An Overview of Florarosia [WIP]

The Community of
Florarosia

Overview

Florarosia (Rosian: Traiistatfyllo), officially the Community of Florarosia (Rosian: I Koinótita ton Triantáfyllon) is a country located on the island of Rosia within the center of the North Atlantic Ocean. While the state shares no official land or sea borders, it is surrounded by the continental United States to the west, South America to the southwest, with Western Europe and Northern Africa to the east. It is comprised of 18 provinces and 40 districts. Its population is approximately 40.6 million as of 2018. Protīvousa, the nation's capital city, is its second-largest city, followed by Proīlefsi. The nation is most notable for its elaborate and organized democratic government, extensive civil and political rights, and cultured populace.

History

AMERICA'S INFLUENCE

The nation of Florarosia was founded on August 21st, 1995, four years following the island's discovery. Before this, only rumors of a considerably-sized uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean existed. The idea of new land trickled across the people, ultimately making its way to the President, George H. W. Bush. After the end of the early-90s recession, a small and inexpensive expedition was launched to find if the land was as large as it was claimed, or if it was true at all.

The island appeared in front of the incompetent crew with a shocking realization. The treacherous waters and thunderstorms in the concealment of the fog led the ship off course, and in confusion, forced it to capsize on one of the islets. No crew was lost, instead, they were trapped 2,200 miles from home, unable to send for help.

Two weeks later, with no word from the expedition, Bush announced, in the tragic event of the loss of the crew, that no further excursions would be launched to prevent additional casualties.

GREECE'S INFLUENCE

During the Greek-Macedonian naming dispute in 1991, a new plan for expansion spread amongst the Greek people. The indication of a new island, albeit a lengthy (nearly 3,700 miles from the closest port) and likewise difficult course, was supported. As the possibility of losing the land claim to an already-dominant country such as the United States was undesirable, Greece hastily set forth two colonizing vessels to the reported coordinates for the chance at the unique plot. With the knowledge and preparation for such a journey put into place, the two ships, Aeiothós and Makrinós, left the shores of Piraeus for the island.

Reaching the island successfully was perceived as a great achievement for Greece, and more colonists would arrive soon after to develop a settlement. While fortifying a bivouac, called Mikróspíti, the colonists spotted a group of Americans approaching, and began giving out arms. The American exploration crew was not prepared for a fight but proceeded to walk directly into the Greek encampment.

The Greek colonists, threatened by the occupation of another country's people, overwhelmed the crew, injuring many. The Americans begged for a peace treaty, as both sides were unaware of either's presence. Luckily, the treaty's agreement was enacted, albeit Americans felt little or no enthusiasm for such. The island was explored and outlined into several regional maps, of which territory was divided evenly. The Americans, now wary of Greece's force, strayed away to the western side. The Greeks would keep their established camp, as well as hold the remainder of the island on the east.

ESTABLISHMENT

In late February of 1993, American town development began to extend past the agreed-upon territory. Hoping to prevent conflict, Greece prepared a speech and ruling legislature for the establishment of a single nation. The United States, unfortunately, declined the offer, but proposed national roads to be constructed along territorial lines and connecting to major cities of both countries. Greece agreed, expecting the two would coincide more easily with a physical barrier.

Throughout the start of 1994, Greece laid out the plan for an organized infrastructure, featuring an Athenian-like direct democratic system. The supposed nation, of which was neither solely Greek nor American territory, but instead an independent state, was tried one last time. The United States approved, with only 2 more votes than those who opposed, to establish the nation. On the condition that Greece would pay the sum of 2.4 million USD in full, the United States, as well as the United Nations, would officially recognize it as its own country.

Government

Florarosia is governed by Demarchism, also known as selection by lot, a democratic system in which people are randomly selected from the citizenry through sortition to either act as general governmental representatives or to make decisions in specific areas of the government, rather than orchestrate a lengthy campaign. This essentially allows all interested parties an equal and fair chance of holding public office, and by consequence, minimizes factionalism extensively, as there would be no point in making promises to win in a randomly selected lot. The final product is the modern establishment of the short-lived Athenian democracy.

To be eligible to be appointed by lot, a citizen must self-select themselves into the available pool of magistrates, or judges. Magistrates would then randomly be assigned to a particular magistracy; an office or dignity within the region of which they reside. The magistracies assigned by lot generally had terms of service of 1 year. A citizen may not hold any particular magistracy more than once in their lifetime but could hold other magistracies. All citizens over 30 years of age, who were not disenfranchised or convicted of a felonious act are eligible.

Those selected through lot undergo an examination to determine their political character and background, to avoid incompetent officials. Regardless of this, selected citizens are rarely discarded from the lot unless deemed contemptible. Magistrates, once in place, are subjected to constant monitoring by the Assembly. Magistrates appointed by lot had to render an account of their time in office upon their leave. However, any citizen could request the suspension of a magistrate with due reason.

