Post by The Pazhujeb Islands on Oct 17, 2007 16:15:57 GMT -5
[shadow=black,left,300]The Pazhujeb Islands[/shadow]
The Jingoistic States of The Pazhujeb Islands
Short name: The Pazhujebs
Local name: The Pazhujeb Islands
Official language(s): Pazhujebi
Other language(s): English, French
Capital: Evir
Currency: Pazhujebi riyal (1 PR = $0.08)
National animal: Purple sea urchin
Motto: "Qinekha xdegmi j'et"
Government
Heads of State and Government: Pehemastia Aqhorassi, Juchum Cujaste, Temaya Duhayey, Nirramash Kam, Mubirassi Mendi, Pidrisha Qarmati, Etimumam Umatojo, and Za Yerevancham
Government: Socialist democracy
The main branches of the Pazhujebi government are the executive/legislative and the judiciary. The eight-person National Committee is generally considered the executive branch, and the over 500-member Senate is considered the judiciary. As such, there is no single person assuming the title of 'head of government' in the Pazhujebs, per se.
Society
Ethnicities: Pazhujebi/Indian 93%, Yoruba 6%, other 1%
Religions: Pazhujebi voodoo 89%, atheist 10%, Muslim 1%
A few items of note about Pazhujebi society: though they are very close knit and kind to one another, citizens habitually mistrust literally anyone who is not from their beloved nation. Though a visitor need not fear for her life while on the islands, she should be aware that xenophobia is not viewed as xenophobia on the Pazhujeb Islands, but rather as civic duty. Lynchings and murders are rare (Pazhujebis tend to strongly dislike excessive violence), but angry protesters have been known to mob outsiders in the streets and shout slurs. To avoid such confrontations, visitors to the islands should attempt to appear as immersed in the culture as possible; wear the traditional Moghul-style turban (both men and women), do not publicly use a cell phone, and make sure you have exchanged your currency into Pazhujebi riyals, for example.
In terms of past-times, Pazhujebis have a wide-ranging and diverse tradition. The item which simply cannot be ignored is the tradition of boat racing on the islands. Such a tradition should not come as a surprise for a people who have lived in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for centuries. The most common type of ship used in a boating race is the xebec, a three-masted ship with a long-overhauling bow and stern. Xebec is a word of French origin; the original word in Pazhujebi is fujudu, but that word fell into disuse after foreigners began to assist in boat-building. (Note the irony with regard to the paragraph above; despite the fact that they widely despise foreigners, if Pazhujebis have something to gain from having an outsider around, they will make exceptions.) Races traditionally last 19 hours: the ship to have traveled the farthest or covered the most laps in that time period is the victor. Almost all Pazhujebis, both men and women, participate in this sport at least casually.
The most popular team sport by far is soccer. The national team for the Pazhujeb Islands regularly competes in international competition, though they are not considered to be exactly world class. At any rate, soccer is played by almost all citizens recreationally, and in addition to the national team there is an extensive and well supported league system.
One last note: it is important to emphasize that Pazhujebis consider modern technology to be for the most part irresponsible and elitist. Their cultural practices and infrastructure have remained unchanged for nearly two millenia, resembling still their unique blend of ancient Indian and Roman culture. There are no phones and no computers, and electricity is limited to specific areas of only a few large cities. Even then, power is infrequent and irregular.
Economy
Whereas Pazhujebis may have a great deal to be proud of in their political system and their environment, their economy is, by international standards, rather poor. Their per capita GDP lies at a weak $881, and the gross product is less than $6.2 billion. The Pazhujebi riyal is valued at less than eight American cents, ranking it among the least valuable in the world.
Unemployment is common across the islands, with a rate of over 41%. Further, a significant income tax (an average of 69%) occasionally exasperates families already hard-pressed for cash. However, the government is notable for having had corruption under control since the dawn of the Senate, and well over a third of that tax money funds massive welfare programs. For instance, every citizen receives a monthly check from the government, hunger is almost non-existent because of huge food stamp programs, and the Pazhujeb Islands have some of the world's finest social outreach programs.
There is effectively no private sector on the islands; the government has a monopoly on all major corporate entities. Some of the world's other, more capitalist nations slam this system as communist, but no one in the Pazhujebs seems to care. The government is practically anal retentive about ensuring that all employees at all levels (from simple merchant to senator) are fairly paid.
Free healthcare and education are other major spending points for the government; like other socialist economies, citizens are extremely well rewarded for the significant taxes they might pay. If there were more wealthy people on the islands, there would likely be more complaints about the system in place, however, social equality is so broad on the Pazhujeb Islands that this never happens.
