NationStates Jolt Archive

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The Island Empire of Barronia
"A Mari Usque Ad Mare"

Status: WIP - Work in Progress - Please do not post!


International Reference Section and Factbook

Motto: "A Mari Usque Ad Mare"
Anthem:O! Barronia!
Official Languages: British English, Arabic
National flower: Bat Plant (http://www.alertbutnotalarmed.com/images/photos/brief_orchid.jpg) (Tacca chantrieri)
National tree: Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
National animal: Severtzov's Jerboa (Allactaga severtzovi)
National patrons: Amphitrite, Brittania
Official font: Century Gothic
Currency: 1 Barronian Dinar = 100 Barronian Fils

Table of Contents:


Economy (]Government[/URL)

[URL=]Transport (]Culture[/URL)

[URL=]History (]Overseas Management[/URL)
[URL=]Military

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The Island Empire of Barronia
"A Mari Usque Ad Mare"

Government


Introduction to Barronian Socialism

The Barronian Government, or Magisterium as it is known in the country, is visible around the nation. Billboards adorn most main transport routes and public transport vehicles, proclaiming the honour of working for the government, joining the armed forces, and ensuring the furtherment of society.

Unlike many communist nations, private enterprise is encouraged - in certain industries. Certain sectors are declared off-limits to private and foreign investment, namely - healthcare and pharmaceuticals, public transport, utilities (including electricity, gas, and water supplies), public services (police, ambulance, and fire services), armed forces (army, naval and air services), and others. In other sectors, private enterprise in encouraged, with ethical practices rewarded, but overall highly regulated.

The Magisterium is a large government by practice - its presence is everywhere in the nation, whether it be on the national television channels (Barronian Broadcasting Corporation - see ), or on the 5.32 express train to Parthenon St Benedict (First Imperial Rail Network - see Transport (]Culture[/url)). With regulatory bodies for just about every purpose, the government is unafraid of changing it's business practices to protest against things it feels are "morally" wrong.

The people's opinion of the government is high, although this can be seen as a result of the people not knowing any better - the process for immigration and visas are arduous and many applicants simply forget the idea and go to another, easy-to-enter nation. As a result, the populace are largely unused to the "ideals" of democracy, an election not having been held for some 11 years in Barronia. The internet, whilst relatively unrestricted, is often monitored by government regulatory bodies who ensure that material "counter-productive to the status quo of society's progress" is filtered out and barred from being accessed from within the nation.

It is not unlike Wagdoggie Socialism in that it's true aim is to take care of its people through use of the state and it's imposition on the economy, preventing exploitation of the proletariat by the extreme capitalist fatcats.

[u]List of Magisterium Organisations

Magisteriate for Internal Affairs
Department for Administration of the Government (DAG)
Department for Administration of the Treasury (DAT)
Department for Defence and Warfare (DDW)
Department for Environmental, Rural, and Agricultural Affairs (DERAA)
Department for Education, Children and Social Affairs (DECSA)
Department for Healthcare (DfH)
Department for Transport (DfT)
Department for Trade, Infrastructure and Cartography (DTIC)
The High Courts
Barronian Imperial Group Management Commitee (BIGMC)
Barronian Anbaric Group Management Commitee (BAGMC)
Barronian Ministry of Information (MI2)
Barronian Department for Social Compliance (Secret Organisation, MI1 - see below)

Magisteriate for External Affairs
Department for International Affairs (DIA)
Barronian Ministry for International Operations (MI3)
Colonial Affairs Office (CAO)
Barronian Office for the Furtherment of Magisterial Trading (BOFMT, department for furthing Barronian Anbaric Group and Barronian Imperial Group's Overseas Interests)

SIC/OOC Knowledge Only: Barronian Department for Social Compliance - MI1

The Department for Social Compliance, or MI1, is largely unknown throughout the world, save by those who have expended serious time and effort in espionage in the Barronian Nation.

It's aim is, also, largely unknown, although it is widely believed to be to maintain the control of the current government, through the "removal" of political activists, usually pro-democracy campaigners. The Department is also believed to be behind the collapse of several influential pro-environmental and militant animal rights organisations, and is known to be behind the internet censorship to preserve the "status quo and the furtherment of society".

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The Island Empire of Barronia
"A Mari Usque Ad Mare"



Barronian Economy Information

The Magisterium typically operates a fairly protectionist economy, with only selected, preferential companies in selected industries exempt. Whilst this has left Barronia weak on the world stage, her large number of colonies and dependancies, coupled with exemplary business practices by the two main companies which work outside of Barronia, Barronian Anbaric Works Group and Barronian Imperial Group, keep the economy stable.

National GDP: $43,772,589,201,128
GDP Per Capita: $7,593

Government Budget Details

Administration: $437,725,892,011 (1%)
Welfare: $437,725,892,011 (1%)
Healthcare: $3,501,807,136,090 (8%)
Education: $10,505,421,408,271 (24%)
Religion and Spirituality: $0 (0%)
Defence: $8,316,791,948,214 (19%)
Law and Order: $10,505,421,408,271 (24%)
Commerce: $2,188,629,460,056 (5%)
Public Transport: $5,252,710,704,135 (12%)
Environment: $2,626,355,352,068 (6%)
Social Equality: $0 (0%)

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The Island Empire of Barronia
"A Mari Usque Ad Mare"



Barronian Culture

Introduction

Barronian culture has to be quite simply one of the most formal in the world. Most of the people wear some sort of suit, or at least trousers and an open-necked shirt when out and about. [to be completed]

