Esthursia
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Union of Esthursia Undebau yr Esddŵrsu | |
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Motto: Y Cywmp Gwan The Weak Fall (Þára Áseolc Hréosan) | |
Anthem: Progress and Unity | |
Status | Federal semi-direct constitutional monarchy |
Location | Location of the Union of Esthursia (dark green) in Auroria (grey) |
Capital and largest city | Weskerby 40°15'N, 96°34'E |
Official languages | Osynstric, Atlish |
Recognised national languages | Osynstric, Atlish, Ezhonian, Consence |
Recognised regional languages | Asthonic, Ezho-Osynstric |
Religion (2022) | Irreligious (74.1%), Church of Athers (21.8%), Messianism (1.9%), Other (2.2%) |
Demonym(s) | Esthursian, Esthur/Esther |
Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• King of the Union | Arthur IV (1949-, b. 1930) |
• Forethegn | Harold Osborne (2015-, Social Democrat) |
• Afterthegn | Mildred Banbury (2022-, Republic) |
• Chancellor of the Landsfere | Jeremy Wilson (2022-, Social Democrat) |
• Astjórn of Asþonhelm | Ragnar Þorsenn (2017-, Asþonic Workers') |
• First Minister of Ezhonyth | Perran Trefordh (2019-, Localist) |
• First Minister of Consewent | Hedrek Lanenys (2019-, Localist) |
• Elderman of Weskerby | Robert Wychavon (2019-, Progressive) |
• Elderman of Brantley | Gareth Moresbond (2019-, Social Democrat) |
Legislature | Houses of Berworth |
House of Thanes | |
House of Ministers | |
Capitulation of Caerllwyfen to Classical Osþursian Empire May 11, 298 | |
• Rising of Elmcæstre, Proclamation of Asynstycg | January 15, 466 |
• Oswynht Uprising (Grand Revolution) | August 3, 1161 |
• Democracy Act of Osynstry | November 22, 1303 |
• Viceroyalty of Assuran | 1535-1680s |
• Declaration of Levelyn I | February 27, 1686 |
• Constitution of the Union of Esthursia | November 30, 1957 |
Area | |
• | 687,011 km2 (265,256 sq mi)Includes rivers and water |
Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 141,805,639 |
• 2017 census | 137,684,112 |
• Density | 191.61/km2 (496.3/sq mi) |
GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | 6,512,384,550,000 IBU |
• Per capita | 45,924.72 IBU |
Gini (2019) | 26.1 low |
HDI (2019) | 0.947 very high |
Currency | Esthursian royal arian (Ꜹ); 100ſ = 1Ꜹ (EAN) |
Time zone | UTC+6 (EMT) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+7 (EST) |
First Sunday of March - First Sunday of October | |
Date format | dd-mm-yy |
Driving side | left |
Calling code | +44 |
Internet TLD | .et |
Esthursia, officially the Union of Esthursia is a sovereign state on the continent of Auroria. It includes four federal rikedoms - the main one of which being Osynstry, which contains a majority of the population and area - and covers an area of approximately 687,011km². It is bordered by Weskermere to the east, and Ocean of Consence to the west, with Perran's Channel passing within its borders - the large bodies of water that surround Esthursia mediate its climate, with a subpolar zone in the north, temperate areas across the centre and south, and a generally rainy climate, particularly towards the west. Esthursia has a population of 141 million inhabitants as of 2022, with the Union's largest metropolitan area being that of Greater Weskerby, boasting a population of over 20 million, with the Brantley-Shefforth area in the north being the north's largest metropolis.
Esthurs have dwelled in and around the area of modern Osynstry for around 3000 years, although the exact origins of these - apart from the fact that they are a Gotic-native mix - is unknown. The cradle of Esthur culture is initially just south of modern Execester in the west of the mainland. Modern Esthurs are a mix of three cultures - the Cumbrics, who mostly inhabit the western isles, as well as the far-south-west in Ezhonyth; the Atlish, who inhabit the north, including north and west Osynstry as well as Asthonhelm; and the Osynstrish, who inhabit Osynstry, particularly concentrated to the south and east. Cumbric culture is particularly divergent thanks to the geographic separation following the breakup of Cumbria in the 1000s, leaving the mainland Cumbric peoples speaking a different language and feeling a separate identity to those still on the isles.
