User talk:Urcea/Azi1

Azikoria, officially the Azikorian Municipalities, is an irregular federation of numerous autonomous states located off the southern coast of Crona. It's 585,674 square kilometers are divided into two zones. These are the fertile and densely populated Metropolitan Zone, along the coasts and on Azikorian-controlled islands, and the barren interior known officially as the National Zone but referred to colloquially as the unorganized territories. The unorganized territories lack any kind of formal political institutions or national representations, with the Azikorian military acting as one of the only expressions of governmental authority. Azikoria's largest city and capital is Mondragon, and other major cities include Indias, Illisus, and Onati, each of which has in excess of five million inhabitants. Azikoria is notable for the conservatism and religiosity of it's population, which has largely held firm from the beginning of industrialization until the modern day.

Azikoria's republican and federalist tradition stretches back hundreds of years, to the War of the Mandate in the 13th century between the nobility and the bourgeoisie, which ended with the destruction of the Old Regime. With the collapse of the old political order, local councils of clergymen and wealthy citizens were established in the cities and the countryside. These existed alongside the small number of noble estates which weathered the storms of revolution. To coordinate a national policy and replace the King, the Diet of Mondragon was created. The Diet was a regularly convened council of representatives from each major city and each fiefdom, called to settle disputes and coordinate military and economic policy throughout Azikoria. The next several hundred years would see the gradual strengthening of this Diet as Azikorian political leaders were forced to consolidate to confront numerous external threats, notably incursions by Greek colonists and German pirates. As external threats receded and the nation grew prosperous and developed from trade and early industry during the 16th century, merchants, businessman, and administrators grew increasingly wealthy and began to dominate the city councils. Fearing revolts by the peasantry and nobility, they convened a Council at Mondragon to discuss the imposition of reforms to the Diet system. Enforced by private armies, their reforms centralized the state and permanently established one of Azikoria's essential political units- the free cities, autonomous city-states and their suburbs governed by boards of aldermen and executive mayorships. These reforms also cemented the power of another Azikorian institution which has survived into the modern day; the dominance of many Azikorian cities by large, prosperous, and historic families, who contest control over the country through the use of political machines. These families range in influence from small, neighborhood based machines to networks of patronage and influence which stretch throughout multiple cities and onto the federal level.

The encroachment of foreigners on Azikorian territory and economic integrity in the late 18th and early 19th century saw the state descend into a period of decline and internal conflict, marked by epidemic disease and several political and social crises. During the early 20th century, industrialization brought new life to Azikoria, and at this time the National Zone was incorporated into Azikoria. Counts and other titled land owners saw a short-term socioeconomic resurgence as they turned their estates into industrial centers, exempt from much of the taxation and instability seen in the Free Cities. Further failures in the Great Ixnay War during the 1920s saw the end of this newfound optimism and growth, and also the final defeat of the aristocracy. As demanded by the treaty which ended the war, the nobility was liquidated by the new government and their property confiscated. These holdings, although temporarily transformed into free cities, lacked strong political leadership and revolts soon broke out among the workers. Communes, ruled by popularly elected worker's councils, were soon established, and the government eventually decided to recognize their legitimacy. While friction existed within Azikoria between the communes and the free cities for decades, most Azikorians have accepted the two as respectively essential to modern Azikoria. During the late 1940s, the Azikorian political structure was once again modified by the separation of rural regions of the country from the cities, adding the "Sylvanies" as another form of municipality. The act was passed in a climate of increasing urbanization, industrialization, and culture tradition, and has helped to maintain Azikoria's position as a conservative stronghold.

The Azikorian federal government is led by the executive chancellorship, and has two legislative houses, the House of Alderman (upper house), and the Chamber of Trades. Both are representative of each metropolity, the first of it's political interests, and the second of it's particular economic interests. The upper house is elected by the legislatures of each federal city and commune, whilst the members of the Chamber of Trades are elected in a complex process by the workers, corporations, businessmen, and citizens of the federal cities.

