Political: Atropia

Atropia is a neutral, Western-leaning dictatorship centered on the Ismailov family. While not a broadly democratic state, Atropia is secularized, and the population enjoys a high standard of living by regional standards due to oil revenue. Government repression is limited, although some degree of censorship exists. Corruption is extensive and creates a reformist desire in the population who, while accepting of the Ismailov family dominance, would like greater freedom of expression and less official corruption.

Centers of Political Power

The Ismailov family controls modern Atropia and exercises political power based on a network of political, economic, judicial, and social associations that frequently involve organized crime. Corruption remains common and permeates the entire Atropian society. Although institutional processes exist, Atropians often circumvent the system to reach deals that reap better benefits for themselves. Many power bases depend on one’s region, economic livelihood, social associations, etc., and operate in a symbiotic relationship with other power structures, legal or otherwise. Atropian politics function through a decentralized structure, but a few exceptional points do exist. One of the most important associations on the national stage centers on the Ismailov family with its connections in political, economic, social, and most other important facets of Atropian life.

Military Authority

The Ismailov family closely controls the army, Atropia’s primary military force. Along with the defense of the country’s borders, the military possesses the mission to support the government’s desire to re- establish Atropian territorial integrity over territories lost to ethnic Limarian separatists in Lower Janga. The Atropian Air Force and the Air Defense Force are subordinate to the ground forces. The Navy protects Atropia’s territorial waters in the Caspian Sea, often violated in the past by Arianian military vessels and oil exploration related survey ships.

Family Authority

The Ismailov family continues as the center of power in Atropia, headed by the current president, Salam Ismailov. Salam’s father, Hazi Ismailov, the deceased patriarch of the family, established the powerbase that continues Salam’s current control of Atropia. Hazi created the modern Atropian state and solidified his position with the support primarily of Atropian intelligence agencies, which passed their loyalty to his son on Hazi Ismailov’s death.

Religious/Clerical Authority

Although Atropia is predominately Shia Muslim, the country practices a more secular, less radicalized version than Ariana. Shia Islam in Atropia does not possess the political influence it does in Ariana or other Middle Eastern nations. While religious figures have been part of reformist demonstrations, the Atropian government maintains veto power on the selection of Shia Muslim religious leaders allowed to publically preach in Atropia.

Attitudes Toward the US

Despite disfavor with Atropia’s domestic policies and actions, the US generally favors Atropia as a counterbalance to Arianian and Donovian influence in the Caspian Sea region and as the largest export market for its petroleum resources. In April 2006, Salam Ismailov met President George W. Bush in an official state visit in which Bush hailed the strong relations with Atropia, a recognition of the strategic position Atropia gives the US in the region. Atropian troops continue to deploy in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Atropia also grants extensive freedom for US forces to use Atropian military facilities for multiple purposes to include logistics and flight routes. Atropia welcomes the growth of investment in its industries, especially hydrocarbon, and seeks to use its newfound economic clout to create an identity as an independent regional power.

Attitude Toward US Trade

Atropia currently welcomes and encourages US trade. Donovia and Ariana exert much influence on the Caucasus economic system and may affect the future of US trade in the region, especially in the hydrocarbon industry. Atropia views access to Western markets for its oil as its most important trade and political objective.

Type of Government

The Republic of Atropia bases its government upon a 1995 constitution that articulates a republican form of government with three independent branches—the legislative, the judicial, and the executive. The Atropian constitution created a strong presidential system with a subordinate prime minister and a unicameral legislature. In theory, the branches balance each other’s power like in the US. In reality, however, the president functions as the most powerful entity and controls the country’s operations and policies. The judiciary and legislature do not possess the necessary power to seriously check the executive branch.

Under the guidance of Salam Ismailov’s Republican Party of Democracy (RPD), Atropia functions effectively as a one-party state. Although the constitution creates a multi-party state, the RPD dominates political life. Opposition party representation in the parliament amounts to less than 10% of the assembly.

Branches of Government

Legislative Authority

Atropians elect a unicameral legislature of 125 members through direct voting based on districts. Each district elects one member. Each member serves a two-year term, with a limit of four consecutive terms in office. Prior to the 2005 elections, the assembly contained members directly elected via their district and a popular party vote. A 2002 constitutional amendment altered the arrangement to provide for only direct election based on districts, but kept the same total number of representatives.

Executive Authority

The executive branch functions as the center of Atropian government and wields effective control over both the legislative and judicial branches. The Atropian president, elected by popular vote, serves a six-year term. Subsequent to the constitutional reform in 2009, the president may now serve more than two terms, the previous limit. The Atropian president appoints a prime minister and cabinet ministers who require the approval of parliament. Additionally, the president also serves as commander in chief of the Atropian armed forces.

Judicial Authority

Nominally independent of the legislative and executive branch, the president heavily influences the Atropian judicial branch. The Atropian president appoints members of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, who are confirmed by parliamentary assent. Due to near-total control of the parliament by the president’s ruling party, however, the legislative branch rubber-stamps Ismailov’s choices. The Atropian constitution stipulates no requirement for parliamentary approval for lower courts, and the president possesses the freedom to make those appointments as he desires. In addition, the Atropian government controls the appointments of prosecutors at the local, regional, and national levels.

Government Effectiveness and Legitimacy

Atropia demonstrates a mixed record when it comes to its legitimacy. Internationally, no country questions the legitimacy of Atropia’s territorial sovereignty except for its dispute with Limaria over Lower Janga. The largest international issue involves Atropia’s attempt to establish itself as a state free of interference from its much more powerful neighbors, Donovia and Ariana, and to create its own independent identity in the international realm. Many international organizations, however, continue to criticize Atropia’s shortfalls in the adherence of the government to the rule of law and the protection of its citizens’ civil liberties.

Domestic Political Issues

Elections

Nearly all countries in the Caucasus possess a history of suspicious election practices followed by popular uprisings that meet varying degrees of success. From the peaceful revolutions in Gorgas, riots in Atropia, assassinations of political rivals in Limaria, to widespread crackdowns and the “disappearance” of opponents in Ariana, observers always consider elections a potential flashpoint. Elections occur every two years for legislative positions, while presidential elections occur every six years. There is a four consecutive term limit for parliament seats, but no such limitations on executive positions.

Rule of Law

Due to the relative youth of the respective judicial branches in the Caucasus, powerful people still overshadow the rule of law, as many governmental leaders do whatever keeps them rich and powerful. Corruption of law enforcement personnel pervades the region, as loyalties apply more to individuals or groups of people as opposed to something as ethereal as a constitution.

Corruption

What Western eyes perceive as corruption is in reality a carefully-cultivated survival mechanism born of decades under dictatorial rule. In an environment where the government encouraged family members to betray their relatives for small benefits, the people consider relationships as a resource while they avoid interaction with the state at all costs. Thus, a high level of official corruption exists in Atropia. Most official acts and access to government services require the payment of some level of bribe. Corruption is the single-largest threat to government legitimacy in Atropia.