Koros (Pacifica)
Democratic States of Koros | |
|---|---|
| Capital | Nikihk |
| Official languages | Austral, Aboriginal Languages, Cordilian Sign Language |
| Demonym(s) | Korosian |
| Government | Federal Social Market Democracy |
• First Speaker | Tahki Odina |
• World Forum Representative | Breixo Ullman |
| Legislature | Federal Congress |
| State Councils | |
| Gathering of Consensus Representatives | |
| Notable Events | |
• Final Austral settlement given autonomy | 1982 |
• Precursor states sign federation agreement | 2003 |
• Legislature enacts measures changing Koros from state socialist to social market | 2022 |
| Area | |
• | 176,290 km2 (68,070 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2022 census | 80500000 |
• Density | 456/km2 (1,181.0/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
• Total | 5000000000000 |
• Per capita | 62000 |
| Currency | Korosian Dollar |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +095 |
| Internet TLD | .kor |
The Democratic States of Koros is a Federation of 4 states and 2 national parks; it resides on the northern side of Akon Bay, and south of Eflad's mountain border. Modern Korosian culture is firmly centered around ecological values, old tribe faiths with new world religious freedom, and a general respect for things. The Korosian Constitution guarantees specific rights, while responsibilities are utilized in the form a 4 year conscription for the able bodied. The Korosian Supreme Court upholds the constitution, while lower courts handle day to day legalities. Universities are typically under the direction of State Councils, though a few are Federal institutions. These universities are mandated to teach Evolution Theory and offer lessons in trade skills, history, linguistics, religion, and other subjects. Children schools are exceptionally similar, but with more of a focus on fundamental knowledge of linguistics, math, science, geography, and history. They are mandated to teach Sexual Education.
Koros has Federal elections every 5 years. The next election is June 12th, 2023. Elections are legally recognized holidays. Voting is done via Instant Runoff Vote, and ballots are required to display a blank option. All candidates must live in the area they are campaigning for. They may legally change their name like other citizens, though ballots display all previous names. Previous elections happened in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018. By precedent national elections happen in the month of June. Expats are allowed to vote, though this is fundamentally difficult due to a lack of embassies. Criminals are not barred from voting.
Korosian justice is rehabilitative focused, criminal sentencing typically including mental health treatments, physical health programs, and access to basic education and training. Inmates are not legally allowed to contribute labor, for any product or service. After serving time, workplaces are not allowed to use a criminal record to bar employment, unless the crime was violent or sexual in nature. A Federal Sexual Assailant Registry exists, as does a Federal Firearm Registry. CCTV is common in public spaces, and police may be legally impeached by a citizen lawsuit for excessive force or sexual misconduct. Qualified Immunity for police officers does not exist. The Death Penalty exists but there has so far been no prosecution to call for it. No Federal Intelligence Agency exists. Police are not allowed to wiretap phones, and there is no legal mandate for data storage devices to include a "backdoor." Companies are not allowed to buy or sell human genetic information; medical information is relegated to healthcare and research services.
The Korosian Federal Health Service covers general wounds and injuries, pre-existing conditions, dentalcare, mental healthcare, gambling addiction, pregnancy and abortion services, and medication. Most recreational chemicals are legal, particularly destructive ones have dedicated rehabilitation facilities. All services are free to citizens who pay federal tax. Foreigners must pay for services, though all fees must be displayed, and price caps exist. The 2022 Operating Expenditures Budget placed healthcare spending at 9.6%. This ballooned to 576 million Korosian Dollars in Q3 but fell to 470 during the Q4 Recession. Korosian industry is highly regulated: lumber industries may not cut old growth or protected woods, must replant chopped forests, and are increasingly finding themselves unprofitable. Fishing remains fairly hands off, though cruise ships are completely banned. Agriculture facilities may not utilize pesticides, are held responsible for soil run off, and genetically modified seeds must be fertile and scientifically documented. Restrictions on the storage, usage, and general handling of heavy chemicals exist. Fracking is banned federally. Gold mining exists, but it makes up a small portion of the economy. Other mining activities are uncommon. Coal mining is banned, and the last electric coal facility was closed in 2005. Koros has few oil reserves; what ones do exist are illegal to utilize due to environmental regulations, or urban dwelling acts. Fewer still that are technically usable are economically sound ventures. Gas reserves do exist, and power approximately 11% of the 2022 Federal Energy Budget. Wind energy represented 36% while Solar energy was 41%. Hydro electricity was comparatively small at 12%; government energy policy has been shifting away from hydro electricity in recent years towards solar, helping explain this phenomenon. The main reason for this is the avoidance of environmental damage preventing new facilities from opening. While this has worked, and helped maintain Korosian jungle marshes, it's also meant a return of flooding cycles to the Greater River Basin Area. The local population has either urbanized in one of the few non floodable cities there, or emigrated to neighboring Korosian states.
