Florencia

[center][b][i]"We are in the midst of the greatest contest for which we will ever compete. A struggle for the very fabric of freedom and liberation of all the Florencian peoples from tyranny."[/b] — President, then Commander-in-Chief Leo Sinclair during the height of the Great Revolutionary War

[/i][/center]

The Union of Florencian Social Republics (UFSR) has come a long way from it's desperate origins as a small patchwork of partisans, patriots and oppressed peoples. The Florencian Union rose from the ashes of an autocratic empire and forged a social federal republic that now takes its first hesitant steps into the greater world. It is a union of free peoples created to uphold the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property. And an expansive defense force and well armed populace exist in order to defend these rights from future invasion—both foreign and domestic. As of yet the UFSR has enjoyed near complete isolation from the rest of the world due to its previous revolution and subsequent reconstruction. Florencia is great in both population and free spirit and she eagerly marches towards fulfilling her destiny on the world stage.

[center][img][/img] [i][b]"Great Union" flag[/b][/i][/center]

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]OVERVIEW[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr][b]Shortform name:[/b] Florencia Union, Florencia [b]Indigenous shortform:[/b] — Belyaruthen: [i]Flarencyja Sajuz[/i], [i]Flarencyja[/i] — Native: [i]Fosuautikka Kanosoni, Fosuarika[/i] — Elyrian: [i]Velorénsia[/i] — Zhenian: [floatright][img][/img] [i][b]Republcan Eagle coat of arms[/b][/i][/floatright] [b]Longform name:[/b] Union of Florencian Social Republics (UFSR) [b]Indigenous longform:[/b] — Belyaruthen: [i]Sajuz Flarentyjski Sacyjaĺnych Respublik (SFSR)[/i] — Native: [i]Kanosonee Fosuautikka Rotinon Sionni (KFRS)[/i] — Elyrian: — Zhenian: [b]Government form:[/b] Socialist federal semi-presidential constitutional republic —National Symbol:[i]Princeps[/i] Rias Antonia II — Head of Government: President Maxim K. Tyroll — Head of State: First Secretary Gabriela Cantacuzino [b]Legislature:[/b] All-Union Congress — Upper House: Senate — Lower House: Assembly of the People [b]Population:[/b] 212 million Territory: [b]Capital city:[/b] St. Catherine C.F. (City of Florencia) [b]Largest city:[/b] Serrapolis, SFR Athica [b]Official language:[/b] None, [i]De facto[/i] Belyaruhenian National languages: Elyrian, Zhenian, numerous other native tongues National Anthem: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yDrtNEr_5M]The Patriotic Song[/url]

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]HISTORY[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

The modern Florencian state originates with the native peoples of the central New World. Disparate sedentary empires and nomadic tribes among the mountain peaks, temperate forests, grasslands, and deserts of the present day UFSR would have entered a post-classical stage of development featuring distinctive metallurgy, booming cities, and a limited comprehension of writing language by the 1100's. Technological progress and population expansion would only boom with the introduction of Zhenian horses and paper. Later East Asian contact with the central New World would see the growth of commerce on the continent with the establishment of Zhenian trade cities by the late 1500's. Ultimately the peak of Zhenian interaction with present day Florencia would see the establishment of a colony; the Viceroyalty of Shinjin, which would reach a mature stage of population development and government by the late 1700's, solidifying a sizable East Asian population in the eastern UFSR.

Native interaction with the Auroans would be less fruitful and see the forced establishment of a Thracian colony in the western portion of Florencia, a direct counter to East Asian ambitions in the East. Whereas eastern Florencia would experience a more nuanced synthesis of native and East Asian populations, the west would experience a dominated hierarchy by the Auroans and forced Elyrianization. The less habitable grassland interior of the current Florencian nation would be left to nomadic natives that would steadily be infringed upon by foreign settlers. The discovery of gold in the Thracian colony would prompt a sponsored series of immigration from Slavic peoples to toil the land, send resources back to the empire, and further displace the native population that had been wracked by war and disease. This would be a trend that would continue well into the existence of the current Union state.

During the 1780's the Zhenian viceroyalty would rebel from the mainland and organize itself as an independent republic. The same would be said of the western Thracian colony, where in the early 1800's unrest at home would see a bloodied revolution establish the Velorénsian Empire. Velorénsia itself would be the Elyrian translation for Florencia, which is itself a bastardized synthesis of both the native name for the nation and the Elryian translate. The drawn out revolution that created the Velorénsian Empire might have begun with enlightened republican ideals, but was hijacked by a minor Thracian noble and brilliant tactician who would go the way of a Napoleon and capitalize on unrest, disorder, and exhaustion to crown himself Emperor and Autocrat. The Emperor of Velorénsia would end up marrying the exiled princess of Elyria. Both the first Emperor and later his son would expand and consolidate the realm, gobbling up the independent eastern former Zhenian colony by the 1860's in an event known as the War of Unification.

