Oakeshottland
09-12-2003, 08:47
<Released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [RCOMFA] in assocaition with the Imperial Ministry [RCOIM], edited 22 March 2004>
OAKESHOTTLAND
Government
Summary
Official Name: Royal Commonwealth of Oakeshottland (formerly Commonwealth of Oakeshottland).
Government Style: Parliamentary system (with unwritten common law constitution), with strong executive (held by royal monarchy). Rules its partially autonomous dominions through imperial office or directly by Parliament/Monarch.
Capital City: Kirkwick.
Region: Conservatopia.
Flag: Union Jack.
Current Head of State: Queen Victoria.
Current Head of Government: Prime Minister Burke.
Dominions: Colony of Conradistan (formerly of Apolyton), Dominion of New Kirkwick (formerly of The United Peoples of Abraham), Protectorate of Sheenton. All now reside in Seclusion.
Currency
Uses the United Kingdom system (pounds, etc.).
[on last measure of the Quippothian Bond and Currency Exchange, [7 December 2003?] one pound equaled 1.12 NSG Crellars] [1 NSG Crellar = 2.10 USD].
Natural resources
Primary resource: Uranium.
Secondary Resources: Coal, Timber (though lessening as the years go by), Oil, Copper.
Exports
Materials - law enforcement armor; law enforcement weaponry; prison systems/incarceration technology; naval technology; information technology; ICBM technology [but of limited range - strengths in submarine ICBM tech], religious paraphanelia.
Services - law enforcement (in particular prison gaurd) training; legal scholarship/constitution-making; naval training; diplomatic (UN focus) training; seminaries.
Imports
Aluminium; Silicon; Fertilizer; some base metals; textiles.
Major Local Corporations/Non-government organizations
COCorp: Major defence corporation, on contract with the RCO government for most naval, and some other military, technology.
Never Again: conglomeration of corporations focused on law enforcement/prison training and technology (formed after ICV attack - see below).
EverGlow: Largest of the uranium mining companies, its size increased recently by the removal of anti-trust laws.
St. Anthanasius University: largest university in the RCO (located on the outskirts of Kirkwick), specializing in theology, diplomatic history, and law. A large portion of the RCO's elites graduate from this school.
The Archbishop's Office: run by Cardinal Newman at Kirkwick, this office keeps the delecate balance and interactions between the temporal sword of the RCO's government and the spiritual sword of the Church, along with relations between non-Catholic groups in the RCO.
Environment
The coasts are jagged, and the land runs from rough and infertile to somewhat productive [think England/Scotland]. Environment has suffered under extensive uranium mining.
Political Structure
Queen Victoria: head of the RCO by marriage [husband, King James I, assassinated - see below].
Prince James II: only son of Victoria and James I.
Originally a figurehead, the Queen increased the monarchy's power considerably, although has now considerably lessened the monarchy's hold on Parliament, which now tends to be more aligned with corporate agencies and religious corporations. May dismiss Parliament at any time, calls Parliament into session, can veto any bill before the Parliament. Final authority for all executive powers (but must consult Parliament to declare war, and in some other circumstances).
Parliament
600 seats in the House of Commons, 250 seats in the House of Lords. House of Commons holds the lion's share of power, although the House of Lords has most control over the courts, and can (through some parliamentary procedures) stall or kill bills before the House of Commons.
Current Prime Minister: Burke.
Cabinet: Minister of Foreign Affairs Voegelin; Minister of Defence Strauss; Minister of the Interior Hobbes; Minister of Commerce Hayek; Minister of the Faith Cardinal Newman, Imperial Minister Kipling.
Leaders of the Loyal Opposition: MP McBrien (of the Liberal Party); MP Rand (of the Objectivist Party).
Church
State religion: Roman Catholicism.
Other religions are permitted to practice, but certain restrictions, that do favor Catholics, are in effect. The Church, with the RCO since the beginning, weaves organically with the state, at times making a clear distinction between the two difficult. The major conference of bishops, and especially Cardinal Newman, can act as a veto force within Parliament, and hold more direct control in some of the local parishes of the state.
Military
By common law, all able-bodied men and women must serve in the military (or equivalent service for objectors and such) for no less than two years, with the possibility of re-enlistment at the end of that time. The only exception to this rule is for those who enroll in one of the RCO's military academies - after their studies are complete (four years), the cadets will serve no less than six years in the military, with the possibility of re-enlistment after that. All citizens are expected to keep their military skills in practice (through at least two annual practices, among other opportunities), in order that they are prepared to defend against invasion.
At this time, information on the military strength and capacity of the RCO and its dominions are considered "classified with qualification." Information of this type can be requested through the RCOMFA, and (if approved) will be sent to the curious nation.
