Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Berry Q&A
Topic Started: Sep 2 2013, 01:04 PM (189 Views)
Berry
Member Avatar
Wrapper
I think that a Q&A is going to quite helpful to develop the country by forcing me to think about things I hadn't thought about before. So ask away about the fédération berrichonne also known as Berry (no, not the fruit).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Aurland
Member Avatar
Wrapper
What is the political system of Berry? What are the political parties, and what are their positions?

What are some staple foods of Berry? (berries?)

Does Berry practice conscription?

What is the culture of Berry like? (any real life equivalents?)

How is Aurland viewed by Berry?
Kingdom of AurlandRìoghachd na Aurda Kinrick o Aurland
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Berry
Member Avatar
Wrapper
Aurland
Sep 2 2013, 03:36 PM
What is the political system of Berry? What are the political parties, and what are their positions?

What are some staple foods of Berry? (berries?)

Does Berry practice conscription?

What is the culture of Berry like? (any real life equivalents?)

How is Aurland viewed by Berry?
Berry is a federal parliamentary republic. The federation, therefore features a clear separation between the head of state, being the Président de la Fédération, a figurehead with little real powers besides some formalities. The head of government is the Council of Ministers who exercise it as a collective body, as the Constitution doesn't mention a figure specifically designed to be that head of government. However, as a result of evolution, nowadays the Ministre-présidents serves a spokesperson and coordinator between the rest of the Council of Ministers, however this MP is theoretically only a minister and is role is entirely ad hoc.

Furthermore, usually the post of Military Minister is held by an officer in the reserve.

The parliament is divided into two houses and features imperfect bicameralism, the Chambre des députés represents the interests of the body citizen as a whole and hence it's elected by D'Hont method PR every five years from a single, national constituency with a threshold of 2%.

The other chamber is the Sénat, which represents the interests of the generalités (states) of the Fédération and it's role is less important than that of the CdD.

As a result of both the electoral method (PR with a slight bonus for smaller parties) and national idiosyncrasies, the parliament is highly divided, usualy responding to class and religious (or mix) interests of different societal segments.

The parties with representation in the CdD are the following:

- Parti travailliste d'action ouvriere (PTAO) which stands for Labour Party of Worker Action is the party furthest to the left in Parliament and its ideology is roughly syndicalist with sectors representing democratic socialism and eurocommunism. It's kind of socially conservative as a result of its close links with the powerful trade unions.

The party holds 31/664 seats.

- Fédération des verts (FdV) which stands for Greens Federation, is well, obviously a green party, featuring both ecosocialism as well as more centrist elements. It's quite the university party, mind you, too New Left for working class people.

The party holds 18/664 seats.

- Parti républicain-socialiste (PRS) which stands for Republican Democratic Socialist Party, the main centre-left party and social democratic party.

The party holds 194/664 seats.

- Parti Republicain Radicale (PRR) which stands for Radical Republican Party is a left-of-centre party, usually the party defends social liberal policies and its voters usually are from protestant middle or upper class backgrounds and left-leaning.

The party holds 64/664 seats.

- Parti agraire et paysan (PAP) which stands for Agrarian and Peasant Party an centrist agrarian (of the Nordic sort) party usually representing small landowners from Protestant backgrounds, particularly strong in the Lombard areas.

The party holds 50/664 seats.

- Parti Civique Populaire (PCP) which stands for Popular Civic Party is a Catholic democrat party. It's ideology is based on Rerum Novarum and other Church's ideas about corporatism and defense of the welfare state. Although the party is slightly more centrist than centre-right, it depends on the party's leadership, as it also holds more conservative views on family and sex. It usually attracts Catholics from any and all backgrounds, although particularly the lower middle class and small landowners.

The party holds 131/664 seats.

- Rassemblement populaire réformateur (RPR) which stands for Reformist Popular Rally is an upper and middle class party, usually voted by urban voters from protestant backgrounds. It's a classical liberal party, that while not rejecting the welfare state, it's considerably pro-free market. Lately, it's also become rather hawkish.

