The Resurgent Dream
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| National motto: Ex Unitate Vires | |||
| National anthem: Long Reign the Queen | |||
| Region | Western Atlantic | ||
| Capital | Tarana | ||
| Largest City | Narich | ||
| Population | 15 billion | ||
| Suffrage | Citizens aged 18 and over | ||
| Official Language(s) | English (de facto) | ||
| Government | Constitutional monarchy Gwendolyn Amber Trinh | ||
| Established Accession of King Richard I Accession of King Richard II |
8 April 1788 14 November 1861 | ||
| ISO Nation Code | CURD | ||
| Currency | Caldan Sterling (£) (CSTR)
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| Time Zone | -3 to -10 | ||
| • Summer (DST) | -2 to -9 | ||
| Internet TLD | .rd | ||
| Calling Code | +103
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| National Symbols • Sport • Animal • Fruit • Flower |
Ice hockey Caldan lynx Strawberry Mayflower | ||
| WA Status | Nonmember
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| Info: NationStates NSEconomy Pipian NS Tracker XML
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The Caldan Union of the Resurgent Dream is a Western Atlantic nation consisting of thirteen provinces and seven dominions. The provinces constitute the Resurgent Dream proper and are located in Caldas, a geographical region comprising the northern part of the continent of Vasconia. Caldas is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean and to the south by various Vasconian nations formed in the early conflicts between English, French, Knootian, and Spanish colonists and the various indigenous nations. The dominions are located in Ambara and in the Atlantic Ocean. The Resurgent Dream is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with Queen Gwendolyn as its head of state. It is a multilingual nation with English as the de facto national language and with English, French, German, Arabic, Greek, Inuktitut, Heran, and Tangaki enjoying at least some official status in various provinces and dominions. The Resurgent Dream has a diversified, modern, industrial economy, although its abundant natural resources still play a core role.
Contents |
Etymology
Caldan is the demonym for Caldas, the geographical area occupied by the thirteen Caldan provinces. The name is believed to be derived from Nova Caledonia, one of many early names for what is now the Resurgent Dream. Union refers to the dynastic and political Union between the thirteen provinces and the seven dominions. Within the provinces, this Union takes the form of a federal government. For the dominions, it implies a common market, common currency, and common citizenship as well as the reservation of diplomatic representation and defense to the federal government. Resurgent refers to the resurgence of hope when Caldans began looking to their own future instead of obsessing over their historic dynastic conflict with the House of Hanover and the claim of the House of Stuart to the Three Kingdoms. Dream refers to the hopes and aspirations of the Caldan people.
History
- Main article:History of the Resurgent Dream
The land that is now the Resurgent Dream was inhabited for millennia by various indigenous peoples, primarily Caldan Aborigines belonging to the Heran language group and Inuit. In the early sixth century, Cymry refugees from Britain settled in Tasat. British settlement in Caldas began in earnest in the 16th century when Scotland founded the colony of Edina and England founded the colonies of Anata, Abalica, and Kingsland. French traders and fur trappers were also active in Caldas at that time. In 1688, James II and VII was removed from the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in part because he rejected the official Church of England and adopted the Catholic faith. James contested his removal and was supported by Jacobites, especially in Ireland, Scotland, and Caldas. Caldas was governed by various royal governors at the time, influenced to various degrees by Legislative Assemblies. James's supporters included Catholics as well as radical Protestant dissenters attracted to Twelve Oaks' promise of religious freedom, hard-headed Tory Legitimists and even liberals opposed to various English policies. James also had the support of Catholic, anti-English French traders and their Aboriginal and Inuit allies. The Jacobites were opposed by Prince Jan of Chamaven who responded by sending a multinational force under the command of Theodoor van Cortlandt. Chamaven supplemented the forces he brought from Europe with local recruits. Many of the Dutch residents of Nova Nederlandia served in Chamaven's forces as did English forces in Laneria, loyal to the new British regime. Chamaven's forces established control of what is now the eastern seaboard of Laneria as well as all of Nova Nederlandia, Anata, Tasat, Abalica and Gade. Arcadia, the Heran Confederation and the Great Confederation of the North remained loyal to the Jacobite Cause. The various forces would continue to clash for over a century in the Jacobite Wars in Vasconia.