Alliances
Defenders of the Faith (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101677&highlight=)
The Region of Conservatopia, and through them, MACTO.
Assorted nations, by treaty or mutual understanding.
Former alliances: The Region of the Catholic Confederation; World Christian Alliance (WCA).
Historical Background of the RCO
Originally the Commonwealth of Oakeshottland, the RCO came to the international scene after the reforms of King James I, which brought about the Parliamentary system and removed the power of the monarchy. Sadly, just before the transition of power, James I was assassinated by a a rogue villian against the reforms. Queen Victoria came to power, and ushered in the new commonwealth.
Soon after its creation, Oakeshottland was involved in a crisis. The region of the Imperial Continent Vector began a policy of genocide (or "forced removal," followed by shooting those "resisting arrest") against religious believers in their region. The Commonwealth, though small, protested loudly, and (perhaps unwisely) threatened to involve itself militarily. The ICV's anger turned on Oakeshottland, threatening to destroy the small nation. During the tension (with the United States of Jackson providing support and protection for the Commonwealth), some citizens of Foperstan (an ICV nation) were found within Oakeshottland, carrying explosives. While trying to piece together their entry into the Commonwealth, some nations of the ICV sent in special forces to break these citizens out of prison. The attack, though using stun and other non-lethal weapons, resulted in the death of one of the gaurds (the shock threw off his pacemaker). Slowly, the tensions died down, and though nothing had improved, the Commonwealth was not destroyed. At this time, Never Again was formed.
During this time, the Commonwealth was involved with the Catholic Confederation and the World Christian Alliance. As time went on, Oakeshottland would hold the position of the Foreign Minister with the CC. The CC would end up in tension with the region of Atheist Empire. Soon after tensions (and an potential invasion of the CC by the Atheist Empire, which was foiled before attempted) had passed, the Catholic Confederation began to fall apart. Its leadership died, and many nations ceased to be or left for other regions. At the same time, the internal situation in the RCO began to suffer.
Soon after the Atheist Empire incident, the Commonwealth decided to remove itself from international affairs. During that time, the Parliament thought it wise to try and increase the productivity of the economy. While achieving gains in this regard, the political situation changed drastically. The business sector's influence on government reached unprecedented levels, cresting when the business interests could force Prime Minister Burke into putting MP Rand in the Minister of Commerce position. Queen Victoria, seeing the suffering of some of the poorer members of Oakeshottland, took matters into her own hands, and began to rule the Commonwealth herself.
Moving the nation to Armageddon (after being invited by East Rockaway), the Queen had the state officially renamed the Royal Commowealth of Oakeshottland. In order to relieve the tensions within the RCO, the Queen proposed (with the majority consent in Parliament) that some dominions should be formed, allowing the most active and vocal of the dissidents (both left and right) to form their own semi-autonomous governments as they saw fit. Thus, the liberal dissidents formed the Colony of Conradistan (headed by Colony Governor Day), and the rightist dissidents went to the Dominion of New Kirkwick (led by Dominion Governor Buckley), all to be supervised by the new Imperial Ministry of the RCO. Immediately after this, the government of the RCO, in the confusion of the times, fell into a corrupt dictatorship. At the time, it was not entirely clear whether the leader of the state was Queen Victoria, or James II. After order was restored, it was learned that a secret party (the Nationalists) had taken control, headed by MP Quisling, manipulating James II while at the same time keeping the Crown Prince isolated from all others. Quisling has now been sentenced to life at hard labour by the House of Lords, to be served in the Uranium mines of New Kirkwick. His associates have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years to life. James II, upon being reviewd by a special panel, authorized by Queen Victoria and the Parliament (and headed by Fr. Johnathan Murray, head chaplin of the RCO Navy), was found not to be a conspirator, but merely a tool of the Nationalist Party. However, the panel did suggest a "trial period," where the Prince would be placed under strict religious discipline by the order of Opus Dei. He is serving his trial period in the Protectorate of Sheenton.
Slowly, order came back to the RCO, and it began to show its presence in the international arena again. It has recently formed a new dominion, the Protectorate of Sheenton, run by various religious orders, with the mission of keeping the protectorate safe, and amicable towards the contemplative life. It is run by Archbishop Anselm.
Among other things, the RCO has entered the debates on the use and abuse of the UN (helping, for instance, bring the "Equality for All" resolution to defeat) and similar diplomatic efforts. New Kirkwick has also entered in, attempting to forestall a war instigated by the Republic of Courtneydom against the region of Nationstates. The RCO has been accepted into membership with the Defenders of the Faith.
After a period of seclusion, where exeuctive power lessened, and interconnections between corporations secular and religious to the government became more common, the RCO joined the region of Conservatopia (created from Armageddon). It is now holds a seat as Vice Justice of the Judicial League in that region.
