Licentia
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| Independence, Justice, Peace, Unity | ||
| Long Live The King (Licentia) Hymn to Bzan (Bzan) | ||
| Official language | English, Traditional Licentian | |
| Capital | Licentia City | |
| Date founded | October 27th 2007 (official) | |
| Number of citizens | TBA, est. 20 | |
| Number of active citizens | est. 6-10 | |
| Currency | Bzan Pound Sterling (B£), Licentian Credit (LC | |
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy | |
| Current leader | HRM King Colum II (as Monarch), The R.H. Robert Lethler (as Prime Minister) | |
| National animal | Licentian Grey Wolf | |
| National fruit/food | None | |
| National drink | None | |
| National Sport | None | |
The Kingdom Licentia and Bzan, officially known as the United Royal Kingdom of Licentia and Bzan and Her Commonwealth and commonly referred to simply as Licentia and Bzan or as Licentia, was a north-atlantic European micronational State that claimed it's right to national, political, social, economic and cultural - if not territorial - autonomy. In actuality, the United Royal Kingdom was the third micronation to use the name Licentia and the seventh with Licentian origins (the others being the Kingdom of Licentia, the Principality of Payon, the Principality of Kalin, the Principality of Skia, the Democratic People's Republic of Bzan and the Socialist Republic of Licentia). It ceased to exist on October 28th 2008, following internal political struggles. As such, maintenance of this article was ceased.
Contents |
History
Early History
The concept of Licentia was a micronation was first concieved in early 2007 by Peter Gaffney as a cultural development project within a micronational setting, with the intention of creating a micronational ethnicity with a genuine, rich and unique culture. In september he approached the now-King Colum II with the idea, seeking to establish a constitutional monarchy in which Colum would reign as King and Gaffney as Prime Minister, allowing him freedom to carry out his project and the social experiment it entailed. On October 27th 2007, the Royal Constitution was signed and the Kingdom of Licentia was created.
Kingdom of Licentia
All though Gaffney had intended to become Prime Minister, a difficulty in finding citizens who wanted to participate in government rather than the Nobility sparked the new King to rescind the Constitution and establish Gaffney as High Lord Advisor to the Crown instead. All though this was the most important role at Court in what is now known as Fuedal Licentian society, it effectively removed Gaffney's power to conduct his cultural experiment and promote the development of a rich micronational culture. In early 2008 he began to express discontent to another Licentian, Geraint Rennie, with the way the Kingdom was being run. In addition to their lack of power the two men were frustrated by the 'bourgeious' way in which the nation was run.
In March 2008 the two began to make plans for a possible revolution in Licentia that would depose the King and create a Licentian Republic, founded on the principles of Democratic Socialism. These plans did not come to fruition however due to popular support for the Crown at the time. So, in early April, Gaffney and Rennie made preperations to lead a revolution in Licentia that would instead seek to create an independent Republican State that would break away from the Kingdom by announcing a declaration of independance. On April 28th this revolution, known as the Bzanite Uprising, occurred and the following day Gaffney signed the Bzanite Declaration of Independance, formally establishing the Democratic People's Republic of Bzan.
Licentia and Bzan
At the time of Bzan's declaration of independance, King Colum was on a State visit to the Kingdom of Uantir and unable to directly respond to the issue. This sparked an event termed by the Principality of Cakeland as the Bzan War of Independance(actually called The Licentian War in Cakeland), though no armed conflict ever took place. Bzan's new leadership immediately set about finding allies should Licentia have sought to challenge their claim to national autonomy and dissolve them back into the Kingdom. The members of the Licentian government acting in the King's stead made no move to recognise, nor condemn, the Bzanite struggle for independence directly.
On May 10th, King Colum finally met with Gaffney to discuss the future of the Bzanite and Licentian states. The two nations came to an agreement on May 12th of mutual recognition and cooperation, all though the terms of this agreement were later altered to be less oppressive for the Bzanites. The formal treaty was signed on May 18th following the conclusion of all business between the two leaders. At the time however, Bzan was plagued by internal political strife and a breakdown of communication resulted in Gaffney being mistakenly informed that Geraint Rennie was seeking to seize power and rejoin with Licentia in exchange for a position of power in the Licentian government.
On May 26th, believing that the troubles in Bzan had run too deeply to deal with, Gaffney announced the dissolution of the State and restored the land to Licentian rule. This news came as the Licentian populus made the decision by a direct democratic vote to transition from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy. King Colum invited Peter Gaffney back to Licentie to lead the democratic reform that would need to take place. He accepted and was restored to his former status as High Lord Advisor.
Despite initially accepting the offer, Gaffney resigned just a few days after establishing the new democratic system. He claimed that Licentia had fallen too far from his original ideals and that he had no place in the new Licentian State. In recognition for his efforts and contributions, Gaffney was recognised as the Father of the Nation and as the Architect of Licentian Democracy.
June Revolution
The departure of Gaffney in late May sparked an outcry from the remaining Socialist elements, especially from the Bzanites now within Licentia. Their leader, a Licentian woman named Michelle Yui, created an underground movement known as the Movement for Socialist Reform with the goal of overthrowing the King and establishing a Socialist Republic in keeping with Gaffney's ideals. On June 1st 2008 Michelle Yui lead an open revolution against the Crown and on June 4th the Socialists succeeded in seizing power from the hands of the Monarchy. Later that same day, they declared the dissolution of the Kingdom of Licentia and the establishment of the Socialist Republic of Licentia.
