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{{Infobox country | {{Infobox country | ||
|conventional_long_name = Ardmori Cooperative Republic | |conventional_long_name = Ardmori Cooperative Republic | ||
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|alt_coat = <!--alt text for coat of arms--> | |alt_coat = <!--alt text for coat of arms--> | ||
|symbol_type = <!--emblem, seal, etc (if not a coat of arms)--> | |symbol_type = <!--emblem, seal, etc (if not a coat of arms)--> | ||
|national_motto = Aonaichte ann an Obair, Aonaichte tro Eachdraidh | |national_motto = "Aonaichte ann an Obair, Aonaichte tro Eachdraidh!" | ||
|englishmotto = ( | |englishmotto = (United in work, united through history!) | ||
|national_anthem = {{wp|Ons Heemecht|Ardmór a Char}}<br />{{center|1="Dear Ardmore"<div style="padding-top:0.5em;"> </div>}}[[File:Ons Heemecht.ogg]] | |national_anthem = {{wp|Ons Heemecht|Ardmór a Char}}<br />{{center|1="Dear Ardmore"<div style="padding-top:0.5em;"> </div>}}[[File:Ons Heemecht.ogg]] | ||
|royal_anthem = | |royal_anthem = | ||
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|ethnic_groups = {{ublist|item_style=white-space:nowrap; | |ethnic_groups = {{ublist|item_style=white-space:nowrap; | ||
|{{Tree list}} | |{{Tree list}} | ||
* 93.1% Ardmori | * 93.1% [[Ardmori people|Ardmori]] | ||
** 69.83% Gaelo-Ardmori | ** 69.83% [[Western Garán people|Gaelo-Ardmori]] | ||
** 15.82% Ænglo-Ardmori | ** 15.82% [[Ænglish people in Ardmore|Ænglo-Ardmori]] | ||
** 5.2% Old Ardmori | ** 5.2% [[Ardmen revivalism|Old Ardmori]] | ||
** 2.25% Istroyo-Ardmori | ** 2.25% [[Istroyan revivalist communities|Istroyo-Ardmori]] | ||
{{Tree list/end}} | {{Tree list/end}} | ||
|6.9% Other | |6.9% Other | ||
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|45.1% [[Ardmori State Fellowship Church|Fellowite]] | |45.1% [[Ardmori State Fellowship Church|Fellowite]] | ||
|34.6% [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] | |34.6% [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] | ||
|13.2% Irreligious | |13.2% [[Irreligiosity in Ardmore|Irreligious]] | ||
|4.6% [[College of Levantine Churches|Collegiate]] | |4.6% [[College of Levantine Churches|Collegiate]] | ||
|2.5% Other | |2.5% [[Religion in Ardmore|Other]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
|religion_year = 2034 | |religion_year = 2034 | ||
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|area_rank = | |area_rank = | ||
|area_km2 = 73,270.76 | |area_km2 = 73,270.76 | ||
|population_estimate = 18, | |population_estimate = 18,456,607 | ||
|population_census = | |population_census = 18,276,501 | ||
|population_density_km2 = 249.44 | |population_density_km2 = 249.44 | ||
|GDP_nominal = $552,352,413,222 | |GDP_nominal = $552,352,413,222 | ||
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==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
<gallery mode="packed"> | |||
File:2010-08-09_Ponta_do_Pico_01.jpg|[[Mount Mac Shuibhne]], Ardmore's sole mountain and highest point. | |||
File:Salthill_and_Galway_Bay,_Galway_(506275)_(26131600653).jpg|[[Balnaessie]], located by the [[Glenblair Bay]]. | |||
File:NunsTurgesius_Castle_isles_Lough_Lene.JPG|A view of [[Con Rose River]]. | |||
File:Angry_Sky_-_geograph.org.uk_-_834308.jpg|View of the eastern coast of Ardmore from the [[Mirana Sound]]. | |||
</gallery> | |||
Ardmore is a small sub-archipelago within the [[Ardmori Isles]], an archipelago in the [[Odoneru Ocean]] that is located off the southwestern coast of mainland [[Levantia]]. The small sub-archipelago that makes up Ardmore consists of [[Great Ardmore]], which is the largest island of both Ardmore and the Ardmori Isles and is home to the vast majority of Ardmore's population, and four small peripheral islands that surround Great Ardmore. To its east is the [[Mirana Sound]] which is sheltered by the Ardmori Isles. The four smaller islands each have names of their own, the most well-known of these names being ænglicizations of their Garán Gaelic names. The largest of the peripheral islands is named [[Beremore]] (''Béaramór''; "Big Bear"), and to its southeast is [[Bofinemore]] (''Bófinemór''; "Big Cow") which is the second-largest of the peripheral islands. The smallest two peripheral islands are closer to mainland Levantia which, respectively, are named [[Valentia]] (Ballentia; ''Béilinse''; "Mouth Island") and [[Inisharan]] (''Inisárain''; "Kidney Island"). | Ardmore is a small sub-archipelago within the [[Ardmori Isles]], an archipelago in the [[Odoneru Ocean]] that is located off the southwestern coast of mainland [[Levantia]]. The small sub-archipelago that makes up Ardmore consists of [[Great Ardmore]], which is the largest island of both Ardmore and the Ardmori Isles and is home to the vast majority of Ardmore's population, and four small peripheral islands that surround Great Ardmore. To its east is the [[Mirana Sound]] which is sheltered by the Ardmori Isles. The four smaller islands each have names of their own, the most well-known of these names being ænglicizations of their Garán Gaelic names. The largest of the peripheral islands is named [[Beremore]] (''Béaramór''; "Big Bear"), and to its southeast is [[Bofinemore]] (''Bófinemór''; "Big Cow") which is the second-largest of the peripheral islands. The smallest two peripheral islands are closer to mainland Levantia which, respectively, are named [[Valentia]] (Ballentia; ''Béilinse''; "Mouth Island") and [[Inisharan]] (''Inisárain''; "Kidney Island"). | ||
