International Democratic Union
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| Info: NSEconomy RC XML |
The International Democratic Union (abbreviated IDU) is a democratic and peaceful region, historically active in United Nations and later World Assembly politics. The region is currently host to several UN/WA resolution writers. The IDU is governed by its fundamental values along with an election charter. Delegate elections are held every three months. The current delegate is Sciongrad.
Geographically, the region is located on a large, diverse landmass, occupying a planet from around 20°N to around 55°N, although due to the effects of fractal reality interference on normal reality the lines of latitude and longitude don't necessarily end up being straight in practice. The IDU also has numerous endemic species of flora and fauna, most of which thrive in the stunning environments across the majority of the region.
The region has a reputation for being more liberal than others, despite not endorsing this ideology officially. This is possibly due to the oft-correlation between beliefs in high social freedom, high political freedom, and, to a lesser extent, low economic freedom.
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History
The International Democratic Union was founded on July 25, 2004 after a series of raids against The North Pacific. The raiders managed to take the delegacy and mass-ejected many of the region's most prominent members and even some completely random members. At the time of the IDU's founding, the North Pacific banlist contained approximately 150 nations. The vast majority of these were nations who wanted nothing more than a peaceful region where democracy ruled and people were free to play the game without fear of the random banishments that were unique to the feeders.
By the spring of 2005, the size of the IDU had settled to about 17 nations. Over the next several months, it climbed slowly but steadily and plateaued at about 70 member nations for quite a while. A slow decline to a low of 20-something nations was followed by a gradual revival to around 40 nations, and then by a recruiting programme (from the Summer of 2011 onwards) that has brought the region to its current strength of around 90-105 nations.
In honour of the founding of the IDU, many member nations have declared the anniversary of the region's founding a public holiday, Democracy Day.
Fundamental values
The International Democratic Union is governed primarily by its fundamental values and then by its short formal election charter for its top two officials.
The IDU stands for democracy.
- No delegate will ban without a regional vote. No delegate will cast his WA vote without a regional vote. No interregional alliances will be forged without a regional vote. The WA Delegate's vote breaks a tie.
The IDU stands for a powerful WA.
- Recruitment campaigns will be run in the Pacifics. WA non-members are welcomed but encouraged to join the WA. WA members are strongly encouraged to endorse the elected delegate. WA members are encouraged to draft and assist with proposals, as well as to participate in discussions in either or both of our WA forums. The Delegate is encouraged to read the current proposals and approve those deemed worthy of WA attention. With each proposal that reaches quorum, a regional vote will be taken and if the necessary quorum (of three nations in addition to the Delegate) is reached then the Delegate will vote in accordance with the will of the people.
The IDU stands for balance between individual freedom and national sovereignty.
- Nothing aside from compliance with the IDU Constitution will be required of any individual nation. Our team of WA writers will strive as much as possible to keep our proposals from infringing upon national sovereignty. However, most nations in our region value the individual freedom of a nation's citizen higher than national or international rules. As long as no harm is done, people should be free to develop themselves as free, happy and productive citizens in their society.
The IDU stands for regional stability and security.
- Constructive rather than destructive competition will be the norm. This will insure that whoever holds the Delegacy, they will have the maximum possible number of endorsements, strengthening us against outside attack. There will be no appeals process for known raiders, they will be regarded as enemies of the state.
The IDU stands for community.
- Through this forum and through our internal and external diplomatic relations, we will establish a strong, influential, and vibrant NS community. We will show no hostility to diversity, but rather welcome it with open arms.
The IDU stands for secular government.
- We support as a basic human right the right to worship without inference from the state, and also the right to govern without interference from the church.
Government
As a region devoted to promoting democratic rule, the top IDU official, the WA Delegate, is democratically elected by member states to serve three month terms.
In each of February, May, August and November, IDU members vote to decide which member nation will become WA Delegate. The runner-up normally becomes the Vice Delegate. Only nations that have been members of the IDU for at least two weeks and are currently WA members are eligible for the WA delegacy position. The results of the election are monitored by an appointed Election Commission. The election is limited to IDU WA members only. See the IDU Library for the current election charter.
All WA members must endorse the WA Delegate and most of them should also endorse the Vice Delegate so that the IDU may defend against non-native raiders, although this need has become much less pronounced with the reactivation of the IDU's founder, The IDU. The Vice Delegate holds only one fewer endorsement than the UN Delegate in theory (although in practice he generally holds quite a few less), and may assist the Delegate and take over as Acting Delegate when the Delegate is unable or unwilling, in times of inactivity or crisis, to fulfill the responsibilities of the office.
Other officials have been elected or appointed with much less formality as the need arises and people have shown interest in creating or appropriating jobs for themselves.
Regional officials
WA Delegate
- Elected within the region to serve as WA Delegate at the World Assembly and prime minister of the region for three months. Responsible for WA discussions, approving worthwhile proposals, keeping WA contacts and upholding the values of the IDU within the region.
- Current: Sciongrad
WA Vice-Delegate
- Elected within the region (as the runner-up in the WA Delegate election), or appointed by the delegate if there are no other candidates, and holding only one fewer endorsement than the WA Delegate. Responsible for assisting the Delegate and taking over as Acting Delegate when necessary.
- Current: Ossitania
Minister of Immigration
- Semi-formal office responsible for recruiting and welcome new member nations.
