Hlenderia: Difference between revisions

Early Ethalrian settlements were eventually combined into a colony hugging the northwestern coast of Hayaneste called Tornaland. This colony, integral to the Ethalrian trading network in southern Gondwana, had fluid borders in its early years, but by the mid 17th century these were fixed aside from occasional cross-border raids by Vrotri and Kwari parties. The rising power of Ethalrian settlers, and their ability to intercept and destroy raiding parties, would be part of the impetus for the the Kwarim, Vrotrim, and Mūnim to unite under one leader in the late 17th century.<ref>{{Cite book |title=All Alike In Dignity: History of the Early Hlenderian Commonwealth |last1=Sennim |first1=Fovas |publisher=Drelith & Co. Publishing |year=1999 |pages=135}}</ref>

From the mid-17th century, chiefs and sages of the Kwari, Vrotri, and Mūni people, exposed to new foreign ideas of nationalism, began to articulate desires for a union or federation of the three peoples to resist further Auroran colonization and improve Hlenderian society. This movement would gain traction among the common people, especially in the north of Hayaneste where foreign interference was most obvious and most resented. A 1687 meeting involving the chiefs of each people, located in the large central city of [[Pelachis]] would eventually be dubbed the [[Unification of the Three Peoples]], though this historiography is today seen as informed by Hlenderian nationalist myth as much as reality.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lorasea |first=Ginari |date=2011 |title=Re-examining Traditional Historiography of the Early Commonwealth Period |journal=Early Modern History |volume=2 |issue=15 |pages=22}}</ref> At this meeting, little was agreed upon beyond a general desire by the attendees to see Hlenderians combine their military forces, secure the northwestern border, and prevent the expansion of Tornaland.

Further meetings in 1689, 1690, and 1692 would eventually lead to the promulgation of Hlenderia's first [[Constitution of Hlenderia|Constitution]]. This founding document would unite the Mūnim, Kwarim, and Vrotrim in one nation named "Hlenderia" and provided for an elective monarchy, based on the models common across the island where chiefs and clan leaders were elected for lifelong terms. Furthermore, this monarch would command the combined military forces of Hlenderia. A legislative branch called the [[Grand Council of Hlenderia|Grand Council]], containing reserved and elected seats apportioned by population, was also established. Detractors accused this new legislature of imitating foreign parliamentarianism, but it survived this early criticism and remains a coequal branch of government to this day.<ref>{{Cite book |title=All Alike In Dignity: History of the Early Hlenderian Commonwealth |last1=Sennim |first1=Fovas |publisher=Drelith & Co. Publishing |year=1999 |pages=201}}</ref>

Hlenderia is a semi-constitutional monarchy, which has been called [[Wikipedia:anocracy|anocratic]] or a hybrid regime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oahi.co.hl/liberal-democracy-index/|title=Liberal Democracy Index|publisher=Organization for the Advancement of Human Ideals|date=November 25, 2023}}</ref> External observers have been divided on the exact nature of the regime, which gives the King substantial political influence but does place some restrictions on his power. An elected legislature, the [[Grand Council of Hlenderia]], chooses the King, who rules for life. In reality, the [[Binational Agreement]] signed between Kwari and Vrotri parties in 1908 has ensured that the monarch has belonged to one of these two ethnic groups since then.

The elective aspect of Hlenderia's monarchy dates to the country's formation and first constitution. Traditionally, bands of each ethnic group of Hlenderia elected their chiefs, who would hold their position until death.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ancient Traditions, Modern World |last1=Hlerdi |first1=Dorris |publisher=Arrow Books |year=1997 |pages=98}}</ref> The first Grand Council opted to continue this system when drafting the country's constitution. Powers reserved to the monarch include a veto power over bills, which the Grand Council can only override with a supermajority, the right to appoint chiefs of the Bureaus that serve as the government bureaucracy, the right to appoint judges and magistrates, and a number of other "emergency powers" that are rarely exercised in the modern era.

The current King, [[Yendrin Kwarrōth]], was elected in 1991. Before his accession, Yendrin was an influential member of the right-wing party [[Traditionalist Kwarim]], but since taking the throne he has moved to the center of the political spectrum and focused on modernizing efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norrithobserver.co.hl/yendrin-modernization-political-shift/|publisher=Norrith Observer|title=Prioritizing modernization, Yendrin reverses political course|date=October 2001}}</ref> His only child, Yendrina Kwarrōth, is a member of the centrist Liberal Party and sits in the Grand Council. Yendrin's wife, Mera Kwarrōth, died in 1986 and he never remarried. Most political observers believe Yendrina is the most likely successor to the throne. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicalwatch.co.hl/659416299/|publisher=Hlenderian Political Watch|title=Yendrina fills in for father at press event; another sign of her future?|date=December 2023}}</ref>

The Grand Council has 187 seats. Of these, 144 are [[Wikipedia:reserved political positions|reserved seats]] divided between the Kwari, Vrotri, and Mūni people according to proportion of population. This arrangement, present since Hlenderia's founding, can cause census years to be times of heightened ethnic tensions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norrithobserver.co.hl/muni-fight-presages-further-violence/|publisher=Norrith Observer|title=After 5 Mūnim Hospitalized, Predictions of Further Census Violence|date=March 2017}}</ref> The census, which occurs every eight years, last occured in 2018 and is scheduled to occur again in 2026.

The remaining 43 seats are open to all candidates, and primarily represent districts in cities along the coast and the largest interior settlements. These seats are often key swing votes in major issues, and constitute an informal "upper house" in the unicameral Council.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mensel |first=Nilera |date=2002 |title=Analysis of Great Council Voting Records by District |journal=Hlenderian Political Science |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=5-9}}</ref>

The Hlenderian government's authority is strongest in the coastal cities and environs, and in the communities situated along [[Highway One (Hlenderia)|Highway One]]. In the country's undeveloped interior, and especially in the far southeast, communities live according to customary religious law with little government interference.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nelvani |first=Deranamat |date=2015 |title=Customary Law in Rural Hlenderia in the 21st Century |journal=Hayanesti Anthropology |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=1-49}}</ref> When the government does intervene in customary disputes, it is usually in cases of high crimes such as murder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sens.co.hl/govt-intervention-semptani-murder/|publisher=Southeastern News Service|title=Government Sends In Gendarmerie After Semptani Murder Leads to Feud Threats|date=November 2003}}</ref>

Human rights in Hlenderia have been the subject of criticism. Of particular interest to foreign observers are the government's treatment of the minority [[Mūnim]] and its treatment of resident aliens. In government, the [[Binational Agreement]] between Vrotri and Kwari parties have resulted in the two Mūni parties being consistently excluded from government and disenfranchised.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mensel |first=Nilera |date=2013 |title=Effects of the Binational Agreement on Political Participation |journal=Hlenderian Political Science |volume=1 |issue=9 |pages=1-13}}</ref> Infrastructure investments in Mūni territory, though having increased over the past 20 years, remain far below what is deemed necessary by foreign economists to promote development.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nylan |first=Joseph |date=2020 |title=Economic Development in Hlenderia Since 1998 |journal=Global Economics |volume=2 |issue=50 |pages=1-33}}</ref> At the time of Hlenderia's founding, the Mūnim were considered the wealthiest and most populous of the island's three ethnic groups. Political observers note that this comparatively recent disenfranchisement has led to the growth of militancy and far-right, reactionary ideologies among the two Mūni parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicalwatch.co.hl/848133655/|publisher=Hlenderian Political Watch|title=Paramilitary Membership Surges Amidst MPF, USMB Recruitment Drive|date=January 2023}}</ref>