Today, Azikoria is a member of the League of Nations, the Third Internationale, and is one of the Three Maritime Republics. An economic and geopolitical middle power, with a high human development index and middling levels of income inequality, Azikoria's economic development is hampered by high levels of state-enforced moral conservatism and religious censorship, slowing technological and social development and low foreign investment. Numerous secretive (and often illegal) guilds maintain monopolies on the production of a variety of consumer goods, but due to morality laws and a tradition of austerity and spartanism, the official economy is slanted towards agricultural and industrial production for export. Charitable, religious, and social organizations play an enormous role in Azikorian society, responsible for almost all socioeconomic aid and education. The Azikorian military is a unique institution. Defense is primarily overseen on a regional basis, with each city (and sometimes groups of cities) possessing an independent army, nationalized only in times of war. The Federal Army numbers only about 15,000 men. Naval and Air defense are both responsibilities of the Federal Government, and it has used these powers to develop a significant land force, nominally for naval defense. Azikoria is known for it's unique cultural history and scientific community, both of which have become well adapted and adjusted to the religious peculiarities of the state, whilst still being able to produce works of great significance.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2.1 Prehistory 2.2 Agyrian and Vyconian Civilizations 2.3 Dark Age 2.4 Consolidation and Foundation of the Kingdom 2.5 The Kingdom 2.6 The War of the Throne & The Confederation 3 Geography 4 Politics and Public Policy 4.1 Federal Government 4.2 Municipal Government Etymology The word Azikoria is derived from the Latin word "Azurium", literally "blue" or "azure". It has been in use as a term for the nation since the foundation of the Azikorian Kingdom.

History Main article: History of Azikoria Prehistory

Neolithic hoe Anatomically Modern Humans have constantly inhabited the islands off of the Azikorian mainland for at least 60,000 years. Clear signs of sociocultural development are evident in the geological record from 40,000 years ago, with the unearthing in the last hundred years of numerous ancient artifacts, including preserved statuettes, cave paintings, and even a hoe he on the islands. Strange formations in a buried clay formation, first unearthed in the 18th century along with buried tools and numerous hominid remains, are believed to be indicative of an ancient red ochre mine in use roughly 30,000 years ago. If confirmed, the find would indicate a much greater level of technological advancement and logistical ability among ancient Azikorians than previously imagined. A dugout canoe, dated to roughly 8,000 years ago, has recently been located in an ancient riverbed within the Amahari Desert of the unorganized territories.

Evidence of the Agricultural Revolution and the formation of stable, semi-urban settlements appears late in Azikoria's geological record, with the earliest evidence of agriculture, in the form of an ancient farmstead, being dated to 4,000 BC. Several theories for this latent development include an incomplete anthropological record, natural disasters, and the early domestication of cattle, supported by several ancient cow statuettes possibly older than the farmstead itself. Additionally, geological evidence points to the possibility of large tectonic and volcanic activity roughly 7,000 BC. Of course, as stated, it is entirely possible that archaeologists have merely missed earlier signs of agriculture and civilization.

Whatever the case, the spread of agriculture to the Azikorian islands facilitated a rapid population boom. With it's mild climate, fertile soil, and lack of major predators and and the aforementioned abundance of domesticated animals, the region was the perfect place for such a boom. At this time, the first settlements were established on the mainland, and a trade in timber and furs was begun.

Agyrian and Vyconian Civilizations File:Bigdig.jpg Ongoing excavation of the Alma Metropolis In the climate of agricultural and cultural revolution, the first civilization to arise was that of the Ancient Agyrians (c. 500 - 300 BC). The Agyrians, based on the island of Ameslos had a fully developed writing script, a basic law code, a hierarchical government with limited social services, and urban settlements. The Agyrians themselves were not native to the islands, but rather imported Greeks. Based on translated texts (the alphabet itself being deciphered due to it's close relationship to proto-Greek) they came from a major city along the ancient Kommenori coast, from which they were expelled in the aftermath of a decade-long civil war between the various greek states. Their greatest mark on Azikoria is the Alma Metropolis, a sprawling complex of ruins, and an ancient temple complex. One of the most well preserved ancient sites in the world, it is still undergoing detailed exchavation and it's artifacts are only gradually being uncovered and catalogued. Although they only ruled the islands for roughly two centuries, the Agyrians expanded the extent of ancient Azikoria's manland colonies, and brought many important factors into Azikorian culture- a written alphabet, Greek political philosophy, and ancient art forms. These influences would influence Azikorian development for centuries to come.

