Location: the Rejected Realms

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Dictatorship of Arthur Askey is a massive, economically powerful nation, ruled by Adolf Stalin with an iron fist, and notable for its prohibition of alcohol. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 2.287 billion are ruled with an iron fist by the corrupt, dictatorship government, which oppresses anyone who isn't on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Large corporations tend to be above the law, and use their financial clout to gain ever-increasing government benefits at the expense of the poor and unemployed.

The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, corrupt, moralistic, pro-business morass -- juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Commerce. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Norman Wisdom City. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, followed by Beef-Based Agriculture and Uranium Mining.

Children as young as twelve are conscripted into the armed forces, citizens are enjoying a recent large cut in taxes, private business has started paving paradises and putting up parking lots, and record sales of 'child-whacking sticks' have been reported. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Arthur Askey's national animal is the Busy Busy Bee, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is The Cult of Clive Dunn, and its currency is the Pathé.

Arthur Askey is ranked 12th in the Rejected Realms and 849th in the world for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring 12 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and