The Velorénsian Empire by the 1900's had become a cosmopolitan state with a sizable Zhenian minority on the East Coast, a thoroughly Elyrianized West Coast, and a large number of Slavs, natives, and other Auroan migrants everywhere in between. Growing agitation with a despotic emperor would led to the Empire's entry of the first world war on the side of Zhenia, no doubt with the hope of unifying the nation and getting rich off the war. However famine, pestilence, monarchical disconnect with the populace, a type of serfdom share-cropping system, a tanked economy, and imperial performance in the war ending horribly would lead to a relatively quick revolution that would depose the Emperor and see the establishment of the Union of Florencian Social Republics in 1919. The events of 1919 are categorized as the Great Revolutionary War.

This new Florencian state would be influenced by enlightenment republican ideals and early socialist/syndicalist thought, synthesizing into the homegrown ideology of social republicanism, rejecting such ideas as blood and soil and idealizing this new doctrine as the foundation of the nation. The fabric of the UFSR would be woven by a multi-ethnic fabric of citizenry from a diverse religious, ethnic, and racial background all united behind the ideas of life, liberty, and property.

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]SOCIAL REPUBLIC[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

[center][img][/img] [i][b]The statue of Mother Florencia stands proudly before the "Congressional Building" that is the center of the legislature in the capitol city St. Catherine C.F. (City of Florencia)[/i][/b][/center]

The Florencian Union considers itself a [b]social federal republic[/b]. In that sense the [b]liberal republic[/b] controls the commanding heights of the [b]socialist market economy[/b]. It is the patriotic duty of the population to partake in democracy and specifically the workers, farmers, and petite bourgeoisie to manage the economy. State control of heavy industry, decentralized and democratic-self management, affirmative action, welfare, and entrepreneurship exemplify the socialist market economy. Government management and regulation of the economy alongside the expansive welfare state provides for the commonwealth of the Union, uplifting the worker, farmer, and all other laborer to an equitable proper standard of living.

The [b]Declaration of the Freedoms and Rights of the People[/b] was a statement adopted by the [b]Constituent Revolutionary Congress[/b] in representation of the whole of the Florencian people. The declaration formalized the intention of the patriots to form a republic and espoused the inalienable rights granted to the people. This decree issued amidst the conflict of [b]The Great Revolutionary War[/b] helped shape the basis of the Union. According to the constitution, the principles of freedom and liberty enshrined in the declaration have constitutional value. The [b]Constitution of the UFSR[/b], which bonded together the many different guerrilla states and factions that arose in coalition during the revolution espouses a firm commitment to the peoples life, liberty, and property within the framework of a republic. The Constitution of course details the capacity of the federal government, lists a bill of rights, and organizes the whole of the social federal republic.

The constitution of the UFSR explicitly outlines a separation of powers divided among three branches of government in the Montesquieu model.

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]UNION CONGRESS[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

[center][img][/img] [i][b]Congress assembled during a joint session in the Congressional Building[/b][/i][/center]

The legislative power is invested by the Florencian people and entrusted within the bicameral [b]All-Union Congress[/b]. The upper house of the Congress constitutes the [b]Senate[/b] which represents the republics within the Union, whereas the lower house; the [b]Assembly of the People[/b], represents the whole of the Union.

The Senate is comprised of 36 senators, that is three senators per social republic, chosen through individual state-wide, universal direct election.

Representatives within the Assembly of the People are elected on the basis of mixed-member proportional representation, with the rule there be one representative per 700,00 people in a social republic—for a total of 434 representatives. Additionally, "public organizations" such as the trade unions, national academies, youth organizations like the Pioneer Scouts, political parties, and other groups elect representatives to 100 reserved seats. And finally each branch of the armed forces, individual social republic legislatures, and recognized religious institutions are eligible to elect one representative to the Assembly. The total number of seats within the Assembly of the People is thus 572.

All nation-wide elections for the All-Union Congress of the Florencian Union (as well as the President) are compulsory, universal, and done by secret ballot for all persons over the age of 17.

The Union Congress has the power to declare war, regulate both foreign and union commerce, elect the First Secretary, investigate, scrutinize, and impeach the President along with his Cabinet of Ministers, admit republics into the Union, create laws, [i]power of the purse[/i], among other duties. Senators and representatives to the Congress are elected to a term of six and three years respectively, with a limit of four terms each.

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]PRESIDENCY/CABINET OF MINISTERS[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr] [center][img][/img] [i][b]The "Grand Florencian Palace", once home to the Emperor, is the residence of the President[/b][/i][/center]

The [b]President and the Cabinet of Ministers[/b] are the executive branch and main instrument of government within the UFSR. The cabinet is [i]de facto[/i] headed by the President , who is elected via a Union-wide electoral college. [i]De jure[/i] leadership of the Cabinet of Ministers resides in the post of [b]First Secretary[/b], whom is elected by the Union Congress and usually of an opposing party. The First Secretary and his deputies are charged with nominating the cabinet, implementing domestic policy, and the basic administration of the state. The First Secretary is the [b]head of state[/b] and often described as the second most powerful person within the Union, behind the President. He reports to and works through both the Congress and the President .

The President appoints his ministers whom advise him and are the chief administrative officials of the government. They also work with state governments to implement policy and administer the Union. [b]Ministries[/b] are the primary arm of federal bureaucracy and are focused on specific areas, whereas [b]committees[/b] are less numerous and far more powerful or deal with several branches of governance. For instance the Ministry of Education establishes policy for educational guidelines, collect data on UFSR schools, and regulate state run public primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions. While the [b]State Economic Planning Committee[/b] is responsible for the management of the decentralized heavy industry apparatus and regulation of the greater economy within the Florencian Union.