Around 800 BC, the Agyrian polity suddenly collapsed, it's Greek leaders disappearing and integrating into the wider gene pool. The reasons for it's disintegration are not entirely clear, due to both a general lack of information caused by the passing of ages, and deliberate iconoclastic actions by rebels. Theories abound, including destructive volcanic activity, bad harvests, government incompetence or even excessive inbreeding. Whatever the reason, it was obviously preceded by significant social upheaval and unrest, with carbon scarring in the Alma Metropolis consistent with a massive fire. Stacked corpses, many with serious injuries consistent with a sword or other weapon, have been found huddled in rooms and in open passages in the Metropolis.

After the fall of Agyria, the Vyconian civilization arose. Righting itself by roughly 200 BC, it was ruled by ancient Azikorians, ethnically similar to those of today. The islands and colonies of Vyconia were each self-governing, some under dukes, and some under a psuedo-bourgeose mercantile upper class. Numerous diaries, accounting records, and state histories have survived from the period. Despite this self governance, a central government led by a King did exist. As opposed to the modern concept of the despot or of the constitutional monarch, the Azikorian king of this time was primarily a war leader, a judge, and an economist. He and his administration settled major disputes between states, and gathered armies when Azikoria was threatened. The King would also issue edicts regarding standardized weights and measures, trade practices, and use a small professional army to enforce them when necessary. During the Vyconian era, large-scale trade between settlements and even abroad was commonplace, with jars made in Aryllia appearing as far-away as modern-day Slakonian Prospering for half a millennia, Increasing expansion into the mainland and attempts by the Kings to centralize power led to the Vyconian Kingdom's collapse around the 4th century AD. Taking advantage of the power vacuum, foreign invaders once again attacked Azikoria, this time by early Gaelic pirates, devastating an already beleaguered civilization and ushering in the Azikorian Dark Age.

Dark Age File:DarkagesPot.jpg Typical example of mid-Dark Age Azikorian pottery Dark Ages, by definition, are fairly dark. As such, few written records from the period exist, making it something of a puzzle to piece together Azikorian history during the Dark Age. Additionally, due to Azikoria's relative isolation from foreign peoples during the time, few verified accounts regarding Azikoria from Greek scholars exist. Archaelogical records from the time show that most major urban settlements were abandoned or shrunk, and around those that survived extensive systems of fortifications were put into place for the first time. Trade atrophied, with no evidence of the large-scale trade networks apparent in the Vyconian era. General standards of workmanship declined, and the literary record from the period is totally non-existant. Azikorian and Germanic records of the time, combined with the discovery of small stashes of Azikorian pottery and precious goods dated from the period in Crona which as of yet had not participated in trade with the region, confirms the theory that the Dark Ages were caused largely by the invasion of Germanic pirates. The Dark Age lasted for centuries, and are considered to have ended around 900 AD.

