Kalistani Major History

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The State of the Empire
Despite contradictions, Kalistan remains on firm ground
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 31, 5507


Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette serves plates food at Eveari Public Kitchen weekly as National Service

Introduction
Kalistan is generally known as a land of contradictions which seem to work out well. On the one hand, Kalistan is a country governed by an absolute monarch who is clothed in unquestionable fiat authority by a legislature that serves as a device to ratify the word of the Empress, and is surrounded by several layers of protocol and etiquette rules that she is not allowed to even refer to herself in the first person singular. And yet the same Empress is a devout Brethrenist, outwardly eschews all forms of ostentatious display of wealth, and refuses to wear a crown or any emblem of her office except at the most solemn official functions. On the one hand, Kalistan is an extremely conservative nation which protects its institutions in their places almost as a matter of civic religion, and on the other hand, Kalistan is a socially progressive, forward thinking nation which jealously guards its reputation for both independence in all matters and its willingness to innovate to try new policy responses to new problems. On the one hand, Kalistan is a nation that can marshal tremendous economic, cultural, and diplomatic resources to resolve the problems it faces, and on the other hand, Kalistan is a country that practices zero percent growth and holds the value of its currency at +/-.5% of the index value, controlling for population growth, a robust social spending system, and a dynamic infrastructure ministry that is currently in the midst of one of the largest publics works projects ever envisioned by the Nation.

These contradictions feel like paradoxes, and this is a point that has been made by external observers for centuries. And yet, we still Kalistan in the top ten economies in the world, and maintaining its role as arguable the greatest cultural exporter in Terra. Kalistan's Empress is respected and sought after by world leaders and equals of other nations. Kalistan's name is synonymous with internal stability and external neutrality, and their reputation as "the Pirate Republic" seems to be well behind them. And though Kalistan continues to face many internal issues such as persistent shortages in green energy creation, some moderate levels of political corruption, despite rigorous efforts by the Institutionalist Party to root out graft and unethical behavior by public officials, as well as some need of public poverty which continues to remain stubbornly out of reach for Her Imperial Majesty's Government, Kalistan remains on stable bedrock. This article will serve as a brief overview of the State of our Empire.

Politics in the Empire
Long before the Anantos were returned to the throne of Kalistan, the Institutonalists were successful in depoliticizing Kalistani society. The result is that elections in the National Legislature, known as the National Assembly, are rarely contested. Within the Intstitutionalist Party, there are several caucuses and formations, most notably the Liberal and Conservative factions. The Liberal faction tends to support more capitalism in the society, and has hinted at reforming the Monarchy in recent years, but Liberalism in general is a long discredited ideology in Kalistan, and Liberals have never represented the majority of the Institutionalist Party. The Conservative faction are the rump of the old Socialist Party of Kalistan, and are dedicated not only to preserving the Monarchy in an absolute form, but maintaining Kalistan as a one Party state, and preserving Kalistan's long standing national institutions and industries. The result is an Institutionalist Party that is utterly supine to the will of the Empress, and exists as her functional legislative arm. The body routinely ratifies the will of the Monarch, and while there may be robust and open, and often contentious debate over the policies that are promoted in the Assembly by Her Majesty's Government, there is no confusion as to what the ultimate outcome of these policy debates will be. The Empress is the sum total of all public policy in Kalistan.

On the office of the Empress, the original design was to be a monarch which was still accountable to the people, but practice and tradition in Kalistan dating to the original members of the 4th Dynasty has neutralized any impulse toward constitutionalism and republicanism in the Empire. Despite the absolute nature of her authority, Kalistan has been blessed by enlightened Sovereigns, all of whom have, to date been devoutly and openly members of the Brethrenist Faith. This commitment to the tenants of Brethrenism, which paradoxically preaches about the equality of all humans, by absolute monarch after absolute monarch ensures that the civic spirit is not entirely extinguished in Kalistan. The People of Kalistan are never referred to as Her Imperial Majesty's subjects, but are still encouraged to think of themselves as citizens, with both robust civil rights and a strong sense of civic duty and responsibility. While voter turnout in elections has reached disturbingly low percentages, National Service is at an all time high. In fact each of Kalistan's Monarchs have very publicly participated in National Service before taking office, and in several cases, coronation has been delayed so that the Monarch can complete their mandatory term of service.

The Person of the Empress in Kalistan is, to date, known to be honest, level headed, just, and generous. Her Imperial Majesty is known to care for the poor and the dispossessed, and demonstrates that care and concern often at the expense of the wealthy and power in Kalistan, who must periodically suffer what they consider to be "dispossession" for the sake of wealth redistribution and national priorities. The Empress frequently appears in her role as the Embodiment of the Anantonese State at different events to underscore the social responsibility of all Kalistanis for various projects and initiatives. The Empress frequently demonstrates volunteerism, and has said that her commitment to National Service did not end as soon as she was discharged from the NSP--she instead holds that National Service is a lifelong commitment and spends at least four hours a week volunteering either at local Public Kitchens that feed Kalistanis, or at other civic events, nearly always in service to the impoverished and needy. She also maintains her engineering discipline and joins NSP road crews as a survey instructor. Though protocol forces Kalistanis to keep a respectful distance, the Empress' active participation in public service keeps her close to the people, and aligns with her Brethrenist testimonies.

