The Imperial Hegemony of Nuekallaya is a massive, devout nation, remarkable for its devotion to social welfare. Its hard-nosed population of 90 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt. They are ruled with an iron fist by the authoritarian government, which ensures that no one gets too rich. In their personal lives, however, citizens are relatively unoppressed.
It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, socially-minded government stops and the rest of society begins. It is mainly concerned with defense, although education and healthcare are secondary priorities. The average income tax rate is 100%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the automobile manufacturing industry, followed by arms manufacturing and beef-based agriculture.
The country has been 'going shopping' by annexing nearby nations for their resources, pharmacies close down as medicinal drugs are sold freely by the government, the government is cutting back on the number of political prisoners executed each year, re-education centers are being added to most prisons, and artists are pillars of society. Crime - especially youth-related - is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Nuekallaya's national animal is the hamster, and its currency is the Nuq.
Official National Name: The Imperial Hegemony of Nuekallaya
Current leader: Sovereign Cyrus Zathuri
Capital City: Persepolis
National Anthem:
The Internationale (in Persian)
The Imperial Hegemony is not a single nation, but a federation of six separate nations: Nuekallaya, Wumdistan, Nuekhavistan, Bomya, Atomistan, and Silostan.
GovernmentDespite democratic reform, the nations' leader (called the Sovereign) still has a great deal of power. He's the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, so foreign relations, the military, and all executive powers are exclusively in his hands. The Sovereign may also veto any law passed by the Hegemony's parliaments, and has control over the court systems. The Parliaments, elected by the people, have the power to create and pass legislature, and can attempt to check the Sovereign's power if it is seen as excessive. Local government is under the authority of the Parliament as well.
ParliamentThe Nuekallayan Parliament is a body of 250 men and women who hold office for six years. Every two years Nuekallayans vote on one third of the parliamentarians, but the candidates are approved by the Sovereign and his staff. There is limited control over the Sovereign, but only in extreme situations. The job of parliament is to debate and vote on new laws; they are the only branch of government with this power, but the Sovereign may veto any agreed upon laws. The Prime Minister in the Nuekallayan Parliament has little more power than any other members of parliament, but acts as a leader and figurehead for the Nuekallayan people. The true purpose of the Parliament is to represent the people, preventing a tyrannical sovereign or court system. The other nations of the Imperial Hegemony have their own parliaments, but they are slightly different from the Nuekallayan one, and their members must still be approved by the Nuekallayan Sovereign.
EconomyNuekallaya's economy technically a free market, but government regulation, heavy taxes, and numerous nationalized industries lead to an economy far more socialist in nature. The Nuekallayan government follows the model of Keynesian economics, using heavy taxes to redistribute wealth and increase demand. Taxes in Nuekallaya go to a number of social programs, including healthcare, welfare, and mostly education. Nuekallaya also places heavy emphasis on trade, exporting uranium, iron ore, textiles, weapons, few electronics, and mostly automobiles.
Civil RightsPersonal freedom is very important to the Nuekallayan people, but certain political rights are reserved. There is limited freedom of speech and press, freedom of religion, and freedom to assemble with permit, but civil rights may be violated by the government under certain situations (mostly in the name of public safety, or to protect people from capitalism). Civilian owned weapons are illegal and there is law enforcement surveillance for some individuals. Other than that, Nuekallayans are free to do as they wish.
Political RightsAll citizens over the age of 21 may vote in any parliamentary, local, or general elections. The people have the right to form political parties, but only candidates approved by the Sovereign may run for any high offices such as parliament. This is mostly a formality however, and only candidates seen as a threat to Nuekallaya would be disapproved. Initiatives, referenda, and recalls are allowed, but only on a local level.
Religious RightsNuekallayans are allowed to practice whatever religion they wish in public or private, so long as their practices are acceptable within Nuekallayan secular law. The sate officially endorses the Zoroastrian church, and there is some discrimination against non-Zoroastrians - both official and unofficial - but not enough strongly effect everyday life.
Nuekallayan National HolidaysDay of Peace- December 25, a holiday with roots in ancient pagan rituals, the Day of Peace is very close to many other holidays in other nations that are celebrated at the same time.
Remembrance Day- December 14, this is a holiday to honor those who made sacrifices during the Civil War to bring peace to Nuekallaya, it is celebrated on the birthday of Dr. Ian Kandiru, a noted war hero.
Unity Day- July 22, this day celebrates the date when the last opposition surrendered to Zarathustra's Fist, and on the same day the victorious militia signed a treaty with the Adishan Brothers (a communist militia led by Dr. Kandiru) and two smaller factions to unite Nuekallaya for the first time in decades.
Sovereign's Day- September 16, the Sovereign's birthday is celebrated as a national holiday in recognition of his toil in the name of Nuekallaya.