Torrike

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Republic of Torrike
Flag
Capital	Tyr
Largest city	Tyr (2,198,044)
Official languages	Torrikan Numerous Regional (Arnish, Framish) English
Ethnic groups	Torrikan: 91% Arns: 5.7% Framlanders: 3.2% Other 0.1%
Religion	62% Protestant 37.2% Unaffiliated .8% Wiccan
Demonym	Torrikan
Government	Democracy
• President	Lars Peersson
• Prime Minister	Olof Oloffson
Population
• Estimate	7.5 Million
• Density	57/sq mi (22.0/km2) (191)
GDP	Current estimate
• Total	$317.6B
Time zone	Central European Time (CET)(UCT+1)

Torrike represents the heartland and remnant core of a once considerably larger and more powerful political entity, the Skolkan Empire. In the first decades of the 20th century, the Empire slowly disintegrated as elements declared independence. This process was exacerbated by the First World War. Although neutral, the Empire did not escape the effects of the conflict and from 1917 was embroiled in a civil war. The independent countries of Arnland in the south and Otsobothnia in the east were recognized and the Empire was formally declared dissolved in 1920. Subsequently the independent countries of Bothnia and Otso were created from Otsobothnia.

Political

Main article: Political: Torrike

Torrike’s formal political system is democratic, based on universal suffrage, with both the Head of State (President) and the governing body, Parliament, being subject to periodic election. Parliament is dominated by the Torrike Unity Party (TUP) which has been Torrike’s ruling political party since 1967, either alone, or in coalition with the Torrikan Nationalist Party (TNP).

Torrike’s foreign policy is based firmly on the overriding principle that Torrike is the natural regional leader and this needs to be acknowledged by outsiders at the same time as persuading the regional nations to align themselves under Torrike’s benevolent guidance.

Frictions are high between Torrike and Bothnia due to the Bothnian claim of sovereignty over the island of Gotland, despite it being in Torrikan waters. This is further exacerbated by the improving relationship between Bothnia and Donovia, putting not only their concept of resurrecting a Torrike-led empire in jeopardy, but also strengthening Bothnia's position within the region.

Military

Main article: Military: Torrike

The Torrikan forces are modern, structurally sound and well equipped. In theory a largely conscript force, in reality, national Service is used to identify suitable candidates for long term service and the reserves. All adults are subject to conscription from the age of 17 and must complete a 16 week induction period, which both provides basic military training and an assessment period in which potential future leaders are identified. The armed forces have always had a highly intellectual approach to warfare, seeking to maximize the effectiveness of their forces through a vigorous analysis of strategy and tactics. The Defense Academy (War Academy until 1990) trains the brightest and best for future command. There is considerable emphasis on professional development throughout the training structure and a great deal of attention is given to encouraging all ranks to use their initiative to the greatest extent possible. Torrike’s declared model is the Israeli Defense Forces, which are admired for their operational effectiveness. To balance that, the Torrikan armed forces have little actual operational experience and have only exercised with Framland and to a lesser extent, Arnland. Otsonian observers monitoring Torrikan exercises have found them to be somewhat rigid in outlook.

In total the Torrikan military is comprised of an Air Force of 32,000, an Army of 83,000 and a Navy of 28,000; however full-time, (non-conscript/reserve personnel) make up, on average, about 20% of the total force.

Economic

Main article: Economic: Torrike

Torrike benefits from a highly successful, largely free market economy. The driving factor behind this success is a combination of the essentially entrepreneurial spirit of the Torrikan mentality with an aggressive approach to exports. Unusually for an authoritarian state, the political establishment does not interfere excessively in Industrial policy. The government allows industry more or less free rein within an overall policy of encouraging and supporting industries that are potentially very profitable, ideally high technology and with considerable export potential. There is a sound appreciation of the fact that the internal market is not large enough to support its ambitions and that a light touch is more effective than a restrictive one and privately owned firms account for 90% of industrial output. There are, however, strict limits on foreign ownership of Torrikan companies. Timber, hydro-power and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily orientated towards foreign trade. Agriculture accounts for only a small element of GDP and employment. Torrike is an export‐oriented economy featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Torrike's engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance. Agriculture accounts for 1.3% (2% in 2010) of GDP and employment.

Social

Main article: Social: Torrike

Torrike is a sophisticated and well-ordered country with a highly organized and effective administrative structure. By most European standards, the country would be regarded as over‐regulated operating within a fairly rigid set of social norms, backed up rigorously by laws specifying acceptable behavior and standards. Torrike has a universal health care system where the government ensures affordability, largely through compulsory savings and price control. The education system is largely State funded, although there is some private provision; private educational facilities are regulated by the Government. Meritocracy is a fundamental principle in the educational process and overall the system is not only effective, but highly regarded in other countries. The crime rate is low and the system of policing effective. A compulsory social savings scheme, the Greater Torrike Visionary Fund (GTVF), provides financial security for old age and can be drawn on for housing, medical and educational costs before retirement age. The overall civil administration scheme is comprehensive and well run; it is also highly regulated and the legal process is used to channel behavior and attitudes in a specific direction.