The President is the Union's [b]head of government[/b] and nominally the most powerful person within the country. He is elected via an electoral college with electors proportional to the amount of seats in the Union Congress. The President serves a four year term and is only eligible to serve two terms consecutively, before waiting another four years to be eligible for re-election. The powers granted to the Presidency and thus the cabinet by the Florencian people include; negotiation of foreign treaties, appointment of state positions, both the power to veto and propose legislature, regulation of the socialist market economy and capitol, implement foreign and (somewhat) domestic policy, and maintaining the defense and security of the Union.

[b]Cabinet of Ministers[/b]

The President appoints his ministers whom advise him and are the chief administrative officials of the government. They also work with republican governments to implement policy and administer the Union. [b]Ministries[/b] are the primary arm of federal bureaucracy and are focused on specific areas, whereas [b]commissions[/b] are less numerous and deal with several branches of governance. For instance the Ministry of Agriculture establishes farming guidelines and works with farming cooperatives to ensure the Union can be feed. While the [b]State Planning Commission[/b] is responsible for the establishing the three year plans along with the management and regulation of the greater economy within the Florencian Union. Additional members of the Cabinet of Ministers include the First Secretary, who also holds the position of Speaker of the Assembly of Peoples, and the [i]Princeps[/i] who officially acts in an advisory role. The federal ministries are primarily concerned with national matters, so quite a few constituent republics adopt a similar ministerial organization to perform and administer similar functions dealing with their locality.

[spoiler=Cabinet of Ministers]— [b]Ministry of Foreign Affairs[/b] Union ministry primarily concerned with advising the President and leading the country in foreign policy issues. Representing the UFSR on the world stage and negotiating treaties and agreements with foreign and allied polities.

— [b]Union Military Establishment[/b] The Union Military Establishment is the federal ministry tasked with the coordinating and supervising all aspects of the Union and constituent republican governments with regards to the defense of the [i]Motherland[/i]. The head of the ministry normally holds the duel position of Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Stavka High Command of the Defense Forces. [u]Union Defense Forces[/u] [u]National Militia[/u] [u]Armed Masses Militia[/u]

— [b]Ministry of Justice[/b] Ministry tasked (somewhat) with the enforcement of Union law and principally the administration of justice in the criminal and civil system. Firstly the ministry represents the Union in legal matters ([i]Union Attorneys[/i]) and secondarily runs the federal penitentiary corrective system to rehabilitate criminals who have committed crimes [i]not[/i] against the people ([i]All-Union Corrections Agency[/i]), enforcement of prohibited items or substances ([i]Contraband Enforcement Agency[/i]), and enforcing the will of the courts ([i]Marshals Service[/i]). The ministry is headed by the Attorney-General.

[u]General Directorate for Investigation (GDI)[/u] The [i]General Directorate for Investigation (GDI)[/i] is divided among specific directorates for the administration of union law, inter-republican crime investigation, combating counterrevolutionary elements, domestic espionage, counter-terrorism, and counterintelligence. A number of civil servants, suit wearing agents, and special purpose units fall under the GDI to fulfill its obligations to national security. The General Directorate for Investigation is nominally the "secret police" of Florencia and the principle arm of domestic intelligence gathering within the government.

— [b]Ministry of Labor[/b] The Ministry of Labor was separated from the SPC and is responsible for ensuring worker's safety and benefits across the UFSR. It is the federal organ that actively meets with workers' unions to ensure fair wages, work hours, and prevent workplace hazards. Also uphold and regulates workplace democracy throughout the lower industries. Levies regulations and mandates that effect many small scale capitalist businesses, cooperatives, and industries within the Union.

— [b]Ministry of Finance[/b] The Ministry of Finance is responsible for advising fiscal policy, managing national finances, and collecting the social dividend—that being the tax payed out from the surplus value of economic enterprises. It's a flexible system allowing for rates to be set progressively and allows for deductions or credit applied to what industries may have less of an economic margin. The bulk of Union revenue comes from the social dividend.

— [b]Ministry of the Interior[/b] The Ministry of the Interior is unique to Florencia. It deals with the conservation and management of Union land, natural resources, wildlife, as well as tribal affairs. The [i]All-Union National Parks[/i] system is also run by the Ministry of the Interior, which maintains and conserves the natural beauty of Florencia's flora and fauna for all persons to enjoy.

— [b]Ministry of Communication[/b] Ministry level position within the cabinet responsible for providing quality postal, telephone, and internet service at a good price to all Florencian citizens throughout the whole of the Union. Such services are provided by the nationalized corporations that are the Union Postal and Package Service (UPPS) and Union Telegraph and Telephone (UTT), which also provides internet connectivity to the masses.

— [b]Ministry of Manufacturing[/b]

— [b]Ministry of Light Industry[/b]

— [b]Ministry of Construction[/b]

— [b]Ministry of Agriculture[/b] Responsible for creating and executing federal laws and guidelines in regards to farming, agriculture, forestry, and food. The Ministry of Agriculture works with farmer cooperatives and private ranchers to promote livestock and agricultural trade.