The accretion of dominions began when King Benjamin I of Caldas acceded to the throne of Finara in 1823. It continued when Caldan monarchs inherited the thrones of Hipolis, Dana and Marlund and when the Resurgent Dream created new dominions in the wake of the Second Ambaran War. According to the Constitution, the dominions are entitled to self-government, but diplomatic representation and defence are reserved to the federal government. The dominions have the right, by legislative act, to leave the Union and become republics or to take over their own diplomatic representation and defence while remaining in dynastic union with the Resurgent Dream. None have chosen to do so.
Geography
The Resurgent Dream occupies the northern portion of Vasconia, sharing land borders with Laneria and Nova Nederlandia to the south and Balthorvia to the west. The Arctic Ocean borders the Resurgent Dream to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The Resurgent Dream claims a substantial portion of the Arctic. This claim is not universally recognised. The northernmost settlement in the Resurgent Dream is Royal Caldan Air Force Sentinel on the northern tip of Peary Island. RCAF Sentinel is located only 811 kilometres from the North Pole. The Caldan Arctic is largely covered by ice and permafrost.
The Resurgent Dream has an extensive coastline to the east, north and west. It contains at least eight distinct forest regions. The vastness and variety of the Caldan landscape gives rise to a diverse range of climates. The Resurgent Dream contains many lakes and two freshwater glaciers. It is a geographically active country, prone to earthquakes and containing eleven active volcanoes. The dominions are not contiguous with Caldas and have varying climates. Hipolis, Gandara, Alekthos and Dana have tropical climes. Finara, Jagiella and Marlund are temperate.
Government and Politics
The Resurgent Dream is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The Crown is the fount of legislative, executive and judicial authority at the federal and provincial level. The authority of the Crown is often held to ultimately derive from popular consent although the concept of the Crown as a divinely appointed office and a divinely bestowed trust remains vitally important. The Sovereign of the Resurgent Dream and of each province and dominion thereof is Queen Gwendolyn.
The direct participation of the Queen is limited. With the exception of a few, largely ceremonial, personal prerogatives, the executive authority of the Crown is exercised on the advice of the Cabinet, a committee of ministers of the Crown responsible to the elected House of Representatives and headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, presently Amber Trinh, is the head of government. The Queen will generally appoint as Prime Minister the leader of the largest party or coalition in the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister then chooses the Cabinet. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is one of the most powerful institutions in government, drafting most federal legislation and selecting for appointment by the Crown provincial governors, federally appointed Senators, federal court judges and the heads of Crown corporations and government agencies. The leader of the party or coalition with the second most seats generally becomes the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition and is part of an adversarial parliamentary system designed to keep the government in check. The current Leader of the Opposition is Adrien St. Laurent.
Each Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives is elected by simple plurality in an electoral district known as a constituency. General elections must be called by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister or upon the fifth anniversary of the last general election or upon the government losing a confidence vote in the House of Representatives. Senators serve for life unless they retire voluntarily or are impeached for misconduct in office. 25 senators are elected (proportional representation is used if more than one of these seats is open simultaneously), 22 are elected by and from the College of Peers, 20 are appointed on the advice of the provincial and dominion governments, 24 are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister and nine belong to the Great Officers of State. Former prime ministers are also automatically appointed to the senate and Great Officers of State retain their seats even if they are no longer eligible to perform their office. Therefore, there are always a few more than a hundred senators. Three parties held seats in the House of Representatives after the 2009 elections: The National, Liberal and Labour Parties.
The Resurgent Dream's federal structure divides responsibility between the federal government and the provinces. Provincial legislatures are unicameral and operate in parliamentary fashion. The federal government is not sovereign in the dominions and the dominion governments are set up as national governments. However, the Supreme Court of the Resurgent Dream does hear human rights, citizenship and international commerce cases arising in the dominions and the federal government is responsible for foreign and defence policy.
Law
The Constitution of the Resurgent Dream is the supreme law of the country. The Constitution affirms parliamentary governance, divides powers between the federal and provincial governments, establishes the relationship with the dominions, provides a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, guarantees indigenous and treaty rights and provides a process for constitutional amendment. The federal judiciary plays a strong role in interpreting the law and may strike down any law repugnant to the Constitution. The Supreme Court of the Resurgent Dream is the highest court. It consists of 15 justices appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice with the Right Honourable Chief Justice Harriet Fox. All judges are appointed after consultation with non-governmental legal bodies.
Common law prevails at the federal level and in every province except Arcadia. Criminal law is set at the federal level and is uniform. Law enforcement, however, is primarily a provincial responsibility. The dominions have their own independent legal systems. Only claims arising under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms can be appealed from the dominion judicial systems to the Supreme Court.