Information

Main article: Information: Torrike

Torrike has a highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed‐line, mobile‐cellular, Internet and broadband penetration. Although authoritarian in outlook, Torrikan information policy is open.

In the 1990s, Torrike moved to the center right politically, aiming to build up the military so that the country could “hold its head high in the world” and to establish Torrike’s “rightful place in the region”. Part of this campaign saw efforts to identify common aims with Bothnia and to seek to influence its political direction. The relationship with Framland remained largely benign, not least because Framland’s politics were considered to be largely compatible with Torrike’s own. Relations with Arnland were far more intrusive and funds were channeled to various factions that were felt to be sympathetic to Torrikan aims. The initiative to set up the Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC) was the visible assurance of Torrike’s rise in the region and made a determined statement in the Global fora. Opponents of the regime were increasingly sidelined and dissenting voices muted.

The Internet availability cast new light on a long‐running debate about the politics of journalism. When there are so many sources, does political objectivity become less important? News becomes more social, participatory, diverse and partisan, it is in many ways returning to the more chaotic, freewheeling and politically charged environment of the era before the emergence of mass media in the 19th Century.

Infrastructure

Main article: Infrastructure:Torrike

Torrike enjoys a well‐developed and modern infrastructure, which is adequately funded and maintained in good working order. The transportation system is good and serves the whole country. Only in the extreme north does it become somewhat sparse. The country is well served by an integrated road and rail system and a regular and efficient inspection system ensures that the bridge systems on the main arteries are kept in good order. The major road north runs very close to the border with Framland and Framland has an agreement with Torrike that allows their vehicles free use of this system (and easy cross border travel), with an annual “fee” paid by the Framland Treasury to Torrike. This fee is deliberately kept low as a way of binding Framland closer to Torrike and as a diplomatic tool.

Torrike has an extensive network of regional airports, all of which are also used periodically by the military. The country also possesses a range of modern and efficient ports that handle the full range of imports and exports. Torrike generates more than 70% of its energy requirements internally through a combination of nuclear and hydropower. Oil is still imported for fuel purposes, but the refining is done in country and Torrike’s refineries also process crude oil for other nations like Arnland and Framland.

The power distribution network is robust in the southern and more heavily populated part of the country and has considerable redundancy. A major investment program in smart grid networks is being contemplated after a successful pilot in Tyr. The telecoms and broadband network throughout the country is both modern and well maintained. Considerable investment has been made in fiber‐optic cable networks for telecommunications and the majority of military communications already use such networks. Mobile phone coverage is extremely good throughout the country and considerable redundancy is built into the system. Much of the country’s infrastructure is dual use military/civil and all military infrastructure is required to be available for civil use when circumstances dictate. Potential military use is always considered during the planning of major infrastructure projects. For example several stretches of motorway are capable of acting as aircraft runways and shelter areas suitable for use as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) are provided.

Physical Environment

Main article: Physical Environment: Torrike

Torrike borders Norway to the north and west, Donovia, Otso and Bothnia to the northeast, Framland and the Baltic Sea to the east, Arnland to the south and the Skagerrak to the south west. Its capital is Tyr. It is in a strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas. Torrike has an area of 347,395 square kilometers. Having missed out on the oil boom for geographic reasons, Torrike has sought to gain access to other potential areas of interest and is deeply interested in gaining access to the Arctic. When Norway declared independence in 1905, the Empire had initially tried to retain northern Norway as this gave it an opening to the Norwegian Sea and an ice free outlet to the wider world. Skolkan was unable to sustain this claim, but it has not been forgotten. Torrike is desperate to benefit from what it believes will be a natural resources bonanza in the Arctic region. Currently physically blocked by Norway, Torrike may consider radical plans to guarantee access. Although there is no tradition of hostility with Poland, there have been several disputes with regards to fishing rights, overfishing, and the exploitation of natural resources in the Baltic Sea during the last 20 years.

Time

Main article: Time: Torrike

Torrikan approach to time is consistent with the other countries in the region; good time keeping is the norm, and poor time keeping is seen as disrespectful. The relative proximity to the North Pole means that in the summer the days are very long (up to 18 hours of sunlight) and short in the winter (7 hours of sunlight). Torrike sits within the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); however in the summer months (late March to Late October) Torrike observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), making it two hours ahead of GMT/UTC.