— [b]Ministry for the Commonwealth[/b] This ministry ties together all the agencies concerned with health, education, and social services in order to ensure the promotion of the health, safety and standard of living among the Florencian people. This agency runs the [i]All-Union Universal Healthcare Program[/i], the social security net, and sets guidelines for constituent republican run public schools that provide primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Also spearheads public work programs and contracts with local construction companies to build the foundations of the Union.

— [b]Ministry of Energy[/b] The responsibilities of this committee include the energy-related research, energy conversation, the safe disposal of hazardous nuclear material, the maintenance and construction of nuclear reactors, and the supervision and regulation of wind, solar, coal, oil, and gas state owned corporations or worker cooperatives.

— [b]Ministry of Transportation[/b] Concerned with the development and management of the national transportation system, as well as ensuring it's efficiency for public usage and the national defense. This includes the nationalized rail and air industry as well as the management of the privatized urban public bus and trolley system. Also establishes safe guidelines and encourages safe motor habits.

— [b]State Planning Commission (StatePlan)[/b]

— [b]Commission for Security and Order (CommSec)[/b]

[u]Frontier Guard[/u] CommSec Frontier Guards militarized border troops responsible for the defense of the national border. This includes apprehending/preventing illegal immigrants, combating smuggling, and repulsing armed incursions. The Frontier Guards man all crossings or checkpoints into the Florencian Union and monitor the border with armed patrols.

[u]Security Troops (ST)[/u] The Security Troops are the internal paramilitary of the CommSec and exercise the duties of armed response to counter-terrorism, counterrevolutionary elements, and riot suppression. Essentially upholding internal security and order. Every constituent UFSR republic would have its own Security Troops group(s) subordinate to the Commission for Security and Order. Notoriously the ST is known to operate as a mobile death squad committing extrajudicial killings or apprehension of subversive elements, but that is mostly hearsay.

[u]Separate Operational Purpose Division (SOPD)[/u] The Separate Operational Purpose Division is a rapid response internal security, motorized rifle division of the Security Troops. The division includes an organic [i]spetsnaz[/i] regiment (organized as a "special operational purpose center"), three motorized maneuver regiments, and a substantial support train. The entire division employs over 14,000 well indoctrinated soldiers, hundreds of light armored vehicles, divisional artillery (mortar and anti-air), and brutally efficient special purpose troops.

[u]Main Administration For Settlements (MAAS)[/u]

— [b]All-Union Central Bank[/b]

— [b]National Academy of Arts and Sciences[/b][/spoiler]

[floatright][box][img][/img] [center][i]Princeps Rias Antonia II and her T-72E Wolf tank on patrol[/i][/center][/box][/floatright]

[hr][size=200][b][i]PRINCEPS[/i][/b][/size] [hr]

The Florencian Union is solidly a constitutional republic dedicated to the cause of freedom and democracy. There exists no monarchy, the separation of powers ensures no tyrant can seize power, and the checks and balances system maintains a government responsible to the masses. However in the pursuit and great contest for liberty, equality, and property that the Florencian people found themselves in, a great ally to the social republican cause was found in the so called "Red Prince" of Alexander Antonia I.

The Red Prince expressed a rabid commitment to the revolutionary cause of the masses, democracy, and freedom unseen of any within the disgraced aristocratic class or the ruling imperial dynasty of the previous regime, the [i]Krasaves[/i]. Indeed the Red Prince would defect from the Empire with an entire elite cavalry division that would provide crucial aid to the patriots in the early stages of the revolution. When the Great Revolutionary War was finally concluded and the Florencian people stood victorious over autocracy, a decision was made for the creation of a symbolic post of national and cultural significance as well as provide historical legitimacy to the new social federal republic.

This posting is the [i]Princeps[/i], the "first among equals" that was granted to Alexander Antonia I and what ancestral successors he would have. The powers and duties of the [i]Princeps[/i] are well enshrined in the Constitution, effectively none, either than to maintain themselves as a "patriotic, respectable, and responsible symbol of the Florencian people, their history, their culture, and their nation." However command of the All-Union Guard's Armored Cavalry Regiment is often given to the [i]Princeps[/i], should they have completed proper training and service within the Union Army.

[hr][size=200][b]SUPREME COURT[/b][/size] [hr] [center][img][/img] [i][b]The "Palace of Justice" is the seat of the Florencian judiciary.[/b][/i][/center]

The Supreme Court of the UFSR is the core of the judicial branch and is the highest court. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the President and approved by the both the All-Union Congress and the First Secretary before serving for life, or till retirement. The constitution stipulates that there shall be a limit of 17 Supreme Court justices, with one holding the post of Supreme Justice. The Supreme Court is granted the authority by the people to interpret the Constitution, interpret law, and the broad authority of judicial review over both the President and the All- Union Congress.