Foreign Relations and Military
The Resurgent Dream has close historical relationships with Pantocratoria and Excalbia. The Resurgent Dream also has historic, if complex, ties to Nova Nederlandia and Laneria and important treaty ties to Knootoss and Xirnium. However, the nation has undergone a crisis of confidence in foreign policy ever since participating in the Iesus Christi Civil War. Tensions with allies have risen as a result of proposals for an Atlantic currency union.
The Resurgent Dream employs a professional, volunteer military force. The Royal Caldan Armed Forces comprises the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Resurgent Dream is an industrial nation with a highly developed science and technology sector. It generally produces its own arms.
Provinces and Dominions
The Resurgent Dream is a federal state of 13 provinces in dynastic union with seven dominions. Except for diplomatic representation and defence, the dominions are independent. The provinces are responsible for most of the social spending of the Resurgent Dream and together collect more revenue than the federal government. The federal government can use spending programmes, such as Medicare, to influence provincial policies. Equalisation payments are made to lower income provinces to ensure quality services in every province.
Economy
The Resurgent Dream is a wealthy nation with a high per capita gross domestic product. The World Assembly consistently classifies the Caldan economy as "Frightening." The Resurgent Dream is a mixed economy. In the past century, the growth of the manufacturing, mining and service sectors had transformed the nation from a largely rural economy to an industrial and urban one. Like other developed nations, the Resurgent Dream is dominated by its service sector which employs roughly 75% of Caldans. Unlike many developed nations, the Resurgent Dream has an important primary sector focused on logging and petroleum. Other major industries include Book Publishing, Information Technology and Pizza Delivery. The Resurgent Dream also has a strong manufacturing sector. Automobiles and aeronautics are important industries concentrates in Arcadia and Anata. The Resurgent Dream is one of the few developed nations that are net exporters of energy. It has vast offshore deposits of natural gas and large continental oil and gas resources. Caldan oil resources are concentrated in the Ven Oil Sands. The Resurgent Dream is a major supplier of agricultural products. The nation is an important producer of wheat, canola and other grains. It is also a major provider of zinc, uranium, gold, nickel, aluminium and lead.
The Resurgent Dream is an industrialised nation with a developed science and technology sector. 1.7% of the nation's gross domestic product is invested in research and development. The Queen awards the Order of Sophia to leading researchers in physics, chemistry, engineering and medicine. 97.1% of the population consists of active internet users. The adult literacy rate is only 93%. This number is unusually low for the developed world due primarily to high illiteracy rates among Epheronian Ambarans and among some categories of refugees. 45% of Caldans aged 25 to 64 possess a post-secondary degree. This includes 56% of those aged 25 to 34.
Two government agencies contribute a great deal to science. The Defence Research and Development Agency is an agency of the Department of Defence responsible for meeting the scientific and technological needs of the Royal Caldan Armed Forces. Over the years, the agency has contributed numerous inventions and innovations useful in both civilian and military life. The Space Exploration and Defence Agency is a branch of the Royal Caldan Air Force. It conducts research into space travel and aviation as well as developing rockets and satellites. The agency controls several dozen military shuttles as well as the satellites which make up the Caldan Missile Defence Shield. In 1987, Mackenzie Chisholm became the first Caldan astronaut. In addition to many satellites and dozens of space shuttles, the Resurgent Dream controls Artemis Station, a permanent, manned installation on Luna.
Demographics
The Resurgent Dream has a population of roughly 15,103,800,000. Population growth is the result of both immigration and natural growth. 88% of the Caldan population lives in the provinces and 12% in the dominions. 83% of the total population live in major conurbations.
The indigenous population of the Resurgent Dream is growing at nearly twice the national rate. 3.2% of the population claim an indigenous identity. Another 23.3% belongs to non-indigenous, visible minorities. The largest visible minority groups are East Asian (6.3%), Arabic (6.3%), South Asian (4.3%), Epheronian Ambaran (4%) and Epheronian Vasconian (2.3%). Ethnic groups are not distributed evenly throughout the nation. 53% of the population of Narich and 43% of the population of Dunevon belong to visible minorities.
The Resurgent Dream has a largely immigrant population. 23% of Caldans were born abroad. Immigration is driven by economic policy, family reunification and refugee resettlement. The Resurgent Dream aims for between 200,000 and 300,000 new residents each year. Approximately half of these wind up being naturalised as Caldan citizens.