The sub-archipelago comprises just over 73,270.76km<sup>2</sup> in land area. Being a nation that solely consists of islands, Ardmore's geography is almost entirely just above sea level, with the sole exception being on Great Ardmore which has Ardmore's only mountain and highest point [[Mount Mac Shuibhne]], named in honor of Ardmore's first post-Civil War leader [[Ardghar Mac Shuibhne]]. Asides from being home to Ardmore's only mountain, Great Ardmore is home to a few hills which are presently unnamed due to their lack of notability compared to Mount Mac Shuibhne. None of the peripheral islands have any hills or mountains that are of note. | The sub-archipelago comprises just over 73,270.76km<sup>2</sup> in land area. Being a nation that solely consists of islands, Ardmore's geography is almost entirely just above sea level, with the sole exception being on Great Ardmore which has Ardmore's only mountain and highest point [[Mount Mac Shuibhne]], named in honor of Ardmore's first post-Civil War leader [[Ardghar Mac Shuibhne]]. Asides from being home to Ardmore's only mountain, Great Ardmore is home to a few hills which are presently unnamed due to their lack of notability compared to Mount Mac Shuibhne. None of the peripheral islands have any hills or mountains that are of particular note. | ||
===Climate=== | |||
Being an insular nation in the northern hemisphere within the northern section of the tropics, Ardmore's climate is relatively temperate and mild. {{wp|Solar seasons}} are not as assertive as they would be outside of the tropics, but are comparatively more noticeable than they would be in countries that are much closer to the Equator. As much of the country is not too far from a coastal area, this further ensures that the average temperatures throughout the country are milder and more temperate. Indeed, winter temperatures are for the most part mild and ranging from around 0°C to 10°C with little snowfall while summer temperatures generally range from approximately 18°C to 25°C. The sole exception to the overall climate of Ardmore is [[Mount Mac Shuibhne]] and its surrounding area which experiences temperatures on average as low as -5°C as well as a greater chance of snowfall. The overall {{wp|air pollution}} in Ardmore is kept low through the government's efforts at promoting clean, renewable energy; Ardmori air quality is among the highest in Levantia as a result. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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====Early medieval era==== | ====Early medieval era==== | ||
{{main|Medieval Ardmore}} | {{main|Medieval Ardmore}} | ||
[[File:Brain_Boru_sculpture_outside_Chapel_Royal_outside_Dublin_Castle.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Sclupture of Duke [[Con Rose of Rosmore|Con Rose]] of [[Duchy of Rosmore|Rosmore]], one of the greatest heads of the ducal [[House of Rose]] and ancestor of the royal [[House of Cannan]].]] | |||
The early medieval era in what is now Ardmore began with the Age of Raiders when the various clans of the Ardmori Isles began to transform into feudal dynasties. These clans were under a loose cooperative organization that consisted of the chief's extended family, with each having a common set of shared values of honor and a strict code of discipline within a social hierarchy. Indeed, this organization would eventually transform into the basis for a formal feudal structure alongside the development of feudal dynasties. Due to many of these feudal dynasties not having much in terms of means to produce a sizeable amount of wealth due to the largely non-arable geography of the Ardmori Isles, the heads of these dynasties soon resorted to conducting land raids against both [[Calinthia]] and, to a much lesser extent due to its ability to effectively fight back, [[Urcea]]. Indeed, one of Ardmore's earliest greatest heroes, Pádraig MacDowell of the House of Kilkken, was killed in 877 while conducting a raid on the Urcean coast. | The early medieval era in what is now Ardmore began with the Age of Raiders when the various clans of the Ardmori Isles began to transform into feudal dynasties. These clans were under a loose cooperative organization that consisted of the chief's extended family, with each having a common set of shared values of honor and a strict code of discipline within a social hierarchy. Indeed, this organization would eventually transform into the basis for a formal feudal structure alongside the development of feudal dynasties. Due to many of these feudal dynasties not having much in terms of means to produce a sizeable amount of wealth due to the largely non-arable geography of the Ardmori Isles, the heads of these dynasties soon resorted to conducting land raids against both [[Calinthia]] and, to a much lesser extent due to its ability to effectively fight back, [[Urcea]]. Indeed, one of Ardmore's earliest greatest heroes, Pádraig MacDowell of the House of Kilkken, was killed in 877 while conducting a raid on the Urcean coast. | ||
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====Formation of the kingdom==== | ====Formation of the kingdom==== | ||
[[File:Ardmore_medieval_art.png|thumb|right|200px|Knights from the Kingdom of Ardmore during the Conquest of Wissel, 1455.]] | |||
