low, regulations are kept to the minimum needed to ensure basic labor and environmental standards and to prevent catastrophe - no bailouts, no far-reaching regulations, etc. A major current debate is on the tax system - the SDP made taxation a major campaign plank when they were last in power, and managed to implement a carbon tax, container-deposit legislation, and a tax on unhealthy food to supplement the now-reduced value-added tax; the Liberals don't seem to want to touch it that much. Tariffs are kept low, and welfare payments exist largely to get unemployed people into paid work (more a safety trampoline than a safety net) - much of the welfare budget goes into government-funded vocational training - if someone is on welfare for a long time they must perform community service to continue to receive it. Working conditions, while there are protections for unions under the law (including a right to collectively bargain) and they are relatively prevalent in the lower-income sectors like construction, are perhaps not as luxurious as other nations - the workweek is 40 hours, and the minimum wage is currently around $7.48 US dollars.

The areas of exception are education (where a Finnish model is in place; education includes research programs and libraries as well, and private schools are rare (excluding religious schools) and homeschooling is banned - private schools still must confirm to national standards) and healthcare (where a Bismarck system is in place), as well as large-scale infrastructure investments, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors. Although the government does have a public broadcasting network, it is news-focused; other, private networks provide entertainment, sports, and other programming. The government invests heavily in low-carbon power sources, and has recently begun construction on a nationwide high-speed rail network, complemented by bus and light rail within cities. The government has recently begun to take more action to protect the environment as well, expanding national parks and implementing stricter pollution standards. Legal immigration is relatively easy as well, although affirmative action along racial lines (though not economic ones) is strictly prohibited.

The nation is relatively wealthy, and most are employed in fields such as  financial services (including banking and insurance), healthcare (including pharmaceuticals), communications/media, information technology, education, real estate, consulting, although lower-paying jobs in fields like hospitality, construction, waste management, retail sales, food processing, or production of inexpensive non-durable goods (paper, soft drinks, cleaning supplies, toiletries, or inexpensive consumer electronics) are also available. The nation as a whole is very urban, although cities are separated by large patches of rural areas. Cars, although somewhat rare in the cities, are very common in the countryside. The cities are generally made up of smallish single-family homes, though townhouses and apartments are becoming more common.

Socially, abortion is legal up to the point of viability, birth control is widely available, and same-sex marriage and divorce are fully legal. Soft drugs are legal and hard drugs are decriminalized, and the death penalty/life imprisonment is banned - prisons are based on rehabilitation as well. The voting system uses IRV to elect its president and representatives, and the franchise is universal to all over 16. The press, speech, and many other freedoms are guaranteed under the constitution, and these extend to the Internet. There are few restrictions on private firearm ownership or carry, nor on foods. Pornography and prostitution are both legal. Surveillance in public places is discouraged. Science is respected, and both evolution and climate change are taught in schools.

Culturally, while there is a constitutional separation of church and state, this is not interpreted as strictly as it could be - churches are tax-exempt and such. Church attendance is fairly moderate, and the largest religious groups include the UCC, the Presbyterians, the Quakers, the Episcopalians, the ELCA, the Disciples of Christ, and some Catholics - there are also significant minorities of Jews (rarely Orthodox though), Muslims, Unitarian Universalists, and Wiccans. The national sport is football, although sports such as basketball, baseball, and stock car racing are traditional as well, and golf, soccer, hockey, fishing, and hunting (particularly the latter two) maintain some level of popularity. English is spoken by the vast majority of the populace, although French and Spanish are taught in almost all schools.

Internationally, SJoyceland is non-interventionist; although it typically sides with the western powers in international affairs, it has recently drawn the ire of the United States for publicly criticizing the invasion of Iraq and offering to shelter individuals believed to be involved with Wikileaks. The military is relatively small, though technologically advanced, and focused on national defense. The nation became a UN member relatively recently and participates in some of them, although to prevent the present coalition from collapsing the nation does not participate in UN peacekeeping missions.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

So far, Nathanland and SJoyceland sound really good.  Afleitchland doesn't sound too bad, either.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Tonyland will be up soon, I promise, as soon as I can resolve the awful mess I've put myself into in terms of work.

