Difference between revisions of "Political: Gabal"

Revision as of 16:48, 27 November 2017

This page is a section of Gabal.

The Republic of Gabal is a relatively new democracy, having emerged from joint rule by two Western European countries in 1977. Gabal faces numerous political and economic challenges that have undercut the effectiveness and legitimacy of its government since independence was declared. Tribal politics run deep within the government and the country is deeply federalized among tribal lines. Issues associated with climate change, however, have largely united the country in recent years, as Gabal, along with many other small island nations, seek to influence global climate change politics.

Political History

Ariana

Gabal was populated by unaffiliated and often hostile indigenous tribes, whose presence on the island date from prehistory. Gabal was first discovered by Europeans in 1750 by a South Seas expedition. This expedition established a trading post on the main island, which quickly grew into a permanent settlement. Soon after, traders from multiple European countries began making use of the settlement as a trading hub for their operations in the South Pacific, bringing a variety of different influences. This dynamic: an independent island populated by unaffiliated tribes, featuring a robust multinational European trading presence, existed peacefully for over a century.

In 1862, with the supply of cotton from the American South cut off by the embargoes and blockades of the American Civil War, Europe looked abroad for colonies that could support cotton plantations. Gabal, with its tropical climate and volcanic soil, appeared to be an ideal candidate. Two European colonial powers negotiated joint administration of the island, establishing the two-culture government that would endure through independence.

Cotton did not end up becoming a significant cash-crop for the new colony, however, coffee and fruit plantations were established with some success. Most planation labor was provided by natives, whose legal and economic status rested somewhere between western chattel slaves and factory laborers. By the turn of the 20th century, coffee and fruit had been replaced almost entirely by native hardwood logging as the chief export of the island. Native Gabalians had few legal rights and no representation in government, and the split between colonies of different nationalities led to tensions between both white and native residents. This tension was rising consistently and may have led to open conflict had WWII not intervened.

The Gabal independence movement began in earnest during WWII. Gabal was strategically located to support Allied operations in the South Pacific, and soon after hostilities began, Allied soldiers arrived in large numbers to defend the island and build facilities to support air and naval operations. After American entry into the war, much of this responsibility was passed to American servicemen, who likewise occupied the island in large numbers. Interacting with Americans on a wide scale for the first time helped to grow emerging nationalist feelings; by the end of the war, native Gabalians had established a full scale independence movement. This coincided with the widespread dissolution of the British Empire following the war, and Gabal began negotiations with the British and Portuguese for self-rule in 1956.

Negotiations dragged on for many years, complicated by the discovery of large chromium deposits. European colonizers were hesitant to leave the island prior to establishing mining operations to extract the chromium, but as time passed pressure increased as natives established local political parties and began to formally organize an anti-colonial movement. An incident in 1974 brought the tension to a head, when a small group of tribesmen conducted an armed takeover of the country’s main airport, demanding immediate independence and self-rule. European governments both refused to send troops to the island to put down the insurrection, so borrowed police forces from a nearby neighbor were used. This incident caused local Gabalian political leaders to demand either proper support from the exiting colonial powers, or self-rule. Both traditional colonial powers immediately rescinded colonial claims to the islands. Gabal gained its independence in 1977; the first Gabalian elections were held that same year.

Early independent Gabalian politics were dominated by friction between factions descended from different European colonial occupiers. Tribes had aligned with colonial and business concerns based largely on random geography; now tribes aligned into political parties based around their traditional colonial affiliation. There was comparatively little in the way of domestic political issues in Gabalian elections. Instead, the government took on a strong trend of clientelism, with each elected representative working to bring resources back to his specific district and not necessarily representing the best interests of the country as a whole. This, coupled with traditional tribal loyalties, created a strongly federalist tone to Gabalian politics, with little in the way of national unity. This created a situation where the federal Gabal government was wildly unstable throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s.

Climate change was the first issue that created true national unity in Gabal. Starting in the late 1990s, a series of devastating storms coupled with rising sea levels and the effects of total deforestation of the nation’s valuable tropical timber created a groundswell of ecology-focused political parties. Gabal joined the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) coalition and adopted their mantras of sustainability, renewable energy, and combating man-made climate change. Since that time, climate change has become the most significant threat, and the dominant international political issue in Gabal.

Centers of Political Power

The tribe remains the center of politics in Gabal. Political parties are formed around tribal lines, elected officials typically represent constituents from a tribal perspective. Tribal leaders are often, but not always, elected to leadership positions, but virtually all political dialogue centers around tribal politics.