The Classical Empire of Esthursia peaked in the 13th and 14th centuries, bringing about a golden age of education and prosperity, before the Empire subsided; the Tardineanni Empire occupied the nation from the turn of the 16th century, setting up a Viceroyalty in 1535, which lasted until the War for Independence (1656-1686). The new Royal Union thereafter consolidated control, following a Popular Revolution in 1687 by the general population to cement rights and freedoms, and annexed the Tardineanni territory of Cordane in 1756 in a war that led to the death of one of Tardine's emperors. Esthursia consequently became a great naval power and trading centre, particularly thanks to its location between the western continents and Auroria at large. Esthursia also reformed its monarchy in the 1600s, which slowly receded into constitutional monarchy, especially following the Republican Struggle of 1836, displacement of Forethegn Turnbrook and mid-20th century reforms.
Esthursia became increasingly wary once again of foreign invasion during the Fascist Wars, and both contemporary Kings as well as contemporary Forethegn Asmont began intense industrialisation and built the Esthursian welfare state. Having come out of the Fascist Wars virtually untouched, Esthursia emerged as a heavily industrialised and developed nation. Following the Fascist Wars, Esthursia formed an official Constitution in 1957 under Forethegn Newell. The deindustrialisation of Esthursia led to some social and civil unrest, and the ensuing disputes led to a strengthening of the welfare state, furthering of trade unionism and greater interest in globalising. The 2009-12 financial crisis brought about significant sociopolitical consequences, such as a shift away from neoliberal economics and over a decade of Social Democratic government.
Esthursia is now classed as a highly developed economy, and stands out for the Asmont model it follows - including an expansive welfare state, heavily redistributive taxation, a "half-half" private to public sector size in the economy and extensive labour force participation in management of the private sector. Esthursia continues to export both technology and primarily renewable automobiles, healthcare products, as well as renewable energy, and is a large importer and exporter of other goods, and is a global centre for research and university education; it also has a large tourism industry, thanks to its largely untouched "Kingswoods", relatively low violent crime rates, proficiency in Mercanti and distinct range of climates in different regions.
The Union of Esthursia is one of the first members of the Aurorian Economic Alliance, as well as being a participating member of the Union of Aurorian States. Esthursia is also an observer nation in the Food Security Organisation and participates in environmental protectionist interests globally.
Etymology and terminology
Esthursia is a neologism of Osthursia, adopted by a mostly Osynstric Mercanti population. Osthursia is known to be "the land of the Osthurs", however the etymology of the word "Osthur" is unknown. Theories include foreign deities, the utterance of a historic battle cry or the name of a notable leader.
Osynstry is derived from the Old Lower Osynstric "Asynctria" - meaning "synchronised state". This is due to the fact that from a relatively primitive time, Osynstry functioned as a federalised, or localised state under one King. Cymbria is derived from the Cymbric "cwm" - meaning valley - which reflects the terrain that the capital, Yr Gwynydd, resides within. Cymbria ceased to be a homogenous entity between the 1100s - when its final Kings began to lose grip over the external regions - and the 1500s - by which point Cymbrish had more or less lost its mutual intelligibility.
History
Prior to the Rise of the Classical Empire
The first post-Harnage nation known to modern Esthur archaeologists is dated from around 1500BCE, at which point coins denoted to "Arwaenn" - assumed to be the ruler between around 1560BCE and 1522BCE - have been found. In 955BCE, Cambrion's new ruler, Thegdyn, had appointed himself "bywyd benadur" (life leader); upon the failure of this ruler to solidify control, a document that has been preserved to the current day has denoted the "Cambrion peoples' right to freedom".
The main town of Caerllwyfen (now Execester, north-west Osynstry) became the pseudo-capital for the new empire, however in theory (and, later, in law) the state was federalised - to the point that shires (itself from the Ancient Cambrish word, "s'yr") would often implement different forms of governance, different laws and different taxes (although later the tax system was centralised due to "tax migration".)
