Drahen, The Imperial Republic of

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The Imperial Republic of Drahem Common Names: Drahen, The Imperial Republic Capital: Telos Demonym: Drah Languages Official/National: Drah Recognized/Regional: Ethnic Groups * Mestran * Drah * Velot * Various Indigenous Groups Government: representative parliamentary constitutional monarchy Head of State: Avtokrator (Emperor) Head of Government: Protasekretis (FIrst Citizen) Legislature: Upper: Gerousia Lower: Legatsia Establishment: National Motto: Unus populus, unum imperatorem, uno imperio (One people, one emperor, one empire) National Anthem(s): Imperii Gloria National Animal(s): Eagle National Color(s): Blue, Gold, and Green National Flower(s): TBD Area Total: 1,972,069.84 km^2 Water (%): Population 1595 Census: 235,658,495 Density: 119.50 people/km^2 GDP (PPP) 1595 Estimate Total: V4,867,522,025,855.40 Per capita: V20,654.98 Currency: Imperial Credit Gini (1595): HDI (1595): Timezone: +6 Date Format: Day Month, Year Drives on the: Left Calling Code: +78 ISO Code: dr Internet TLD: .dr <Links to various detailed posts>

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Armed Forces of the Imperial Republic of Drahen

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Overview

The Drah Armed Forces, also known as the Armed Forces of the Imperial Republic of Drahen, or DAF is the unified military forces of the Imperial Republic of Drahen. The Drah Armed forces can draw it's history from Mestran Colonial Troops that followed the first settlers into the region in 1033 that would become known as Drahen, which later developed into the Royal Drah Colonial Force in 1099 after the Mestrans unified the colony as the Mestran Royal Colony of Drahsia. From there the Colonial Force developed into the Armed Forces of the Imperial Republic post-independence from Mestra in 1311. During the early and mid-1500s the military swelled to over 1 million active duty forces mainly due to the Drah-Indian War. However, by the 1560s reform minded governments had reduced the size of the armed forces to near their current day status.

The DAF is divided into three branches: Imperial Army, Imperial Air Force and Imperial Navy and has the second largest military in Skathia behind Nyland, and the largest in the local region. The budget for the military was $97,350,440,517 compromising 2% of the national GDP in 1595. Total Force composition in 1595 was 482,000 active-duty troops, 161 ships, and 2,000 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.  

The DAF is extremely involved in civic-action programs throughout the nation, with education, health care and and infrastructure development being the focus, especially in the less developed Navajae Jungle region of the nation. Due to the volatility of the nations on the eastern boarder the military regularly conducts operations to intercept rebel groups and drug cartels in the region.

Imperial Army

The Imperial Drahen Army is the land arm of the Imperial Armed Forces and comprises a majority of the Armed Forces and is responsibility for land-based military operations. The Imperial Army has been involved in several major conflicts, the most recent being the Tambossan Civil War. The Imperial Army has an active duty force of some 350,000 active-duty soldiers, and over 500,000 reservists.

The structure of the army has historically had two headquarters: operational, compromised of combat units, and administrative, containing various support functions. The operational component of the army is compromised of 14 armored brigades, 17 mechanized brigades, 9 infantry brigades, and 4 commando brigades, and 5 aviation regiments.

The Imperial Army is the only military force that accepts conscripts, with all other branches being entirely composed of volunteers. As a result, the Imperial Army has a reputation of personnel being of lower quality than the other two branches, with many soldiers serving out their 18 month required service in the administrative component of the army.

Imperial Navy

The Imperial Drahn Navy is the sea arm of the Imperial Armed Forces and is the second largest branch of the Armed Forces with around 60,000 active duty sailors and 12,000 marines. The Imperial Drah Navy is divided into three major components: 1st and 2nd fleet, which contain all blue-water ships of the Drah Navy, and the Coastal-Riverline Force which contains Drahen's green and brown water vessels. The Drah Navy operates 161 ships including 4 aircraft carriers, 1 battleship (kept ceremonially in-service),  4 Cruisers, 18 Destroyers, 18 Frigates, 30 corvettes, 6 amphibious transport docks, 22 submarines, 36 patrol ships, and 22 support ships along with numerous smaller craft in the Costal-Riverline Force.