[hr][size=200][b]ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS[/b][/size] [hr]

The Florencian Union is a federation of constituent sovereign Social Republics. Some of these republics represent homogeneous titular nationalities or cultures, others are a grouping of heterogeneous minorities or slim majorities of different peoples that have ultimately emerged as distinct from other republics. Three republican governments follow a federal structure as a Social Federative Republic (SFR) and further broken into autonomous republics to politically represent the diverse peoples and groups living under such the state, whereas the other nine Social Republics (SR) are organized as unitary governments. The executive head of a Social Republic is the governor-general and each state organizes it's legislature into a bicameral assembly mirroring the Union's own, though a select few republic's have adopted unicameral legislative. Besides retaining their own government, republics are guaranteed their own respective judiciary forces and provide contingents to the Army National Militia.

[table][tr][td][center]Social Republics of the Florencian Union[/center][/td][/tr][/table] [table][tr][td]Republic[/td][td]Capitol[/td][td]Population[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SFR Athica[/td][td]New Carystus City[/td][td]78.7 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Belyaruthena[/td][td]Kharyv[/td][td]11.2 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Bithynia et Pontus[/td][td]Nicomedia[/td][td]5.6 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SFR Decatur[/td][td]Praha[/td][td]42.3 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Idahmia[/td][td]Twin Springs[/td][td]3.6 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Galitsiya[/td][td]Huliaipole[/td][td]20.6 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Evangeline[/td][td]Edessa[/td][td]23.8 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Lacustria[/td][td]Righeira[/td][td]4.5 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Makedon[/td][td]Pella[/td][td]4.2 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Owhyee[/td][td]Blaine[/td][td]29.6 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SR Tallabamo[/td][td]Monterotondo[/td][td]6.7 million[/td][/tr] [tr][td]SFR Shinjin[/td][td]Shinyang[/td][td]67.4 million[/td][/tr][/table]

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]GEOGRAPHY[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]IDEOLOGY[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

While the Union of Florencian Social Republics espouses no official ideology, such a system of state mandates [i]de facto[/i] exist as the [b]Social Republican Principle[/b], [b]New Union Man[/b], and [b]Florencian Providence[/b] concepts, respectively. These ideas are ingrained as the unofficial ideology and guiding policy of the Florencian Union, and are generally subscribed to by the bulk of the population. They form of the foundation of the modern Union state, along with the Declaration of the Freedoms and Rights of the People and the Constitution of the UFSR. Often times the extent, scope, and power of such uncorroborated state policies differ greatly considering how the wind is blowing in the nation and who his at the helm.

[b]Social Republicanism[/b]

The "[i]Social Republican Principle[/i]" or [i]social republicanism[/i] is the foundation of the new Florencian state and perhaps the most overarching ideological concept within the Union. Indeed the founding figures of the Union state were all proponents of social republicanism, though even they argued over exact definition of the ideology and how a government could be constructed along those social republican methods. Between the factions prior to the revolution and the political parties that arose in it's stead, most all had espoused a commitment to the principle as a key aspect of their platform, though all postulated a different definition on what the principle entails.

[floatleft][box][img][/img] [center][size=75][i]A Left Republican Party poster for the 1920 elections to the

Constituent Revolutionary Congress

[/i][/size][/center][/box][/floatleft]

Social Republicanism is a synthesis of republican enlightenment ideals, democratic socialist theory, and civic nationalism. This produces an ideology the espouses a love for one's nation, the rule of law, political [i]and[/i] economic democracy, as well as providing for the general commonwealth of the whole of the nation. Whereas other nationalist or socialist theories subscribe to a collectivist thought of drowning the individual for the betterment of the masses, Social Republicanism is a mostly individualist thought, promoting individual liberty and ingenuity while providing the necessities for a proper living.

Social republicanism as a distinct ideology has it's origins in the writings of the socio-political philosopher and journalist Georges Rivain who printed several treatises along with Theodore Umetsky in the late 1850's regarding the future of the Florencian state. The pair argued for a greater Velorénsia (this is prior to the War of Unification) with a benevolent Emperor at restricted by a written constitution and his domain divided into a federal state of equal partners. Perhaps most unique regarding their writings was the stipulation that the Emperor and Autocrat of Velorénsia, be responsible to the [i]commonwealth[/i] of the whole of the Empire regarding healthcare, education, and fair labor. Later writings by the pair would flesh out their ideals, which was essentially social democracy under an Emperor who would act more as a symbol of national prestige, history, and culture than an all powerful autocrat. The early death of Georges Rivain in 1859, the Empire's brutal pacification campaign in the territories of the former confederation, and worsening labor conditions in the midst of the industrial revolution would see Umetsky take a radicalized turn from the pair's earlier publications.

Umetsky would form the basis of modern day social republicanism with his book [i]The Future of the Florencian Nation[/i], where he turned away from ideas of Greater Velorénsia in turn advocating Florencian nationalism, a far flung idea for the 1860's. Umetsky argued that the many different peoples that now made up the Empire of Velorénsia belonged to single identity of people that was neither Native, Zhenian, Slavic, Auroan, nor Elyrian, but [i]Florencian[/i]. Indeed this would be the first published usage of the term "Florencian", a combination of the Aroostook tribe's phrase for the New World and Velorénsia. [i]Florencian Nation[/i] also outlined Umetsky's desires for a federal republic instead of the empire, with the Autocrat of all Velorénsia being alleviated to a completely powerless but symbolic position, as a [i]first among equals[/i].