The focus placed on tribal representation creates significant instability in political parties. Rather than establishing large, long-lived parties, parties in Gabal tend to be almost ad-hoc, assembled for one electoral period to represent a particular tribal issue, and are then often dissolved or reorganized following the next election. This instability manifests itself in regular votes of no-confidence and dissolutions of parliament.

Military Authority

Gabal’s military is small and non-expeditionary. Its primary missions are patrolling Gabal’s territorial waters, providing a persistent ground security presence, and building military partnerships with friendly and allied nations. Primary military authority is held by the prime minster, and exercised through the cabinet, specifically through the Minster of Defense and the general staff. The military budget is prepared by the general staff, then submitted by the Minster of Defense for approval by the National Assembly.

Family Authority

Gabalian family life is very traditional and rooted in the tribal institution. Families tend to be large and patriarchal, with the father acting as the political head of the family unit. Gabal granted universal suffrage soon after the establishment of the new free government, but women, especially married women, seldom exercise their political freedom. Family law is likewise traditional and patriarchal, which further marginalizes the female population politically. This dynamic is changing somewhat in urban areas, with women having an increased political presence.

Religious/Clerical Authority

Despite being overwhelmingly Christian, Gabal recognizes freedom of religion and a general separation of church and state. There is little religious conflict or persecution on Gabal, although elements of the government strongly resist the presence or visitation of modern missionaries.

Description of Government

Official Flag of Ariana

The Gabal government is a parliamentary representative democracy that employs a traditional three-branch structure, with checks and balances established between each branch.

Branches of Government

Political Subdivisions of Ariana

Legislative

Gabal’s national legislative body is called the National Assembly. It is unicameral, with two members elected from each of 9 electoral districts. Elections occur every four years, or upon a dissolution of the government by the Prime Minister. Gabal has numerous and rapid-changing political parties; forming coalition governments has been a consistent challenge and legislative gridlock is common as a result. Members of the legislature are often proxies for tribal leadership, and vote in accordance with how they are told by tribal leaders.

In addition to the formal legislature there is a Council of Chiefs, an informal gathering of tribal leaders. While this body has no official constitutional power, it advises every element of government and is highly influential. The population sees the Council of Chiefs essentially as a second legislative body, one charged with protecting Gabalian traditions and culture. In this sense, it can be viewed almost as an upper house of legislature.

Executive

Gabal employs a semi-presidential executive branch. The president is the head-of-state, and is directly elected by the population. The president’s constitutional powers are very limited, and the position’s responsibilities are largely ceremonial. The president represents Gabal international interests, though his agenda is determined by the legislature and approved by the Prime Minster.

The Prime Minister (PM) is the head-of-government, elected by a majority vote of the National Assembly. The PM then appoints the seven members of the cabinet, called the Council of Ministers. This is the body that fills the majority of the executive functions. Tradition dictates that some members of the Council be from different political parties than the PM; often these members are taken from the Council of Chiefs.

Judicial

The Gabalian court systems is based on Common Law. The Supreme Court consists of three members, appointed by the PM and approved by the National Assembly. They hear only high-profile cases, such as those concerning the Gabalian constitution. Lower level courts are local to electoral districts, with judges elected by district constituents. There is no formal appeals-level to the Gabalian court system; if appeals are required, they are heard by other lower level courts.

Government Effectiveness and Legitimacy

The Gabalian government struggled with stability from the very beginning. Balancing the system of a western-style democracy with the inertia of ancient tribal politics led to discord, gridlock, and near-constant infighting. The formal government also struggles with the perception of its legitimacy versus tribal institutions; for much of the population, especially those in more impoverished areas, tribal authority exceeds that of the elected government.

In recent years, however, increased water and air access, improved internet and television access, and emergence of significant national issues such as climate change, foreign investment, and tourism management, have increased the influence of the national government. This trend projects to continue: traditional tribal power will be gradually displaced by national political authority.

Domestic Political Issues

Domestic Political Objectives

Galaby’s three primary domestic political objectives are 1) build a sustainable economy based around tourism and exports, 2) develop and integrate all parts of the island chain, and 3) prepare the population and infrastructure for the anticipated effects of climate change.

Elections

Galaby hold general elections every 4 years, or upon the dissolution of government by the PM. Provinces make their own rules for local elections; election cycles typically either mirror national elections, or are in alternating two-year windows.

Rule of Law

Galaby’s government and population takes their constitution very seriously. Though the country often experiences political instability, the rule of law is viewed as very important. Politicians and tribal leaders alike are expected to abide by and uphold the constitution.