In 1277, the various heads of the many noble clans of the Ardmori Isles formed the [[Council of Moear]] to unite the many holdings under one universally-acknowledged leader, a King of Ardmore, to prevent any future power struggles from ever happening again. For a span of two months, the council had allowed for Rosmore, Kilkken, and Dunval to argue for why they should be the paramount leader of the isles. During these two months, the three factions were more often than not at odds with one another, but the council had ended with Rosmore being selected to become the paramount leader of the Ardmori Isles, a decision that was seen as highly controversial in part due to rumors that Rosmore may have bribed most of the council members in order to secure their support and because of Rosmore's plans to centralize the new kingdom. In response to these rumors, Dunval, Kilkken and its vassal Wissel declared a separate crowned republic in rebellion against the new Ardmori monarchy. | In 1277, the various heads of the many noble clans of the Ardmori Isles formed the [[Council of Moear]] to unite the many holdings under one universally-acknowledged leader, a King of Ardmore, to prevent any future power struggles from ever happening again. For a span of two months, the council had allowed for Rosmore, Kilkken, and Dunval to argue for why they should be the paramount leader of the isles. During these two months, the three factions were more often than not at odds with one another, but the council had ended with Rosmore being selected to become the paramount leader of the Ardmori Isles, a decision that was seen as highly controversial in part due to rumors that Rosmore may have bribed most of the council members in order to secure their support and because of Rosmore's plans to centralize the new kingdom. In response to these rumors, Dunval, Kilkken and its vassal Wissel declared a separate crowned republic in rebellion against the new Ardmori monarchy. | ||
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This new social disparity was the catalyst for the emergence of trade unions that called for the betterment of the conditions found in factories all across the southern areas of Great Ardmore and the surrounding peripheral islands; the central hub for union activity was the city of Dunvál which was, and still is, the largest city in the Ardmori Isles. Initially, many of these trade unions were focused on improving the appalling working conditions that many workers have suffered under; many still supported the monarchy, instead blaming the aristocracy for their decadence and general unwillingness to let go of even a small portion of their wealth to give back to the people under their employ. Indeed, many unions celebrated when many of these new industries were nationalized in the early 1920s as many felt that that meant that they could finally get their voices heard. However, a celebratory demonstration was heavily and brutally repressed by the armed forces under the fear that the trade unionists were aiming to overthrow the monarchy. | This new social disparity was the catalyst for the emergence of trade unions that called for the betterment of the conditions found in factories all across the southern areas of Great Ardmore and the surrounding peripheral islands; the central hub for union activity was the city of Dunvál which was, and still is, the largest city in the Ardmori Isles. Initially, many of these trade unions were focused on improving the appalling working conditions that many workers have suffered under; many still supported the monarchy, instead blaming the aristocracy for their decadence and general unwillingness to let go of even a small portion of their wealth to give back to the people under their employ. Indeed, many unions celebrated when many of these new industries were nationalized in the early 1920s as many felt that that meant that they could finally get their voices heard. However, a celebratory demonstration was heavily and brutally repressed by the armed forces under the fear that the trade unionists were aiming to overthrow the monarchy. | ||
[[File:King_George_1923_LCCN2014715558_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|190px|King [[Colin III of Ardmore|Colin III]], the last [[King of Ardmore]] from 1893 until 1931.]] | |||
As the kingdom's true colors got revealed to many of the nation's laborers, so too did support for the monarchy amongst the working classes dwindle. This, alongside the rise of new ideologies that call upon the workers to seize the means of production and take control of their destiny, radicalized the trade unionists with many now believing that the only way for them to achieve their rights is through revolutionary means. The nascent [[Workers' Party of Ardmore]] rose into prominence during this time under the leadership of shift managers Ardghar Mac Shuibhne and Ros Mac Daibhéid. Mac Shuibhne was educated in [[Vithinja]] where he learned about new political theories based around the policies of {{wp|syndicalism}}, and Mac Daibhéid was a prominent socialist politician and labor leader who had been expelled from the Ardmori parliament after pulling many political stunts ranging from making snide remarks directed towards the Ardmori king to inviting an entourage of child laborers and victims of industrial accidents into the House of Commons. | As the