[floatright][box][img][/img] [center][size=90][i]A propaganda poster in Zhenian celebrating the archetypal Union family [/i][/size][/center][/box][/floatright]

Later in the 1890's and the dissemination of Marxist thought and socialistic writings would provide for a synthesis of the Rivain and Umetsky's writings, the long proven republican ideals of the Enlightenment, and early socialist market theory into what would become social republicanism.

[b]New Union Man[/b]

The New Union Man is an idea first postulated in the mid 1930's during the recovery of the nation following the [b]Great Patriotic Revolution[/b]. The New Union Man is an archetype of a person with specific qualities that are dominate among all citizens of the Union of Florencian Social Republics, regardless of the cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious background, thus creating a single Florencian people, a Florencian nation. Moreover, the state is wholly blind to whatever background one comes from, they are Florencian and they are wholeheartedly encouraged to participate in the democratic process and complete their patriotic duty. Of course at the same time the diverse background of all peoples is celebrated, protected, and flourishes under the individual constituent social republics meant to represent them.

The New Union Man or Woman is said to be selfless, educated, healthy, muscular, and compassionate. Adherence to liberalism along with behavior expressed from that political and moral philosophy are crucial traits of the New Union Man. This man is a selfless patriot, he or she is enthusiastic to undertake their national service to serve the [i]Motherland[/i] and her people. A secondary aspect of the New Union Man (perhaps more correctly the woman) is to cultivate a happy new and *large* family to aid in the bright future of Florencia. Such families no doubt receive tax cuts from the State Committee for the Commonwealth, for doing their patriotic duty in ensuring the growth of the nation. Alas, these traits enable the citizen to subscribe to the identity of Florencia, irrespective of background and allowing them to say [i]"I am an Elyrian, I am Wuist, I am a communard, but I am a Florencian first"[/i].

[b]Florencian Providence[/b]

[i]Floencian Providence[/i], also known as [i]Florencian Destiny[/i], or [i]Manifest Destiny[/i], is the term coined to describe the Union's desire to expand her borders. Florencian Providence is used to described far reaching concepts from the former Zhenian colonies forced reunification with the Empire to the Union state's machinations on future settler expansionism. The taming of wild unclaimed lands, regional hegemony, and the expulsion of all foreign powers in Aimagvika can are all often forced under the umbrella concept of the country's unique destiny. Perhaps more recently the ideology has been used to described the Union's will to protect recognized Florencian "minorities" in neighboring countries from political repression and violent oppression (the legitimacy of such claims to be hotly debated, as well as what constitutes a Florencian person in foreign countries).

The continued expansion of the Union state is said to be her purpose covenanted with divine providence via the [i]Lux Invictus[/i] and/or St.Catherine (the patron god and saint of the country, respectively). The Union of Florencian Social Republics is destined to expand the [i]Motherland[/i] and all of it's glory, democracy, and civilization.

[center][img][/img] [i][b]Colonel-Governor Kuchum's Conquest of Outer Athica by Vasily Surikov is synopsis with the Florencian claiming of the Aimagvikan frontier[/i][/b][/center]

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]POLITICAL FACTIONS[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

[color=#BF0000][b]Florencian Social Democratic Labor Party[/b][/color] Party short form: Communards Ideology: Council Communism, populism, democratic-centralism, social conservatism Political Position: Left Party Symbol/Mascot: Bison

The Florencian Social Democratic Labor Party (FSDLP) has changed drastically since it's formation as the first underground communistic party during the late imperial era of the 1800's. Originally the vanguard party of class revolution and international communism, the party has mellowed dramatically since the Florencian Patriotic Revolution, where it was the center of the labor movement. No longer clamming to be the party of international revolution, the Communards have since rehashed themselves as the more popular mainstream, opposed to the military industrial complex and favoring increased nationalization. Since the decline of the Cadets privatization in the 1990's, the Communards have been the National Republicans main opponent in the political arena. They mostly caucus with so called social conservative Athan Socialists, Zhenian minorities, poor urbanities, and avowed Marxists. Officially the FSDLP intends a gradual transition from the socialist market economy to a total communistic system. Though this total transition often takes the backseat in favor of the promotion of the maintenance of current social policies, government owned enterprises, and curbing military spending .

[color=#008000][b]Constitutional Democratic Party[/b][/color] Party short form: Cadets Ideology: Social democracy, federalism, privatization Political Position: Center-left Party Symbol/Mascot: Eagle

Staunch loyalists to the [i]Princeps[/i] and the federalist system, the liberal conservative "Cadets" are the center-right wing in terms of Florencian politics. They claim their origin to the highly conservative "Union of December 17th Party" that arose with the creation of the UFSR. They have been a relevant opposition or coalition member in the Union Congress since it's inception. Oftentimes allying themselves with right aligned National Republicans on economic matters and conservative communard's on social issues. The party favors a strong government but one that is limited to ensure the freedoms and rights of citizens to participate in the market and generate wealth. Given their fierce loyalty to the [i]Princeps[/i] and the President the Cadett party is socially conservative in nature but not exclusively. The Cadets are traditionalists, economic liberals, neoconservatives, nationalists, and libertarians.