Corruption

Low-level corruption, particularly among police forces and local officials, is extremely common in Gabal. Public servants are often not paid living wages, and thus income from bribe and graft are considered integral to the function of government. This kind of corruption is mostly limited to the lowest political echelons, however; corruption at the national level is uncommon and highly frowned upon. Galabians do not generally view foreign investment or aid controlled by politicians as corrupt in nature.

Human Rights and Freedoms

As an independent republic, Gabal has an excellent human rights record despite political instability and limited resources. Racial, religious, and political persecution are virtually nonexistent. Police are generally well overseen by national authorities, even in remote and rural areas. Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly are guaranteed by the constitution, and the government generally follows these precepts. Tribal dynamics are more obscure: freedoms within the tribal construct, especially for women, can be somewhat more restrictive. However, poor wages and exploitative business practices within private companies (specifically mining companies) have come under scrutiny in recent years, especially from international human rights organizations. Though technically legal, the poor treatment of workers is an emerging political issue in Gabal, one that may heavily influence future politics.

International Political Issues

International Political Objectives

Gabal’s three primary international political objectives are 1) ensure an open, available market for the tourism and export economy, 2) locate and develop opportunities for foreign investment foreign aid, and 3) participate fully in the global coalition to combat climate change.

Regional Poliical Issues

Gabal’s most significant regional concern is maintaining peace and political stability in the South Pacific in order to encourage international tourism to the region. This involves limited participation in regional security organizations, the building of local partnerships to encourage security, and cultivation of relationships with larger nations to help enable regional stability.

Global Political Issues

Gabal views climate change as the dominant global political issue. They participate actively in numerous climate change organizations, and much of their diplomatic capital is spent on the climate change issue. As a matter of policy, Gabal seeks out partnerships with larger nations that they view as most aggressive on the climate change issue.

Relationship with the US

Gabal has a cordial but limited relationship with the United States. The US does not contribute significant foreign aid to Gabal, nor is it a major trading partner. However, Gabal recognizes the influence that the US has with numerous international financial aid organizations, and thus has sought a generally positive relationship. The US does not have an embassy in Gabal, but maintains diplomatic ties.

Alliances and International Organizations

Gabal’s most important international organization members are the Non-Aligned Movement, the Coalition of Low-Lying Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CANCC), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS ).