kingdom's true colors got revealed to many of the nation's laborers, so too did support for the monarchy amongst the working classes dwindle. This, alongside the rise of new ideologies that call upon the workers to seize the means of production and take control of their destiny, radicalized the trade unionists with many now believing that the only way for them to achieve their rights is through revolutionary means. The nascent [[Workers' Party of Ardmore]] rose into prominence during this time under the leadership of shift managers Ardghar Mac Shuibhne and Ros Mac Daibhéid. Mac Shuibhne was educated in [[Vithinja]] where he learned about new political theories based around the policies of {{wp|syndicalism}}, and Mac Daibhéid was a prominent socialist politician and labor leader who had been expelled from the Ardmori parliament after pulling many political stunts ranging from making snide remarks directed towards the Ardmori king to inviting an entourage of child laborers and victims of industrial accidents into the House of Commons. | ||
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===Civil war=== | ===Civil war=== | ||
{{Main|Ardmori Civil War}} | {{Main|Ardmori Civil War}} | ||
[[File:John_Maclean_1918.jpg|thumb| | [[File:John_Maclean_1918.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Ardghar Mac Shuibhne]], [[Chairman of the Ardmori Board of Labor|Chairman of the Board of Labor]] and [[Syndicalist Party of Ardmore|Syndicalist Party]] leader from 1931 until 1960.]] | ||
Despite the crackdowns, Mac Daibhéid still remained as a respectable leader of the Workers' Party and soon began to plan a labor event in early 1927, only this time diverging from his usual tactics to maintain the element of surprise. Picket lines and strike areas were set up to prevent workers from entering the factory while at the same time making the event seem more like an initiative to gain more union members than a protest like previous incidents. The intent was to encourage factory workers to join Mac Daibhéid's cause instead of allowing the upper classes to continue abusing them for much longer. The event, now known as "Red Wednesday", soon received the attention of the police after they were alerted by the factory's senior management. Over two hundred officers were sent to clear out the disturbance, leading to a clash that resulted in multiple deaths of both unionists and policeman. Unlike previous events, "Red Wednesday" became a rallying cry for the trade unionists and the lower classes of Ardmore and was a major blow for the government. | Despite the crackdowns, Mac Daibhéid still remained as a respectable leader of the Workers' Party and soon began to plan a labor event in early 1927, only this time diverging from his usual tactics to maintain the element of surprise. Picket lines and strike areas were set up to prevent workers from entering the factory while at the same time making the event seem more like an initiative to gain more union members than a protest like previous incidents. The intent was to encourage factory workers to join Mac Daibhéid's cause instead of allowing the upper classes to continue abusing them for much longer. The event, now known as "Red Wednesday", soon received the attention of the police after they were alerted by the factory's senior management. Over two hundred officers were sent to clear out the disturbance, leading to a clash that resulted in multiple deaths of both unionists and policeman. Unlike previous events, "Red Wednesday" became a rallying cry for the trade unionists and the lower classes of Ardmore and was a major blow for the government. | ||
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===Modern period=== | ===Modern period=== | ||
[[File:Brendan_Corish_1949.png|thumb|left|190px|[[Rowan Breen]], Chairman of the Board of Labor and Syndicalist Party leader from 1960 until 1995.]] | |||
The early years of the nascent cooperative republic were marked by initial wariness from the countries of mainland Levantia; the violent overthrow of the monarch and the subsequent executions of practically the entirety of the House of Rose had left a bad taste for many of the established monarchies on the mainland. The only country that had initially recognized the new Ardmori government was Calinthia, though recognition was rescinded when the Calinthian monarchy was restored in 1938. Other than Calinthia's brief moment of recognition, the first country to have recognized the syndicalist republic in Ardmore was the [[Kiravian Union]] in 1934. Having had taken over the Kiravian government through what can be described as a civilian self-coup, the nascent socialist state was more than happy to find friends in fellow socialist-aligned nations such as Ardmore. Nonetheless, one of the first measures that Ardmore took after the end of the Civil War was to build up its armed forces in preparation for a possible attack from the republican government to its west; there were fears that the Prince-Regent may try to retake the defunct Ardmori throne for himself and invade Ardmore to reestablish the kingdom. | The early years of the nascent cooperative republic were marked by initial wariness from the countries of mainland Levantia; the violent overthrow of the monarch and the subsequent executions of practically the entirety of the House of Rose had left a bad taste for many of the established