The Most Serene Republic of Theremins

Just got cajoled into creating my own country at NationStates, an online game that lets users explore the ramifications of political decisions on economies and social structures within a country whose parameters you establish and modify by making hard-core decisions. NationStates is no Sims knockoff — more of a text-based petri dish you can use to see how your political ideals might play out in the real world, if actually realized.

The Most Serene Republic of Theremins is a tiny, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its absence of drug laws. Its hard-nosed, intelligent population of 7 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt. The government — a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, socially-minded morass — is mainly concerned with Law & Order, although Healthcare and Education are on the agenda. The average income tax rate is 41%, but much higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Cheese Exports.

Game play consists of deciding one issue a day, with brief pro/con arguments there to help you find conviction; my first was whether to enforce compulsory voting on my citizens (lord, no). Looking forward to seeing how this evolves.

Music: Unknown Instructors :: Where You Find It

8 Replies to “The Most Serene Republic of Theremins”

  1. Heh – thanks for the info, neat idea.

    The Grand Duchy of Viccar is a tiny, socially progressive nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 6 million have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

    The small government juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Social Welfare, and Education. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 8%. A robust private sector is led by the Beef-Based Agriculture, Uranium Mining, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales industries.

    Voting is voluntary. Crime is a problem, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Viccar’s national animal is the bernstein bear and its currency is the gil.

    Second question I had to answer, would I bulldoze the rain forest for atom bomb making uranium?

    A precious question since I work for an organization that advocates the elimination of nuclear weapons (and all WMDs).

    The rain forest stayed put, and so did the uranium, for that matter.

    I’m kind of disappointed with my crime rate, voter turnout, and civil liberties.

    We’ll see if we can change that around :)

  2. Gilbert, keep us posted on how things evolve – I’m beginning to find this fascinating, and liking that I rule a country of 7 million in the scope of about 60 seconds a day :)

  3. One week on…


    I’m beginning to find this fascinating, and liking that I rule a country of 7 million in the scope of about 60 seconds a day :)

    Me too, its a great mini-break during my day. Thanks for the link! ;c)

    It has got me thinking a lot about our assumptions on the relations of the three measurements that the game uses: civil rights, political freedoms, and economy. Questions for another time, though!

    The Grand Duchy of Viccar
    “Moxie, the distinctively different original elixir!”

    UN Category: Scandinavian Liberal Paradise

    Civil Rights: Superb
    Economy: Developing
    Political Freedoms: Average

    The Grand Duchy of Viccar is a small, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its burgeoning bernstein bear population. Its compassionate population of 16 million enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

    The medium-sized, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Education, and Religion & Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 20%, but much higher for the wealthy. A robust private sector is led by the Trout Farming, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales industries.

    The tenet of free speech is held dear, marijuana is legal in the privacy of your own home, military funding has been stripped back, and gambling is outlawed. Crime is relatively low. Viccar’s national animal is the bernstein bear, which frolics freely in the nation’s many lush forests, and its currency is the oatmeal cookie.

    Viccar is ranked 5802nd in the region and 104,239th in the world for Highest Police Ratios.

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