THE ASSEMBLY
SYMĪLEFSI

The central governing body of Florarosia is the General Assembly, which accommodates an average of 5,000 voters. Unlike a parliament, the assembly's members are not elected, instead, they attend by right. This type of democratic system is direct, rather than representative: any adult citizen over the age of 20 could take part, and it was a duty to do so. The Assembly requires no lot or drawing to attend as the magistracies do, instead, it is governed by the ordinary peoples.

The Assembly focuses on four main functions: to make executive pronouncements, elect some officials, write legislation, and try minor crimes. The standard format was that of speakers to make speeches for and against a position, followed by a general vote (usually by show of hands) of yes or no.

Although there might be blocs of opinion, sometimes enduring or on important matters, there are no political parties and likewise no government or opposition. Voting is simply by the majority.

THE MAGISTRATES
DICASTĪS

Magistrates are the primary government officials within Florarosia. They hold the responsibility for conducting regional and national meetings, as well as the communication between other executives and the Assembly. These meetings would be held in the appropriate regions and could employ up to 100 attendants, civilian or official, though only the local magistracies will hold proper authority during the meetings conducted. The purpose of the meetings is generally to decide, upon a drafted proposal, whether it is necessary to hold an Assembly for. With the conclusion of the meetings, either one or several votes could take place in the Assembly, or the proposal would be rejected.

Each Magistrate consigned to a magistracy by lot will either be assigned into one of five regional magistracies: Welfare, Defense, Finance, Foreign Affairs, or Industry; or a district magistracy: Health, Public Works, Transportation, Education, or Internal Affairs. There are a total of 90 regional offices and 200 district offices.

The Chief Magistrate is elected out of the full magistrate lot, by the Assembly, and is responsible for presenting the proposals in meetings concerning their magistracy office. Only one chief can be elected for each of the five offices nationally and will hold the executive position until the end of the service term of one year. The term may be extended if the vast majority (3 to 1) agree that the chief has demonstrated enough potential for a second term, but no further.

THE COURTS
DICASTIRIA

The Court system presides over trials. The age limit of 30 or older, ten years older than that required for participation in the assembly, gives the courts a certain standing with the assembly. Jurors are required to be under oath, which is not required for attendance at the assembly. The authority exercised by the courts has the same basis as that of the assembly: both are regarded as expressing the direct will of the people. Unlike office holders (magistrates), who could be impeached and prosecuted for misconduct, the jurors could not be censured, for they, in effect, are the people and no authority can be higher than that. A result of this will be that at least acclaimed by defendants, if a court had made an unjust decision, it must have been because it had been misled by a litigant.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

The proposal of the addition of a new law, appeal, or a revision to an existing one, always begins in the relevant magisterial office. The magistrate would compose a brief document outlining the purposes and terms of the proposal. After doing so, they would call for a meeting to discuss the proposal, with the chief of the magistracy presiding if desired. The document would be expanded and/or adjusted until an agreement for the proposal's advancement. Upon agreement, it would be delivered to the regional House of Commons, whereupon a pronouncement would be made, requiring an Assembly to be formed.

Any citizen over 20 could attend the Assembly, as long as they were not a magistrate or juror, or the Assembly had already reached 5,000 members. The Assembly would then vote for or against the proposal, wherein a successful proposal would be enacted in legislation.

Economy

Geography

The island of Rosia covers an area of 864,586 sq mi (2,239,268 km²) and is bounded entirely by the Pacific Ocean. The western landscape mostly consists of rugged hills, cliffs, and mountains, while the central and east landscapes contain primarily forests, open grasslands or meadows, and bogs (particularly in Eliīs). The highest point is Coryfɩ Voumoū in Necatii Pasiocɩ and the lowest point is Paralɩa Vratcou in E' Friat Thȳra.

The national symbol and similarly the national flower is the Rose, which can be found in many of the large prairies and meadows of Rosia. Its color may usually be scarlet, white, or pink, but may also occasionally appear as peach, coral, yellow, or blue. It represents love, courage, and respect.

The state is divided into 18 provinces, with each given an identifiable name, rather than a district number. These areas include several districts and outline the political boundaries of the regional magistracy authority. A non-local magistracy will not hold any jurisdiction in the neighboring regions.

Demographics

The demographics prevalent in the country primarily narrow down to roughly one-third Florarosian, three-tenths Greek, one-fourth American, and one-tenth other nationality.

The most-populated province is Cȳria Eparcɩa with a population of 9.8 million, almost 25% of the nation's residents. The smallest, but second-most populated province is Cefatiaio with an estimated population of 6.45 million. Cefatiaio is home to the national capital city, Protīvousa.

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