[color=#004080][b]National Republican Party[/b][/color] Party short form: National Republicans Ideology: Liberal socialism, interventionism, environmentalism, progressivism Political Position: Left Party Symbol/Mascot: Bull moose

The National Republican Party, once a center-right wing party of bourgeois republicans in 1917 has grown exponentially to become a major ruling party in the Florencian Union. Ruling near consistently from 1932 to the end of the 1960's, the party took a leftward turn to retain parity with the rising Communards. The National Republicans are now (mostly) firm supporters of the mixed socialist economy and an expansive welfare state, while respecting state sovereignty. They favor alliance with foreign liberal powers to protect Florencian interests and combat totalitarianism. The National Republicans support a strong military to ensure defense and expand the frontier. The party largely acts as a center party in Florenican politics and is an expansive amalgamation of social progressives, Keynesian liberals, centrist moderates, and the trade unions. The National Republicans tend to favor a middle ground between the more private market Cadets and the communistic FSDLP. Given Florencia's unique place as the center of the democratic socialist revolution, the National Republicans are constantly pushing for the advancement of the UFSRs borders, the defeat of international totalitarianism, and the preservation of the Union's beauty at home.

[color=#FF4000][b]Social Revolutionary League[/b] [/color] Party short form: SR's Ideology: Syndicalism, agrarianism, social justice Political Position: Far Left Party Symbol/Mascot: Raven

The Social Revolutionary League is a grassroots patchwork populist movement that grows and wanes over the years depending on how the wind is blowing in Florencia. A semi-messy conglomeration of left-communists, poor conservative agrarians, and radicalized workers, among others. The SR's support a redistribution of the wealth and the destruction of the oligarchical class. Often times the SR's are the spearhead of anti-corruption campaigns and monopoly breaking legislature. Not exactly totally united as a voting bloc, the SR's generally rally around a certain strongman every decade or so and hammer out a somewhat intelligible party doctrine, only to devolve into inter-party sectarianism. When popular the SR's can be a quite powerful opposition force in the All-Union Congress, and they have had several Presidents over the years.

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]CULTURE[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

The culture of what can be defined as the Florentine people is as ever changing as the demographics that make up such a Union of diverse peoples.

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]DEMOGRAPHICS[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

[b]Ethnicity[/b]

[table][tr][td]Ethnicity[/td][td]Percentage[/td][td]Number[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Elyrian[/td][td]22.6%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Zhenian[/td][td]15.5%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Native Florentine[/td][td]23.3%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Slavic[/td][td]18.6%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Other Auroan[/td][td]8.2%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Mixed/Other[/td][td]7.9%[/td][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[b]Language[/b]

[table][tr][td]Ethnicity[/td][td]Percentage[/td][td]Number[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Elyrian[/td][td]22.6%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Zhenian[/td][td]15.5%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Native Florentine[/td][td]23.3%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Slavic[/td][td]18.6%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Other Auroan[/td][td]8.2%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Mixed/Other[/td][td]7.9%[/td][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[hr][size=200][b][floatleft]FAITH[/floatleft][/b][/size] [hr]

[b]Athanity[/b]

The faith of Athanity is an idealist monist faith centered around a belief in [b]"the One"[/b] and the life teachings of the Prophets. Adherents are known as [b]Athans[/b], who believe that the One is an unknowable, incomprehensible, transient substance that is the creation and finality of all existence. Rationally there is no verbiage that can appropriately describe this substance, the most suitable terms are "the One", "the Good", or "God". Athanity had it's beginnings as a religio-philosophical movement by the (Great/First) [b]Prophet Ammonius Saccas[/b] (perhaps more correctly philosopher-teacher), as outlined in his writing the [i]Mikra[/i]. Later prophets would flesh out the writings of Ammonius in five more successive Mikras, forming the core doctrine of the Athan religion.

The universe can be regarded in the simplest sense of existence as retaining two worlds: the material world we know, and the immaterial higher world of gods and angels. The One transcends these plains of existence which emanated from it. The material world is inherently good, though evil exists in the absence of good. It does not exist independently, but like how darkness is the absence of light so is evil the absence of what is good.

The physical realm is subject to time and mortality and thus the souls of plants, animals, and people shall all be united with the One at death in the Empyrean Heaven (the afterlife). However happiness and perfection is attainable for the soul before the physical body dies through philosophical contemplation and acting within the good through observing such inalienable constructs as natural law and venerating the One through worship of the immaterial higher world.

[center][img][/img] [b][i]The "Cathedral of Saint Catherine Of the Light", St. Catherine F.D., is the center of Salvoncism in both the UFSR and the world.[/i][/b][/center]

[b]Athan Religious Sects[/b] [spoiler=Salvonic Orthodox Church]

The [b]Salvonic Orthodox Church[/b] (Salvonic meaning "universal" in Old Florencian) views itself as the universal and true vein of Athanity and claims continuation from the first disciples of Ammonius. Salvonics subscribe to the traditional celestial hierarchy with the pantheon of immaterial gods. As asserted in the Second Mikra, [b][i]Lux Invictus[/i] (Unconquerable Light) [/b]and the other gods are omni-perfect beings that are emanations of the One, which is the ultimate level of reality.

