We have this class group project

So in my Government class, our professor put us in groups of 6 and gave us each some parameters for a country that we had to create. Although this isn't included in the assignment, I spent some time yesterday drawing up a map of our country, Vessa:

The state names are derived from the Greek Gods of Olympus, and the state capitols are derived from the phonetic translation of 'North', 'South', 'East', 'West', 'Center', 'New World', and 'Forgotten' in Greek.

I am currently in the process of listing the states alongside their areas and populations. Tomorrow, out group is gonna meet at the library where we'll draft out constitution and turn it in along with all this stuff.

This has to be the most fun I've had in a group project ever.

I remember doing something like this in one of my classes. Most people came up with constitutions that were like something you'd see out of North Korea. Wonder what that said about us.

I love these projects.

Scarf;bt92146 said:

I remember doing something like this in one of my classes. Most people came up with constitutions that were like something you'd see out of North Korea. Wonder what that said about us.

Click to expand...

Heh, I can imagine how the professor must have felt about that.

BlahISuck;bt92147 said:

I love these projects.

Click to expand...

This, basically.

So... do you have any ideas for a constitution? The history of Vessa? It seems to be a smaller country, surrounded by many neighbours.

ONE OF OUR PARAMETERS IS THAT OUR POPULATION IS 1 BILLION

It's like, impossible ;;

And the map is on a fictional continent, the country is 1.5 times the size of the US. [sigh]

save me

How is your country gonna support 1 billion people?

That's exactly what we're wondering at the moment. We'll figure something out, providing for them is hard, but the real challenge is building a force of government that can both represent everyone in the most democratic way possible, as well as keep everyone satisfied and in-line.

Another problem with this size of country is the manner of cooperation and interstate commerce.

Alright here's what we have so far:

Each state will, of course, have its own police system and what we're calling 'State Rangers'. The rangers are the investigative branch of law enforcement, separate to each state, and are kinda similar to the FBI. The rangers from each state will cooperate in a manner of inter-agency cooperation. Judicial systems are separate to accommodate the separate constitutions and laws set by each state.

Any crime that crosses state borders will be handled by the supreme court. Each state is ruled by a plural executive that includes a Governor of a 3 year term. Terms are rotational within the states, so 2 terms end every three years. Demetra's Governor terms end after the other 6 states.

Each state will have a document listing its own statutory laws, with a national constitution covering the major constitutional laws.

The Governors are elected by the people of each state, same as the judges and police chiefs. The Governors together form a sort of council that together rules the country in order to preserve balance and equality between all the states in rights, resources, and representation.

The nation as a whole has a unique form of a mixed government, due to the massive population. The Governors, as mentioned, will rule together, aided by a supreme court and a national congress that will handle external affairs.

Seeing as how Demetra is the only state overlooking the ocean, all forms of overseas trade and naval military will be focused on its shores.

Remaining responsibilities are divided upon the remaining 6 states based on their natural resources and geography. This is why interstate commerce plays a huge role in the well-being of the nation as a whole.

I know its all pretty weird, but come on, we have 1 billion people. Come on...

Oh and national congress is also chosen by the people, 7 from each state forming a total of 49.

Holy crap, 1 billion people but 7 subnational divisions? Could be a case of federalism - but how do you make a federation of 7 large powers? It sounds like it would have broken up a long time ago - each division would have a population of hundreds of millions and would probably be self-sufficient. If there's relatively little shoreline, it could be an incredibly self-sufficient country that can shelter itself from international trade.

And if Vessa is 1.5 times the size of the US, that continent must be huuuge. Like hemispherical.

I know. Problem is, we were only given 4 days to do all of this.
And the population & area were forced upon us in the parameters of our assignment. The only way we thought of that could fix that was dependability. We're trying to build the country around the concept of cooperation while kinda dividing responsibilities among them.

Interstate commerce is crucial here. None of the states will be able to go on its own.

Is that so? But the population and geography seems to speak otherwise. There'll be plenty of natural resources over that huge territory, as well as huge markets to consume domestic and foreign products and investments. Were you given parameters for the country's development? Like GDP per capita and inequality?

This is true, but we only have 2 more hours tomorrow morning, so I think whatever we come up with will have to do. No one should be asked to create a country in 4 days. :(

You should have a coup d'etat over tomorrow's proceedings. North Korea-esque totalitarian state that builds your statues everywhere. Nao.

No thanks I wanna pass this project. :p