Until the beginning of the Common Era, Cambrion developed steadily, with an affinity for philosophy and "the study of wonderment" - one such development was the concept of basic universal rights. The concept of torture and justice was central to the development of the state - social stratification was quickly followed by the principles of each group being cemented in law. Although some barons (barwns) often refused these rights, the first uprisings usually startled the relatively unprepared militaries, who were not used to the proto-guerilla tactics rather than open warfare used by the revolutions.
By 100BCE, however, the gradual ceding of powers to new localised regimes in exchange for a lack of military violence, the breakdown of trade into set regions, the gradual settlement of Western people and the loss of transport routes on increasingly unused cross-regional areas, all led to the loss of mutual intelligibility of the Ancient Cambrish language. By 200CE, significant extra-continental influence had morphed western mainland dialects into Old Osynstric (at the time known as "Osthursic" - a demonym that gradually diverged into Anthoric, Osynstric and Esthursian). By 250CE, most urban areas along the western coast of the mainland - save for the extreme south-west - were speaking some form of this proto-Osynstric.
Cultural identity increasingly influenced the representatives of these areas - the shire leaders seized on this as a protection mechanism from the threat of internal violence, and thus became reliant on it as a result of this fear. In the year 272, Oswynht - his own name derived from the demonym of his culture - took control of the second most powerful shire of Cambrion; Pen Wynsir (now roughly Weskerby and its peninsula). Attempts to remove him by then-leader Llywelyn the Last were in vain - however Oswynht himself took over a decade to train a loyal army, after multiple mutinies and attempted assassinations.
The Classical Empire
Around the year 298CE, the Classical Osthursic Empire was pronounced at Osthurholm. "Koneng" (King) Oswynht I proclaimed, among other things, "all unfree status aside from reasonable law consequence is henceforth ended for all citizens" - the Declaration of Osthurholm's written source remains a significant contributor to Esthursian history and legal rights.
Social stratification in the Classical Osthursic Empire was comprehensive.
Modern Era (2000CE -)
Following the resignation of Martha Grantham, moderate Mark Willesden took charge of the governing party but was beaten by Isaac Harding of the Conservatives in 2002. Isaac Harding made significant pushes for Atlish to be introduced as a nationwide language through intensive "opt-out" education programmes, as his predecessors had done since the 1970s, and as such much of the nation has since become bilingual between Atlish and Mercanti.
The economic recession of 2010-1, arguably worsened by PM Einarsson's incapacity to govern a minority government through the crisis and the growing anger amongst trade unions, significantly changed the socioeconomic landscape of the Esthursian economy, as the public sector fared far better, as did low-income families, who were not as affiliated with the main targeted industry - finance.
Geography
Esthursia is situated in the temperate zone, near Ocean of Consence - from which it receives tropical winds, nicknamed the "Consent Stream" - and between two seas. Weskerby, the capital, is situated on the east peninsula, next to the eponymous Weskermere - and receives a large quantity of rain every year. Apart from the far south, all of the country receives over 500mm of rain a year, with some mountains in the south receiving a smaller amount on some years, distorting the levels and reducing their annual rainfall. The north and south borders are home to the Asthoric and Osynstric mountain ranges respectively. The entire country receives snowfall every year for at least a month, as the rolling hills of the central isthmus provide the perfect climate for snow settling and the Consent Stream weakens from ice melting in the mountains leading to cold water north and south of where it passes during the summer - meaning the temperature often varies, nicknamed the "Frozen" and "Green" winter years.
Climate
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Regions
Yellow denotes Consewent Blue denotes Osynstry Green denotes Ezhonyth Red denotes Anthorhelm
Esthursia has a diverse range of cultures and languages, with significant crossover between each. Esthursian Mercanti (known colloquially as Osynstric) remains the most common language spoken by Esthursians as a whole - partially due to the population of Osynstry making up 70% of the total Esthursian population - and as such, a majority of inhabitants in each constituent nation can speak it fluently. Consewent and Ezhonyth mostly speak Wencenish and Ezhonian respectively - both offshoots from Ancient Cambrish, although most inhabitants are bilingual (with Osynstric), as in Asthonhelm. Asthonhelm used to speak Asthonic, however now mostly speaks a hybrid language between itself and Esthursian Mercanti, known as Atlish; this is particularly apparent towards the south of the nation. The Esthursian government currently recognises Osynstric, Wencenish, Ezhonian and Atlish to varying degrees, after having classified Asthonic as a "dead language" from the 1960s.