Like other developed states, the Resurgent Dream is facing an increasingly elderly population with more retirees and fewer people of working age. The average age of the population is 33.4. Immigration and a relatively high fertility rate dilute but do not cancel out the aging effect.
Languages
The Resurgent Dream does not have an official language. English is the working language of the federal government and the de facto national language. French, German, Arabic, Greek, Inuktitut, Heran and Tangaki are also given some official status at the federal or provincial level. All people are entitled to a qualified translator when accused of a crime regardless of whether or not their language receives any recognition generally. Federal language policy does not apply to the dominions and the dominions have their own official languages: Arabic in Alekthos, English and Tangaki in Dana, English and Irish in Finara, English in Gandara, Greek in Hipolis, Polish in Jagiella and English and German in Marlund. Many people in the Resurgent Dream speak other languages as their first language. In particular, there are many speakers of Dutch, Spanish and Hebrew.
Religion
Religion in the Resurgent Dream is diverse. The Constitution references God and the Queen is said to hold her office by the "grace of God." However, the Resurgent Dream has no official religion and respect for religious pluralism is an important part of Caldan political culture. According to the 2011 census, 71% of Caldans practice some form of Christianity, followed by "no religion" at 11%.
Christianity was once central and integral to Caldan culture and daily life and still remains important for a large proportion of the population. However, given the rise not only in self-conscious disbelief but also in public apathy towards religion, some have suggested the Resurgent Dream is a post-Christian state. However, a large majority of Caldans would not accept this understanding of their country.
Before the arrival of Europeans, Aboriginal and Inuit peoples followed a variety of largely animistic religious practices. The first Europeans to settle in Caldas were Cymry refugees faithful to the Catholic Church. French Catholics later came to the country in large numbers, including Jesuits hoping to convert the indigenous peoples of the country.
The first large Protestant communities were formed by the British. Edina was settled largely by Presbyterians from Scotland. After the Glorious Revolution, with Caldas remaining loyal to the Jacobite Cause, many British Catholics settled in Caldas as did members of Nonconformist Protestant traditions such as Congregationalists, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists and Unitarians. Nonjuring Anglicans did not settle in Caldas at the same rate. However, they did make a significant contribution to its early religious history as well as to the drama of the Jacobite Wars in Vasconia. The Caldan Episcopal Church began its life as the "Church of England in Exile," with Charles de Poitiers claiming the be the lawful Archbishop of Canterbury.
The early history of the Resurgent Dream was largely dominated by the Catholic Church. However, there was a commitment to religious tolerance from the very beginning of the nation's history. This tolerance was not limited to different Christian groups. The Caldan reputation for tolerance also attracted a vibrant Jewish community. Recent years have seen a marked increase in religious diversity.
The dominions contribute to the religious composition of the country. Jagiella and Finara are overwhelmingly Catholic. Alekthos is primarily Muslim. It was intentionally founded as a refuge for Muslims fleeing persecution.
Religious pluralism is a foundational value in the Resurgent Dream. Opposition to the Church of England's demands for uniformity played a large role in the creation of the nation. 73.4% of Caldans identify themselves as Christian. Catholics are the largest group of Christians in the Resurgent Dream, accounting for 55.3% of the population. Several Protestant denominations are represented in the Resurgent Dream, including the United Church of Caldas (7.2%), the Evangelical Methodist Church (3.8%), Caldan Unitarian Conference (3%), the Lutheran Church in the Resurgent Dream (2.4%), the Church of Excalbia (0.8%), the Caldan Episcopal Church (0.2%), the Independent Baptist Conference (0.2%), the Caldan Congregationalist Federation (0.2%) and other Christians (0.3%). 15.1% of Caldans declare they have no religious affiliation. The remaining 11.5% of Caldans belong to various non-Christian religions. The largest is Islam at 5.5%, followed by Judaism at 3.3%.
Culture
The Resurgent Dream is a diverse nation with an official policy of multiculturalism. The Resurgent Dream is a cultural mosaic consisting of English, French, Inuit, Aboriginal and immigrant populations. However, this does not mean that the Resurgent Dream lacks a strong cultural identity. The Resurgent Dream defines itself by its multiculturalism, its history, its parliamentary form of government, its unique "mixed" Senate, the royal family, its Arctic presence, its strong commitment to basic human rights, its strong anti-slavery position, its many shared literary, artistic, cinematic and theatrical reference points and its unique cuisine. The Resurgent Dream is also proud of some particular policies which differentiate it from some surrounding states, such as leniency regarding drug use, publicly-funded health care, a redistributive tax system, the abolition of capital punishment and same-sex marriage. The Resurgent Dream is known for being somewhat insecure about its identity and soul-searching regarding the national character, what foreigners might see as navel gazing, is common.