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ''This page is a section of [[Gabal]].''
-At the heart of political power in [[Ariana]] is the Council of Guardians Revolution. The Revolution considers itself the vanguard of proper Islamic sentiment on the planet, and the heart of a global conversion to its version of Islam. The Revolution has successfully defended itself from both internal and external threats, and remains committed to the export of its vision of theocratic rule.
+The Republic of Gabal is a relatively new democracy, having emerged from joint rule by two Western European  countries in 1977. Gabal faces numerous political and economic challenges that have undercut the effectiveness and legitimacy of its government since independence was declared. Tribal politics run deep within the government and the country is deeply federalized among tribal lines. Issues associated with climate change, however, have largely united the country in recent years, as Gabal, along with many other small island nations, seek to influence global climate change politics.
 __TOC__
-== Centers of Political Power ==
+== Political History ==
 [[File:Ariana.png|thumb|Ariana]]
-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mahmood Mekhenei and the Arianian military are the centers of political power  in  Ariana. The  late Ayatollah Khodadad established  an Islamic  republic  based on the principles of Islamic law. A clerical body oversees the operation of each state institution and ensures the office does not deviate from Islamic law and the clerical community’s direction. Such governmental structure  directly links all political power to clerical authority in an ideology known as velayat-e faqih, or the Rule of the Islamist Jurist.  Even though a liberal, representative government structure ostensibly serves as the voice of the  populace, clerical authority supersedes it and drives political direction for the state. Additionally, Ayatollah Khodadad co-opted the Arianian military to guarantee that no popular movement would be able to overturn the Revolution. The military established its own identity and power structures and continues to adapt to the fluid political environment to ensure its continual power, wealth, and relevancy. After an August 2009 presidential election marred by voter irregularities, the military played a major role in the suppression of protestors who sought reforms.
+Gabal was populated by unaffiliated and often hostile indigenous tribes, whose presence on the island date from prehistory. Gabal was first discovered by Europeans in 1750 by a South Seas expedition. This expedition established a trading post on the main island, which quickly grew into a permanent settlement. Soon after, traders from multiple European countries began making use of the settlement as a trading hub for their operations in the South Pacific, bringing a variety of different influences. This dynamic: an independent island populated by unaffiliated tribes, featuring a robust multinational European trading presence, existed peacefully for over a century.
+In 1862, with the supply of cotton from the American South cut off by the embargoes and blockades of the American Civil War, Europe looked abroad for colonies that could support cotton plantations. Gabal, with its tropical climate and volcanic soil, appeared to be an ideal candidate. Two European colonial powers negotiated joint administration of the island, establishing the two-culture government that would endure through independence.
+Cotton did not end up becoming a significant cash-crop for the new colony, however, coffee and fruit plantations were established with some success. Most planation labor was provided by natives, whose legal and economic status rested somewhere between western chattel slaves and factory laborers. By the turn of the 20th century, coffee and fruit had been replaced almost entirely by native hardwood logging as the chief export of the island. Native Gabalians had few legal rights and no representation in government, and the split between colonies of different nationalities led to tensions between both white and native residents. This tension was rising consistently and may have led to open conflict had WWII not intervened.
+The Gabal independence movement began in earnest during WWII. Gabal was strategically located to support Allied operations in the South Pacific, and soon after hostilities began, Allied soldiers arrived in large numbers to defend the island and build facilities to support air and naval operations.  After American entry into the war, much of this responsibility was passed to American servicemen, who likewise occupied the island in large numbers.  Interacting with Americans on a wide scale for the first time helped to grow emerging nationalist feelings; by the end of the war, native Gabalians had established a full scale independence movement. This coincided with the widespread dissolution of the British Empire following the war, and Gabal began negotiations with the British and Portuguese for self-rule in 1956.
+Negotiations dragged on for many years, complicated by the discovery of large chromium deposits. European colonizers were hesitant to leave the island prior to establishing mining operations to extract the chromium, but as time passed pressure increased as natives established local political parties and began to formally organize an anti-colonial movement.  An incident in 1974 brought the tension to a head, when a small group of tribesmen conducted an armed takeover of the country’s main airport, demanding immediate independence and self-rule. European governments both refused to send troops to the island to put down the insurrection, so borrowed police forces from a nearby neighbor were used. This incident caused local Gabalian political leaders to demand either proper support from the exiting colonial powers, or self-rule.  Both traditional colonial powers immediately rescinded colonial claims to the islands. Gabal gained its independence in 1977; the first Gabalian elections were held that same year.
+Early independent Gabalian politics were dominated by friction between factions descended from different European colonial occupiers.  Tribes had aligned with colonial and business concerns based largely on random geography; now tribes aligned into political parties based around their traditional colonial affiliation. There was comparatively little in the way of domestic political issues in Gabalian elections.  Instead, the government took on a strong trend of clientelism, with each elected representative working to bring resources back to his specific district and not necessarily representing the best interests of the country as a whole. This, coupled with traditional tribal loyalties, created a strongly federalist tone to Gabalian politics, with little in the way of national unity. This created a situation where the federal Gabal government was wildly unstable throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s.