Demography
General
The population of Esthursia is 141.8 million, as of the end of 2022.
Cities
Largest cities or towns in Esthursia
Institute for National Statistics (INS) census data, 2019 | |||||||||
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Rank | Name | Shire or District | Pop. | Rank | Name | Shire or District | Pop. | ||
1 | Weskerby | Brough of Weskerby | 15,894,491 | 11 | Tynwald | The South Vales | 1,426,764 | ||
2 | Brantley | Brough of Brantley | 11,701,115 | 12 | Gloucester | Gloucestershire | 1,288,114 | ||
3 | Fjármagn | Heðsteð af Fjármagn | 4,268,515 | 13 | Hewesmouth | Esthamptonshire | 1,076,429 | ||
4 | Esthampton | Brough of Esthampton | 3,606,273 | 14 | Ancester | Anstershire | 986,917 | ||
5 | Execester | Brough of Execester | 3,326,688 | 15 | Ravenscroft | City of Ravenscroft | 910,847 | ||
6 | Hereporth | South Hereshire | 2,479,463 | 16 | Atlington | Upper Execestershire | 858,210 | ||
7 | Rennezh | Bourc'h an Rennezh | 2,145,840 | 17 | Davenbrook | Davenshire | 731,343 | ||
8 | Yeaburn | Brough of Yeaburn | 1,984,827 | 18 | Asgarslow | Asgarshire | 698,240 | ||
9 | Sorren | Sorrengard | 1,871,003 | 19 | Helston | Capital District, Merthing | 692,344 | ||
10 | Thurrock | Welland | 1,643,840 | 20 | Mereling | Brough of Mereling | 645,634 |
Government
House of Thanes
The Forethegn has been Harold Osborne, a representative from the Osynstric branch of the Social Democrats, since 30 January, 2015. The House of Thanes, the upper of two Houses of Berworth, has been a Social Democrat-led coalition of left-leaning parties since the 2011 Esthursian general election; the House of Ministers, the lower of the two Houses, is currently held by a Social Democratic majority following the 2018 Esthursian general election.
The House of Thanes has been elected through the "open party list" system since 1934, following reforms to the then-unelected House of Thanes by the then-Forethegn George Asmont amid the general reforms by their Workers' Union governments in the early-to-mid 20th century. Attempts to reverse the reforms in the 1950s by PM Olafn Arbjern of the National Party were unsuccessful after a constitutional standoff between the Workers' Party-held Thanes and right-wing House of Ministers.
Forethegns are, as per the Constitution of the Union of Esthursia being signed in 1957, the "party leader or independent member able to command the allegiance of the greatest coalition of representative members in the House of Thanes." This Constitution also began the precedent of electing both Houses at the same time, to avoid standoffs of the nature that existed over the previous decade. This has typically left the Forethegn working with coalitions, as no party since 1994 has successfully attained a majority in the House of Thanes. Coalitions breaking up and allegiances switching to other party leaders is a rare occurrence, but has happened in the past, such as in 2011 - this usually leads to a snap election, as it did in February 2011.
The House of Thanes also has the power to confirm constitutional reforms with three-quarters of members voting, however some sections require a nationwide referendum. The most recent time this has happened was 1996, whereby then Prime Minister Martha Grantham successfully passed Articles 12a through 16b through a referendum in the same year, having sought to draw an end to the Workers' Rising of the late 80s and early 90s. The House also formerly had the power to confirm Aldermen into the Council of Elders, however this power passed to the Electoral Commission in 1999. 401 members are elected to this House each general election, which is held every 4 years snap elections notwithstanding.