monarchies on the mainland. The only country that had initially recognized the new Ardmori government was Calinthia, though recognition was rescinded when the Calinthian monarchy was restored in 1938. Other than Calinthia's brief moment of recognition, the first country to have recognized the syndicalist republic in Ardmore was the [[Kiravian Union]] in 1934. Having had taken over the Kiravian government through what can be described as a civilian self-coup, the nascent socialist state was more than happy to find friends in fellow socialist-aligned nations such as Ardmore. Nonetheless, one of the first measures that Ardmore took after the end of the Civil War was to build up its armed forces in preparation for a possible attack from the republican government to its west; there were fears that the Prince-Regent may try to retake the defunct Ardmori throne for himself and invade Ardmore to reestablish the kingdom. | ||
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Under the 1927 Constitution, Ardmore had no head of state but rather a collegiate executive known as the Board of Labor which doubled as the nation's legislative upper house. Because of its position according to the constitution, that also meant that the Chairman of the Board of Labor, who was almost always the head of the Syndicalist Party, often acted as the Ardmori head of state and chief executive. The first Chairman of the Board of Labor was Ardghar Mac Shuibhne, who won a surprise electoral victory against his former ally Ros Mac Daibhéid; modern historians have attributed Mac Daibhéid's loss to his fiery temper which, while it was helpful during the Civil War and the months leading up to it, simply did not translate well into peacetime politics unlike Mac Shuibhne's more congenial mannerisms. Under Mac Shuibhne, Ardmore was put through a widespread series of reforms that were designed to reopen factories that were shuttered during the Civil War, allow women to participate in not only the workforce but also in political and social affairs for the first time in Ardmori history, and to fundamentally restructure Ardmori society to prepare for the establishment of the cooperatives as promised in the constitution. | Under the 1927 Constitution, Ardmore had no head of state but rather a collegiate executive known as the Board of Labor which doubled as the nation's legislative upper house. Because of its position according to the constitution, that also meant that the Chairman of the Board of Labor, who was almost always the head of the Syndicalist Party, often acted as the Ardmori head of state and chief executive. The first Chairman of the Board of Labor was Ardghar Mac Shuibhne, who won a surprise electoral victory against his former ally Ros Mac Daibhéid; modern historians have attributed Mac Daibhéid's loss to his fiery temper which, while it was helpful during the Civil War and the months leading up to it, simply did not translate well into peacetime politics unlike Mac Shuibhne's more congenial mannerisms. Under Mac Shuibhne, Ardmore was put through a widespread series of reforms that were designed to reopen factories that were shuttered during the Civil War, allow women to participate in not only the workforce but also in political and social affairs for the first time in Ardmori history, and to fundamentally restructure Ardmori society to prepare for the establishment of the cooperatives as promised in the constitution. | ||
With the advent of the [[Occidental Cold War]] in the 1950s, Ardmore played a strictly neutral role as it saw the period of geopolitical tension as nothing more than a series of needless contests between two imperialistic powers. For the most part, Ardmore's biggest concern was the nearby republic to its west as well as internal matters with only Kiravia and later [[Vithinja]] maintaining any kind of formal diplomatic relations. After Mac Shuibhne's retirement in 1960, his successor was Rowan Breen whose leadership was responsible for designating [[Ænglish language|Ænglish]] as a recognized regional language, citing that the language is still used by the descendants of the Ænglish Protestants who have stayed in Ardmore instead of migrating to Crona. It was also at this time when further attempts at adapting Ardmori society into the syndicalist ideology, most notably the creation of a so-called "workers' sport"; [[cumasball]] incorporates elements of {{wp|volleyball}}, and {{wp|association football}} and the new sport was primarily intended to replace {{wp|baseball}} as Ardmore's most popular sport, seeing as an "imperialist sport" from the mainland. | With the advent of the [[Occidental Cold War]] in the 1950s, Ardmore played a strictly neutral role as it saw the period of geopolitical tension as nothing more than a series of needless contests between two imperialistic powers. For the most part, Ardmore's biggest concern was the nearby republic to its west as well as internal matters with only Kiravia and later [[Vithinja]] maintaining any kind of formal diplomatic relations. After Mac Shuibhne's retirement in 1960, his successor was [[Rowan Breen]] whose leadership was responsible for designating [[Ænglish language|Ænglish]] as a recognized regional language, citing that the language is still used by the descendants of the Ænglish Protestants who have stayed in Ardmore instead of migrating to Crona. It was also at this time when further attempts at adapting Ardmori society into the syndicalist ideology, most notably the creation of a so-called "workers' sport"; [[cumasball]] incorporates elements of {{wp|volleyball}}, and {{wp|association football}} and the new sport was primarily intended to replace {{wp|baseball}} as Ardmore's most popular sport, seeing as an "imperialist sport" from the mainland. | ||