The IDN also includes the Imperial Drah Marines, which is a quasi-autonomous organization. The Marines are responsible for conducting amphibious operations with the IDN. The Marines are organized into two Brigades under the Marine HQ. The Marines have around 500 tracked vehicles including assault amphibious vehicles, main battle tanks and self-propelled artillery.

Imperial Air Force

The Imperial Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the Drahen Armed Forces and is the third largest branch of the Armed Forces. The IAF has an active strength of 60,000 military personnel and operates some 630 manned aircraft.

The IAF is divided into two main commands: Combatant Air Force, and Air Defense. These two commands consist of: 19 combat squadrons, 1 reconnaissance squadron, 6 training squadron, 1 tanker squadron, and 8 SAM missile squadrons. The IAF operates: multi-role light fighters (245), fighter-bombers (62), reconnaissance aircraft (18), Airborne early warning and control aircraft (4), Electronic Warfare aircraft (4), Aerial refueling aircraft (8), medium (10) and light transport (72) aircraft, training aircraft (128) rotary wing-aircraft (72), and various Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

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Economics of the Imperial Republic of Drahen

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Overview

Drahen is the 2nd largest national economy of Skathia and the world's 5th largest economy according to 1595 estimates. It's GDPpc was $20,654.98 in 1595, putting the nation 90th in the world. Drahen has a mixed economy with abundant natural resources.  

In Drahen the service sector is the largest component of the gross domestic product at 67%, followed by the industrial sector (27.5%) and agriculture (5.5%). With over 110 million people in the labor force, some 10% are occupied in agriculture, 19% in industry, and 71% in the service sector. As of 1595 unemployment stood at 5.3%

After rapid growth in previous decades, the Drahen economy entered a sharp recession after the attempted coup by former Prime Minister Gallus Statius and has only started to recover. Under the new government of Prime Minister Justinian Diogenus the government has put major efforts into fiscal sustainability, as well as measures taken to liberalize and open the economy after the nationalization of many major industries.

Agriculture and food production

Agriculture in Drahen has historically be one of the principal bases of Drahen's economy. Main agricultural products include: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus and beef. Drahen has a robust agribusiness sector with with growth of 9.1%, principally motivated by favorable weather. The production of grains in the year reached an unprecedented 145,400,000 tons.That record output employed an additional 4.8% in planted area, with a total of 65,338,000 hectares and producing $148 billion credits, with principal products being corn and soy. The island of Drah has higher rainfall, more fertile soil, more advanced technology and input use, adequate infrastructure and more experienced farmers. This region produces most of Drahen's grains, oilseeds (and exports). The Navajae jungle, which compromises the eastern part of Drahen lacks well-distributed rainfall, good soil, adequate infrastructure and development capital. Although mostly occupied by subsistence farmers, the region is becoming increasingly important as exporters of forest products, cocoa and tropical fruits.

Industry/Service

Drahen has the 2nd largest manufacturing sector in the Skathian continent, accounting for 27.5% of GDP and 19 % of the labor force. Some major industries include: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, and other machinery and equipment. In the last 80 years, with increased economic stability after the Drah-Indian War, Drah and multinational businesses have invested heavily in new equipment and technology.

Drahen has extensive mineral resources. Large iron and manganese reserves are important sources of industrial raw materials and export earnings. Deposits of nickel, tin, chromite, uranium, bauxite, beryllium, copper, lead, tungsten, zinc, gold, and other minerals are exploited.

Drahen also has a diverse and sophisticated service industry as well. The banking and financial sector counts for around 10% of the GDP and provides a wide range of products to the region and attracting numerous new entrants, including Brigandian financial firms.  

