Location: International Democratic Union

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Free Land of The Ursine Northlands is a colossal, safe nation, ruled by Chairbear of the High Council with a fair hand, and renowned for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 6.525 billion are effectively ruled by a group of massive corporations, who run for political office and provide their well-off citizens with world-class goods and services. Their poorer citizens, however, are mostly starving to death while being urged to go out and get real jobs. The populace has reasonably extensive civil rights, although these are mostly aimed at allowing them to buy whatever they like.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded, pro-business individuals juggles the competing demands of Defence, Education, and Law & Order. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of NorthPort. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 8%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Gambling, Tourism, and Book Publishing industries.

Cheese has become the new icon of political dissent, only vaccinated citizens may have free healthcare, it is a common belief that a sport isn't sport if there are no decapitations, and a crusade against barbaric religious practices has begun. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is well under control, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The Ursine Northlands's national animal is the hare, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is One Plus Seven or Urrsarhtru, and its currency is the thaler.

The Ursine Northlands is ranked 6th in International Democratic Union and 9,051st in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -1 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and