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'''The Cape''', officially '''the Federacy of the Cape''', is the easternmost country in [[Crona]]. It is bordered on the north, east, and south by the Odeneru and Cathay Oceans. It covers 2.3 million kms2 and has over 127 million people, largely concentrated in its namesake [[Cape Peninsula]]. The Cape is a multiethnic and multicultural society, with a majority of the population having mixed ancestry between the country's three primary ethnic groups, [[Kiravian]], [[Cartadanian]], and [[Cronan]]. The capital and largest city is [[Cape Town]], which concurrently serves as one of seven [[Provinces of the Cape|provincial]] capitals. | '''The Cape''', officially '''the Federacy of the Cape''', is the easternmost country in [[Crona]]. It is bordered on the north, east, and south by the Odeneru and Cathay Oceans. It covers 2.3 million kms2 and has over 127 million people, largely concentrated in its namesake [[Cape Peninsula]]. The Cape is a multiethnic and multicultural society, with a majority of the population having mixed ancestry between the country's three primary ethnic groups, [[Kiravian]], [[Cartadanian]], and [[Cronan]]. The capital and largest city is [[Cape Town]], which concurrently serves as one of seven [[Provinces of the Cape|provincial]] capitals. | ||
For thousands of years, the Cape was home to various indigenous peoples. In the 1600s, however, Cartadanian and Kiravian explorers began to settle the country's eastern coast. Their colonies and dominions would expand throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Disputes over political representation and forced colonial assimilation would lead to the [[Capetian War of Independence]] in 1897, led by [[Melvyn Kalma]] and the nascent [[Republican Nationalist Party]], which established independence in 1901. The tumultuous young republic, weakened by political violence and rampant power struggles following Kalma's death in 1922, was invaded and occupied by [[Paulastra]] and [[Arcerion]] during the [[Great War]]. A [[The Reclamation|Reclamation war]] soon took place, re-establishing the republic in 1951. A slow series of reforms between the 1980s and the 2000s would transition the state from a one-party military dictatorship to a representative, if flawed, {{wp|representative democracy|democracy}} - with the country entering into a rapid period of economic growth and industrialization that | For thousands of years, the Cape was home to various indigenous peoples. In the 1600s, however, Cartadanian and Kiravian explorers began to settle the country's eastern coast. Their colonies and dominions would expand throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Disputes over political representation and forced colonial assimilation would lead to the [[Capetian War of Independence]] in 1897, led by [[Melvyn Kalma]] and the nascent [[Republican Nationalist Party]], which established independence in 1901. The tumultuous young republic, weakened by political violence and rampant power struggles following Kalma's death in 1922, was invaded and occupied by [[Paulastra]] and [[Arcerion]] during the [[Great War]]. A [[The Reclamation|Reclamation war]] soon took place, re-establishing the republic in 1951. A slow series of reforms between the 1980s and the 2000s would transition the state from a one-party military dictatorship to a representative, if flawed, {{wp|representative democracy|democracy}} - with the country entering into a rapid period of economic growth and industrialization that continues today. | ||
The Cape today is a {{wp|federal state|federal}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|constitutional republic}} led by the constitutionally dominant [[Republican Nationalist Party]]. The country ranks as a semi-democracy in the [[Liberty Index]] and is categorized as a {{wp|authoritarian democracy}}. The Cape is a key member of numerous international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]]. It is a regional power with a growing economy and a highly {{wp|developed market}}. Traditionally fuelled by the state-led exploitation of natural resources, manufacturing, and international shipping, the economy has grown significantly in its service sector during the past three decades - with no small part due to foreign investment. Cape Town ranks as one of the most economically active and important urban areas in Crona, home to the continent's largest stock and commodity exchanges by {{wp|market capitalization}}. The nation has high levels of economic