[Mopsus]

I understand that we're describing what would happen if our ideals were enacted by the government, not our perfect society, so I'm going to try to come as close as we could come without causing the collapse of civilization :

The Alexandrian economy most resembles that of a foraging economy of any of those in the modern world. Regulations on the production of food are so strict that they effectively prohibit its industrial production, so fruits, vegetables, and grains are grown either on family farms/gardens, or in collectively owned and managed urban community gardens. The raising of animals for the purpose of consumption is prohibited outright, although hunting is both legal and somewhat encouraged. While this means that the majority of people don't have to purchase food, some still seek what we would refer to as part-time employment in exchange for currency. Common sources of employment include jobs in the trades and collectively-owned factories, although the need for such jobs is not as great as it is in other countries, as some consumer goods are produced at home. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of five and sixteen, and, due to the nature of the Alexandrian economy, focuses entirely on teaching children the basics of a good citizen, rather than the basics of an employable one.

Family is the most important unit in society, and most people live in large homes shared with members of their extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Kinship is matrilineal, with husbands adopting their wife's last name and often moving in with their wife's family. Gender stereotypes are well-defined but usually not held to be oppressive, both because they emphasize the positive attributes of each gender (thus serving as an ideal for each person to live up to) and because slight deviation is expected and tolerated. Homosexual relationships are treated like heterosexual ones, and gays are viewed as a sort of third gender.

Government authority is devolved to the local and municipal level whenever possible. The national government involves itself with what issues the localities cannot regulate, including managing national resources and dealing with foreign nations. However, it serves a mostly ceremonial purpose, establishing and managing national parks, collecting documents for preservation in the national cultural registry, the consecration of public holidays, etc.

[Hash]

Mustafinist Republic of Hashland (or Mustafinaland) The Mustafinian Republic of Hashland is a decentralized parliamentary republic with a President-for-Life, guarantor of national unity and cohesion, in the person of Aliya Mustafina. The Federal Parliament (unicameral) is directly elected, and there is extensive devolution of powers to subnational regions. Constitutional provisions defining the state as a Mustafinist-Komovist nation may not be amended except with the authorization of Her Excellency the President-for-Life. The country defines itself as a democratic state, but many aspects of its constitution and political system are considered by some to be illiberal.

The constitution is supplemented by a highly progressive Bill of Rights (which is very difficult to amend), which protects LGBT rights, women's rights, alternative gender identities, ethnic/religious/linguistic/sexual minorities; and guarantees a right to housing, education, food/water and other fundamental human rights (including civil and political rights). Gay marriage and adoption, abortion and euthanasia are legal in application of the Bill of Rights' principles. Prostitution, soft drugs and alcohol are also legal.

The ruling and dominant party is the Mustafinist-Komovist Movement (MKM). The MKM is a fairly unideological (albeit left-leaning) and pragmatic party, with technocratic tendencies. The party's sole ideological document is the Principles of Mustafinism-Komovism (or Principles of the Movement), parts of which have been integrated into the constitution. Elections are free and fair, but parties seeking to register must have a platform conforming to the Bill of Rights and the constitutional articles which cannot be amended. Similarly, civil liberties and free press are guaranteed but speech and press which criticizes the President-for-Life, incites opposition to the protected articles of the constitution and the Bill of Rights is banned and punished.

Hashland is constitutionally secular and religious observance is generally low, but all religions are respected as long as they conform to Bill of Rights and the Mustafinist-Komovist nature of the state. Critics contend that the personality cult around Aliya Mustafina and other Heroes of the Movement (Viktoria Komova etc) constitute a form of state religion.

Taxation is rather heavy, with a steeply progressive income tax, a relatively high corporate tax and an environmental (carbon) tax on polluters. Hashland prides itself on its robust social security system, based on the Scandinavian 'universal' model. There is a guaranteed minimum income aimed at reducing poverty, a robust education and (universal) health system and state support for young families, the elderly, the disabled and the youth. Private, including confessional, education is legal but it cannot be funded by the government and it must conform to the state curriculum. Alternative private healthcare, however, is curtailed. There are fairly stringent welfare requirements, to discourage welfare dependency and to encourage those on welfare to seek employment. The government provides vocational training. The budget tends to be tightly controlled to prevent deficits and excessive public debt.