Energy

The Drah government for the last 30 years has undertaken a major program to reduce dependence on imported petroleum, with imports accounting for more than 70% of the country's oil needs in 1550. However, with increased tapping of oil reserves and shifts to renewable energy, the government expects Drahen to be self-sufficient in oil by 1600. Brazil is one of the world's leading produces of hydroelectric power due to the extensive number of rivers in the country, and it provides some 80% of the nation's electricity. In addition, the government is expected to expand the number of nuclear reactors in the country to 20 by 1610.

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History of the Imperial Republic of Drahen

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Overview

The history of Drahen starts with indigenous people in Drahen. Brigandians arrived in the mid-9th country, with the first colony established in the early 10th centry under the sponsorship of the Mestran Imperium. From the 10th century to the 13th century Drahen was a colony and a part of the Mestran Imperium. The country expanded west from the Isle of Drah into the Navajae Jungle, with the country's borders only finalized in the mid 14th century. In 1304, the colony declared it's independence from Mestra and became the Imperial Republic of Drahen.

Pre-Colonial Drahen

Prehistoric Period
One of the first evidences of human activity was pottery excavated in the Navajae Jungle near the city of Aldlyn, which was carbon dated to 1000 BCE. Several Prehistoric Drah societies, especially near the coast, were mainly based on agriculture, using techniques such as irrigation and terracing; animal husbandry and fishing were also important. Organization relied on reciprocity and redistribution because these societies had no notion of market or money. Development of a complex mythological and religious complex, a numeric system and social stratification, followed by cultural and economic centers. However a majority of societies, especially deep in the Navajae jungle were semi-nomadic who subsisted on hunting, fishing, gathering, and migrant agriculture.

Pre-Classic Period
Several complex societies developed during the Pre-Classical Period, both along the coast of the Navajae Jungle and on what is now known as the Isle of Drahn. They have been generally divided into 4 main socities: Wayra, Kisecawchuck, Aputsiaq, and Kermode, each of which flourished at different times. THe Aputsiaq originated as a coalition of tribes in the Navajae jungle and flourished from around 700-300 BCE. The reasons of the dissolution of the Aputsiaq coalition is not well known, but cultural traits diffused into other throughout the Navajae Jungle and this formative period saw the spread of the Aputsiaq religious and symbolic traditions, as well as artistic and architectural complexes.

Several societies rose to importance after 300 BCE, including the Wayra, Kisecawchuck, and Kermode. The Wayra were renowned for their agricultural system which fertilized the Navajae jungle, their sophisticated ceramic pottery, their lofty buildings, and clever metalwork. The Wayra were the great city builders of pre-Mestran civilization; as loose confederation of cities scattered along the coast of the Strait of Drah. The Kisecawchuck, on the Isle of Drahn developed large urban settlements and wide-ranging state systems.

Classic Period
The Classical Period is defined by the rise of the Ukaleq, and Cuauhtémoc, in the Navajae Jungle and the Isle of Drahn respectively, from 500 CE until the establishment of a the Royal Mestran colony of Drahasia. Previously the Ukaleq represented one of the small and relatively minor ethnic groups, though starting around 500 CE, they started to expand and incorporate their neighbors. Ukaleq expansion was slow until 550 CE, when the pace of conquest began to accelerate. Within the next 50 years the Ukaleq came to control most of the Navajae Jungle region, with a population of 9 to 16 million inhabitants under their rule. The Ukaleq also promulgated a comprehensive code of laws to govern the far-flung empire along with creating a religion of King worship. Over the next 100 years , the Ukaleq used a variety of methods, from conquest to peaceful assimilation, to incorporate a large portion of the Wayra.

The Cuauhtémoc reached their zenith of power in 900 CE, with their political and economic influence extending throughout most of the Isle of Drahn. Their capital, Telountichian, had a population estimated at over 150,000 and stretched over some 5 square kilometers. The Cuauhtémoc Empire was considered a an informal or hegemonic empire because it did not exert supreme authority over the conquered lands; it merely expected tributes to be paid. It was also a discontinuous empire because not all dominated territories were connected The hegemonic nature of the Cuauhtémoc empire can be seen in the fact that generally local rulers were restored to their positions once their city-state was conquered and the Cuauhtémoc rulers did not interfere in local affairs, as long as the tribute payments were made.

