Nationstates.
The Empire of Ariva
"Viva Ariva!"
Category: Scandinavian Liberal Paradise Civil Rights:
Superb Economy:
Basket Case Political Freedoms:
Below Average
Location: 8bit Union
Regional Influence: Hermit
The Empire of Ariva is a huge, socially progressive nation, renowned for its strong anti-business politics. Its compassionate population of 247 million enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.
It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, socially-minded government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Education, and the Environment. The average income tax rate is 82%, and even higher for the wealthy. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising fourteen-year-old boys selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.
Same-sex marriages are increasingly common, all major public areas are watched by police surveillance cameras, the nation is ravaged by daily union strikes, and an increasing percentage of the population's youth have homosexual parents. Crime is totally unknown. Ariva's national animal is the beastie, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the coinage.
Ariva is ranked 1st in the region and 70,411th in the world for Largest Defense Forces (per capita).
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Ariva Decides:
Think Tank Proposes Privatised Prisons
Government Acts
The Issue
In response to increasing costs of running state prisons, several government advisors have suggested allowing the private sector to play a greater role in managing Ariva's correctional facilities.
The Debate
- "Ariva's prisons are in a ghastly state," says Gregory Utopia, representative for several large businesses. "The state now pays a fortune in coinages each day for every prisoner. My clients will be able to operate the prisons more efficiently and charge the state far less than they're having to pay now. With our help, those in jail will be able to get themselves jobs to do and the government can imprison as many people as they like!"
- "This is just another scheme by multinational corporations to turn our great nation into a corporate dictatorship!" claims Akira Nagasawa, of the Social Justice League of Ariva. "Just say NO to privatised prisons. We should be closing them all down so we can begin focusing on rehabilitation anyway!"
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
- "Private prisons?! Rehabilitation?! How utterly ridiculous!" exclaims George W. Steele, Ariva's toughest police officer. "Both of these proposals will simply waste resources on the scum of society. I say that we should summarily execute all violent criminals and give their property to their victims."
Ariva Decides:
Power To The People?
The Issue
Several underground organisations in Ariva have recently been spreading discontent throughout the populace about not being able to vote.
The Debate
- "We demand the power to rule the country the way we want!" cries Dave King while being dragged before you in chains. "Too long have you and your dictatorial government been allowed to control our lives! The right to vote in a fair and free election is all we crave! You can take our lives, but you'll never take our souls! Elections for Ariva!"
- "If you'll take my advice, we should just send these crazies down to the dungeons," murmurs Chastity Steele, one of your political advisors. "If we let them spread this propaganda we'll soon have a revolution on our hands! We should crack down on these groups, and ban non-governmental political organisations to keep the people from getting too frisky with their pitchforks."
- "There's no need to be quite so dramatic," assures Billy Wall, your minister of Silly Walks as he pinwheels past. "We could let them have their way a little, just to keep them happy, you know? We could give them the right to vote, but not the right to run for office. Then we could just pick out the candidates we wanted and they could choose! We've been doing this for years, we don't want some uppity new bloke trying to tell us what to do."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
Ariva Decides:
Too Much Yakking, Already, Say Delegation
Government Acts
The Issue
Some people say Ariva's policy on free speech has gone too far.
The Debate
- "These days, anyone says whatever they want with no regard to what kind of dribble is coming out of their mouths!" says angry commuter Randy Utopia. "It's gone too far. We should go back to the good old days, when if someone started talking garbage, we'd smack them one."
- "We need more free speech, not less," argues civil rights campaigner Roxanne Washington. "Free speech allows ideas to be explored, challenged, and discussed in a productive, open forum. It teaches our kids to be critical thinkers. And dirty words, of course, but that's just the price you pay."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
- "The right to free speech is a central tenet of our system of democracy," says religious leader Beth Trax. "But surely the right to not have your religious beliefs mocked by others is worth something, too? We mustn't put up with intolerance!"
Ariva Decides:
Ariva Awash With Red-Rimmed Eyes
Government Acts
The Issue
National marijuana consumption has hit an all-time high, with alarming results, a new poll has found.
The Debate
- "My factory's productivity is down ten percent since marijuana was decriminalized," complains employer Dave Washington. "And the number of thefts from the candy machine is off the scale. This so-called 'pot' needs to be banned in all public places. Let the junkies do what they want at home, but not in my workplace."
- "Whoa, dude, no need to get, like, you know," says Free Your Mind campaigner Hack Shiomi, from his parents' basement. "This is, like, a personal choice issue, you know. It's like... whoa, just back off what I want to do with my own body. Don't let the fascists win, man. There are some hot new eckies coming in soon, they should be legal too."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
Ariva Decides:
A Uniform Plan For Ariva's Students?
The Issue
A random PTA meeting has brought the debate over school uniforms to your attention.
The Debate
- "I think uniforms are great," says Randy Jones, your Minister of Education during a cabinet meeting. "They instil a sense of community within our schools which lowers crime - and the pupils can go about their daily business without having to worry about being browbeaten by their classmates for not wearing the latest trainers. Ariva simply cannot do without them. If the children don't like them, then hard cheese."
This is the position your government is preparing to adopt.
- "Dude, your plan stinks," says Aaron McAlpin, leader of The Students Union. "Our clothing is part of who we are; it lets us express ourselves just by passing someone in the corridor. To say we must wear these inhibiting uniforms is an affront to our personal freedom! So back off with the uniforms, dude, students should be allowed to go to school dressed however they like. Or not dressed, if that's their style."