The party holds 82/664 seats.

- Rassemblement Nationale de la Droite (RND) which stands for National Rally of the Right is the main conservative Protestant party and it usually attracts big business and large landowners as well as other elements across the non-Catholic right wing. Thanks to a new leadership and some measured dose of populism, it's been attracting socially conservative workers from deprived areas, first time a party breaks off from their traditional voters or "pillar".

The party holds 94/664 seats.

----

I have no idea, it's yet to be determined. I'll edit the post when I have an idea of any kind. Though the coca should be popular, it'd be the national equivalent of pizza.

----

It does indeed. It is considered important for three reasons. Firstly, as a way to ensure the safety of the Fédération in case of military conflict. Secondly, to inspire a sense of national belonging in the country by forming transregional units and by the use of different patriotic ceremonies such as a pledge to the flag (allegorical representation of the Fédération). Thirdly, to promote physical fitness and a sense of accomplishment.

It is a hot topic whether women should also serve in the conscription, but for now they don't.

----

The Berrichonne culture is a Western Romance/Latin culture, featuring elements that could be best identified IRL with northern Italian and French (though not necessarily Parisian) traditions. However, traditional culture has been partially diluted as a result of emigration to urban centres and exposure to internal influences, however the amount of population still living in the countryside is unusually high for a country as developed as Berry.

----

Aur- what? In all seriousness, you should ask Monsieur le Ministre of Foreign of Affairs, as for now, I am yet to really know who's who in the neighbourhood. But, I suppose that as a fellow democracy, we'd get along.

----

NOTE: Lombard names are yet to come for all parties and institutions.
Edited by Berry, Sep 3 2013, 01:54 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Galaica-Malbork
No Avatar
New Member
[ *  * ]
Do people in Berry like to eat Berries?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arumdaum
Member Avatar
qg875nq793 ! 59g095109
Does your nation have a state religion? What is the most prominent religion in your country? Is your country secular? Perhaps even laïcité?

Is your nation a single party state? Is there a monarch? If so, how much power does the monarch hold? Are only males allowed to be the head of state? If your nation has both a state religion and has a monarch, would the monarch be the head of your nation's church?

What is the obesity rate in your nation? Can you name anything which could have contributed towards that? Are restaurants required to list how many calories each item has? Is it legal to serve trans fat in restaurants, unlike in California? Or is there a total ban on trans fats, like Austria, Iceland, and Sweden?

Are there any age restrictions on voting? Are there different voting ages for men and women? Can women even vote at all? Can men vote? Can those who do not own enough property vote? Are those of a certain race barred from voting, or only given a portion of a vote? Are those who aren't of a certain religion, or are of a religion, barred from voting or holding public office?

Does your country have an official language? Does it have multiple official languages? Is your country a federation, or a unitary state?

Does your country have the death penalty? If so, when was the last time it was used, and for what crime?

Is same-sex marriage legal in your nation? Are there any penalties for homosexual acts? If so, what would constitute homosexual acts?

Is marijuana legal in your nation?

What is your nation's geography like?

Are there any racial tensions in your country?

Does your country have any policies regarding how many children you can have?

Are interracial marriages allowed?

What is your country's life expectancy? Does your country have universal healthcare?

Are those who urinate in public registered as sex offenders?

Does your country provide free education? For how long? Is it compulsory?

What is the largest city in your country? Is it the capital? What is the largest planned city in your country?

Does your nation have a secret police?

How prominent is vegetarianism in your nation? Are there any taboos on eating any kinds of meats, such as beef in India, and dogs in the US?

Does your head of state have any children? Is he/she married? In a partnership? Does he/she have any pets? Is he/she religious? Is he/she part of a political party?

Is it illegal to be homeless in your nation, like in Hungary and Irvine? If not, is it legal to feed to homeless? Or to give them money?

