[Factbook] Stedorian People’s Republic

[Stedoria]

Stedorian People's Republic
Pöparepüblik Stedoriänik

(Subject to changes and edits in the future.)

Overview:
The Stedorian People's Republic (Stedorian: Pöparepüblik Stedoriänik), known commonly as Stedoria (Stedorian: Stedoriän) is a sovereign nation located in south-eastern Argis. It is bordered by Thransaltz to the north, Hisera and Velaheria to the east, the Bay of Morthal to the south, and Sawbrania and Walneria to the West. The country is divided into 6 provinces and 3 autonomous provinces, all of which have their own devolved governments. The country's population as of 2023 is estimated to be 19 million, of which 76% belong to the dominant Stedorian ethnic group, a subset of the Dolchic people formed by thousands of years of intercultural mingling between Dolch settlers and the original Stedorian people, known today as the Rurians.

The country has officially been a federal assembly-independent republic since the abolition of the former Kelvön monarchy in 2009 following the Second Stedorian Revolution. An initial post-revolutionary government known as the Self-Defence Government of the Stedorian Republic (Stedorian: Itjelodaguveranef Repüblika Stedoriänik) was formed, begining the Gidareig, a period of intense revolutionary fervour and vigilante justice, in which approximately 20,000 people were killed over the course of December 2009 until March 2010 in state-sanctioned executions and state-sanctioned vigilante killings. Most of those targeted were individuals thought to be sympathetic or associated with the monarchy or its former authoritarian government. This caused significant economic turmoil throughout the country in the form of capital flight, as many educated Stedorians fled, fearful of potential revolutionary violence. Since the official end of the Gidareig, the economy has slowly started to recover throughout the 2010s, and in 2023, is approximately at pre-revolutionary levels. Further growth, however, is at time hampered by pro-monarchist rebels in the form of the Royal Stedorian Front of Monarchist Resistance, which wages a low level insurgency against the republican government.

The country, since the revolution, has been dominated by the National Party of the Stedorian Revolution (NPLS), the Stedorian branch of the Dolchic Socialist Gemotam Party (DSGP). While the country's first post-revolutionary elections were believed to meet the bare minimum of international democratic standards, subsequent elections have been frequently criticised for alleged voter intimidation. Many international observers deem Stedoria to be somewhere between an illiberal democracy and a hybrid regime, with government criticism often being met with arrests or death threats.

Etymology:
Work-in-progress.

Geography:

Much of northern Stedoria belongs to the Dfb koppen climate (Warm-summer humid continental climate), with the country's south belonging to the Dfa climate (Hot-summer humid continental climate). A small section of south-east Stedoria belongs to the Csc climate (Cold-summer Mediterranean climate), with this region of Stedoria being popular for internal and external summer tourism. Stedoria's south and north-west are primarily made up of unforested plains, with these regions being the heart of Stedoria's agricultural industry. The north-east of the country is primarily made up of mountains, and is an important region for Stedoria's mining industry and natural gas reserves. The rest of the country is made up of forested plains and rolling hills.

History:

Ancient history

Medieval history

Early modern history and first revolution

19th century history

1900-1971

Military junta

Monarchy re-established and civil war

Second revolution, Gidarieg, onwards

Government:

The Stedorian People's Republic is a federal assembly-independent revolutionary republic; its institutions are in theory dedicated to upholding the Stedorian revolution's ideals: freedom, sovereignty, and independence. The Stedorian government is made up of the executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The head of state and the head of government of the Stedorian People's Republic is the role of Chief Consul, elected by the legislature of Stedoria, the National Assembly of Popular Power. The current Chief Consul is Tamäj Köseg. The executive branch is currently made up by the currently ruling party, the National Party of the Stedorian Revolution (NPLS).

The legislative branch of the Stedorian People's Republic consists of the unicameral National Assembly of Popular Power (Stedorian: Netalasem Nämäda Pöpik) and its elected members. The National Assembly is elected every 4 years by Stedoria's eligible voters, and currently consists of 175 deputies. The National Assembly elects the Chief Consul, the potential Chief Consul must receive a simple majority of the deputies' votes. If a majority is not achieved, a run off vote takes place between the two candidates who received the most votes. The potential elected Chief Consul can theoretically be any Stedorian citizen who has no criminal record, but in practice, party leaders are nominated.