This is the general summary of RCO history - further inquires can be made with the RCOMFA.
OAKESHOTTLAND
Government
Summary
Official Name: Royal Commonwealth of Oakeshottland (formerly Commonwealth of Oakeshottland).
Government Style: Parliamentary system (with unwritten common law constitution), with strong executive (held by royal monarchy). Rules its partially autonomous dominions through imperial office or directly by Parliament/Monarch.
Capital City: Kirkwick.
Region: Conservatopia.
Flag: Union Jack.
Current Head of State: Queen Victoria.
Current Head of Government: Prime Minister Burke.
Dominions: Colony of Conradistan (formerly of Apolyton), Dominion of New Kirkwick (formerly of The United Peoples of Abraham), Protectorate of Sheenton. All now reside in Seclusion.
Currency
Uses the United Kingdom system (pounds, etc.).
[on last measure of the Quippothian Bond and Currency Exchange, [7 December 2003?] one pound equaled 1.12 NSG Crellars] [1 NSG Crellar = 2.10 USD].
Natural resources
Primary resource: Uranium.
Secondary Resources: Coal, Timber (though lessening as the years go by), Oil, Copper.
Exports
Materials - law enforcement armor; law enforcement weaponry; prison systems/incarceration technology; naval technology; information technology; ICBM technology [but of limited range - strengths in submarine ICBM tech], religious paraphanelia.
Services - law enforcement (in particular prison gaurd) training; legal scholarship/constitution-making; naval training; diplomatic (UN focus) training; seminaries.
Imports
Aluminium; Silicon; Fertilizer; some base metals; textiles.
Major Local Corporations/Non-government organizations
COCorp: Major defence corporation, on contract with the RCO government for most naval, and some other military, technology.
Never Again: conglomeration of corporations focused on law enforcement/prison training and technology (formed after ICV attack - see below).
EverGlow: Largest of the uranium mining companies, its size increased recently by the removal of anti-trust laws.
St. Anthanasius University: largest university in the RCO (located on the outskirts of Kirkwick), specializing in theology, diplomatic history, and law. A large portion of the RCO's elites graduate from this school.
The Archbishop's Office: run by Cardinal Newman at Kirkwick, this office keeps the delecate balance and interactions between the temporal sword of the RCO's government and the spiritual sword of the Church, along with relations between non-Catholic groups in the RCO.
Environment
The coasts are jagged, and the land runs from rough and infertile to somewhat productive [think England/Scotland]. Environment has suffered under extensive uranium mining.
Political Structure
Queen Victoria: head of the RCO by marriage [husband, King James I, assassinated - see below].
Prince James II: only son of Victoria and James I.
Originally a figurehead, the Queen increased the monarchy's power considerably, although has now considerably lessened the monarchy's hold on Parliament, which now tends to be more aligned with corporate agencies and religious corporations. May dismiss Parliament at any time, calls Parliament into session, can veto any bill before the Parliament. Final authority for all executive powers (but must consult Parliament to declare war, and in some other circumstances).
Parliament
600 seats in the House of Commons, 250 seats in the House of Lords. House of Commons holds the lion's share of power, although the House of Lords has most control over the courts, and can (through some parliamentary procedures) stall or kill bills before the House of Commons.
Current Prime Minister: Burke.
Cabinet: Minister of Foreign Affairs Voegelin; Minister of Defence Strauss; Minister of the Interior Hobbes; Minister of Commerce Hayek; Minister of the Faith Cardinal Newman, Imperial Minister Kipling.
Leaders of the Loyal Opposition: MP McBrien (of the Liberal Party); MP Rand (of the Objectivist Party).
Church
State religion: Roman Catholicism.
Other religions are permitted to practice, but certain restrictions, that do favor Catholics, are in effect. The Church, with the RCO since the beginning, weaves organically with the state, at times making a clear distinction between the two difficult. The major conference of bishops, and especially Cardinal Newman, can act as a veto force within Parliament, and hold more direct control in some of the local parishes of the state.
Military
By common law, all able-bodied men and women must serve in the military (or equivalent service for objectors and such) for no less than two years, with the possibility of re-enlistment at the end of that time. The only exception to this rule is for those who enroll in one of the RCO's military academies - after their studies are complete (four years), the cadets will serve no less than six years in the military, with the possibility of re-enlistment after that. All citizens are expected to keep their military skills in practice (through at least two annual practices, among other opportunities), in order that they are prepared to defend against invasion.
At this time, information on the military strength and capacity of the RCO and its dominions are considered "classified with qualification." Information of this type can be requested through the RCOMFA, and (if approved) will be sent to the curious nation.
Alliances
Defenders of the Faith (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101677&highlight=)
The Region of Conservatopia, and through them, MACTO.