Colonial Drahen

Initial Colonization
The coast of North East Skathia, which now makes the Imperial Republic was discovered by Brigandian powers in 964 CE by the Lanlanian Röllö Rïdbrid. Several expeditions were sent by various countries after the discovery, though no major efforts at colonization or exploration were taken until the Mestran Expedition of 1011, which established contact with the Cuauhtémoc and the Ukaleq in 1017. The first colonization attempt by the Mestrans occurred in 1033, near blank, but the colony ultimately failed and not further attempts were made at colonization until 1056, creating the town of Wildefield. Over the next 50 years, several dozen colonies were established, however decentralized and unorganized tendencies of the colonies proved problematic, and in 1099, the Emperor of Mestra restructured them into the Mestran Royal Colony of Drahsia, a single and centralized Mestran colony in Skathia, ruled by the brother of the Emperor, Justinian Valerii.

Period of Conquest
For the first century of colonization, the indigenous and Brigidian groups lived in a near constant war, establishing opportunistic alliances in order to gain advantages against each other. However by 1127, the Mestrans had destroyed the Cuauhtémoc Empire and had the Ukaleq kingdom contained to a few last holdouts on the Isle of Drah, the last of which fell in 1130.

Colonial Expansion
The Mestran colonization after the first few years mainly focused on the existing native cities since these areas could provide the settlers with a disciplined labor force. Mestran expeditions known as gradually advanced the colonial original frontiers in Skathia to approximately the current Drah borders. In this era other Brigandian powers tried to colonize parts of Drahsia, in incursions that the Mestra had to fight.

Colonial law with Mestran roots but original native features were introduced, creating a hierarchy between local jurisdiction and the Crown's, whereby upper administrative offices were closed to the natives, even those of pure Mestran blood. Administration was based on the racial separation of the population among Mestrans, natives, and those of mixed blood, autonomous and directly dependent on the king himself

From an economic point of view, the colony of Drahasia was administered principally for the benefit of the Empire and its military and defensive efforts. Competition with the Mestran Imperium was discouraged. In order to protect the colony from the attacks of Brigandian pirates, as well as the Crown's revenue, only a few ports were open to other Brigandan powers.

Education was encouraged by the Crown from the very beginning, and Drahen boasts the first primary school, first university and the first printing house in Skathia. Indigenous languages were studied during the first centuries, and became official languages in the so-called "Colony of Indians", only to be outlawed and ignored after independence until the early 1500s.

The colonial administration in Drahen had two objectives that would ensure colonial order, and the monopoly of its wealthiest and largest colony: both keep under control and eradicate all forms of rebellion and resistance, as well as repress all movements for autonomy or independence.

Independence
In the late 1200s, while many Mestran Colonies were swept by wars of independence, Drahen remained a royalist stronghold. As the elite vacillated between emancipation and loyalty to the Mestran Monarchy. During the late 1200s, the colony had obtained political and economic automony, due the size and economic strength of the colony. Due to fears of revolution in Drahasia, flamed by revolutions in various other colonies, the Mestran crown issued the Imperial Proclamation of 1304, which threatened to undermine the political and economic autonomy that the colony had been able to obtain.

Drah leaders convened with the leader of the Royal Mestran Colony of Drahasia, Arch-Duke Velor of Drahsia, Prince of the Mestran Imperium, convinced Velor to declare Drah independence from the Mestran Imperium on (date). Prince Velor was proclaimed as Autokrator of Drahen, first Emperor of the newly created Imperial Republic of Drahen, a constitutional monarchy.

The declaration of independence was opposed throughout Drahen by armed military units loyal to Mestra. The ensuing war of independence was fought across the country for the better part of a decade, with battles in the northern, northeastern, and southern regions. The turning point in the conflict occurred when the entire 5th Fleet, homeported in Drahen declared loyalty to the Imperial Republic, as a result, many Mestran forces were eventually cut off from supplies, and the last Mestran Stronghold something was defeated in early 1311.