Economic growth has tended to be high, but critics lament that it is not entrepreneurial or innovative and favours the public sector over the private. Economic and social policy is generally handled by technocrats, associated to the MKM.

The use and exploitation of natural resources is supervised by the state and must conform to strict constitutional requirements, notably on environmental impact. There has been substantial investment in alternative energies (solar, geothermal, hydroelectric) for power generation.

The state spends very little on defense and only intervenes in foreign states for humanitarian reasons. It does, however, have a fairly active foreign policy. Immigrants and refugees are welcomed and illegal immigrants have a path to citizenship if they conform to the principles of the state and are of good moral character.

[DC Al Fine]

The Kingdom of DC Al Fine is a constitutional monarchy, currently led by King DC IV. Government is perpetually led by a grand coalition of the Calvinist "National Reformed Party" and the Catholic "Catholic People's Party", who agree on virtually every issue except contraception (legal) and the death penalty (banned)  Its economic policies are designed to promote 1950's style families with subsidies and baby bonuses for home makers with children. The government also provides wage subsidies to employers of married men that increase with each child up to a maximum of 5. The result is a very high birth rate for a western nation with about 3.5 children per woman. 

DC Al Fine has a bare bones universal health care system with the state providing every man woman and child with catastrophic health insurance. The state also provides vouchers for K-12 education, with majority of parents choosing church parochial schools. The state does not usually provide services directly with the exception of some state schools and hospitals in remote areas. Immigration is restricted, although DC Al Fine has been known to take in anti-communist refugees as evidenced by the large Vietnamese and Korean communities.

The social environment is, as one would expect, very conservative. DC Al Fine is dominated by Calvinists and Catholics (about 35% each) with the remaining 30% divided between Pentecostals, liberal Protestants, and the irreligious. Church attendance is not encouraged, and currently sits around 50%.  Abortion is banned except for women whose health is at risk. Most churches sponsor adoption agencies for unwanted babies. Divorce is banned for married couples. Same sex marriage does not exist, although there is a civil union relationship which is effectively the same as a common law heterosexual relationship. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are legal and cheap, while hard drugs and pornography are banned. While petty crime is low, DC Al Fine is having more and more trouble with the mafia who provide abortions, pornography, and hard drugs to the population.

EDIT: The state provides minimal welfare services, heavily supplemented by the church as well.

[HoosierPoliticalJunkie]

HPJ Land

HPJ Land is one where the government has a fairly limited scope overall but is involved greatly in areas it does undertake.  The two parties are the Rockefeller Republicans and the Southern Democrats, each quite centrist but with different flavors of ideology.  The government doesn't set social standards, but the people here are fairly religious, have a fairly high childbirth rate, and oppose substandard behavior.  Abortion is heavily restricted but gay marriage, marijuana, and prostitution are all legal(though the latter 2 are heavily, heavily discouraged by society). 

Most citizens are mainline to Evangelical Protestants with a 30-50% church attendance rate.  Taxes are fairly low, but health care is provided through government-subsidized medical savings accounts.  Unions are discouraged and infrastructure spending is strongly emphasized.  A strong public school system with rigid accountability and graduation requirements is instated, with trade school becoming the track for 1/2 to 2/3 of students.         

[TJ in Oregon]

TJland is a representative democracy, roughly evenly divided between the Nationalist Conservative Party (NCP) and the TJland Independence Party (TIP). Both parties would be considered socially conservative by US standards, but otherwise have rather different views on the role of government. The country has a Catholic majority, but other sects are free to practice and minority groups coexist without much distress. Abortion is illegal except to save the life of the mother. Marijuana, other hard drugs, divorce, and gay marriage are illegal, though the latter occurs unrecognized by the government. Pornography and contraceptives remain legal, much to the chagrin of some, but are socially stigmatized and one needs to go out of their way to get them.

The NCP is widely considered the more right wing of the two parties. It advocates lower taxes, although still a modestly progressive taxation system, less regulation, and less of a social safety net. However, it does advocate for public transit and a smart growth in urban and suburban planning. Its political base is among wealthier residents in the suburbs and central cities. It has a fairly hawkish foreign policy stance.