The judicial branch is WIP

Whilst the Government of Stedoria claims to follow democratic practices and values, many political analyists have disputed this claim, instead deeming Stedoria to governed in an undemocratic, authoritarian manner by the NPLS, considering the nation to be run as an anocratic hybrid regime/illiberal democracy. Most political analysts have deemed only Stedoria's first post-revolution election to meet international democratic standards. Following elections have been met with increasing voter intimidation, such as through armed soldiers guarding poll stations, and political opponents from opposition parties being arrested.

The ideology of the NPLS, and the de facto ideology of the Stedorian People's Republic is Gemotamism (Stedorian: Gemotamim), coming from the Stedorian word gemotam, meaning "renaissance". The ideology was initially developed in the late 1930s and early 1940s by political theorists from both Stedoria and Dolchland. It initially remained a fringe ideology until being officially adopted by Stedoria following the 1971 Stedorian coup d'état and establishment of the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Stedoria (Stedorian: Guveranef Levolutik Krigamilita Stedoriäna), officially establishing Stedoria as a single-party gemotamist republic under the name of the Free and Independent State of Stedoria. This single-party state was lead by the Armed Forces in conjunction with the Dolchic Socialist Gemotam Party (DSGP), of which the modern day NPLS is a regional branch of. Following the re-establishment of the monarchy and subsequent Stedorian Civil War, the DSGP was officially banned. Gemotamism made a resurgence during and following the Stedorian Revolution, especially since the NPLS came to power.

Gemotamism as an ideology is complex and varied in its beliefs. It is openly hostile to liberalism and conservatism. It seeks a cultural and economic "renaissance" of Stedorian and Dolchic societies, which is meant to occur following the total reunification of all culturally Dolchic nations. Economically, the gemotamism is often described as left-wing to far-left. Gemotamism supports socialism and at the same time national syndicalism through the expansion of workers' rights and the nationalisations of key industries, along with organising state-controlled industries into workers' syndicates/unions in which their union representatives are directly elected by the workers whilst the state promotes co-operation between the government itself, managers, and workers. In the private sphere, gemotamism generally tolerates the existence of private entreprises so long as they remain broadly subservient to the state. Stedorian gemotamist economic policy, both during the Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces and the Stedorian People's Republic have practised the policy of dirigism towards private entreprising, guiding and encouraging private industries to fulfil government goal in return for benefits. In social politics, gemotamism is often accused of being far-right, although others have maintained the ideology as being neither left nor right nor even centre. Gemotamism supports anti-imperialism, anti-clericalism, federalism, and progressivism. At the same time, however, gemotamism also heavily supports militarism and cultural rejuvination, often espousing its disdain for liberal and conservative "degenerative consumer" culture. Historically, the DSGP has had communist and fascist factions of the party according to historians. The party has also had historical factions of pan-Buranicism, which officially became part of the DSGP's ideology in 2022. Pan-Buranicism is an expansion of pan-Dolchism, in which not only does the DSGP call for the unification of Dolchic nations, but also for the unification of all nations and peoples viewed as related to Dolchic peoples; this includes Ceriser, Variot, Anglic, Iwish, among other peoples.

There is much debate on whether Gemotamism and the National Party of the Stedorian Revolution are considered left or right on the political spectrum. Some experts argue that the ideology's emphasis on socialism, the Stedorian revolution, anti-imperialism, and anti-clericalism make it a left-wing ideology, whilst others have argued it to be a far-right fascistic ideology due to the ideology's strong nationalistic, militaristic, and national syndicalist tendencies. Officially, the DSGP have never explicitly stated or denied that their ideology is either left wing or far-right, instead remaining ambiguous.

 

Armed Forces:

The Stedorian military is officially known as the Stedorian Revolutionary Defence Forces (Stedorian: Jelodanef Levolutik Stedoriänik), often shortened to the Jelodanef, and consists of five branches. Stedoria maintains mandatory conscription for all men. There are very few exceptions for exemptions; conscienous objection and religious exemptions are not recognised. Penalties for malingering and refusal of service are often severe. The military's main current usage is in combatting monarchists rebels throughout the country. The Defence Forces have also taken part in Grand War against Anglia and Dolchland, fighting against Dolch forces invading neighbouring Velaheria.

The first branch of the Defence Forces is the Stedorian Revolutionary Ground Defence Force (Stedorian: Glunajelodanef Levolutik Stedoriänik). It is the largest branch of the Defences Forces, numbering at approximately 105,000 soldiers on active duty and 528,000 in the Ground Defence Force's reserves. The military is considered to be semi-modern; much of its equipment dates between the 1970s to the 1990s. The Ground Defence Force is primarily trained in convential defensive warfare and defensive guerilla warfare.