+Climate change was the first issue that created true national unity in Gabal.  Starting in the late 1990s, a series of devastating storms coupled with rising sea levels and the effects of total deforestation of the nation’s valuable tropical timber created a groundswell of ecology-focused political parties. Gabal joined the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) coalition and adopted their mantras of sustainability, renewable energy, and combating man-made climate change. Since that time, climate change has become the most significant threat, and the dominant international political issue in Gabal.
-=== Military Authority ===
-Ayatollah Khodadad co-opted the Arianian military shortly after the Council of Guardians Revolution. In addition to its role as ideological guardian of the Revolution’s Islamic ethos, the military evolved into an expansive socio-political-economic conglomerate. All facets of Arianian political life and society reflect its influence. Highly characterized by a populist, authoritarian, and assertive vision of the Arianian state, the military believes it represents the most faithful representation of Council of Guardians Revolution ideals. Its presence plays a powerful role in Ariana’s highly factionalized political system where the president, much of the cabinet, many parliament members, and a host of other provincial and local administrators hail from military ranks.
-=== Religious/Clerical Authority ===
+=== Centers of Political Power ===
-In 1979, Ayatollah Khodadad dramatically transformed Arianian religious and political landscapes and made Shia Islam an inseparable element of the country's political structure. He expounded velayat-e faqih (the rule of the Islamist jurist), in which the country is ruled by sharia, or Islamic law, via an Islamic jurist (faqih) that directs the government. The constitutional changes that followed the Council of Guardians Revolution created an Arianian government based  on the same three pillars of power as the US—the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The three branches, however, possess less power than the Supreme Leader, then Ayatollah Khodadad, and the Supreme Leader retains religious control.
+The tribe remains the center of politics in Gabal. Political parties are formed around tribal lines, elected officials typically represent constituents from a tribal perspective. Tribal leaders are often, but not always, elected to leadership positions, but virtually all political dialogue centers around tribal politics.
-== Attitudes Toward the US ==
+The focus placed on tribal representation creates significant instability in political parties. Rather than establishing large, long-lived parties, parties in Gabal tend to be almost ad-hoc, assembled for one electoral period to represent a particular tribal issue, and are then often dissolved or reorganized following the next election. This instability manifests itself in regular votes of no-confidence and dissolutions of parliament.
-Current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mahmood Mekhenei routinely denounces the United States for its arrogance, greed, and contempt for the Arianian nation. Mekhenei also sees the United States as the leader in a “cultural onslaught” designed to undermine the Islamic Republic. The US characterizes Ariana as a “profound threat to US national security interests,” a perception created by Ariana’s military support to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Palestinian group Martyr’s Army, the Lebanese Shia Internationalist Brigades, and especially by its nuclear ambitions in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.
-=== Attitude Toward US Trade ===
-Ariana is under a variety of regime sanctions and, by US law, US companies face significant restriction on trade with Arianian entities. Arianians usually employ third countries to work around sanctions in an attempt to obtain technology for oil extraction or military operations. Most US companies had their Arianian holdings nationalized in the wake of the Council of Guardians Revolution.
-== Type of Government ==
+=== Military Authority ===
-[[File:Official Flag of Ariana.png|thumb|Official Flag of Ariana]]
+Gabal’s military is small and non-expeditionary. Its primary missions are patrolling Gabal’s territorial waters, providing a persistent ground security presence, and building military partnerships with friendly and allied nations. Primary military authority is held by the prime minster, and exercised through the cabinet, specifically through the Minster of Defense and the general staff. The military budget is prepared by the general staff, then submitted by the Minster of Defense for approval by the National Assembly.
-The theocratic Arianian government contains three branches like the US, but the executive branch wields the lion’s share of federal  power. The unicameral legislative and the judicial branches possess only limited means  to check the Arianian president, Ahmad Moudin. The cleric-controlled Guardian Leadership Council must approve all legislation passed by the legislative branch. All judicial branch appointees are clerics who must use sharia law as the basis for adjudicating cases. The clerical community— headed by the Supreme  Leader—must approve all  public office candidates and appoints judges to ensure that all officials support approved beliefs/positions.
+== Family Authority ==
+Gabalian family life is very traditional and rooted in the tribal institution. Families tend to be large and patriarchal, with the father acting as the political head of the family unit. Gabal granted universal suffrage soon after the establishment of the new free government, but women, especially married women, seldom exercise their political freedom.  Family law is likewise traditional and patriarchal, which further marginalizes the female population politically. This dynamic is changing somewhat in urban areas, with women having an increased political presence.
-Ariana consists of 30 provinces further subdivided into a total of 314 counties. Each county contains districts and each district has several rural districts. The average rural district encompasses several villages and generally covers about 620 square miles.