The Imperial Republic of Drah was recognized by Mestra in late 1311 by Empress Isabella, by a royal decree releasing the colony from the Mestran Imperium.

Imperial Republic

Early Years
The years following the independence of the Imperial Republic proved to be somewhat tumultuous, the new Empire contained several factions in the Imperial government alone and several secessionist rebellions occurred, especially in the Navajae Jungle region, and much of Emperor Velor's reign was comprised of resolving internal conflicts and rebellions that threatened the newly-formed country, either by diplomacy or military might. By Velor's death in 1343 he had been able to consolidate Imperial power and it was not until almost 200 years later, during the Drah-Indian War that Drahen became embroiled in any major internal conflicts.

Growth of the New Nation
Emperor Augustinus was crowned Autokrator of the Imperial Republic of Drahen in 1343, after the death of his father, Velor Valerii. He inherited from his father a state that was politically stable, though economically weakened, after nearly two decades of instability. Augustinus had to navigate two major crisis that helped to develop Drahen's prestige and economic power that would set it's course as a regional power in Skathia.

Emperor Augustinus saw himself as an enlightened leader and pushed progressive initiatives in technology and institutions. The creation of Crown companies allowed Augustinus to develop the telegraph and railroad industries throughout the country despite having several weak Prime Ministers and set the precedent of the Emperor as a neutral figure — one who could stand above political factions and petty interests to address discontent and moderate disputes. Internationally, Brigandian's came to see the country as embodying familiar liberal ideals, such as freedom of the press and constitutional respect for civil liberties. Its representative parliamentary monarchy also stood in stark contrast to the mix of dictatorships and instability endemic in the other nations of Skathia during this period.

By the start of Emperor Aemilius's reign in 1385, Drahen enjoyed internal stability and relative economic prosperity. The nation's infrastructure was being developed at a rapid pace, with progress in the construction of railroads, the electric telegraph and steamship lines further uniting Drahen into a cohesive national entity. The Drahen economy grew rapidly due to railroad, shipping and other modernization projects and high rates of immigration. The Empire became known internationally as a modern and progressive nation, second only to the Nyland; it was a politically stable economy with a good investment

Westward Development
COMING SOON

Drah-Indian War
COMING SOON

Contemporary History

COMING SOON

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Government and Politics of the Imperial Republic of Drahen

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Overview

The government of Drahen is a constitution monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance and is the second largest monarchy behind Ishnalla.

Branches of Government

Moderating Branch
The Avtokrator (Emperor); is the head of the moderating branch and is aided by the Council of State; the constitution declares the person of the Emperor as inviolable and sacred and is not subject to any responsibility. He is tasked with ensuring national independence and stability of the Imperial Republic and has the power to summon the General Assembly in the intervals between sessions; extend or postpone the voting General Assembly; freely appointing and firing ministers of state; pardoning and modifying judicial sentences and granting amnesty. Outside of these responsibilities however, the Constitution gives the Emperor very few avenues for imposing his will upon the General Assembly. The Emperor has two main recourses, the right to dissolve or extend legislative sessions and his power as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of Drahen. In the Senate, an emperor's authority to appoint life senators does not necessarily give him added influence since life senators hold their offices for life and thus are freed from government pressure once confirmed. In the case that the legislature is dissolved, new elections are required to be held immediately and the new Chamber seated within 6 months.

Executive Branch
The Prime Minister is the head of the executive branch, aided by the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister is charged with implementing the laws of the legislature and acting as a bridge between the General Assembly and the Emperor. The Prime Minister alone has the power to interpret laws and can veto any said bill, though said veto can be overturned by a 75% vote in both legislative houses. He or she has complete control over the offices of the executive, and is selected by the Emperor from a list of five candidates prepared by the legislature and holds the position for a twelve year term.