- Current: Jade Tigers
Foreign Minister
- Semi-formal office responsible for the region's relations with other regions and organizations.
- Current: Sanctaria
Chief Cartographer
- De facto office responsible for maintaining a regional map for roleplaying purposes.
- Current: Embolalia
IDU Council
In January of 2007, the IDU approved a document which created a non-mandatory regional organization. The charter, which can be found here, defined it's purpose as "...heightening regional cooperation, improving life in our respective nations, presenting a united but diversified front to the world, and for other generally good purposes.."
However, a cumbersome voting and election process caused the Council to fail. Efforts are currently underway to re-found the council.
UN/WA Politics
Sponsored resolutions
The IDU has a large proportion of members active in the World Assembly, and its members have authored many resolutions in both the UN and its successor, the WA.
UN
Feb 2004 Ballast Water Mikitivity Jul 2004 Tracking Near Earth Objects Mikitivity Jul 2004 Refugee Protection Act Xtraordinary Gentlemen Jul 2004 Needle Sharing Prevention Mikitivity Sep 2004 Habeas Corpus Enn Oct 2004 Good Samaritan Laws Mikitivity Jan 2005 Tsunami Warning System Grosseschnauzer Feb 2005 Sex Industry Worker Act Groot Gouda Apr 2005 Natural Disaster Act Groot Gouda Aug 2005 Mitigation of Large Reservoirs Mikitivity Sep 2005 Labeling Standards Antrium Dec 2005 Repeal "Right to Divorce" Fonzoland Jan 2006 Repeal "Save the forests of the World" Fonzoland Mar 2006 The Right to Form Unions Groot Gouda Mar 2006 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act Franxico Apr 2006 Waste Disposal Covenant Fonzoland May 2006 UN Patent Law Ceorana Jun 2006 UN Copyright Convention Ceorana Oct 2006 Freedom of Assembly Mikitivity
WA
May 2008 Humanitarian Transport Mikitivity Apr 2010 Meteorological Cooperation Bears Armed Mission May 2010 Responsible Offshore Drilling Embolalia Aug 2010 Clean Water Act Embolalia Aug 2010 Rights of the Orphaned Child Sanctaria Feb 2011 Military Freedom Act Embolalia Feb 2011 Repeal "Missing Minors Act" Sanctaria Apr 2011 Recognising Achievements Act Ossitania Oct 2011 Law of the Seas Bears Armed Mission Dec 2011 Disability Welfare Act Sanctaria Feb 2012 Defense of Self and Others Ossitania Mar 2012 Repeal "WA Copyright Charter" Embolalia Jun 2012 Habeas Corpus Sanctaria Jun 2012 Convict Appellate Rights Ossitania Jun 2012 Repeal "Delineation of Borders Act" Ossitania Aug 2012 Repeal "Numismatics Appreciation Act" Sciongrad Aug 2012 Repeal "On Expiration Dates" Sciongrad Aug 2012 Repeal "Intangible Cultural Heritage" Sciongrad Oct 2012 Prevention of Child Abuse Sanctaria Nov 2012 Promotion of Bee-keeping Bears Armed Mission Jan 2013 Repeal "Marital Rape Justice Act" Ossitania
UN/WA organizations
Historically, the IDU has been home to many members of the United Nations Old Guard, with Mikitivity, Groot Gouda, Grosseschnauzer, Fonzoland, Ceorana and Enn all having membership in the organization at one time. However, Mikitivity has since left the organization, Grosseschnauzer and Groot Gouda stopped being active in it, Enn left the region, and Ceorana and Fonzoland ceased to exist altogether. Current Old Guard members in the IDU include Embolalia and Sanctaria.
Foreign relations
The IDU has historically concluded alliances with, befriended or exchanged embassies with:
- Avengers Assemble
- Allied Union of Nations
- European Union
- Free States of Gaia
- Futaba Aoi
- Lazarus
- Legion of Unrestricted Democracy
- Nederland
- RED SOX NATION
- The North Pacific
- The West Pacific
Current embassies and alliances include, but are not limited to:
Regional Cooperation
Media
There are a number of news services in the International Democratic Union. Though most of these services tend to focus more on the nations from which they are headquarters, many of these sources cooperate with other IDU media services covering news for other nations in the IDU. Examples include The Commonwealth Star, Le Jontadain, and the Sanctarian National Times.
Events and Programs
The IDU is a very active region that often has special events for its members. The largest holiday in the IDU is Democracy Day, a celebration of the region's independence. Celebrations are held throughout the region, as most IDU nations consider it a national holiday.
The region also holds the IDU Football Championship each September, which are often great successes. This tournament brought citizens from all over the region together to enjoy some exciting games of football.
Another popular event is the International Democratic Union Cheese Festival, where nations enter their most popular specialty cheeses and cheese-related products to be judged. Nations from outside the region can enter the "Best Imported Cheese" category.
The IDU Sister City Program is also a very popular regional program which enhances the relations of IDU member states by bringing the nations of the IDU together via economic and cultural collaborations.
| Nations of the IDU on NSwiki |
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| American Federalist | Amidonia | Baranxtu | Bears Armed | Bears Armed Mission | Cachette de Lions | Embolalia | Free Land of The IDU | Gerainia | Jagera | Kedalfax | Malabra | Ossitania | Sanctaria | Sidh Ohn | Vyck Island |