Does your country have a national flower? A national anthem? A national animal?

What is your country's gini coefficient? Do people generally live in homes or in apartments? Is the use of public transportation widespread in your nation? Is there even public transportation?

Are there any forms of racial segregation in your nation? How many billions of barrels of oil does your nation have reserves of? How many cigarettes are smoked per capita per year? What percentage of the population has tried marijuana?

Was your nation a colonial power in the past? Or was it subjugated by others? Or neither?
(/^__^)/ -(^u^)- \(^__^\)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Berry
Member Avatar
Wrapper
Quote:
 
Does your nation have a state religion? What is the most prominent religion in your country? Is your country secular? Perhaps even laïcité?


It does not at a federal level, however the different généralités can have one, however it cannot interfere with the right to worship. The state is, except in some rural Protestant généralités, secular, but not laïque.

Quote:
 
Is your nation a single party state? Is there a monarch? If so, how much power does the monarch hold? Are only males allowed to be the head of state? If your nation has both a state religion and has a monarch, would the monarch be the head of your nation's church?


It is not, although some conservative pundits claim the country is always run by the same social democrat-liberal-Papist coalition, but well, that's not true, to be honest.

Nope, the country is a federation.

Quote:
 
What is the obesity rate in your nation? Can you name anything which could have contributed towards that? Are restaurants required to list how many calories each item has? Is it legal to serve trans fat in restaurants, unlike in California? Or is there a total ban on trans fats, like Austria, Iceland, and Sweden?


9%. Well, sedentary practices and of course, fast food. No. It's legal, however keep in mind that the majority of the population tends to prefer traditional cafés, bars and restaurants over fast food places, so it's never been a big issue.

Quote:
 
Are there any age restrictions on voting? Are there different voting ages for men and women? Can women even vote at all? Can men vote? Can those who do not own enough property vote? Are those of a certain race barred from voting, or only given a portion of a vote? Are those who aren't of a certain religion, or are of a religion, barred from voting or holding public office?


Aye, you must be 18 to vote in the federal election, 16 in municipal elections. No other qualification is required, well besides being a citizen, except in municipal elections where registered immigrants can vote too.

Quote:
 
Does your country have an official language? Does it have multiple official languages? Is your country a federation, or a unitary state?


It does, it's French, however Lombard is recognized as a regional language and it's official in Vares and in Sundri. The Fédération berrichonne is, well, a federation.

Quote:
 
Does your country have the death penalty? If so, when was the last time it was used, and for what crime?


Only applied in military courts under exceptional circumstances, such as state of siege or war. And even then only for high treason and sedition.

Quote:
 
Is same-sex marriage legal in your nation? Are there any penalties for homosexual acts? If so, what would constitute homosexual acts?


It is not, however civil unions are, basically they are marriages in all but name, as their rights are exactly the same, except, you know, the name.

Quote:
 
Is marijuana legal in your nation?


No, though consumption and growing it in small quantities is de-penalized, however sale or large scale production is strictly banned and enforced.

Quote:
 
What is your nation's geography like?


Well, it's overall low lying, however there's a mountain range somewhere, I gotta talk to my neighbours first to decide.

Quote:
 
Are there any racial tensions in your country?


Well, from time to time, old folks and also in football matches.

Quote:
 
Does your country have any policies regarding how many children you can have?


The Berrian welfare state provides considerable benefits to families according to their number of children, so you could say the state features pro-natalist policies.

Quote:
 
Are interracial marriages allowed?


Aye.

Quote:
 
What is your country's life expectancy? Does your country have universal healthcare?


About 76 for men and 82 for women. Yes it does.

Quote:
 
Are those who urinate in public registered as sex offenders?


No, however they can be fined, at least in the urban areas.

Quote:
 
Does your country provide free education? For how long? Is it compulsory?


Yes, until you obtain at least the secondary degree. It is compulsory.