Legislative Branch
The General Assembly of The Imperial Republic of Drahen is composed of 324 delegates, split into two chambers, the Senate, with 54 senators and the Chamber of Deputies, compromised of 270 general deputies. The prerogatives and authority granted to the legislature by the constitution means that the legislature plays a major and indispensable role in the functioning of the government. Only the General Assembly can enact, create, interpret and suspend laws.

The legislature also holds the power of the purse and is required to annually authorize expenditures and taxes. In addition the General Assembly also sets the size of military forces and can create and dissolve government organizations. The constitution requires that the General Assembly, or a subset of it be consulted about declarations of war, treaties and the conduct of international relations. This means that the legislature can block or limit government decisions, influence appointments and force reconsideration of policy.

Deputies are elected by majority vote from their District for 3 year terms, while Senators are elected by their respective Provincial Assembly for six year terms. Life Senators, of which there are 12, are chosen by the Emperor and hold their positions until they either retire or die.

Judiciary Branch
Drahen has a unitary three-tier independent judiciary that comprises the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of Drahen, 24 High Courts, and a large number of trial courts. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases involving fundamental rights and over disputes between states and the centre; it has appellate jurisdiction over the High Courts. It has the power both to declare the law and to strike down union or state laws which contravene the constitution. The Supreme Court is also the ultimate interpreter of the constitution.

Foreign Policy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for managing the foreign relations of Drahen. Drahen is a significant political and economic power in East Skathia and a key player on the world stage. Drahen's foreign policy reflects its role as a regional power and a potential world power and is designed to help protect the country's national interests, national security, ideological goals, and economic prosperity.

With the rise of Protasekretis Gallus Statius, in 1560 to the office of the Prime Minister, Drahen's foreign policy has aimed to strengthen ties with other countries throughout Skathia and several nationalist and pan-nationalist countries abroad, while continuing to maintain relationships with great powers and act as a countervailing force to Brigandian political and economic influence in Skathia. After Gallus Statius was removed as Prime Minister, the Drahen has attempted to renormalize relations with the rest of Siora and continued to develop it's relationship with the Menstran Imperium.

Administrative Divisions

Provincial Government
A Provincial Assembly is composed of 24, 36 or 48 elected deputies, the number depending on the size of the province's population. The election of provincial deputies followed the same procedure as used to elect deputies to the national Chamber of Deputies. The responsibilities of the Provincial Assembly include: defining provincial and municipal budgets and levying the taxes necessary to support them; providing primary and secondary schools (higher education is the responsibility of the national government); oversight and control of provincial expenditures; and providing for law enforcement and maintenance of police forces at the provincial level. The Assemblies also control the creation, abolishment and salaries for positions within provincial civil services. The nomination, suspension and dismissal of civil servants is reserved for the Praetor (governor) of the province, but how and under what circumstances the governor can exercise these prerogatives is delineated by the Provincial Assembly. The expropriation of private property (with due monetary compensation) for provincial or municipal interests is also a right of the Assembly. In effect, the Provincial Assembly can enact any kind of law—with no ratification by the legislature—so long as such local laws do not violate or encroach upon the Constitution or national laws. However, provinces are not permitted to legislate in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure laws, civil rights and obligations, the armed forces, the national budget or matters concerning national interests, such as foreign relations. The provincial Praetors are appointed by the Emperor and confirmed by the Senate and are, in theory, charged with governing the province. In practice, however, their power is somewhat intangible, varying from province to province based upon each Praetor's relative degree of personal influence and personal character. Since the national government wanted to ensure their loyalty, Praetor are, in most cases, sent to a province in which they have no political, familial or other ties. In order to prevent them from developing any strong local interests or support, Praetor usually are limited to terms of only a few years in office. As the praetor usually spends a great deal of time away from the province, often traveling to their native province or the imperial capital. As a result, in many provinces the de facto governor is the Kephale, who was chosen by the Provincial Assembly and is usually a local politician. With little power to undermine provincial autonomy, the Praetor is an agent of the central government with little function beyond conveying its interests to the provincial politicians.