Consolidation and Foundation of the Kingdom

Page from a 10th century bible supposed to have belonged to King Cyriam As foreign attacks began to subside and the shattered world began to recover, Azikorian leaders began to turn their focus from surviving and staving off piracy towards conquest and hegemony. Although the departure of the pirates seemed to at first herald a new chapter of civil warfare, the warlord Cyriam Lyaste, duke of the island of Dhumanyu, would soon unite Azikoria. Born in 855 as the latest in a line which had ruled the island since Vyconian time, Cyriam was known from his youth as a fearsome warrior and a capable administrator, leading a campaign to drive the last of the Gaelic pirates from their strongholds on the islands during the reign of his father. A significant number of these he recruited into his own service, promising them gold and land, and after his father's death these pirates would form an important component of his army. An avid reader on the Vyconian era, Cyriam dreamt of reuniting their empire. Through a brutal program of recruitment and taxation, he built an army through the course of the 870s and 880s unrivaled in size or discipline by any of his contemporaries. Breaking out of Dhumanyu with a campaign against a former vassal of his duchy, he would spend most of the rest of his life subjugating the varying principalities which he considered to be "properly" a part of his Realm. Towards the end of his life, Cyriam began to turn towards the rising Christian religion, it would seem out of both genuine attraction and a desire for a political change which it could facilitate. Cyriam eventually became attracted to a Priest by the name of Peadrus the Gael, a Catholic missionary who had been expelled from Crona several years earlier. Becoming one of his closest advisors, Peadrus eventually persuaded him to convert to Christianity. Soon after his conversion, Leo himself crowned Cyriam "King of the Azikorians", placing a simple golden diadem upon his head and sanctifying the new monarch. The Azikorian people were not strangers to monotheism, the dominant religious cult on the island being that of the moon goddess Mani. Christianity spread rapidly, aided by the subsuming of the powers and traits of Mani into the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. Even today, she holds a cherished place second only to God in Azikoria, the official patron saint of the nation, commemorated in the (formerly pagan) annual Festival of the Virgin. Cyriam's patronage of literature, poetry, architecture, trade, the bureaucracy, and his push for the reformation of political life mark the end of the Dark Age and the beginning of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom File:AzikorianDiadem.png 12th century reproduction of the Cyric Diadem From 887 until 1504, Azikoria experienced a period of Kingship, and a such this time is known collectively as "the Kingdom". Spanning centuries and multiple periods of distinct rule and trends, it can neither be lumped as a collectively good or bad period. But for a comprehensive overview of Azikorian history, it is safe to say that the Kingdom period as a whole marks a "transformation" of Azikorian into the civilization which would include all of the ingredients for the foundation of Azikoria. The identifying characteristics of the period were: the regularization of society and the development of a generally uniform social class structure, the recovery of trade and the economy in general, royal patronage for the arts and sciences, and the gradual political, social, and economic rise of the so-called [wikipedia:bourgeoisie|bourgeoisie] class. The bourgeoisie first grew rich as merchants, independent farmers, and industry-owners. As they grew in prominence, many Kings became their patrons and adopted them into royal service as representatives of the king, as notaries and scribes, to counteract the power of the establishment nobles and lessen their dependence on the Church. Over time, the growing political power and wealth of the bourgeoisie began to be resented by the nobility, paving the way for the War of the Mandate when the monarchy became subverted to the voice of the reactionary feudalites.

After the death of Oswyn IV in 1502, the nation was thrown into chaos. Lacking any direct heirs, a distant relative, the cousin of the King, was found to fill the throne by the nobility (as was their prerogative) only an infant, the boy- christened "Oswyn V" immediately came under the influence of a noble-dominated regency council. Under the guidance of this regency, the autonomy and administrative authority of the bourgeoisie was swift. Crippling taxes were imposed, and their by now expected "natural rights" were trampled upon.

The War of the Throne & The Confederation In 1504, a delegation of bourgeoise arrived in Mondragon. Whilst the ambassadors met with the King, co-conspirators entered the city and began to meet with local leaders and guilds, asking for their support in the violent overthrow of the monarchy.