The Resurgent Dream has been strongly influenced by neighbours such as Knootoss, Laneria, Nova Nederlandia, Excalbia, Pantocratoria and Xirnium. The Resurgent Dream has also been influenced by its many indigenous traditions. Indigenous culture, language, art, music and cuisine have become an everyday part of Caldan life. Many cultural products in the Resurgent Dream are marketed towards an international audience and many foreign cultural products are popular in the Resurgent Dream. The advancement and preservation of a distinctly Caldan culture is promoted by many government programmes and institutions. The Caldan Broadcasting Corporation and the Royal Film Society are two prime examples.
Caldan visual art has been dominated by James Claxton. Claxton was a brilliant landscape painter whose brief career ended in 1905. Other prominent artists include George Claxton, Donald Ralston, Donald Neill, George Boyd and Douglas Routley. All five artists are known for work searching for a certain essential Caldan character. Their works are often just shy of being definitive, implying the elusive character of their vision. Mackenzie Graham was briefly associated with this school before moving on to become the Resurgent Dream's leading Futurist. The work of the popular commercial artist John Claxton is similar but not given the same respect as those of the non-commercial artists. The fact that he shared a last name with James and George is often the subject of jokes.
The music industry has an infrastructure including church halls, chamber halls, conservatories, academies, performing arts centres, record companies, radio stations, television music video channels and the enormously popular website YourScreen. There are internationally renowned Caldan composers, musicians and ensembles. Music awards are given by the Royal Music Society. The national anthem of the Resurgent Dream, Long Reign the Queen was originally commissioned by King Richard II for his coronation. He wanted a song which more explicitly embodied the newly emerging principles of constitutional monarchy. The lyrics were composed by Donald Martin. The tune is a traditional patriotic tune.
Caldan popular culture is heavily influenced by general Western popular culture, especially in the English-speaking (and, to a lesser extent, French-speaking) world. Domestic films, television shows and magazines dominate although there is a significant market for foreign cultural products. Many Caldan films, television shows and other cultural products are marketed throughout the Western Atlantic and the world. The Resurgent Dream boasts many leading actors, actresses, writers and directors as well as many popular filming locations. Caldan pop culture is also influenced by the many cultural traditions of its immigrant communities.
Aside from professional business attire, military uniforms and royal functions, fashion in the Resurgent Dream is eclectic and predominantly informal. Diverse cultural roots are reflected in clothing, especially among recent immigrants. However, the use of authentic fur in clothing is a viewed as emblematically Caldan. Opposition to fur, while existent, is viewed as a fringe position. Fur is especially common among women but is not limited to the upper classes. The average Caldan woman owns at least one fur coat. Among men, fur is most common in hats. Fur is also used to line formal academic and judicial robes. Blue and black denim jeans are common among both men and women and white denim jeans are common among women.
The national sports of the Resurgent Dream are hockey and lacrosse. Other popular sports include curling and gridiron. Golf, baseball, skiing, soccer, cricket, netball and basketball are also widely played, especially by youth. Caldan national symbols include the lynx, Gryphon, Crown, Dunevon and Grenville Palace.
The Western Atlantic on NSwiki - Main article: Western Atlantic
- Atlantic International Organisation: Courtland: |
Excalbia | 
Knootoss | 
Sovereign States | 
Upper Virginia | Lyeithen: | 
Aerion | 
Xirnium | Both: | 
Pantocratoria | 
The Resurgent Dream
- Unaligned Nations:
Abt | 
Amestria | 
Balthorvia | 
Brasland |
Iesus Christi | 
Leagran | 
New Leicestershire | 
Sabaristan | 
Snefaldia
- Disputed territories and dependencies:
Alekthos | 
Ambalieva | 
Finara | 
Free Virginia | 
Hipolis | 
Colombia | 
Knootian Gulf Islands | 
Saxmere
- Geographic subdivisions: Ambara, Vasconia, Epheron, Excalbian Isles, Pantocratorian Archipelago, Danaan Islands, Europe-Atlantic
- Atlantic International Organisation: Courtland: |