Korosian industry is highly regulated: lumber industries may not cut old growth or protected woods, must replant chopped forests, and are increasingly finding themselves unprofitable. Fishing quotas exist to preserve fish stocks, and cruise ships are completely banned. Agriculture facilities may not utilize pesticides, are held responsible for soil run off, and genetically modified seeds must be fertile and scientifically documented. Restrictions on the storage, usage, and general handling of heavy chemicals exist. Fracking is banned federally. Gold mining exists, but it makes up a small portion of the economy. Other mining activities are uncommon. Coal mining is banned, and the last electric coal facility was closed in 2005. Koros has few oil reserves; what ones do exist are illegal to utilize due to environmental regulations, or urban dwelling acts. Fewer still that are technically usable are economically sound ventures. Gas reserves do exist, and power approximately 11% of the 2022 Federal Energy Budget. Wind energy represented 36% while Solar energy was 41%. Hydro electricity was comparatively small at 12%; government energy policy has been shifting away from hydro electricity in recent years towards solar, helping explain this phenomenon. The main reason for this is the avoidance of environmental damage preventing new facilities from opening. While this has worked, and helped maintain Korosian jungle marshes, it's also meant a return of flooding cycles to the Greater River Basin Area. The local population has either urbanized in one of the few non floodable cities there, or emigrated to neighboring Korosian states.
Despite the high regulations the Federal government has made great attempts to accommodate business in other methods. Farmers are provided specific tools, often modern ones made by state factories. Methodology for most fields is readily available in libraries, alongside institutional teachings. Cheese making is subsidized, though the government may not force religious groups to disclose recipes or methods; they must still meet Federal Health Standards. Alcohol brewing is legal, and selling requires a license. Marijuana growing is legal, and selling requires a license. Depending on economic niches present in day to day life, libraries will be instructed to carry different material. (An example of this is an abundance of cookbooks being replaced with a mixture of coding and masonry instruction.) Those who are affected by PMS are eligible for paid vacation days. Parental time off is available for all genders. LGBT affirmative action exists. Sick days are legally mandated, as are bathroom breaks, fire safety planning, and other safety legislation. Food products with specific unhealthy additives are banned, and have general health guidelines for calorie intake, nutrient content, and taxes for the sale of sugary items. Potentially lethal foods (such as pufferfish) are legal, but require a license for the purchasing, preparation, and sale of products. Prostitution and sex work, while legal, saw exceptionally little government investment. Such activities have picked up since the transition to a social market. Regulations on the disclosure of work history exist, as does the right for accommodations.
The Federal Basic Income program began in 2017, following a successful merger of all state and federal welfare programs. It's total spending was 10.2% in the 2022 Operating Expenditures Budget; this allowed the program to allocate $20,000 as the typical salary. The unemployment rate was 22% in Q3 2022 but rose sharply to 48% in Q4 following a period of economic downturn. Many "subsistence" positions - fields with no career movability and with low income ceilings - fell out of use by state companies because of social market practices. Independent companies occasionally make up a larger share of Korosian goods than the Korosian state; examples include fisheries, eggs, baskets, pottery, and marijuana. These employers were able to preform economic activity at a more effective rate, however some individuals were left without jobs. Inheritance tax makes up for a large amount of state revenue.