The Salvonic Church is characterized by its monasteries, for those wishing to devote their lives to achieve human perfectness by studying the Mikras, contemplating the One, and performing works of charity within their community. All large cities enjoy a college of pontificates headed by a bishop to oversee the worship of Lux Invictus and other gods within Salvonic cathedrals. Smaller cities, rural communities, and collective agricultural settlements would have a church(s) and local priest(s) to guide the faithful towards perfect happiness or provide religious instruction. The entire church hierarchy of the Salvonic Orthodox Church is directed by the Cardinal, whom is the Bishop of the city of Saint Catherine.

[b]Celestial Hierarchy[/b] [b]The One:[/b] the Supreme God, the Good, which is transcendent, ineffable, and incomprehensible. [b]Lux Invictus:[/b] Unconquerable Light, the creator of the material realm and the second emanation from the One and generally depicted as a warrior sun goddess. Also rules over the cosmic gods. [b]The Cosmic gods:[/b] The hundreds of minor gods that emanate from the One in the immaterial world and are each allotted a specific duty or aspect of nature to maintain. [b]The Saints:[/b] Those who are recognized as having an exceptional degree of contemplation or likeness or closeness to the One and having achieved human perfection and happiness on Earth. Can also be venerated by the faithful to achieve perfect happiness on Earth.

[img][/img][/spoiler]

[spoiler=Albigensian Cathar Church]

The [b]Albigensian Cathar Church[/b], started as an Athan revivalist movement in Albi, southern Florencia, that quickly got out of hand. In the 15th century dissatisfaction with the Salvonic Church considering an overweight church bureaucracy, child predator scandals, and a concentration of wealth within the church led to a popular protest against the Salvonic Church. The movement, which simply wanted to reform the religion, drastically altered upon push back by the Church that resulted in a reexamination of the writings of the Great and later Prophets that mutated into a different and semi-dualist sect of Athanity.

The Cathars ("pure ones" in Old Floranic) hold that evil is in fact not the absence of light, but an independent entity that was emanated from the One. In this way the One still emanates all other existence in the material and non-corporeal worlds, but the [b][i]“Lunaire Invincible”[/i] (Invincible Moon)[/b] is opposed by an almost equally powerful high god of evil, [b][i]Apollyon[/i][/b], perhaps better known as the [b]"Lord of the Flies"[/b]. In that way Cathar doctrine is dominated by a dualist thought of the material and immaterial worlds as a battle ground between good and evil.

The Cathar celestial hierarchy is largely analogous to the Salvonic Church's, a notable exception being the Unconquerable Light depicted as the sun goddess now replaced by the Invincible Moon, the god of the moon. In contrast exists the anti-celestial hierarchy, headed by the Lord of the Flies and all the infinite legions of evil and treachery. The Albigensian Cathar Church generally abhors killing and espouses a firm commitment to peace, so as to maintain the presence of good in the world. For this reason many Cathar's renounce killing, act as patriotic conscious objectors in times of war, and refrain from eating meat.

The Church follows a flat structure, very little differentiates baptized believers in the faith and those who have been elevated to a position of theological instruction after years within the faith. This is largely a byproduct of dissatisfaction with the Salvonic Church's hierarchy. [img][/img] [/spoiler]

[spoiler=Church of Ammonius Saccas and the Latter-Day Prophets] [b]Church of Ammonius Saccas and the Latter-Day Prophets[/b]

The Church of Ammonius Saccas and the Latter-Day Prophets (LDP) claims the mantle of the one true expression of Athanity, whereas every other Athan sect has universal rejected the LDP Church for radically detracting from the Six Mikras. Better known as the "Rohkhem Church" from the title of the church's own "seventh" Mikra, crafted by the "seventh" prophet Zac Brown following a perceived divine revelation from Ammonius Saccas. Brown claimed in 1886 that all other Athan sects had trended away from the true Athan path, for the Rohkhem Church had been ordained from providence to set the blind masses right. The church claims Ammonius Saccas as a divine emanation of the One. The One with Ammonius Saccas constitute the "Holy Divinity" which is the ultimate totality of the Godhead, which exists before the One. The Rohkhem is largely regarded by the greater Athan community as a curious heresy that has dramatically fallen from the true faith—with fervent puritanical supporters, a rigid church hierarchy, and accusations of attempts at propagating a theocracy based on the teachings of Zac Brown.

[img][/img] [/spoiler]

[b]Shemism[/b]

[b]Florentine Wuism[/b]

[table][tr][td]Religious Affiliation[/td][td]Percentage[/td][td]Number[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]Salvonicism[/td][td]31.6%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Atheism/Agnosticism/Deism[/td][td]30.5%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Vayonism[/td][td]10.3%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Albigensian Cathar[/td][td]9.3%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Florentine Wuism[/td][td]7.6%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Shemism[/td][td]3.2%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Church of Ammonius Saccas and the Latter-Day Prophets[/td][td]2.9%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Bygospielism[/td][td]2.5%[/td][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Other[/td][td]2.1%[/td][td][/td][/tr][/table]