freedom yet maintains numerous state-provided social services, ranking highly on continental indicators of education, health care, and human development. | The Cape today is a {{wp|federal state|federal}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|constitutional republic}} led by the constitutionally-dominant [[Republican Nationalist Party]]. The country ranks as a semi-democracy in the [[Liberty Index]] and is categorized as a {{wp|authoritarian democracy}}. The Cape is a key member of numerous international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]]. It is a regional power with a growing economy and a highly {{wp|developed market}}. Traditionally fuelled by the state-led exploitation of natural resources, manufacturing, and international shipping, the economy has grown significantly in its service sector during the past three decades - with no small part due to foreign investment. Cape Town ranks as one of the most economically active and important urban areas in Crona, home to the continent's largest stock and commodity exchanges by {{wp|market capitalization}}. The nation has high levels of economic freedom yet maintains numerous state-provided social services, ranking highly on continental indicators of education, health care, and human development. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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| caption3 = The [[Mausoleum of Melvyn Kalma]], whose legacy remains prominent in Capetian politics to this day. | | caption3 = The [[Mausoleum of Melvyn Kalma]], whose legacy remains prominent in Capetian politics to this day. | ||
}} | }} | ||
The Federacy of the Cape is a {{wp|federal state|federal}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|constitutional republic}} led by the [[Republican Nationalist Party]] under a period of ''[[Planoarita politics]]'' (literally “politics in accordance with the popular will”) - the final stage on the road to full {{wp|liberal democracy|constitutional politics}}. The Capetian political system operates under the 1951 [[Constitution of the Federacy of the Cape|Federal Constitution]], which recognizes the RNP as the “constitutionally guiding force”. | The Federacy of the Cape is a {{wp|federal state|federal}} {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|constitutional republic}} led by the [[Republican Nationalist Party]] under a period of ''[[Planoarita politics|Planoarita]]'', or republican politics (literally “politics in accordance with the popular will”) - the final stage on the road to full {{wp|liberal democracy|constitutional politics}}. The Capetian political system operates under the 1951 [[Constitution of the Federacy of the Cape|Federal Constitution]], which recognizes the RNP as the “constitutionally guiding force”. | ||
Since the 2000s, the Cape has been fundamentally structured as a {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|representative democracy}}. Although the RNP holds the majority of seats in the {{wp|bicameral system|bicameral}} [[Supreme National Assembly]], third parties have been allowed to run in elections. The SNA, comprised of the 503-member [[National Stanera]] and the 28-member [[National Auditorium]], constitutionally holds "{{wp|Parliamentary sovereignty|all powers of governance}}". In practice, the Assembly serves merely as the country’s {{wp|legislature}}, with executive power wielded by the [[Prime Executive of the Cape|Office of the Prime Executive]], and judicial power wielded by the [[Supreme Tribunal of the Federacy]] and the [[Constitutional Court of the Federacy]]. | Since the 2000s, the Cape has been fundamentally structured as a {{wp|parliamentary system|parliamentary}} {{wp|representative democracy}}. Although the RNP holds the majority of seats in the {{wp|bicameral system|bicameral}} [[Supreme National Assembly]], third parties have been allowed to run in elections. The SNA, comprised of the 503-member [[National Stanera]] and the 28-member [[National Auditorium]], constitutionally holds "{{wp|Parliamentary sovereignty|all powers of governance}}". In practice, the Assembly serves merely as the country’s {{wp|legislature}}, with executive power wielded by the [[Prime Executive of the Cape|Office of the Prime Executive]], and judicial power wielded by the [[Supreme Tribunal of the Federacy]] and the [[Constitutional Court of the Federacy]]. | ||