House of Ministers
The Deputy Prime Minister - not to be confused with Second Minister, or the typical name for the upper house coalition second-party leader - has been Brooke Alderney since 11 June, 2014. This House has been held in a fair majority - this meaning between 50 and 100 - by the Social Democrats since the 2018 general election. The Deputy PM leads the House of Ministers, and is typically from the largest party, however there have been exceptions due to coalition agreements in the past. Unlike the Prime Minister, the Deputy PM usually commands a majority in the House of Ministers - including as of January 27, 2022 - thanks to the "winner-takes-all" system currently operating for this House. There are 851 members elected to this House, although there are cross-party negotiations to reduce this to 551.
The House of Ministers is the House where most legislation begins, although the Barons reserve the power to begin writing legislation to send down to the Ministers, and they often reach a stage of "ping-pong" between the two Houses before seeking the King's Stamp.
Council of Elders
The Council of Elders is a group of 11 Aldermen, who must be fully qualified judges. They hold selective power over both Houses of Berworth, and preside over multiple roles as impartial judges:
- Upholding the Constitution, and maintaining the power to strike down laws which do not abide by the Constitution
- Prosecuting Members and Barons who act against the Constitution, the Berworth Code, or break the law
- Investigating Members and Barons' conduct
- Settling disputes between local, regional and national government entities
Until 1957, these Aldermen were elected by the House of Barons, however this power passed to the independent Electoral Commission as a feature of the Constitution.
Composition
Party | Leader | Thanes | Ministers | |||||
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Thanes | Share of total (%) | Ministers | Share of total (%) | |||||
Social Democrats | Harold Osborne | 36 | 45.0% | 36 / 80
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235 | 52.1% | 235 / 451
| |
Conservative Union of Esthursia | Rosemary Manning | 16 | 20.0% | 16 / 80
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87 | 19.3% | 87 / 451
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Green-Left | Evelyn Banbury | 10 | 12.5% | 10 / 80
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37 | 8.2% | 37 / 451
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Liberal Party | Wilfred Everett | 6 | 7.5% | 21 / 401
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31 | 6.9% | 37 / 451
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Esthur People's Party | Graham Ingley | 4 | 5.0% | 4 / 80
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28 | 6.2% | 28 / 451
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Independence | Morwen Llethan | 4 | 5.0% | 4 / 80
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24 | 5.3% | 24 / 451
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Suthening | Conrad Thessen | 3 | 3.8% | 3 / 80
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7 | 1.6% | 7 / 451
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Socialist Front | Helga Járnsson | 1 | 1.3% | 1 / 80
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7 | 1.6% | 7 / 451
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National Democrats | Nick Nottingley | 0 | 0.0% | 0 / 80
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1 | 0.2% | 1 / 451
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The House of Thanes and Ministers containing different electoral systems has often led to abnormal results. This often causes what is known colloquially a "minor-majority", or "split majority", whereby the governing party leads a coalition in the House of Thanes, but a simple majority in the Ministers. This is currently the case as of February 2023.
Economy
Overview
Esthursia's economy is an advanced, high-income mixed economy, primarily composed of service industries. In particular, Esthursia's main service industries are finance, healthcare and medicine, education and research, law and administration, food and drinks, and retail; the economy also has significant manufacturing presence, such as its long-standing automotives sector, energy, construction, transportation and infrastructure. The economy is run on the arian shilling, Esthursia's currency since the Royal Union adopted it in 1659 - and originally from the Classical era.
Esthursia's central bank - the Crown Bancke of Esþursia (CBE) - has been an independent institution since 1911, with control over the nation's monetary policy. Although a significant part of Esthursia's financial sector was nationalised in the aftermath of the 2009-12 Esthursian financial crisis, most Esthursian finance remains within private or majority-private banking. Like the CBE itself, Esthursia's financial sector is centred in the capital of Weskerby, however - particularly after the financial crisis - the sector is diversifying elsewhere, with the second city of Brantley being a favoured location for moving firms and branches.
The gross domestic product of Esthursia is 6.512 trillion IBU, or ʃ4.130 trillion, up year-on-year by 2.39%.
A significant amount of Esthursian industry is nationalised, with state or public bodies making up 43.5% of Esthursian employment and 53% of Esthursian GDP as of March 2022. Examples of nationalised industries include the health and care service (Union Health and Care Service, or UCHS), education (National Education Service, NES), and the railways (United Atlish Ironways, UAI).
Culture
See History
Infrastructure
Not completed yet