Breen retired in 1995 and was succeeded by Nevan Foley. Unlike his predecessors, who were committed syndicalists who feared that any deviation from what the constitution has laid out would just lead to the collapse of the syndicalist republic, Foley felt that reforms were necessary. With the Prince-Regent having long since passed away and his half of Ardmore becoming a protectorate of [[Kiravia]], which had already abandoned socialism in the 1980s, there was no longer an existential threat to Ardmore and thus it was time to reform the government. Foley had proposed a series of sweeping reforms that would decentralize the executive between a chief executive and a head of government, establish a ceremonial presidency, and even drop the enforcement of one-party rule. These reforms, known as the [[Ardmori Millennium Reforms|Millennium Reforms]] and were partly inspired by [[Rumahoki]]'s [[Velvetine Socialism]], made up the framework for the current Ardmori constitution which was put into effect on New Year's Day of the year 2000. | Breen retired in 1995 and was succeeded by Nevan Foley. Unlike his predecessors, who were committed syndicalists who feared that any deviation from what the constitution has laid out would just lead to the collapse of the syndicalist republic, Foley felt that reforms were necessary. With the Prince-Regent having long since passed away and his half of Ardmore becoming a protectorate of [[Kiravia]], which had already abandoned socialism in the 1980s, there was no longer an existential threat to Ardmore and thus it was time to reform the government. Foley had proposed a series of sweeping reforms that would decentralize the executive between a chief executive and a head of government, establish a ceremonial presidency, and even drop the enforcement of one-party rule. These reforms, known as the [[Ardmori Millennium Reforms|Millennium Reforms]] and were partly inspired by [[Rumahoki]]'s [[Velvetine Socialism]], made up the framework for the current Ardmori constitution which was put into effect on New Year's Day of the year 2000. | ||
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==Government== | ==Government== | ||
{{multiple image | |||
| align = right | |||
| total_width = 350 | |||
| image1 = Michael_D._Higgins_2006.jpg | |||
| caption1 = [[Duncan Hamill]], [[President of Ardmore]] for 2035 | |||
| image2 = Enda_Kenny_EPP_2014_(cropped).jpg | |||
| caption2 = [[Kellen Melns]], [[Chairman of the Ardmori Board of Labor|Board of Labor Chairman]] since 2029 | |||
| image3 = Simon_Harris,_April_2024_01_(cropped).jpg | |||
| caption3 = [[Aloysius Rooney]], [[President of the Ardmori General Assembly|General Assembly President]] since 2031 | |||
}} | |||
{{main|Politics of Ardmore|President of Ardmore}} | {{main|Politics of Ardmore|President of Ardmore}} | ||
The government of Ardmore functions as a {{wp|unitary}} {{wp|parliamentary republic}} under a {{wp|syndicalism|syndicalist}} {{wp|dominant-party system}} governed by the [[Popular Left Coalition]], itself governed by the [[Co-operative Party of Ardmore]] (formerly the [[Syndicalist Party of Ardmore|Syndicalist Party]] before 2000). The Ardmori political structure is based upon the fundamental principles of {{wp|cooperative|cooperative ownership}}, {{wp|direct democracy}}, and {{wp|workers' self-management|workers' control of the means of production}}. These principles line up with the [[Constitution of Ardmore|constitution]]'s adherence to the principles of {{wp|syndicalism}} which has officially governed Ardmore since 1931; syndicalism decentralizes economic and political power into the hands of autonomous cooperatives. These cooperatives, whether they be a workers' cooperative or a community cooperative, serve as the foundational baseline for local governance in both the realms of politics and economics within Ardmore. Since 2000, the Ardmori political sphere has opened as the country moves away from its revolutionary phase and begins to establish formal diplomatic relations with non-socialist countries; the nation's {{wp|head of state}} since that year is the [[President of Ardmore]] who serves a {{wp|titular leader|ceremonial role}} with no powers and instead serves an exclusively diplomatic role. | The government of Ardmore functions as a {{wp|unitary}} {{wp|parliamentary republic}} under a {{wp|syndicalism|syndicalist}} {{wp|dominant-party system}} governed by the [[Popular Left Coalition]], itself governed by the [[Co-operative Party of Ardmore]] (formerly the [[Syndicalist Party of Ardmore|Syndicalist Party]] before 2000). The Ardmori political structure is based upon the fundamental principles of {{wp|cooperative|cooperative ownership}}, {{wp|direct democracy}}, and {{wp|workers' self-management|workers' control of the means of production}}. These principles line up with the [[Constitution of Ardmore|constitution]]'s adherence to the principles of {{wp|syndicalism}} which has officially governed Ardmore since 1931; syndicalism decentralizes economic and political power into the hands of autonomous cooperatives. These cooperatives, whether they be a workers' cooperative or a community cooperative, serve as the foundational baseline for local governance in both the realms of politics and economics within Ardmore. Since 2000, the Ardmori political sphere has opened as the country moves away from its revolutionary phase and begins to establish formal diplomatic relations with non-socialist countries; the nation's {{wp|head of state}} since that year is the [[President of Ardmore]] who serves a {{wp|titular leader|ceremonial role}} with no powers and instead serves an exclusively diplomatic role. | ||