Licentian Civil War
The June Revolution sparked civil war in Licentia with Royalists striving to re-establish the Kingdom. The Socialist Republic's leadership immediately set about extensively reforming society and the State, backed by a number of foreign powers who had previously supported Bzan's struggle for independance. Gaffney and Rennie both openly endorsed, all though provided no assistance, for the Revolution. Despite his support however Gaffney knew that the two States could not hope to survive together effectively. Diplomatic talks were held between the two parties with Gaffney as a mediator and, eventually, the Licentian Agreement was signed.
Decline and Revival
Despite the agreement that granted both States autonomy, neither the Kingdom nor the Socialist Republic could survive the rift that had formed. The Socialist Republic quickly collapsed and the Kingdom followed soon after, all though a short-lived attempt was made by the Queen Deanna to re-establish the Kingdom under a new name. All though Licentia was left untouched for a long time, in early October of 2008 - the month of the Kingdom's one year anniversary - the Bzanite and Licentian leaders met again to discuss the establishment of a new State in keeping with Gaffney's ideas.
On October 20th, the United Royal Kingdom of Licentia and Bzan and Her Commonwealth was established from the ashes of both Licentian States and Bzan. To this day, the United Royal Kingdom remains active and it's leaders have reached an effective power-sharing agreement to prevent future splits.
Politics and Government
The modern Licentian State has hallmarks of both Socialist and Royalist Licentian society. The ruling political party, the People's Party of Licentia, remains committed to Evolutionary Micronational Communism and to Democratic Socialism, even though it tolerates the existance of the Monarchy and the Nobility. The Crown has lost much of it's power and the King is a considerably weaker political figure than he was in the original Kingdom, with all legislative and executive power vested in His Majesty's Government. Despite this, Administrative power remains in the hands of the Nobility and the Crown, effectively making the civilian government policy creators and the Nobility policy enforcers.
The Crown
The Monarch, currently King Colum II, is the Head of State of Licentia and the official de jure leader of the nation. He holds none of his former legislative or executive powers. Instead, the King is charged with appointing a political Party to government by selecting the Prime Minister of his choice (or, if he so wishes it, the People's choice via universal suffrage). All executive power is vested in the National Executive Commission (the Government) and through it the Prime Minister. In addition to his role in appointing the Prime Minister, the King is charged with the administration of the country. He has the power to create new regions (or constituent countries), appoint their governors and create members of the Nobility.
Nobility
For an in-depth discussion of the Nobility as a cultural and social icon, see Culture of Licentia
The Nobility are citizens who are not members of the civilian government and who have been granted titles and land by the Crown. They serve as governors and administrative chiefs for the land they are given, charged with implementing national laws and policies in their regions. The exception to this rule are Princes and Princesses, who can only govern Principalities which are semi-autonomous States in their own right.
National Executive Commission
The National Executive Commission, or NEC, is the name given to the ruling government and the Prime Minister's cabinet. Members of the NEC are syled as Royal Ministers or Royal Officers and are given control over Royal Ministries, Royal Offices or National Commissions. The four most prominent members of the NEC hold the Four Great Offices of State: Prime Minister, Royal Minister for Internal Affairs, Royal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Royal Officer for Citizenship and Immigration. Royal Ministers have the power to forcefully implement policies that related directly to issues effecting their Ministry.
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the Head of Government and de facto leader of the nation. Most executive power is vested in him and he has the power to implement national policies in the same way a Royal Minister can. The Prime Minister serves a term of six months and must be reappointed by the Monarch every six months, all though they cannot be dismissed while in office. The current Prime Minister is Robert Lethler who's term expires on April 22nd 2009.
Royal Parliament
His Majesty's Most Royal House of Parliament, commonly known simply as the Royal Parliament, is the sole legislative body of the nation. It is charged with creating and passing or rejecting new legislature. The Royal Parliament is bound to the principles of Direct Democracy. Any Citizen who belongs to a registered political Party may ask the King for permission to stand as a Member of Parliament, with all the rights that role entails.
Foreign Policy
When the United Royal Kingdom was established, all exisitng diplomatic agreements were considered to be null and void by the Crown and the Royal Parliament. Currently, Licentia has an open foreign policy and welcomes diplomatic contact with any and all micronations. The sole exception to this policy is the Kingdom of Uantir, which the government of Robert Lethler has forbidden any official diplomatic contact with. Foreign affairs with Uantir have been a source of controversy - Lethler's government has made it's stance clear, whilst the Crown desires the restoration of Licentia's good relations with the other nation. Recently, he Lethler administration has announced it's intention to "alter foreign policy with regards to Uantir" and "permit limited contact through the Crown in an effort to further bilateral relations within acceptable parameters".
Royal Commonwealth of Licentian Territories and Peoples
Main Article: Commonwealth of Licentia
The Royal Commonwealth of Licentian Territories and Peoples is an international organisation that makes up a crucial part of Licentian politics. Whenever the King creates a Citizen as Prince or Princess, they may be given a portion of Licentian territory to rule known as a Principality. Principalities are recognised by law as semi-autonomous micronations that answer to the Crown and to the Royal Parliament, yet have above-average power in terms of self-governance when compared to other regions. Principalities are part of the Royal Commonwealth, which is headed by the King. Similarly, other States who desire vassalage or who are created for some purpose by the Crown become Commonwealth members.
Culture
See Culture of Licentia.