+=== Religious/Clerical Authority ===
+Despite being overwhelmingly Christian, Gabal recognizes freedom of religion and a general separation of church and state. There is little religious conflict or persecution on Gabal, although elements of the government strongly resist the presence or visitation of modern missionaries.
-Much of the pre-Revolutionary federal administrative structure remains intact. The Minister of Interior (MoI) appoints a governor general for each province and a governor for each county. Since 1999, citizens elect their district chiefs, rural chiefs'','' and village chiefs as well as their councils. Although the pre-revolutionary structure remains the same, governor’s generals no longer possess the province level power they held before the Revolution. Local prayer leaders ''(Imam Jomehs)'' exercise considerable political authority because they head the local revolutionary committees.
+== Description of Government ==
+[[File:Official Flag of Ariana.png|thumb|Official Flag of Ariana]]
+The Gabal government is a parliamentary representative democracy that employs a traditional three-branch structure, with checks and balances established between each branch.
 === Branches of Government ===
 [[File:Political Subdivisions of Ariana.png|thumb|Political Subdivisions of Ariana]]
-==== Legislative Authority ====
+==== Legislative ====
-The legislative branch consists of a 290-member unicameral body which represents all 30 Ariana provinces. Citizens elect members by “popular” vote to serve four-year terms. The Arianian constitution directs that the legislature draft legislation, ratify international treaties, and approve the national budget. The Guardian Leadership Council must approve all candidates who run for the legislature. The constitution reserves a number of seats for religious minorities. These include two seats for Limarian Christians, one for Assyrian Christians, one for Jews, and one for Zoroastrians. The legislature also appoints six members to the Guardian Leadership Council.
+Gabal’s national legislative body is called the National Assembly.  It is unicameral, with two members elected from each of 9 electoral districts. Elections occur every four years, or upon a dissolution of the government by the Prime Minister. Gabal has numerous and rapid-changing political parties; forming coalition governments has been a consistent challenge and legislative gridlock is common as a result.   Members of the legislature are often proxies for tribal leadership, and vote in accordance with how they are told by tribal leaders.
+In addition to the formal legislature there is a Council of Chiefs, an informal gathering of tribal leaders. While this body has no official constitutional power, it advises every element of government and is highly influential. The population sees the Council of Chiefs essentially as a second legislative body, one charged with protecting Gabalian traditions and culture. In this sense, it can be viewed almost as an upper house of legislature.
+==== Executive ====
+Gabal employs a semi-presidential executive branch. The president is the head-of-state, and is directly elected by the population. The president’s constitutional powers are very limited, and the position’s responsibilities are largely ceremonial.  The president represents Gabal international interests, though his agenda is determined by the legislature and approved by the Prime Minster.
-==== Executive Authority ====
+The Prime Minister (PM) is the head-of-government, elected by a majority vote of the National Assembly. The PM then appoints the seven members of the cabinet, called the Council of Ministers. This is the body that fills the majority of the executive functions. Tradition dictates that some members of the Council be from different political parties than the PM; often these members are taken from the Council of Chiefs.
-Second only in authority to the Supreme Leader, the president controls the Arianian national government’s operations. He also wields power,  through leadership and patronage of the ministries, to exercise control down to the provincial and county level. Ahmad Moudin became Ariana’s president in 2003.
-==== Judicial Authority ====
-The Guardian Leadership Council consists of 12 members and serves as the Islamic Republic’s overseer to ensure that the country operates under sharia law. The Supreme Leader appoints six theologians directly to the Guardian Leadership Council, and the legislature approves another six jurists from a list of candidates selected by the   Supreme  Judicial Council. Since the Supreme Leader controls the Supreme Judicial Council, there is little chance that the Supreme Judicial Council nominees will share a different viewpoint than the six directly chosen by the Supreme Leader. The Arianian constitution establishes two primary responsibilities for the Guardian Leadership Council. As the government’s legal experts, the Council reviews each piece of legislation passed by parliament to ensure compatibility with both the Arianian Constitution and Islamic Law. Under Ariana’s legal system, judicial authority rests with the judge who both investigates and prosecutes crimes, with no trials by jury. When an accused person stands trial for something not expressly forbidden by the legal code, the judge issues a sentence based on his interpretation of Islamic law and custom.
+==== Judicial ====
+The Gabalian court systems is based on Common Law.  The Supreme Court consists of three members, appointed by the PM and approved by the National Assembly. They hear only high-profile cases, such as those concerning the Gabalian constitution. Lower level courts are local to electoral districts, with judges elected by district constituents. There is no formal appeals-level to the Gabalian court system; if appeals are required, they are heard by other lower level courts.
 == Government Effectiveness and Legitimacy ==
-Internationally, most countries recognize the Islamic Republic of Ariana even though the country established a nuclear program in violation of international non-proliferation treaties. In recent  years, “reformists” helped achieve a degree of regional stability by successfully tempering the government’s previous militant message to pursue long-standing national interests. One popular reformist attempted to strengthen Ariana’s relationships with Japan and Western European nations that oppose the Ariana-Libya Sanctions Act, a US law that essentially provides significant penalties to companies and governments which make significant investments in Ariana’s energy sector. These US sanctions successfully impact Ariana’s petroleum-based economy as they prevent large-scale improvements and technological advancements.