History
Pazhujebi history is long and complex, therefore interested readers should consult the Pazhujeb Islands wiki: ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/The_Pazhujeb_Islands
The Jingoistic States of The Pazhujeb Islands
Short name: The Pazhujebs
Local name: The Pazhujeb Islands
Official language(s): Pazhujebi
Other language(s): English, French
Capital: Evir
Currency: Pazhujebi riyal (1 PR = $0.08)
National animal: Purple sea urchin
Motto: "Qinekha xdegmi j'et"
Government
Heads of State and Government: Pehemastia Aqhorassi, Juchum Cujaste, Temaya Duhayey, Nirramash Kam, Mubirassi Mendi, Pidrisha Qarmati, Etimumam Umatojo, and Za Yerevancham
Government: Socialist democracy
The main branches of the Pazhujebi government are the executive/legislative and the judiciary. The eight-person National Committee is generally considered the executive branch, and the over 500-member Senate is considered the judiciary. As such, there is no single person assuming the title of 'head of government' in the Pazhujebs, per se.
Society
Ethnicities: Pazhujebi/Indian 93%, Yoruba 6%, other 1%
Religions: Pazhujebi voodoo 89%, atheist 10%, Muslim 1%
A few items of note about Pazhujebi society: though they are very close knit and kind to one another, citizens habitually mistrust literally anyone who is not from their beloved nation. Though a visitor need not fear for her life while on the islands, she should be aware that xenophobia is not viewed as xenophobia on the Pazhujeb Islands, but rather as civic duty. Lynchings and murders are rare (Pazhujebis tend to strongly dislike excessive violence), but angry protesters have been known to mob outsiders in the streets and shout slurs. To avoid such confrontations, visitors to the islands should attempt to appear as immersed in the culture as possible; wear the traditional Moghul-style turban (both men and women), do not publicly use a cell phone, and make sure you have exchanged your currency into Pazhujebi riyals, for example.
In terms of past-times, Pazhujebis have a wide-ranging and diverse tradition. The item which simply cannot be ignored is the tradition of boat racing on the islands. Such a tradition should not come as a surprise for a people who have lived in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for centuries. The most common type of ship used in a boating race is the xebec, a three-masted ship with a long-overhauling bow and stern. Xebec is a word of French origin; the original word in Pazhujebi is fujudu, but that word fell into disuse after foreigners began to assist in boat-building. (Note the irony with regard to the paragraph above; despite the fact that they widely despise foreigners, if Pazhujebis have something to gain from having an outsider around, they will make exceptions.) Races traditionally last 19 hours: the ship to have traveled the farthest or covered the most laps in that time period is the victor. Almost all Pazhujebis, both men and women, participate in this sport at least casually.
The most popular team sport by far is soccer. The national team for the Pazhujeb Islands regularly competes in international competition, though they are not considered to be exactly world class. At any rate, soccer is played by almost all citizens recreationally, and in addition to the national team there is an extensive and well supported league system.
One last note: it is important to emphasize that Pazhujebis consider modern technology to be for the most part irresponsible and elitist. Their cultural practices and infrastructure have remained unchanged for nearly two millenia, resembling still their unique blend of ancient Indian and Roman culture. There are no phones and no computers, and electricity is limited to specific areas of only a few large cities. Even then, power is infrequent and irregular.
Economy
Whereas Pazhujebis may have a great deal to be proud of in their political system and their environment, their economy is, by international standards, rather poor. Their per capita GDP lies at a weak $881, and the gross product is less than $6.2 billion. The Pazhujebi riyal is valued at less than eight American cents, ranking it among the least valuable in the world.
Unemployment is common across the islands, with a rate of over 41%. Further, a significant income tax (an average of 69%) occasionally exasperates families already hard-pressed for cash. However, the government is notable for having had corruption under control since the dawn of the Senate, and well over a third of that tax money funds massive welfare programs. For instance, every citizen receives a monthly check from the government, hunger is almost non-existent because of huge food stamp programs, and the Pazhujeb Islands have some of the world's finest social outreach programs.
There is effectively no private sector on the islands; the government has a monopoly on all major corporate entities. Some of the world's other, more capitalist nations slam this system as communist, but no one in the Pazhujebs seems to care. The government is practically anal retentive about ensuring that all employees at all levels (from simple merchant to senator) are fairly paid.
Free healthcare and education are other major spending points for the government; like other socialist economies, citizens are extremely well rewarded for the significant taxes they might pay. If there were more wealthy people on the islands, there would likely be more complaints about the system in place, however, social equality is so broad on the Pazhujeb Islands that this never happens.
History
Pazhujebi history is long and complex, therefore interested readers should consult the Pazhujeb Islands wiki: ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/The_Pazhujeb_Islands