The second branch is the Stedorian Revolutionary Air Defence Force (Stedorian: Lutajelodanef Levolutik Stedoriänik). It numbers at 43,800 personnel, only accepting them as full-time soldiers. Similarly to the Ground Defence Force, the Air Defence Force's equipment dates from the 1970s to the 1990s, having 39 multi-role fighter jets and 68 close air support planes/jets.

The third branch is the Stedorian Revolutionary Naval Defence Force (Stedorian: Marenajelodanef Levolutik Stedoriänik). It numbers at 41,000 active personnel and 11,000 reserve sailors. It is generally considered to be the weakest branch of the Defence Forces, with much of its ships dating between the 1960s to the 1980s. The navy has 2 destroyers, 4 frigates, 10 corvettes, and 30 patrol ships.

The fourth branch is the Stedorian Popular Combat Groups (Stedorian: Komipagrups Pöpik Stedoriänik), sometimes also referred to as the Stedorian Landwehr, Stedorian Militia. It numbers at approximately 19,000 on active duty and 524,000 reserves. Their equipment are primarily hand-me-downs from the Ground Defence Force. The Popular Combat Groups act as the country's part-time militia. Following the completion of conscripts' time as part-time reserves at the age of 35, they are given the choice of joining the army part time, leaving all military service, or joining the Popular Combat Groups as a part-time militaman. They receive part time training throughout the year, though it is significantly less intense than regular military training. Additionally, training focuses solely on defensive guerilla tactics. Those on active duty are taking part in anti-rebel operations.

The fifth and final branch is the Stedorian Revolutionary Security Force (Stedorian: Sefanef Levolutik Stedoriänik). It numbers at 58,000 and is solely a full-time active force. The Security Force acts as the country's border guards and gendarmerie. It policies rural towns, and is responsible for border checkpoints and security. They are generally trained as a conventional police force rather than a military force, despite technically being part of the Defence Forces

Economy:

Stedoria's economy, by international standards, is generally considered to be middle/upper-moddle income economy among Eurth's nations; whilst not booming, it is not facing economic catastrophe, and has seen slow but consistent growth since the Stedorian Revolution and Gidarieg. Prior to the revolution, Stedoria's economy was growing rapidly thanks to heavy foreign investments and friendly market conditions; despite this, the country was plagued by severe wealth disparity, among the highest in Argis before the revolution. Whilst the revolution itself caused only minor economic turmoil, this was severely worsened by the forthcoming Gidarieg. Post-revolutionary violence, unfriendly market conditions, and expropriations at the hands of the provisional Self-Defence Government caused many investors to pull out of Stedoria, sending the economy tumbling. Since the end of the Gidarieg, however, the economy has slowly rebounded. Although GDP is is lower than the post-revolutionary era, wealth disparity has been significantly decreased through the seizure and re-distribution of wealth. Life for the average Stedorian can generally be considered satisfactory: they are guaranteed free healthcare and schooling, the price of staple foods are not too expensive, and the government monopoly over services ensures that bills aren't unaffordable. In recent years, the price of housing has increase significantly, with the Stedorian government planning to construct more apartments to help remedy this.

Stedoria's economy runs on a self-described socialist, dirigist, national syndicalist system. Major business and services were nationalised during the revolution and Gidarieg, and the state maintains control over sections of the economy deemed crucial to state infrastructure and state revenue. The state runs a dirigist model by directing private entreprises to engage in government planning by using temporary subsidies and/or tax cuts as an incentive. In state affairs, the country runs on a national syndicalist system; state-owned entreprises are organised into national syndicates, whose representatives are elected by the entreprise's workers; a small amount of these representatives are also state-appointed. Disputes are mediated by these elected syndicates.

The primary industries are agriculture, raw natural resources, mining. Stedoria's main advanced industries are machinery manufacturing and resources processing. Stedoria's primary crops in its farming industry are that of wheat, oats and potatoes, which also make up the majority of the nation's agricultural-related exports. Efforts are being made to encourage Stedorians in urban areas to study agricultural technics and form new farms in rural areas of Stedoria, though this has been met with mixed results. Stedoria's raw natural resource industry conists primarily of natural gas, crude oil, and logging. Natural gas and crude oil reserves are located primarily in the country's northern mountainous areas and the country's south-west coast. Efforts are being made in increasing the amount of crude oil that can be processed in Stedoria; much of the crude oil in Stedoria is exported without being processed. Efforts to expand oil and natural gas industries in Stedoria's northern mountainous regions has often been met with opposition by the region's inhabitants, the Paysan people.