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The [[Cooperative Legislative Assembly]] serves as Ardmore's legislative branch. Since 1931, the Cooperative Legislative Assembly is a {{wp|bicameral}} legislature; the Board of Labor is the upper house, and the General Assembly is the lower house. The Cooperative Legislative Assembly makes use of {{wp|fusion of powers}} much like most other systems of government that use a {{wp|parliament}}. Prior to the year 2000, the fusion of powers was even more apparent as there was no well-defined delineation between the executive and the legislative; the Board of Labor, as such, became the upper legislative house even after the reforms implemented in the year 2000. The exact responsibilities that the Board of Labor has in the legislative branch include the ability to propose legislator {{wp|bill (law)|bills}} (bills proposed by either of the head and chair of the Board of Labor are considered executive bills), and the ability to debate and vote on whether or not a given bill should become a law; responsibilities that are commonly expected in the legislative branch. There are 125 members in the Board of Labor, which includes the Chairman and the General Assembly President, with 124 of the members each representing a syndicate from which they are elected by to serve a three-year term. | The [[Cooperative Legislative Assembly]] serves as Ardmore's legislative branch. Since 1931, the Cooperative Legislative Assembly is a {{wp|bicameral}} legislature; the Board of Labor is the upper house, and the General Assembly is the lower house. The Cooperative Legislative Assembly makes use of {{wp|fusion of powers}} much like most other systems of government that use a {{wp|parliament}}. Prior to the year 2000, the fusion of powers was even more apparent as there was no well-defined delineation between the executive and the legislative; the Board of Labor, as such, became the upper legislative house even after the reforms implemented in the year 2000. The exact responsibilities that the Board of Labor has in the legislative branch include the ability to propose legislator {{wp|bill (law)|bills}} (bills proposed by either of the head and chair of the Board of Labor are considered executive bills), and the ability to debate and vote on whether or not a given bill should become a law; responsibilities that are commonly expected in the legislative branch. There are 125 members in the Board of Labor, which includes the Chairman and the General Assembly President, with 124 of the members each representing a syndicate from which they are elected by to serve a three-year term. | ||
The General Assembly is the lower house of the Cooperative Legislative Assembly, and is legally required to have a minimum of 250 members, each representing the | The General Assembly is the lower house of the Cooperative Legislative Assembly, and is legally required to have a minimum of 250 members, each representing the communitarian collectivities throughout the country and are elected for a three-year term. However, the Constitution stipulates that there is no specified maximum membership count for the General Assembly, the 250 members are only there to form the basis of a legislative {{wp|quorum}}. Indeed, the General Assembly allows for any member of the general public to not only enter the General Assembly while it is in session at any given time but also to actively participate in said session, serving as the basis for Ardmore's commitment to {{wp|direct democracy}} and consensus-building. On average, just over one thousand people actively participate in the General Assembly each day. Like the Board of Labor, the General Assembly may propose legislator bills and debate and vote on said bills to determine whether or not it should pass, but the General Assembly reserves the exclusive right to veto any new laws that have been approved by the head and chair of the Board of Labor; the grace period for a General Assembly veto is four weeks. The General Assembly is also the only legislative house that has multiple non-socialist parties represented, but to ensure that these parties are unable to dismantle the current co-operative syndicalist system there are partisan quotas set up to ensure that at least two-thirds of the General Assembly are seated by members of any of the member parties in the Popular Left Coalition. | ||
===Judiciary=== | ===Judiciary=== | ||
{{main|Judiciary of Ardmore}} | {{main|Judiciary of Ardmore}} | ||
