Location: Great Britain and Ireland

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Incorporated States of So88er is a gargantuan, devout nation, ruled by a Generally Amiable Fellow with an even hand, and renowned for its suspicion of poets. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 18.496 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, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Religion & Spirituality, and Public Transport. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Whole Inwon. Income tax is unheard of. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

Only the rich can afford the latest medical innovations, fur coats have become the latest fashion trend, elections have become procedural nightmares due to voters persistently rejecting candidates, and schoolchildren have twice-weekly sex education classes. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. So88er's national animal is the flying pig, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is Ilken Fitherwop, and its currency is the nutmeque.

So88er is ranked 14th in Great Britain and Ireland and 99,658th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -38 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and