Stedoria's most developed primary industry and secondary industries are in that of mining. The most common resources mined in Stedoria are silver, iron, and nickel, with these three ores also being the most commonly processed in Stedoria's secondary industries. Processed silver, iron, and nickel are then often exported to other nations, although domestic consumption of these processed materials have been slowly increasing; silver is seen as a potential way for Stedoria to become a producer of electronics, iron as a source of steel, and nickel as a source of battery production. These potential industries, however, with the exception of steel, have not been significantly developed. The government is seeking to change this in the long term, however. Stedoria has historically relied on its mining industry for income, making it susceptible for any price changes in ores, particularly in silver and nickel.

Demographics:

Whilst Stedoria is by no means considered a diverse nation of immigrants, it is neither a completely ethinically homogenous nation. Stedoria has large amount of ethnic minorities as a result of historical events and historical relations. Stedorians make up approximately 77% of Stedoria's population, with 12% being Paysan, 4% Dolch, 2% Hiseran, and 5% of other minorties, such as Velaherian, Walnerian, and Sawbranian, and few foreign expatriates.

The native inhabitants to the land are the Stedorian people, which are of mixed descent; they originate from intermingling between Dolchic settlers in ancient times, and the indigenous population of Stedoria, a distantly-related but now extinct Dolchic-Buranic group known today as the Rafin people. Dolchic settlers adopted many cultural aspects of the Rafin people, particularly in language, which survives today as the Stedorian language. The Stedorian language has also been heavily influence by Anglia-philic and Lysia-philic attitudes. As a result, one is able to see many loan words from the two languages.

The Paysan people are a Romance-descended people who first arrived in Stedoria in the early 1800s. They originated eastwards from Lysian settlers in Delamaria and New Lysia fleeing the Delamarian War of 1804. These refugees were invited to settle the sparsely populated mountainous lands of north-eastern Stedoria by the then-revolutionary First Stedorian Republic. By 1820, it is believed that approximately 50,000 Lysians inhabited the lands known as Paysania. Even after the re-establishment of the monarchy in Stedoria, Lysia-philic kings encouraged further emigration to Paysania by Lysian immigrants seeking a better life. Immigration continued all throughout the 19th century. This would finally stop when Paysan briefly declared independence in 1893. This would be short-lived, however; the country would be re-annexed by Stedoria in 1895 and Lysian immigration sharply decreased. This would also start the nearly century-long state-sponsored discrimination of Paysan people. Under the Stedorian military junta of 1971-1986, efforts would be made to give the Paysans autonomy in order to garner support of the junta by Paysans, and to simmer calls for Paysan independence. This would come to end following the junta's fall in 1986; autonomy was revoked by the re-established Kingdom. When civil war broke out, many Paysans sided with Gemotamist rebels, resulting in further discrimination upon their defeat in 1994. Following the revolution, autonomy would be re-established. Despite the Stedorian People's Republic's desires for pan-Dolchism, relations with the Paysan minority have generally remained positive due to the region's autonomy. Paysania today is generally considered the most politically free region in Stedoria. Paysans initially spoke the Lysian language, this however, devolved into a creole language known as Paysan, primarily a mix of Stedorian grammar and Lysian vocabulary.

The Dolch minority in Stedoria are made up of Dolch immigrants and historical inhabitants. The first group are Dolch communities spread throughout Stedoria, which, historically, have been religion immigrants invited by the Stedorian government in the late 19th and early 20th century, the account for approximately a third of the Dolch people living in Stedoria. The second group are the Paysan-Dolch. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Stedorian military junta made significant attempts to attract Dolch immigrants. Approximately 200,000 Dolch citizens immigrated to Stedoria over the course of military junta's history, almost exclusively to regions of Paysania, where many remain today. They speak a dialect of Dolch that has influences of Stedorian and Lysian/Paysan. The other fraction of Dolch peoples living in Stedoria are made up of post-revolution immigrants.

Culture:
Work-in-progress

 

Edited June 12 by Stedoria
Significant rework (see edit history)