Spotlight on:

“E Pluribis Echo”

The Glorious Republic of Leafanistan is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, renowned for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 10.964 billion have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it is effectively ruled by the Department of Defence, with areas such as Religion & Spirituality and the Environment receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 100%. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry.

Meat-eating is frowned upon, the government is cutting back on the number of political prisoners executed each year, convicted murderers are free to walk the streets provided they attend rehabilitation classes, and the government is using tax revenues to provide jobs for the poor. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Leafanistan's national animal is the Anteater, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Ruble.

Leafanistan is ranked 3853rd in the region and 52,914th in the world for Happiest Citizens.