The TIP is more of an agrarian populist party. It supports more progressive taxation and a larger social safety net. It is less interested in urban issues and has some moderately environmentalist views, such as supporting plastic bottle taxes. It is generally isolationist in foreign policy. Still, the TIP is far from left-wing on social issues and is often the force behind campaigns to ban contraception or pornography.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Crap, I forgot to mention the (mostly rail-based) public transit in Nathanland.

[afleitch]

Step it up a notch.

Andrewland Foreign Relations Report.

Scottland – Full Relations.
Areas of Concern – Monitoring of religious freedom and the rights of atheists, agnostics, free-thinkers, pagans and humanists as their governments claimed 99% church attendance rate is unsustainably high and may suggest an element of coercion.

Nathanland – Full Relations.
Areas of Concern – Pressure needed to ensure that their economy is more open and competitive to Andrewland markets.

SJoyceland – Full Relations
Areas of Concern – Narcotics tourists taking advantage of laissez-faire drug laws and ignorant of a less relaxed law here are a continued problem at the Andrewland border. There is need to ensure that there is continued dialogue so that international extradition laws and procedures are followed, though there are no immediate national security concerns at present.

Alexandria – Relations Currently Suspended

Areas of Concern – Diplomatic relations have been severed and economic sanctions imposed due to government regulations of agricultural and industrial production. The nation’s citizens are increasingly exposed to periods of famine resorting to bartering for survival and for basic needs. Contrary to government statements, we have reason to believe that this extends to petty prostitution. There is little central government effort to assist those in need and local governments are overwhelmed. Technological development is low and stifled.

Mustafinaland – Full Relations – Mild Restrictions.

Areas of Concern – Andrewland has concerns over the separation of the constitution from the political aims of the main ruling party. It is also opposed to the criminalisation of criticism of the President and of the constitution and monitors such activities closely.

DCAlFine Kingdom – Full Relations – Mild Restrictions

Areas of Concern – Concerns exist over minority religious/non-religious rights due to the government’s indirect promotion of Christianity through the party system and the education system. Concerns also exist over the rights of women within and outside of the family and over their sexual and reproductive health. Andrewland has concerns over ‘health tourists’ taking advantage of our universal health care system and often presenting with symptoms of severe liver damage and lung disease. The mafia operating inside and outside of the kingdom is carefully watched.

HPJland – Full Relations – Mild Restrictions

Areas of Concern – Concerns exist over minority religious/non-religious rights. Concerns over women’s sexual rights and the collective bargaining rights of workers are also apparent and monitored

Averroesland – Full Relations

Areas of Concern – No immediate areas of concern.

TJland Full Relations – Mild Restrictions

Areas of Concern – Concerns exist over minority sexual rights and women’s sexual rights.

[Mopsus]

Crap, I forgot to mention the (mostly rail-based) public transit in Nathanland.

Yeah, I was going to mention the transportation system, too, but I couldn't find a way to fit it in the paragraph without making the transition seem awkward. Basically, the public transportation system is well-funded and extensive, and personal automobile ownership is discouraged (except for people who live in the country and work in town, in which case owning an automobile is most practical).

Also, to Andrewland: Our people very much like being mostly self-sufficient, rather than serving as soulless cogs in the great big capitalist machine, thank you very much!

[traininthedistance]

I was starting to do an epic write up "my" country, until I realized that it was almost a perfect carbon copy of Averroësland- even down to details such as the 80 percent urban population (actually Trainland might be more like 90, but that's splitting hairs), the 75 percent nuclear power (with biomass being part of the mix), and the existence of a "Centre" communitarian party with roots in the rural areas.  Heavily urban, nonexistent burbs, gov't funded on land and consumption taxes*, lots of public transit, government heavily invested in infrastructure and energy, etc etc.  All of that good stuff.

There are a few small differences, mostly in the name of "warts and all" realism, but a couple other points of emphasis that reflect a relatively greater influence of the Liberal and Green parties in government (in Trainland the Greens are actually the largest, with the Liberals a close second, and the social democrats are instead the juniormost coalition partner):

* The consumption taxes in Trainland are somewhat less progressive, and more Pigouvian, focusing on carbon use, drugs, etc.

