Nationstates...
UN Category: Democratic Socialists
Civil Rights: Below Average
Economy: Fragile
Political Freedoms: Good
Location: 8bit Union
Regional Influence: Dominator
Ariva is a UN Member
The Empire of Ariva is a small, safe nation, remarkable for its burgeoning beastie population. Its hard-nosed population of 7 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.
The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, socially-minded morass -- juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Education, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 40%, but much higher for the wealthy. A tiny private sector is led by the Cheese Exports industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Trout Farming.
Elections have been outlawed, cars are banned, and the government is avowedly atheist. Crime is totally unknown. Ariva's national animal is the beastie, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the coinage.
Ariva is ranked 2nd in the region and 41,762nd in the world for Largest Automobile Manufacturing Sector.
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Military Demands Increased Spending
The Issue
The Department of Defense has put its case for a substantial increase in funding for the coming financial year.
The Debate
1. "These are turbulent times we live in," says Defense Chief Calvin Christmas. "Turbulent and dangerous. And the only sensible response to that, of course, is to build a lot more weapons. Unless we get the funding we need, I can't promise that we'll be able to defend Ariva's sovereign borders from rogue nations and foreign powers. Or those leaky boatloads of refugees, for that matter."
2. "NO MORE BOMBS," chant the protestors outside Parliament House, in a repetitious and increasingly annoying appeal. Spokesperson Naki Dredd, speaking through a feedback-afflicted microphone, says, "Ariva needs fewer weapons, not more! Make the world a safer place! Disarm now!"
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
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Budget Time: Accountants Excited
The Issue
It's time for the government to allocate spending for the coming year, and as always, special interest groups are keen to have their say.
The Debate
1. "The state of the education system is, in many areas, simply frightful," says Teachers Union leader Fleur Rubin. "And even where we are doing well, we could do better. I appeal to the authorities for a substantial boost in funding. Remember, the children are our future."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
2. "We won't have a future unless we improve police numbers and rebuild the military," says General Freddy Hamilton. "Oh, it's all well and good to have your fancy education and your nice cars, until some tinpot dictatorship decides to invade. And don't pretend like there aren't any of them in our region. Our number one priority has to be security."
3. "Education is nice, but Health and Social Welfare are more important," says celebrity social worker Buffy Wu. "This is where the people who really need government help are: the marginalized of our society. If we don't help them, what kind of a nation are we?"
4. "Hey, I've got a crazy idea," says noted libertarian and bird-watcher Bianca Longfellow. "How about the government stops taking so much tax from people? Give us a tax cut and we'll buy the things we need ourselves. People need to be weaned off the government teat!"
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Beasties On The Dinner Table?
The Issue
In a bid to provide a new revenue stream for Ariva's Beef-Based Agriculture industry, it has been suggested that beasties could be added to the menu.
The Debate
1. "The fact is, the beastie population is out of control," says Beef-Based Agriculture spokesperson Prudence Dredd. "We have to do something about them anyway, so why not market them as tasty snacks? We could have beastie kebabs, beastie pies, beastie-on-a-sticks--the possibilities are endless! Let's not pass up this golden opportunity to provide a feast, if you will, for our economy."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
2. "I agree that something needs to be done about beastie over-population," says random passer-by Beth Clinton, "but eating them? That's kind of gross. Let's just shoot the ones we have to and shovel their bodies into ditches like normal."
3. "I am shocked and appalled!" declared SPCA President Buffy Rifkin. "If anyone needs to be culled, it's us humans. The beasties were here first, remember? We need to take this as a sign to get our industry--agriculture in particular--to back off. The beastie is part of what makes Ariva a great nation!"
-----
In short: The nation disarms, education gets more funding, and the national animal becomes the nation's favourite main course.
Civil Rights: Below Average
Economy: Fragile
Political Freedoms: Good
Location: 8bit Union
Regional Influence: Dominator
Ariva is a UN Member
The Empire of Ariva is a small, safe nation, remarkable for its burgeoning beastie population. Its hard-nosed population of 7 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.
The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, socially-minded morass -- juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Education, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 40%, but much higher for the wealthy. A tiny private sector is led by the Cheese Exports industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Trout Farming.
Elections have been outlawed, cars are banned, and the government is avowedly atheist. Crime is totally unknown. Ariva's national animal is the beastie, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the coinage.
Ariva is ranked 2nd in the region and 41,762nd in the world for Largest Automobile Manufacturing Sector.
-----
Military Demands Increased Spending
The Issue
The Department of Defense has put its case for a substantial increase in funding for the coming financial year.
The Debate
1. "These are turbulent times we live in," says Defense Chief Calvin Christmas. "Turbulent and dangerous. And the only sensible response to that, of course, is to build a lot more weapons. Unless we get the funding we need, I can't promise that we'll be able to defend Ariva's sovereign borders from rogue nations and foreign powers. Or those leaky boatloads of refugees, for that matter."
2. "NO MORE BOMBS," chant the protestors outside Parliament House, in a repetitious and increasingly annoying appeal. Spokesperson Naki Dredd, speaking through a feedback-afflicted microphone, says, "Ariva needs fewer weapons, not more! Make the world a safer place! Disarm now!"
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
-----
Budget Time: Accountants Excited
The Issue
It's time for the government to allocate spending for the coming year, and as always, special interest groups are keen to have their say.
The Debate
1. "The state of the education system is, in many areas, simply frightful," says Teachers Union leader Fleur Rubin. "And even where we are doing well, we could do better. I appeal to the authorities for a substantial boost in funding. Remember, the children are our future."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
2. "We won't have a future unless we improve police numbers and rebuild the military," says General Freddy Hamilton. "Oh, it's all well and good to have your fancy education and your nice cars, until some tinpot dictatorship decides to invade. And don't pretend like there aren't any of them in our region. Our number one priority has to be security."
3. "Education is nice, but Health and Social Welfare are more important," says celebrity social worker Buffy Wu. "This is where the people who really need government help are: the marginalized of our society. If we don't help them, what kind of a nation are we?"
4. "Hey, I've got a crazy idea," says noted libertarian and bird-watcher Bianca Longfellow. "How about the government stops taking so much tax from people? Give us a tax cut and we'll buy the things we need ourselves. People need to be weaned off the government teat!"
-----
Beasties On The Dinner Table?
The Issue
In a bid to provide a new revenue stream for Ariva's Beef-Based Agriculture industry, it has been suggested that beasties could be added to the menu.
The Debate
1. "The fact is, the beastie population is out of control," says Beef-Based Agriculture spokesperson Prudence Dredd. "We have to do something about them anyway, so why not market them as tasty snacks? We could have beastie kebabs, beastie pies, beastie-on-a-sticks--the possibilities are endless! Let's not pass up this golden opportunity to provide a feast, if you will, for our economy."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
2. "I agree that something needs to be done about beastie over-population," says random passer-by Beth Clinton, "but eating them? That's kind of gross. Let's just shoot the ones we have to and shovel their bodies into ditches like normal."
3. "I am shocked and appalled!" declared SPCA President Buffy Rifkin. "If anyone needs to be culled, it's us humans. The beasties were here first, remember? We need to take this as a sign to get our industry--agriculture in particular--to back off. The beastie is part of what makes Ariva a great nation!"
-----
In short: The nation disarms, education gets more funding, and the national animal becomes the nation's favourite main course.