Spotlight on:

“Death Before Socialism”

The Privateer Confederacy of Conquest Islands is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Ragnar Danneskjöld with an even hand, and notable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 1.779 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

The enormous government is mainly concerned with Defence, although Law & Order and Social Welfare are on the agenda. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 13%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Book Publishing.

Businesses often fire workers in favour of cheaper automatic systems, the police crack down on tax evaders without mercy, elections have become procedural nightmares due to voters persistently rejecting candidates, and organ donation rates are among the lowest in the region. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Conquest Islands's national animal is the Albatross, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Doubloon.

Conquest Islands is ranked 9th in the region and 6,367th in the world for Largest Publishing Industry.