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Since the founding of the republic, the dominant political current in Capetian politics has been [[Restarkism]] - support for Melvyn Kalma’s reforms. Restarkism today is manifest as support for a {{wp|nationalist}} {{wp|democracy}} with a {{wp|secular}} constitution and an Occidental, {{wp|liberal}} culture. It remains enshrined as the country's constitutional {{wp|ideology|guiding ideology}} - with the role of its defence given to the [[Cape Armed Forces|armed forces]]. It likewise serves as the guiding ideology of Kalma's own [[Republican Nationalist Party]]. | Since the founding of the republic, the dominant political current in Capetian politics has been [[Restarkism]] - support for Melvyn Kalma’s reforms. Restarkism today is manifest as support for a {{wp|nationalist}} {{wp|democracy}} with a {{wp|secular}} constitution and an Occidental, {{wp|liberal}} culture. It remains enshrined as the country's constitutional {{wp|ideology|guiding ideology}} - with the role of its defence given to the [[Cape Armed Forces|armed forces]]. It likewise serves as the guiding ideology of Kalma's own [[Republican Nationalist Party]]. | ||
Owing to the turmoil of the [[Capetian War of Independence|War of Independence]] and [[the Reclamation]], Restarkism posits a stepped plan for the implementation of {{wp|constitutional democracy}}. First, military revolution (such as in the War of Independence), {{wp|Dang Guo|party-state}}, where the party leads in a dictatorship, | Owing to the turmoil of the [[Capetian War of Independence|War of Independence]] and [[the Reclamation]], Restarkism posits a stepped plan for the implementation of {{wp|constitutional democracy}}. First, military revolution (such as in the War of Independence), {{wp|Dang Guo|party-state}}, where the party leads in a dictatorship, [[Planoarita politics|republican politics]], a period of "national rejuvenation" led as a {{wp|guided democracy}} under the RNP which sets the groundwork for democracy, and constitutional politics, full {{wp|liberal democracy}}. Since 2001, the Cape has been under the period of republican politics - in which third parties (the most prominent being the [[Kadets (the Cape)|Constitutional Democrats]]) have been legalized, {{wp|freedom of speech}} restrictions eased, and elections introduced. However, participation in the party, commonly through its quadrennial nationwide open {{wp|primary election}}s, remains the main form of democratic participation. In the past 20 years, the party has become divided between multiple [[Republican Nationalist Party|factions]] across the political spectrum. | ||
===Law=== | ===Law=== | ||
The supreme law of the Cape is the 1951 Constitution, which establishes a {{wp|federal republic}}. Its inviolable Fundamental Statutes guarantee rights and freedoms for the ''Planoarita'' period - namely the freedoms of thought, speech, assembly, and association - which any government cannot override or amend. However, a notwithstanding clause (derogatory clause) allows the Supreme National Assembly to unilaterally suspend certain sections of the constitution for up to 6 months. | The supreme law of the Cape is the 1951 Constitution, which establishes a {{wp|federal republic}}. Its inviolable Fundamental Statutes guarantee rights and freedoms for the ''Planoarita''/republican politics period - namely the freedoms of thought, speech, assembly, and association - which any government cannot override or amend. However, a notwithstanding clause (derogatory clause) allows the Supreme National Assembly to unilaterally suspend certain sections of the constitution for up to 6 months. | ||
The nation's judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Tribunal and the Constitutional Court, plays a vital role in federal governance. Although subject to the use of the derogatory clause, the Constitutional Court maintains the power to overturn executive and legislative decisions. At the same time, the Supreme Tribunal plays a prominent role in interpreting legislation and ensuring the {{wp|constitutionality}} of politics. The National Auditorium nominates candidates to both courts, with their nominations subject to approval by the President of the Federacy. | The nation's judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Tribunal and the Constitutional Court, plays a vital role in federal governance. Although subject to the use of the derogatory clause, the Constitutional Court maintains the power to overturn executive and legislative decisions. At the same time, the Supreme Tribunal plays a prominent role in interpreting legislation and ensuring the {{wp|constitutionality}} of politics. The National Auditorium nominates candidates to both courts, with their nominations subject to approval by the President of the Federacy. | ||