Quote:
 
What is the largest city in your country? Is it the capital? What is the largest planned city in your country?


That'd be Gênes. No it is not. Well, there aren't really entirely planned cities, perhaps neighbourhoods of cities.

Quote:
 
Does your nation have a secret police?


Not that we know of.

Quote:
 
How prominent is vegetarianism in your nation? Are there any taboos on eating any kinds of meats, such as beef in India, and dogs in the US?


Well, you know, the typical, FdV voters, some people in university, old and new hippies alike. Well, eating dogs is bad seen, cats too, though perhaps not as much, particularly in the countryside. Horses are traditional food though.

Quote:
 
Does your head of state have any children? Is he/she married? In a partnership? Does he/she have any pets? Is he/she religious? Is he/she part of a political party?


Robert Dufaire has a son. He's a widower though. No. Yes, concretely a liberal Lutheran. No, the position of Président de la Fédération is strictly apolitical, so office holders must renounce w/e political affiliation they had.

Quote:
 
Is it illegal to be homeless in your nation, like in Hungary and Irvine? If not, is it legal to feed to homeless? Or to give them money?


It's legal and yes to both, homeless people are not zoo animals :P

Quote:
 
Does your country have a national flower? A national anthem? A national animal?


Yes, yes, yes. The anthem is called Le Chant Du Depart.

Quote:
 
What is your country's gini coefficient? Do people generally live in homes or in apartments? Is the use of public transportation widespread in your nation? Is there even public transportation?


30.5 . In the urban areas in flats, but in the countryside, usually in chalêt-style houses are common. It is, particularly in the cities although trains are also a common method of transportation across the country. Bikes are pretty popular.

Quote:
 
Are there any forms of racial segregation in your nation? How many billions of barrels of oil does your nation have reserves of? How many cigarettes are smoked per capita per year? What percentage of the population has tried marijuana?


State-sponsored? None. Hate crimes are not allowed. Idk. 716 to be precise. About 20%.

Quote:
 
Was your nation a colonial power in the past? Or was it subjugated by others? Or neither?


Neither, at least not as a colony. Then again I need to talk to my neighbours to determine my history too.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Zeriabo
No Avatar
Wrapper
Religious statistics of your nation?

Amount and or percent of Zeribian immigrants?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Berry
Member Avatar
Wrapper
Zeriabo
Sep 3 2013, 11:21 AM
Religious statistics of your nation?

Amount and or percent of Zeribian immigrants?
Well, Berry presents a considerably divided society in religious terms. About 30-35% of the population identify as Catholics, they are mostly concentrated in the south and east of Berry with smaller pockets in northern urban areas as a result of emigration.

Meanwhile, about 40-45% of the population identify as Protestant, some churches lean more towards lutheranism and other towards calvinism, however it is not all that important for they classify themselves usually as 'protestants' or 'reformed'.

The remaining ~20% is formed by agnostics, atheists and other minority religions, usually in areas with large immigrant densities.

I don't know. Probably limited.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arumdaum
Member Avatar
qg875nq793 ! 59g095109
What would the nation's government have been like during the early half of the 20th century?
(/^__^)/ -(^u^)- \(^__^\)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Berry
Member Avatar
Wrapper
Arumdaum
Sep 9 2013, 07:43 PM
What would the nation's government have been like during the early half of the 20th century?
Well, overall the same. However there would be three main differences, back then the PRS and the PRR were still united as a single party (mind you, as stable as Democrazia Cristiana in the 80s). As a result, the syndicalist party was bigger. Lastly, there were paramilitaries, and violence (until the 50s) was all too common in urban areas, particularly during electoral campaigns.

Ah yes, and we switched from FPTP to PR back in 1913 under heavy left-wing pressure.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Fully Featured & Customizable Free Forums
« Previous Topic · Q&As · Next Topic »
Add Reply



Find more zetaboards themes at InkDropStyles.com