Location: the Rejected Realms

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Federation of Sticks or Stones is a huge, socially progressive nation, renowned for its ban on automobiles. Its hard-nosed, intelligent population of 637 million 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.

The medium-sized government concentrates mainly on Public Transport, although the Environment and Social Welfare are secondary priorities. The average income tax rate is 23%, but much higher for the wealthy. A healthy private sector is led by the Trout Farming, Uranium Mining, and Gambling industries.

Voting is voluntary, a well-funded social safety net protects the unfortunate, young children are regularly seen wagering pocket money at blackjack tables, and cars are banned. Crime is a problem, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Sticks or Stones's national animal is the stone, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the stick.

Sticks or Stones is ranked 693rd in the Rejected Realms and 49,799th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -12 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and