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===Foreign relations=== | ===Foreign relations=== | ||
[[File:NewYorkStateCulturalEducationCenter.JPG|thumb|250px|The Palace of the Federacy, the seat of the [[Department of Foreign Affairs (the Cape)|Department of Foreign Affairs]].]] | [[File:NewYorkStateCulturalEducationCenter.JPG|thumb|250px|The Palace of the Federacy, the seat of the [[Department of Foreign Affairs (the Cape)|Department of Foreign Affairs]].]] | ||
Since the introduction of | Since the introduction of republican politics, the Cape's international relations have been based on the 16th Amendment of the Federal Constitution: establishing {{wp|self-determination}}, diplomacy, and cooperation as the fundamental principles on how the Capetian state should interact with other countries and organizations. According to the Constitution, the President of the Federacy acts as the nation’s chief diplomat with broad powers to determine foreign policy objectives, although the task commonly falls to the Prime Executive. | ||
The Cape’s formerly belligerent and ideological foreign policy has softened since the 2000s, although elements of it remain; the country shares tense or lacks formal diplomatic relations with a handful of ideologically opposed [[League of Nations]] member states. Contemporary Capetian foreign policy is based heavily on the principle of {{wp|multilateralism}} - it is a founding member of the [[Southern Crona Conference]] and the informal [[League of the Free Republics]]. The nation seeks partnerships with fellow [[Crona]]n, [[Coscivian]], and {{wp|Gaelic}} countries; it participated alongside them in the [[Final War of the Deluge]]. | The Cape’s formerly belligerent and ideological foreign policy has softened since the 2000s, although elements of it remain; the country shares tense or lacks formal diplomatic relations with a handful of ideologically opposed [[League of Nations]] member states. Contemporary Capetian foreign policy is based heavily on the principle of {{wp|multilateralism}} - it is a founding member of the [[Southern Crona Conference]] and the informal [[League of the Free Republics]]. The nation seeks partnerships with fellow [[Crona]]n, [[Coscivian]], and {{wp|Gaelic}} countries; it participated alongside them in the [[Final War of the Deluge]]. | ||
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| align = right | | align = right | ||
| width = 250 | | width = 250 | ||
| image1 = | | image1 = Saab Gripen - JAS-39C - Czech Airforce 9237 - Volkel - NL (51099350381).jpg | ||
| caption1 = [[Cape Aerospace Forces]] {{wp|Saab JAS 39 Gripen|Griffin}} | | caption1 = A [[Cape Aerospace Forces]] {{wp|Saab JAS 39 Gripen|Griffin}}. | ||
| image2 = | | image2 = HMS Prince of Wales (R09) depart Forth for initial sea trials - 17.jpg | ||
| caption2 = CN Enterprise, the flagship of the [[Republican Navy]]. | | caption2 = CN Enterprise, the flagship of the [[Cape Republican Navy]]. | ||
}} | }} | ||
The Cape Armed Forces are the national {{wp|military}} of the Federacy of the Cape. Born out of the [[National Revolutionary Army]], the Cape Armed Forces have evolved to become one of the most well-funded militaries in the Eastern Hemisphere. It consists of the [[Cape Ground Forces]], the [[Cape Aerospace Forces]], the [[Republican Navy]], and the [[Cape Strategic Forces]]. | The Cape Armed Forces are the national {{wp|military}} of the Federacy of the Cape. Born out of the [[National Revolutionary Army]], the Cape Armed Forces have evolved to become one of the most well-funded militaries in the Eastern Hemisphere. It consists of the [[Cape Ground Forces]], the [[Cape Aerospace Forces]], the [[Cape Republican Navy]], and the [[Cape Strategic Forces]]. | ||
With a small professional contingent of 310,000 soldiers, the armed forces rely heavily on the Cape’s {{wp|conscription}} program. Most citizens, regardless of gender, are drafted into the armed forces at 18 for a period of up to 12 months. The country can call upon a force of almost two million reservists in times of war. The armed forces have historically served an outsized role in Capetian politics and are perceived as the guarantors of the nation’s independence. The country, therefore, devotes a relatively high 5.7% of the national GDP on defense; with the funds spent on the maintenance of a large tank force, a {{wp|blue-water navy}}, and a suspected stockpile of [[Nuclear weapons and the