* There is no state-level government.  There are independent cities and "rural districts" which mainly serve as electoral and judicial boundaries, but can optionally elect an advisory board to present residents' concerns to the federal government.  Elections to Parliament are PR by either city or rural district, at-large within each city/district.

* Development is sharply restricted in the rural districts, whereas there are very few zoning laws within the cities themselves, just building safety codes, provisions for parkland and to segregate heavy industry, and sometimes design guidelines in the nicer parts of town.  As such, there's a far wider variety of building styles, with taller apartment buildings being a particularly favored living option for both the elite and the working class.  New independent cities can sometimes be chartered, but it's a bit of an annoying process for those who wish to start one up.  (It is less annoying and more frequent, but still somewhat difficult, for the cities to enlarge their boundaries to keep up with growth.  So you get a bit of upward pressure by necessity.)

* Car use is very strictly curtailed in the cities.  More like 85 percent of city residents do not own one, and most roads even prohibit automobile traffic (except for emergency vehicles).  They tend to be seen as either a plaything for the wealthy, or as a tool for certain occupations like police and contractors.  There is also a social stigma due to the dangerousness factor- there is a legal presumption that if a vehicle gets into a crash, it is the driver's fault.  Public transit is, of course, world-class.

* Retiring to a farm in the countryside isn't really an option.  The rural areas tend to be either parkland or genuinely productive landscape (farming and forestry mainly- mining has been almost regulated out of existence, which is somewhat controversial as Trainland ends up having to import all that stuff from other countries), and "hobby farms" aren't really seen as practical.  Factory farming of animals is prohibited on environmental grounds, but conventionally farmed grains/fruits/vegetables are allowed, and are the standard.  Touristy rural villages do exist, however, and do draw their share of retirees, and represent really the only common middle ground bridging the city/country divide.

* There is no minimum wage- it is assumed that the guaranteed basic income (which is provided to everyone, regardless of age or employment status) does a good enough job of providing for necessities.  And unionization levels are sharply lower, especially since the large service sector mostly consists of freelancers, independent contractors, and small businesses/co-ops for which unionization wouldn't be practical.  However, there are many jobs for which even 35 hours a week is generally considered a lot: there is a very strong culture that people value free time more than money.  The result is a slightly lower material standard of living for the median resident of Trainland, but sharply lower unemployment.  

* Of course, education, science, and the arts remain "prestige" occupations here, and attract the sorts of high-powered folks who actually want to work more.  The relatively higher status of the arts here is the only real difference- Trainland has a thriving arts and entertainment sector, and cultural products like music, literature and film are one of its main exports.  There is significant government support for "high" culture (and significant popular support for maintaining this), but popular forms are widely enjoyed as well.

* Healthcare is on the Canada model- single-payer, but the docs are in business for themselves.  Private insurance is available for the wealthy.

* Church attendance is somewhat lower: while many community organizations have their roots in religion, they have by now been pretty much fully secularized.  Attitudes towards religion in the public sphere and education are somewhat more secular than the US, but do not go so far as the legendary laicite of France: for example, secular education is compulsory for children, but they are allowed to wear headscarves/crosses/etc. and pray in public.  Generally the most religious groups tend to be immigrant communities (of which there are a lot, since borders are quite open here).

* The military is about the same size, but is slightly more willing to get involved beyond its borders (though not nearly so interventionist as the US).  Trainland is a member of NATO, and as such has contributed to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and the like under the NATO banner.  

...

Okay, well, that was still pretty long.  Just imagine, it would have been twice as long.

[DC Al Fine]

Step it up a notch.

Andrewland Foreign Relations Report.

[snip]

DCAlFine Kingdom – Full Relations – Mild Restrictions

Areas of Concern – Concerns exist over minority religious/non-religious rights due to the government’s indirect promotion of Christianity through the party system and the education system. Concerns also exist over the rights of women within and outside of the family and over their sexual and reproductive health. Andrewland has concerns over ‘health tourists’ taking advantage of our universal health care system and often presenting with symptoms of severe liver damage and lung disease. The mafia operating inside and outside of the kingdom is carefully watched.

You don't bill foreigners for healthcare? Even us Canadians do that I think.