+The Gabalian government struggled with stability from the very beginning. Balancing the system of a western-style democracy with the inertia of ancient tribal politics led to discord, gridlock, and near-constant infighting. The formal government also struggles with the perception of its legitimacy versus tribal institutions; for much of the population, especially those in more impoverished areas, tribal authority exceeds that of the elected government.
+In recent years, however, increased water and air access, improved internet and television access, and emergence of significant national issues such as climate change, foreign investment, and tourism management, have increased the influence of the national government. This trend projects to continue: traditional tribal power will be gradually displaced by national political authority.
 === Domestic Political Issues ===
+==== Domestic Political Objectives ====
+Galaby’s three primary domestic political objectives are 1) build a sustainable economy based around tourism and exports, 2) develop and integrate all parts of the island chain, and 3) prepare the population and infrastructure for the anticipated effects of climate change.
 ==== Elections ====
-Arianian elections increasingly are popularity contests between candidates vetted and approved by religious authorities. Rising discontent with these sham elections has resulted in wide-scale demonstrations, but their effect to date on the stability of the Arianian regime has been negligible. The Revolution remains generally popular in more rural areas, and elections there are seen as reflective of the popular will, compared with discontent caused by elections in urban areas. Parliamentary elections occur every four years, with Presidential elections every six years. There are no term limits for any elected office.
+Galaby hold general elections every 4 years, or upon the dissolution of government by the PM.  Provinces make their own rules for local elections; election cycles typically either mirror national elections, or are in alternating two-year windows.
 ==== Rule of Law ====
-Rule of law is based on the Arianian government’s significant power and utter ruthlessness in squashing threats to its rule or what it deems as anti-social behavior. The government uses law enforcement forces, military personnel, and private citizens to monitor the actions of all Arianians. Courts are generally functionaries of the executive, rather than independent.
+Galaby’s government and population takes their constitution very seriously. Though the country often experiences political instability, the rule of law is viewed as very important.  Politicians and tribal leaders alike are expected to abide by and uphold the constitution.
 ==== Corruption ====
-Corruption is becoming a serious problem, with most Arianians turning to corrupt practices, especially in urban areas, to get access to government services. The regime sanctions also create an atmosphere of corruption, as military officers import hard-to-obtain items and resell them at inflated prices. The military uses its power to either muscle its way into most lucrative business deals, take over directly, or inject itself as a silent partner.
+Low-level corruption, particularly among police forces and local officials, is extremely common in Gabal. Public servants are often not paid living wages, and thus income from bribe and graft are considered integral to the function of government. This kind of corruption is mostly limited to the lowest political echelons, however; corruption at the national level is uncommon and highly frowned upon. Galabians do not generally view foreign investment or aid controlled by politicians as corrupt in nature.
-== International Relationships ==
-=== Regional Actors ===
-Ariana desires not only to export the Council of Guardians Revolution to its neighbors, but to place itself in a position of regional dominance as well. Ariana remains friendly to any neighboring countries—other than Atropia—that are willing to negotiate or trade in the Caucasus region. Ariana and Donovia enjoy positive, though unofficial, political and economic relations despite the fact that Donovia is Ariana’s main competitor for the role of regional strongman. The country has a mutually beneficial political and economic relationship with Limaria, in which Ariana uses its smaller neighbor as a way to import and export goods internationally and Limaria gains access to much- needed hydrocarbon resources.
-The large Atropian population in northern Ariana and the minority’s predilection for a schism from the central government in Tehran makes Arianians suspicious of the Atropian government and people of Atropian ethnicity. Ariana also wants to gain control of the rich oil reserves in Atropian- controlled Caspian Sea areas since its own oil reserves continue to dwindle. Arianian relations with Atropia are generally antagonistic as a result, and Ariana also remains leery of Kalaria’s regional ambitions and its close relationship with Atropia.
-Ariana has not taken an official political position that would support either side over the Lower Janga dispute; the country prefers to publicly state that it is interested in managing the conflict until a compromise is found. However, unofficially it provides small clandestine units to train and equip the Limarian Liberation Front (LLF) to counter Atropian aggression and attempts to retake territory. Ariana loathes the Western-leaning secular posture taken by Atropia and may leverage conflict in the area to export its vision of theocratic governance to Atropia.
+==== Human Rights and Freedoms ====
+As an independent republic, Gabal has an excellent human rights record despite political instability and limited resources.  Racial, religious, and political persecution are virtually nonexistent. Police are generally well overseen by national authorities, even in remote and rural areas. Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly are guaranteed by the constitution, and the government generally follows these precepts. Tribal dynamics are more obscure: freedoms within the tribal construct, especially for women, can be somewhat more restrictive. However, poor wages and exploitative business practices within private companies (specifically mining companies) have come under scrutiny in recent years, especially from international human rights organizations. Though technically legal, the poor treatment of workers is an emerging political issue in Gabal, one that may heavily influence future politics.