Curved sword used during the War of the Throne Quickly obtaining the support of most of the city, which had prospered under the light rule and liberty supported by previous Kings, a series of rallies were held throughout the city- thus indicating to the nobles with the King that a palace coup d'état was in order. With the support of a number of guards who had been bought off, the delegation rose up against the nobles during a banquet that very night, slaughtering their hosts and capturing the King. As news of these events spread, similar uprisings occurred throughout the nation and soon enough most of the nobility was dead or had fled to Kommenori. Although political chaos reigned in the first days after the end of the Monarchy, a new situation soon forced Azikoria to consolidate- having been broken from confinement and escaped North, Oswyn and his courtiers began to plot an invasion of Azikoria to topple the Revolution. As such, the First Diet of Mondragon was called, with representatives from throughout Azikoria. In attendance were not only the bourgeoisie who had seized control of the state but the nobles who supported the revolution and thereby managed to maintain their power. The Diet made provisions for the creation of an Azikorian army in times of need, the protection of the rights of the bourgeoisie, and the establishment of the nucleus of a national government. After consolidating their forces, Oswyn's royalist and the mercenary army marched into the country. Caught off guard soon after entering the country, most of his revenue was slaughtered and the King himself committed suicide. With his death, the new order became firmly established in Azikoria, and the bourgeoisie had seized ultimate political power, albeit mitigated by their cooperation with Azikoria's other social classes. This is considered the beginning of modern Azikoria.

From the 16th to 18th century (after it's recovery from the War of the Throne) Azikoria experienced unprecedented economic growth. But beginning in the 1700s, increasing economic inequality and social stresses caused the gradual breakdown of law, order, and social norms. The relative economic decline of the nation helped to push wealth further into the hands of the upper class, and the preceding centuries of prosperity had caused a demographic boom which now left the nation with a large and destitute class of rural poor. In an attempt to escape these conditions, the poor began to migrate en masse to the cities, only further pushing Azikoria on the path towards crisis. Numerous harvest failures between 1755 and 1760 contributed to the inflation of grain prices on a huge scale. In response to the rampant social injustice of the time, a new spiritual revival occurred in the Church. Stress was once again placed upon personal poverty, service to the poor, and the condemnation of materialism- a return to the principles espoused by the early Church. Riots soon broke out, and the Church, dangerously autonomous since the fall of the Kingdom, quickly turned its support towards the poor. With mobs of armed peasants beating on the doors, the bourgeoisie and the nobles were forced into making concessions, with the Church acting as the intermediary between the two parties. A new "Christian morality" took hold, as sumptuary laws and laws regulating all financial and economic activities were established. New laws were made granting limited rights to the peasants, and the Church forced the bourgeoisie and the noble remnants to accept it's near-total autonomy and control over religious, familial, and educational life (which continues to this day). This is a unique event in the history of nations: a nonviolent social revolution of the peasants which strengthened the Church and enforced religion, whilst providing genuine protections for the peasants. With these rights guaranteed, Industrialization would be a relatively peaceful period in Azikoria's history.

File:RedRebs.jpg Socialist Militia in one of the Communes, circa 1927 The next great social change occurred after Azikoria's defeat in the Great IxProp War. One of the conditions of the victorious allies was that the nobility be totally disestablished, once and for all. These estates were not large manors or plantations- but factory towns, even cities, set up by the nobles who were exempt of some of the restrictions imposed by the Bourgeoise regarding the rights of peasants and workers, and financial laws. Eventually, the workers decided themselves, demanding self-government and forcing the government to cooperate. The Communalization of the States has set the stage for modern Azikoria.

Geography Azikoria's coastal regions are rich in ecological and terrain diversity. While a warm Mediterranean climate predominates along the West and Northern coasts, oceanic and wet climates are dominant in the East and the South. Significant tropical wetlands exist in the far southwest, contrasting greatly with the surrounding area. Azikoria is blessed with numerous natural harbors, and several notable archipelagic lagoons, which have either become host to major cities - as in the case of Mondragon - or become home to isolated and poverty-stricken communities.

Recessed from the coast is a chain of mountains, the Arlopes, which ring most of the country and present one of the greatest obstacles to the settling of the interior. Steep and largely impassible, access to the few passes between the mountains are closely watched by law enforcement, being a gateway for crime.