In terms of policy, the Empress is not only very shrewd but she is well known for seeking advice from many different sides and weighing as much evidence before coming to a decision. But once a decision has been made, Her Imperial Majesty's Government will certainly confirm that Her Majesty's decisiveness is coupled with a certain imperiousness--Her Majesty is well known for expecting her dictates to be carried out in both letter and spirit, and any opposition after decisions have been made have historically been met with somewhat severe reactions. Though Her Imperial Majesty is known to forgive easily, she deals with those who outright defy her will swiftly and definitively. She is every bit as dreaded as her mother, which in itself is a contradiction because her outward demeanor when away from affairs of state is far more humane and warm. She is kind, and reserved.

Politically, Kalistan can no longer be called a democracy. There are very few democratic institutions that remain in tact. There is not only few, if any democratic institutions remaining, at least on the national or duchy level, but there are few avenues for people to directly influence their governments. The one exception to this general rule lies in the five Free Cities in Kalistan: The Grand Mayors are appointed by the Empress, and they then serve as executives for wholly democratic city councils, who are in charge of their own policies, budgets and public services. The five cities are Kaliburg/Port Davon, Vrassa City, Eshar, Gendaris and Sulari, which together represent about one fifth of the population of the Empire.

Economy of the Empire
Kalistan has a fully modern economy, with a strong mix of agriculture, industry and services. Kalistan's model of the Dual Economy promotes public, social ownership of all sectors that supply human need and national interest, while guaranteeing to the Private Sector all economic activity that supplies Kalistani want. This Dual System has been the foundation of the Kalistani economy for more than 2000 years and has ensured that Kalistan is able to avoid the boom bust cycle that is endemic in capitalism.

Kalistan is self sufficient in agriculture, growing nearly all of its food stuffs. Domestically, grains preferred by Kalistanis are wheat, rice and rye. Corn is grown in the Empire, but it is used primarily for animal feed and more recently biofuels and polymers. There is some demand for corn in Suldanor who prefer it to wheat for tortillas. Kalistan also grows legumes and tubers in abundance, and annually produces amble beans of all varieties, lentils, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peanuts which are a popular snack. The Empire also grows almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews and pistachios commercially. Kalistani farmers also produce garlic, onion, a both of which is widely used in various dishes, herbs such as oregano, thyme, sage, parsley, and basil, and assorted hot and sweet peppers.

Besides the wide assortment of leafy vegetables, Kalistan also grows tons of fruits, including grapes, oranges, lemons, limes, tomatoes, cherries, apples, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, black berries, currants, mulberries, blueberries, pineapples, watermelons and pumpkins and other gourds. Most of this food is grown on cooperative farms, run by Growers' syndicates and staffed by both free labor and NSP conscripts, and most food produced is purchased by the State and provided to National Food Banks, which operate as not-for-profit grocery stores across the Empire. Highly processed agricultural products are not widely available in Kalistan. Most of the agricultural production occurs in Odurfaray and Ananto.

Besides edible produce, Kalistani commercial agriculture consists of plants grown for other things. The largest non-foodstuff grown in Kalistan is sugar, which represents the majority of the agricultural operations around the Lucid Morass in Suldanor. Additionally, large swaths of soybeans have recently been opened to provide sources of oil for biofuel and polymers. ODEN also works with growers coops to maintain vast plots for the growing of cannabis, opium poppies, raw coca and several other natural precursors, that supply Kalistan's expansive legal drug market. Most of the sugar and soybeans are utilized domestically, while most of the crop that is designed to be turned into intoxicants will eventually be sold to international dealers in the ODEN storehouse in Port Davon.

Industrially, Kalistan has historically had a major petroleum industry, though production has sharply fallen in this sector directly before Empress Nicolette II began her reign. Additionally, Kalistan is a major producer of raw iron and Steel, getting nearly all its iron ore from extensive seams of hematite found in Nevaras, as well as a major regional producer of aluminum, tin, and lithium. Kalistan produces nearly all of its own automobiles at Kalistani Motor Company, or MoCo, as well as its own commercial, cargo and military aircraft at AeroKal. There is a strong consumer electronics sector in Kalistan represented by the flagship company Kalistani Micro Divisions, or KalMD, who also has moved into making batteries for consumer and commercial applications. Large cargo vessels are fabricated at Kalistani National Shipyards in Port Davon, and Kalistani factories produce large quantities of textiles and apparel, including shoes, clothing and fashion, and all weather apparel.