The Ardmori judicial system operates on the fundamental principles of {{wp|conflict resolution}} with a heavy emphasis on community involvement and democratic justice. Disputes that occur are typically resolved through the use of local judicial assemblies or even specialized tribunals; these organizations are composed of representatives directly elected by the affected communities. The primary purpose of the Ardmori judicial system is to interpret laws, mediate disputes, and to ensure the fair administration of the rule of law in accordance with the preamble of the constitution which espouses the values of equality and cooperative solidarity. There is no established force for {{wp|policing}}; the Ardmori police force was abolished in 1931 due to it being seen as nothing more than a tool for the royalist government and thus was deemed to be irredeemable. Instead, law enforcement is a community-based approach where the citizens of the community are expected to remain vigilant, and the right to make a {{wp|citizen's arrest}} is a constitutional guarantee. | The Ardmori judicial system operates on the fundamental principles of {{wp|conflict resolution}} with a heavy emphasis on community involvement and democratic justice. Disputes that occur are typically resolved through the use of local judicial assemblies or even specialized tribunals; these organizations are composed of representatives directly elected by the affected communities. The primary purpose of the Ardmori judicial system is to interpret laws, mediate disputes, and to ensure the fair administration of the rule of law in accordance with the preamble of the constitution which espouses the values of equality and cooperative solidarity. There is no established force for {{wp|policing}}; the Ardmori police force was abolished in 1931 due to it being seen as nothing more than a tool for the royalist government and thus was deemed to be irredeemable. Instead, law enforcement is a community-based approach where the citizens of the community are expected to remain vigilant, and the right to make a {{wp|citizen's arrest}} is a constitutional guarantee. | ||
===Local governance and collectivities=== | |||
Although a {{wp|unitary state}}, Ardmore is highly decentralized on the subnational level, with the primary form of local governance coming from the [[community cooperatives]]. Groups of community cooperatives are known as [[communitarian collectivities]], of which there are 250. The primary representative of a given communitarian collectivity is elected by the entirety of the citizenry of the collectivity, and these representatives make up the entirety of the required membership of the [[General Assembly (Ardmore)|General Assembly]]. They are considered the civic equivalent to the largely economic and labor-related syndicates, all the way down to both entities serving as the main constituency for one of Ardmore's legislative houses. However, although these representatives are the foremost political figures of their respective collectivities, they do not hold a monopoly on representation in the General Assembly as the Constitution guarantees that the citizenry has the right to participate in General Assembly sessions with the same rights and privileges as the collectivity representatives. | |||
===Political Parties=== | ===Political Parties=== | ||
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==Demographics== | ==Demographics== | ||
With a population of 18,276,501 in the 2034 census, which is an increase of 6% over the past five years since the 2029 census, Ardmore's birthrate far exceeds its immigration rate with 5.72 births per woman on average every five years. In 2034, more than 1,096,000 live births have occurred compared to 556,696 in deaths, while immigration to the country has only accounted for 0.4% of the total population growth. Historically, this high birthrate has existed since the 1970s. The average life expectancy for men in Ardmore is 80.2 years, while for women it is 84.5 years. The median age for Ardmore in 2034 was 25.5 years, which was a decrease from the median age of 28.2 years in 2029. A stable economy with a robust and easily accessible universal healthcare system has allowed for the high birthrate to happen without a need for immigration; detractors, however, have claimed that immigration rates are low due to tight border controls which were not relaxed until the year 2000. | With a population of 18,276,501 in the 2034 census, which is an increase of 6% over the past five years since the 2029 census, Ardmore's birthrate far exceeds its immigration rate with 5.72 births per woman on average every five years. In 2034, more than 1,096,000 live births have occurred compared to 556,696 in deaths, while immigration to the country has only accounted for 0.4% of the total population growth. Historically, this high birthrate has existed since the 1970s. The average life expectancy for men in Ardmore is 80.2 years, while for women it is 84.5 years. The median age for Ardmore in 2034 was 25.5 years, which was a decrease from the median age of 28.2 years in 2029. A stable economy with a robust and easily accessible universal healthcare system has allowed for the high birthrate to happen without a need for immigration; detractors, however, have claimed that immigration rates are low due to tight border controls which were not relaxed until the year 2000. As of 2034, the immigration rate for Ardmore has remained stagnant as a result with a very minimal rate of growth in the past three decades. | ||
===Ethnic groups=== | ===Ethnic groups=== | ||