The Basic Rules

Dress: To Impress. Suits can be picked up at all price ranges in town centres, from $25 in supermarkets to over $2,000 in the tailor shops lining the expensive shopping districts. For women, dresses can be picked up for anything between $15 to $25,000 in various summer, winter, and spring designs.
Generally, there are three levels of dress in Barronian society: Informal (open-necked shirt, no tie, jacket optional), Smart (tie, suit jacket), and Formal (dinner jackets, bow ties). Pay attention to your invite - it can often give you clues to the dress required, if it doesn't state so specifically. If in doubt, overdress - it can be a grave offence to turn up to a formal event in an open-necked shirt!
Tipping Based on service. If you're happy, tips of up to 15% are considered the norm, especially if you are part of a large group. In Barronia's restaurants, it's customary to set a small part of the tip away for the chef also - making sure everyone gets credit often ensures excellent service on your next visit! For taxis, giving the driver a note one level above your fare and letting him "keep the change" is often considered the politest way to give a tip, e.g. for a $49 fare, $50 would be given. On a $51 fare, $55 would be given, and so on and so forth.
Travelling
Taxi: The most important person enters and exits the car last, with the second most important person sitting next to him and the third opposite. As most taxis in Barronia are the fabled London "Hackney Cab" variety, this is generally the way it follows. The driver will open and close the doors for you - attempting to do so yourself can cause offense, so if the taxi driver steps out of the vehicle, allow him to open the doors. And remember - a thankyou often can mean the difference between a fair fare and a rip-off.
Bus: Barronian buses are unusual, to say the least. Driverless and running on regenerative titanium hydride cells, these buses are split into three sections: the Information Lounge, the Accessibility Area, and the Relaxation Lounge (see here (www.joakimoscarsson.com/project/r_o_n/index.htm)). It is generally considered prudent if, should an OAP or disabled person enter the bus, allow them a seat in the Accessibility Zone, especially if there are no other seats available. Women, also, especially when pregnant, should also be offered a seat if none are available. A simple gesture is usually enough, rather than making a show and dance of it.
Train: Guards on station platforms will ensure that your luggage is aboard the train - if one offers, it is not necessary to take it, however.
Dining When dining, if a lady should announce that she is leaving the table for whatever reason, it is considered polite for gentlemen to stand. The same goes if a lady is returning to the table. This rule applies throughout all formality levels. As with most cultures, in a multicourse meal, forks will be on the left, knives to the right, and spoons straight ahead. Working outside in, after each course, lay silverware at the 4 O'clock position on the plate. Servers will be used to working around people and will approach from your left - do not worry about moving to accomodate them, as they are quite capable in their own right.
Flirting Barronia really distances itself from most nations in its flirting mannerisms. Barronian women generally spurn advances from drunken males, so it is in your best interest to stay on the fruit juices! It is generally taken upon the males to make the first move, and being rejected should be taken graciously in order to preserve any reputation.
Flirting is an affair that can take weeks. At the end of the night, you will be expected to pay for a taxi to escort the lady home, right up to the door. If invited in for "coffee", use your discretion. If not, a light kiss on the cheek and a handwritten telephone number with name is usually enough to leave a lasting impression. If you're serious, you will be expected to telephone next morning.
Dating So, you've found yourself a fine Barronian lady to woo.
Dinner: Phone ahead and make a reservation as a rule - whether you're going straight out to dinner or seeing a movie first, going to a restaurant and finding no spare tables will not impress her. Manners and politeness are paramount

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The Island Empire of Barronia
"A Mari Usque Ad Mare"



Transport in Barronia

Introduction

Public Transport. In many nations it is lauded as a method only the poor should use, where the buses are of minimal quality and run to only the most basic of schedules.

Not so in Barronia. Barronian Imperial Group, the state-owned transport company, owns and operates one of the largest fleets of public transport vehicles in the world. Over 5,000,000 trains, 100,000,000 buses, and 500,000 aircraft are all part of the roster for this bastion of Barronia. Routes snake across the country, with an efficient and sensible timetable that allows you to cross the country through public transport from home to destination with less than 1 hour spent waiting. Clean, ultra-modern vehicles with top-flight information systems and quiet, comfortable interiors whisk you about the country, whilst ambient waiting areas and stations allow you to cross the nation in comfort, with the added peace and quiet that usually only private cars bring.

At night, buses can be found with reclining seats, along with roomier coaches and sleeper cars in trains - Barronia is now one of the few countries that runs an exclusive sleeper train service (Imperia Night Trains). It is presumed that a lack of need for profit helps to allow such luxuries. It is no wonder that night travel is a popular option in Barronia, given it's potential to be as comfortable as any hotel bed.

Barronian Imperial's livery is often based around a deep, dark blue.

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Ursa Major, a Pathfinder single-decker bus in Barronian Imperial new-style livery

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Polaris, a Gemini doubledecker bus in Barronian Imperial new-style livery

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The Island Empire of Barronia
"A Mari Usque Ad Mare"

Overseas Relations, Colonies, and Protectorates

List of Colonies

Barronian Overseas Territory of Gresta Barronii (http://www.picturehosting.org/images/LordBelacqua/grestabarroniifinal.png)
Barronian Overseas Territory of Lotet Barronii (http://www.picturehosting.org/images/LordBelacqua/lotetbarroniifinal.png)
Barronian Overseas Territory of Cazelia Barronii
Barronian Overseas Territory of Vantania Barronii
Barronian Overseas Territory of Soli'vil Barronii
Barronian Overseas Territory of Alcatraz Barronii
Barronian Overseas Territory of Makistania Barronii

List of Protectorates

Protectorate of The Magisterium, Aperture Science
Protectorate of The Magisterium, Skamania and Duloc