MoCo Plant in Sulari produces enough cars to provide Kalistan with a large surplus which goes to export

While the ethic of Kalistani Industrial doctrine is self-sufficiency due to lack of trust of global markets, Kalistan has long adopted an open trade policy and fair/reciprocal trade relationships with all other nations in the world. As a result, Kalistani consumers get the benefit of a relatively large import stock, primarily in consumer goods, foods, and disposable items. Kalistani consumers often will choose foreign made items because of the novelty of the foreign product. It is considered fashionable to purchase foreign goods, including foreign automobiles, and there is strong demand for consumer goods of all kinds from Kalistan's regular trade partners. Kalistan's largest trading partners are Lourenne and Lodamun, with whom it enjoys a customs union that have eliminated any barriers to the flows of goods and people across national boundaries, making all good from these states treated as domestic products, and giving those nations' products a distinct advantage in Kalistani Markets.

The Commercial and services sector in Kalistan is both robost and growing. Kalistan has a modern financial services sector as well as a National Stock Exchange (the KSE, or KalSiE) that is heavily regulated to protect against unhealthy speculative activity. Kalistan is also seen as a tax haven for foreign nations, as it ensures privacy and confidentiality of all deposits, foreign and domestic, in the Kalistani National Bank. The National Bank system is carefully controlled, and does not engage in highly risky financial activities, nor does it charge interest on any loan it makes to Kalistani Nationals. Small local banks are allowed to participate in more risky and speculative behavior, so long as they are transparent in their activities to their clients, and all banks have a binding fiduciary responsibility to their depositors and investors. There is no shortage of retail outlets in Kalistan, and the retail sector is almost entirely deregulated, according to the structure of the unique Dual Economy, which has ensured that public sector and private sector remain as separate as possible.

One of the main industries in Kalistan is the entertainment industry, featuring the most extensive, prolific, and longest established music industry on Terra. The fully privatized music industry features no fewer than 5 major record labels, including KMI, or the Kalistani Music Industry. Kalistan's music industry covers all rock, pop, R&B and electronic adjacent genres, and has existed actively in Kalistan for more than 1000 years. Associated with the Kalistani Music scene has historically been the Kalistani festival scene which has produced a semi-regular concert series called GanJam. In addition, music fetivals are a regular event and serve to entice tourists to Kalistan, feeding yet anothe major industry: the tourism and hospitality Industry. Kalistan also has a robust movie industry that makes all types of movies, from documentaries and concert films to romcoms.

Infrastructure of the Empire
Kalistan will boast of significant investment in infrastructure. Not only does Kalistan have one of the most advanced national rail systems in Seleya, with the National MagLev highspeed train network, but also forms a very important link in the Trans Seleyan RailNet, linking Lodamun (and points east) with Central Seleya, and ensuring that passengers and freight can quickly and efficiently travel from ports in Lodamun and Kalistan through Baltusia, Gaduridos and into Aldegar. Kalistan has two major international airports, in Kaliburg and in Sulari, more than two dozen regional airports for domestic flights, and a National Ferry Service that transits passengers, automobiles and freight between Ananto to Odufaray.

Kalistan has three major Commercial Ports, at Port Davon, Ananto, Port Swedes in Vrassa and Port Elga in Sulari. Yoshimi, Gendaris/Eshar, and Dulnerstaad all represent important domestic freight ports. Kalistan also has a national highway system and a fully nationalized electrical power grid. The Kalistani Government attempted a public/private cooperation for energy generation that resulted in the Kalistani Energy Consortium, but following a massive collapse and crippling corruption crack down, KALENCON was liquidated and all its real assets went under the administration of the nationalized petroleum company, KALNAPECO. KALNAPECO is in the process of constructing eight high dams in Kalistan proper, to relieve the stress on the power grid caused by the failure of the Fusion Generation program.

In Kalistan, Media is a mix between socialized and privatized entities. The Kalistani Radio and Television Network controls a network of television and radio stations that are operated in the public interest, without influence from the State, though it is overseen by a publicly appointed Ombudsman who is required to answer for quality and service. There are a number of Low Power FM, AM and freely operating Short Wave stations in Kalistan as well, which have no government oversight with a legal requirement to tell the truth in advertising. One major shortwave station is Radio Kaliburg, which technically is owned by the Socialist Party of Kalistan, but as that organization is defunct, the radio station, which has in the past served as an internationally oriented propaganda station, now operates as an independent music station owned by private owners and funded by advertising revenue. The Press is entirely privatized in Kalistan and receives no Government support, nor government influence. Several magazines and specialized periodicals are printed regularly for Kalistani consumption, and there is no restrictions whatever on media imported from foreign nations, to include movies, television and print media, though KRTVN both radio and television stations only feature Kalistani produced media except on foreign media channels.