Assorted nations, by treaty or mutual understanding.
Former alliances: The Region of the Catholic Confederation; World Christian Alliance (WCA).
Historical Background of the RCO
Originally the Commonwealth of Oakeshottland, the RCO came to the international scene after the reforms of King James I, which brought about the Parliamentary system and removed the power of the monarchy. Sadly, just before the transition of power, James I was assassinated by a a rogue villian against the reforms. Queen Victoria came to power, and ushered in the new commonwealth.
Soon after its creation, Oakeshottland was involved in a crisis. The region of the Imperial Continent Vector began a policy of genocide (or "forced removal," followed by shooting those "resisting arrest") against religious believers in their region. The Commonwealth, though small, protested loudly, and (perhaps unwisely) threatened to involve itself militarily. The ICV's anger turned on Oakeshottland, threatening to destroy the small nation. During the tension (with the United States of Jackson providing support and protection for the Commonwealth), some citizens of Foperstan (an ICV nation) were found within Oakeshottland, carrying explosives. While trying to piece together their entry into the Commonwealth, some nations of the ICV sent in special forces to break these citizens out of prison. The attack, though using stun and other non-lethal weapons, resulted in the death of one of the gaurds (the shock threw off his pacemaker). Slowly, the tensions died down, and though nothing had improved, the Commonwealth was not destroyed. At this time, Never Again was formed.
During this time, the Commonwealth was involved with the Catholic Confederation and the World Christian Alliance. As time went on, Oakeshottland would hold the position of the Foreign Minister with the CC. The CC would end up in tension with the region of Atheist Empire. Soon after tensions (and an potential invasion of the CC by the Atheist Empire, which was foiled before attempted) had passed, the Catholic Confederation began to fall apart. Its leadership died, and many nations ceased to be or left for other regions. At the same time, the internal situation in the RCO began to suffer.
Soon after the Atheist Empire incident, the Commonwealth decided to remove itself from international affairs. During that time, the Parliament thought it wise to try and increase the productivity of the economy. While achieving gains in this regard, the political situation changed drastically. The business sector's influence on government reached unprecedented levels, cresting when the business interests could force Prime Minister Burke into putting MP Rand in the Minister of Commerce position. Queen Victoria, seeing the suffering of some of the poorer members of Oakeshottland, took matters into her own hands, and began to rule the Commonwealth herself.
Moving the nation to Armageddon (after being invited by East Rockaway), the Queen had the state officially renamed the Royal Commowealth of Oakeshottland. In order to relieve the tensions within the RCO, the Queen proposed (with the majority consent in Parliament) that some dominions should be formed, allowing the most active and vocal of the dissidents (both left and right) to form their own semi-autonomous governments as they saw fit. Thus, the liberal dissidents formed the Colony of Conradistan (headed by Colony Governor Day), and the rightist dissidents went to the Dominion of New Kirkwick (led by Dominion Governor Buckley), all to be supervised by the new Imperial Ministry of the RCO. Immediately after this, the government of the RCO, in the confusion of the times, fell into a corrupt dictatorship. At the time, it was not entirely clear whether the leader of the state was Queen Victoria, or James II. After order was restored, it was learned that a secret party (the Nationalists) had taken control, headed by MP Quisling, manipulating James II while at the same time keeping the Crown Prince isolated from all others. Quisling has now been sentenced to life at hard labour by the House of Lords, to be served in the Uranium mines of New Kirkwick. His associates have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years to life. James II, upon being reviewd by a special panel, authorized by Queen Victoria and the Parliament (and headed by Fr. Johnathan Murray, head chaplin of the RCO Navy), was found not to be a conspirator, but merely a tool of the Nationalist Party. However, the panel did suggest a "trial period," where the Prince would be placed under strict religious discipline by the order of Opus Dei. He is serving his trial period in the Protectorate of Sheenton.
Slowly, order came back to the RCO, and it began to show its presence in the international arena again. It has recently formed a new dominion, the Protectorate of Sheenton, run by various religious orders, with the mission of keeping the protectorate safe, and amicable towards the contemplative life. It is run by Archbishop Anselm.
Among other things, the RCO has entered the debates on the use and abuse of the UN (helping, for instance, bring the "Equality for All" resolution to defeat) and similar diplomatic efforts. New Kirkwick has also entered in, attempting to forestall a war instigated by the Republic of Courtneydom against the region of Nationstates. The RCO has been accepted into membership with the Defenders of the Faith.
After a period of seclusion, where exeuctive power lessened, and interconnections between corporations secular and religious to the government became more common, the RCO joined the region of Conservatopia (created from Armageddon). It is now holds a seat as Vice Justice of the Judicial League in that region.
This is the general summary of RCO history - further inquires can be made with the RCOMFA.