-Ariana’s nuclear weapons program represents a massive destabilizing influence in regional and international dialogue. This capability is most threatening to Ariana’s neighbors and remains yet another troublesome aspect to Ariana’s foreign policy. Politically, the domestic popularity of the nuclear weapons program, along with the obvious power and prestige it brings to the Ariana government, outweighs the trade sanctions and other political and economic costs.
+=== International Political Issues ===
-=== International Organizations ===
+==== International Political Objectives ====
-Ariana has attempted to create an anti-Western, and specifically anti-US, coalition in most international organizations of which it is a member. Additionally, Ariana has attempted to use oil exports as a weapon to coerce or bribe poor, small, or neutral nations to support its anti-US cause. Ariana is a member of most major international organizations. About 30 to 40 smaller non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations (IOs) operate within Ariana. The major IOs in terms of programs and budget are the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and International Red Crescent. NGO programs generally are non-political in nature and focus on culture, literacy, and medical programs, especially in rural locations.
+Gabal’s three primary international political objectives are 1) ensure an open, available market for the tourism and export economy, 2) locate and develop opportunities for foreign investment foreign aid, and 3) participate fully in the global coalition to combat climate change.
-=== International Economic Associations ===
+==== Regional Poliical Issues ====
-Because of Ariana’s oil wealth and its somewhat dodgy status on the global stage, the country’s participation in international economic associations is limited to one exception, namely its non-US dollar denominated oil bourse. The oil bourse is an effort to break the US dollar monopoly on oil transactions. While not truly successful, as the majority of the world’s oil transactions are dollar- denominated, the bourse demonstrates Ariana’s continuing efforts to confront the US.
+Gabal’s most significant regional concern is maintaining peace and political stability in the South Pacific in order to encourage international tourism to the region. This involves limited participation in regional security organizations, the building of local partnerships to encourage security, and cultivation of relationships with larger nations to help enable regional stability.
-=== Military Alliances ===
+==== Global Political Issues ====
-Ariana maintains no official military alliances, instead relying on foreign manned proxies or political support from nations it supports economically. Ariana also actively denounces other military alliances, especially Atropia’s alliances, which may introduce Western and specifically US forces into proximity with Ariana.
+Gabal views climate change as the dominant global political issue. They participate actively in numerous climate change organizations, and much of their diplomatic capital is spent on the climate change issue. As a matter of policy, Gabal seeks out partnerships with larger nations that they view as most aggressive on the climate change issue.
-== Influential Political Groups ==
+==== Relationship with the US ====
+Gabal has a cordial but limited relationship with the United States. The US does not contribute significant foreign aid to Gabal, nor is it a major trading partner. However, Gabal recognizes the influence that the US has with numerous international financial aid organizations, and thus has sought a generally positive relationship. The US does not have an embassy in Gabal, but maintains diplomatic ties.
-=== Official Political Parties ===
+==== Alliances and International Organizations ====
-There are no political parties in the Western sense in Ariana. The Arianian Clergy determine who stands for election, and the elections themselves mean little and are functional rubber-stamps of the Clergy determination of who shall occupy various seats of government. The Clergy’s stranglehold on government has created much of the popular frustration seen in recent protests against the government from the most liberal elements of Arianian society. The Arianian conservatives’ belief in a system of clerical authority remains ironclad, and they see themselves as defenders of Ayatollah Khodadad’s vision. If necessary, the conservatives would cheerfully remove the democratic institutions that occasionally challenge clerical authority. Conservatives believe they received their mandate from God, and neither popular will nor elected officials should challenge it. The conservatives display ambivalence toward popular opinion, because those who think as they do remain deeply entrenched in the institutions that ensure the conservatives’ continued rule. The leader of Ariana’s Islamic Truth Party noted, “The legitimacy of our Islamic establishment is derived from God. This legitimacy will not wash away even if people stop supporting it.”
+Gabal’s most important international organization members are the Non-Aligned Movement, the Coalition of Low-Lying Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CANCC), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS ).
-=== Other Domestic Influential Groups ===
-Arianian domestic groups split more often along ethnic and/or religious lines than ideologies. Examples include the predominantly Sunni Baluchis of southern Ariana, the New Dawn of  Freedom of Arianian Kurdistan, and the approximately three million ethnic Arabs near the southwest Arianian-Iraqi border. Exceptions include the Arianian Free-Will Movement, the Islamic Republic’s primary opposition to the concept of velayat-e faqih. Because of the Arianian Free-Will Movement’s opposition to the current regime, it cannot register as an official political party and its members cannot run for parliament seats or the presidency.
-== Summary ==
-Though facing some internal discord, Ariana is firmly committed to the export of its version of Shia Islamic governance. The religious authorities and military are, despite high current levels of urban unrest, firmly in control of the country. Ariana will continue to be diplomatically hostile to both Atropia and the US for the foreseeable future.
 [[Category:DATE|010]]
 [[Category:Caucasus]]
 [[Category:Ariana]]
 [[Category:Political]]