Cape|nuclear weapons]] to be delivered through a growing fleet of {{wp|nuclear submarine}}s. | With a small professional contingent of 310,000 soldiers, the armed forces rely heavily on the Cape’s {{wp|conscription}} program. Most citizens, regardless of gender, are drafted into the armed forces at 18 for a period of up to 12 months. The country can call upon a force of almost two million reservists in times of war. The armed forces have historically served an outsized role in Capetian politics and are perceived as the guarantors of the nation’s independence. The country, therefore, devotes a relatively high 5.7% of the national GDP on defense; with the funds spent on the maintenance of a large tank force, a {{wp|blue-water navy}}, and a suspected stockpile of [[Nuclear weapons and the Cape|nuclear weapons]] to be delivered through a growing fleet of {{wp|nuclear submarine}}s. | ||
===Human rights=== | ===Human rights=== | ||
The human rights record of the Cape has been subject to much international condemnation and scrutiny. Particularly, the Cape’s combination of a {{wp|dominant-party system}}, a restricted opposition, and the frequent participation of the armed forces in politics has led to the country’s description as an {{wp|authoritarian democracy}} - if not an outright “authoritarian regime.” In 2020, the nation was ranked 16th out of 50 with a score of 6.73 on the [[Liberty Index]], placing it as a {{wp|hybrid regime}}. Although Capetians retain strong {{wp|personal freedoms}} | The human rights record of the Cape has been subject to much international condemnation and scrutiny. Particularly, the Cape’s combination of a {{wp|dominant-party system}}, a restricted opposition, and the frequent participation of the armed forces in politics has led to the country’s description as an {{wp|authoritarian democracy}} - if not an outright “authoritarian regime.” In 2020, the nation was ranked 16th out of 50 with a score of 6.73 on the [[Liberty Index]], placing it as a {{wp|hybrid regime}}. Although Capetians retain strong {{wp|personal freedoms}}, {{wp|civil liberties}}, and a semblance of democracy through participation in intra-party elections, the state has been criticized for restricting opposition groups, the {{wp|freedom of speech}}, and {{wp|freedom of the press}}. | ||
Political power remains cemented in the Republican Nationalist Party in a system of {{wp|guided democracy}}. Each opposition party must recognize ''Planoarita'' politics and the RNP’s “leading role” to participate | Political power remains cemented in the Republican Nationalist Party in a system of {{wp|guided democracy}}. Each opposition party must recognize ''Planoarita'' politics and the RNP’s “leading role” to participate. In 2014 and 2017, the Supreme Tribunal struck down and dissolved political parties that violated such measures, with the Constitutional Court doing the same in 2016 and 2022 against groups that violated the Constitution’s Restarkist provisions of state {{wp|secularism}}. In 2021, the Cape Armed Forces carried out a {{wp|coup d'état}} against an unpopular attempt to use the derogatory clause. Throughout, the [[Commission for the Preservation of the Republic|security services]]-dominated {{wp|deep state}}, colloquially referred to as the [[Republican Guard]], has continually remained active in defense of the status quo. | ||
However, since the 2000s, the Cape has ranked consistently as one of the least corrupt nations by public perception. The state’s unique structure of authoritarian democracy, a strong rule of law, {{wp|meritocracy|meritocratic reforms}}, and focus on popular support through good governance has led to remarkably little public sector corruption. Popular support for the RNP and Restarkism, therefore, remains high - a phenomenon attributed through {{wp|populism|populist}} policies, {{wp|good governance}}, and intra-party democracy that allows for both popular reform and ideological continuity. | However, since the 2000s, the Cape has ranked consistently as one of the least corrupt nations by public perception. The state’s unique structure of authoritarian democracy, a strong rule of law, {{wp|meritocracy|meritocratic reforms}}, and focus on popular support through good governance has led to remarkably little public sector corruption. Popular support for the RNP and Restarkism, therefore, remains high - a phenomenon attributed through {{wp|populism|populist}} policies, {{wp|good governance}}, and intra-party democracy that allows for both popular reform and ideological continuity. | ||