The Arlopes The interior of Azikoria is destitute in every regard. A vast desert, unsuited for agriculture and civilization, the primary occupation in the region is maintaining, catering to, and guarding the network of federal railways which act as lifelines in the waste, rivers in the absence of rivers. Other sources of prosperity are primarily of the illegal kind: drug trafficking, unlicensed mining, and general avoidance of authority. As it is unincorporated and under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government land deeds and other property licenses in the region are not fully recognized within Azikoria's incorporated municipalities, which has presented another dissuasion to migration. In recent years, the issue of the unincorporated territories - with claims that the government "exploits" the region - has become politically charged.

Politics and Public Policy Azikoria is the world's oldest extant republic, with a federal tradition stretching back to the 13th century, and institutions of local self-government which are even older. For most of Azikorian history, the republican system functioned without a formal constitution, instead relying on centuries of precedence and a strong devotion to the rule of law. However, as a result of growing political instability and corruption during the 19th and 20th centuries, a strong Chartist (constitutionalist) movement developed in Azikoria. In 1964, a draft constitution was finally ratified by both houses of the Azikorian Federal Assembly. This constitution has remained unamended since its inaguration, largely thanks to the onerous process required for the constitution to be successfully amended.

Federal Government By ancient tradition and the Constitution, Azikoria is cooperatively governed by federal and municipal governments. Both federal and municipal authorities are equal and sovereign, yet the municipalities are considered the only "organic" units of government in Azikoria, as the federal government is ultimately a compact between the several municipalities.

Two offices dominate the Executive branch of the Azikorian federal government; the President of Azikoria, and the Premier of Azikoria, heads of state and government respectively. Unlike in most dual executive systems, both the Premier and President possess significant political power and influence. The focus of the Premiership is upon contemporary policy and is more responsive to popular opinion. As such, he relies on the confidence of the Senate to retain his office (technically being the first officer of the Senate. The Azikorian President is far more withdrawn from the day-to-day political process. He is elected for a twelve-year term by an electoral college, with one member for each constituent municipality of Azikoria, and upon taking office, renounces his party affiliation and swears an oath to uphold the constitution. He cannot be re-elected, and more than anything is the "watchman" of the political system, using wide-ranging veto powers, his position of prominence, and relative neutrality to exact pull across the political spectrum. The president is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and traditionally has been exerted greater authority in foreign affairs than in domestic policy.

The Azikorian National Assembly is divided into two bodies, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The CoD is the world's largest legislature (and meets in the world's largest legislative building), with 18,215 members, one from each municipality in the country (leading to the drastic overrepresentation of rural and conservative elements in government). It is popularly elected in each municipality once every six years, expressly to itself elect the 845 members of the Senate, which carries out all the real functions of the Assembly and is thus the legislature is often described as "functionally unicameral." Such a system helps to prevent local interests from dominating and subverting the legislature while ensuring that the voice of the localities can ultimately still be heard. An extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies is, however, required to be held in order to amend the constitution. Since the creation of the constitution, no amendment bill has ever gained the necessary supermajority to be ratified by the Congress (except for the constitution itself). The CoD also meets at the beginning of every year, to ceremonially re-confirm its confidence in the government.

Municipal Government The Azikorian constitution recognizes "municipal freedom as the basis of national strength" and further states that the Azikorian nation arises out of a "compact between the free and sovereign municipalities" which make up the Republic. Azikoria's municipalities have significant autonomy in the management of their internal affairs. By way of example, each Azikorian municipality prints its own stamps, and all taxes levied by the federal government are done so through the municipalities; direct taxation is expressly forbidden by the constitution.

Three basic forms of municipal government exist in Azikoria: towns, cities, and communes.

The Town is the most numerous and most historic unit of government in Azikoria, with nearly 15,000 of Azikoria's 18,000 incorporated localities operating under a town charter. In town-style governance, the town meeting, an assembly of all adult members of the community meets to discuss issues of public policy and to pass legislation. Depending on the town, the assembly may have more or less authority, but it ultimately remains the most basic and principle organ of government. While most towns have a population below 50,000, there are exceptions to the rule: the largest azikorian town has nearly one million inhabitants, and has implemented a form of e-democracy in order to maintain the town meeting system.