Sovereign state - Revision history

Clé: Whoops... worlddisk should link to rew (Charos)

2024-01-18T20:26:43Z

Whoops... worlddisk should link to rew (Charos)

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:26, 18 January 2024
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	Not all national borders necessarily are on the land; it often becomes necessary to define [[water]] borders as well, to denote exactly where the boundary is between two nations separated by a [[lake]] or other body of water, or how far a state's claim extends into the ocean. The latter [[maritime border]]s are important not only for enforcing how close other nations' vessels can come to the shore of the state in question, but also for staking claim to oceanic resources including fish and underwater minerals. On some worlds no maritime borders may be formally defined, but such definition becomes increasingly necessary as ocean travel and exploitation of marine resources becomes increasingly common. Even on densely populated, [[technology\|technologically]] advanced worlds, there may remain parts of the oceans not subject to any national claim; these areas may be known as [[international waters]], or more briefly and informally as high seas. Similar considerations may apply to other uninhabitable areas that may surround nations on more unusual worlds, such as seas of [[lava]] or regions that are not practically colonizable due to dangerous [[rhegus\|rhegi]].		Not all national borders necessarily are on the land; it often becomes necessary to define [[water]] borders as well, to denote exactly where the boundary is between two nations separated by a [[lake]] or other body of water, or how far a state's claim extends into the ocean. The latter [[maritime border]]s are important not only for enforcing how close other nations' vessels can come to the shore of the state in question, but also for staking claim to oceanic resources including fish and underwater minerals. On some worlds no maritime borders may be formally defined, but such definition becomes increasingly necessary as ocean travel and exploitation of marine resources becomes increasingly common. Even on densely populated, [[technology\|technologically]] advanced worlds, there may remain parts of the oceans not subject to any national claim; these areas may be known as [[international waters]], or more briefly and informally as high seas. Similar considerations may apply to other uninhabitable areas that may surround nations on more unusual worlds, such as seas of [[lava]] or regions that are not practically colonizable due to dangerous [[rhegus\|rhegi]].

	On some worlds, it may be necessary to define borders in more than just [[planespace\|two dimensions]]. If all the nations are on the [[surface]] of the world, two dimensions may be sufficient, but this isn't always the case. Some worlds may exist in multiple layers; this may be the case, for instance, if extensive [[underground]] areas are also inhabited, so that it is necessary to specify not just what area a nation covers, but what range of depths (which may, of course, vary over its area to form a complex [[realmspace\|three-dimensional]] shape). A [[sheely world]] may also require specifications in three dimensions, to define how much of the airspace around a [[shee]] or [[welkin]] its inhabitants can claim (moreover, the space between the shees can be divvied up in a means similar to maritime borders, complete with [[international air]] analogous to international waters). Some worlds may involve complex three-dimensional shapes that allow multiple nations to be located over and under each other in other ways, likewise requiring three-dimensional specification of their borders. One example of such a world is [[Jhembaz]], a [[worlddisk]] of [[Qabede]] so thickly [[forest]]ed that different altitudes in the foliage are settled by entirely distinct states and [[culture]]s.		On some worlds, it may be necessary to define borders in more than just [[planespace\|two dimensions]]. If all the nations are on the [[surface]] of the world, two dimensions may be sufficient, but this isn't always the case. Some worlds may exist in multiple layers; this may be the case, for instance, if extensive [[underground]] areas are also inhabited, so that it is necessary to specify not just what area a nation covers, but what range of depths (which may, of course, vary over its area to form a complex [[realmspace\|three-dimensional]] shape). A [[sheely world]] may also require specifications in three dimensions, to define how much of the airspace around a [[shee]] or [[welkin]] its inhabitants can claim (moreover, the space between the shees can be divvied up in a means similar to maritime borders, complete with [[international air]] analogous to international waters). Some worlds may involve complex three-dimensional shapes that allow multiple nations to be located over and under each other in other ways, likewise requiring three-dimensional specification of their borders. One example of such a world is [[Jhembaz]], a [[rew (Charos)\|worlddisk]] of [[Qabede]] so thickly [[forest]]ed that different altitudes in the foliage are settled by entirely distinct states and [[culture]]s.

	==Divisions==		==Divisions==

Tada: A couple minor fixes

2012-08-29T08:54:42Z

A couple minor fixes

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:54, 29 August 2012
Line 27:		Line 27:
	Not all national borders necessarily are on the land; it often becomes necessary to define [[water]] borders as well, to denote exactly where the boundary is between two nations separated by a [[lake]] or other body of water, or how far a state's claim extends into the ocean. The latter [[maritime border]]s are important not only for enforcing how close other nations' vessels can come to the shore of the state in question, but also for staking claim to oceanic resources including fish and underwater minerals. On some worlds no maritime borders may be formally defined, but such definition becomes increasingly necessary as ocean travel and exploitation of marine resources becomes increasingly common. Even on densely populated, [[technology\|technologically]] advanced worlds, there may remain parts of the oceans not subject to any national claim; these areas may be known as [[international waters]], or more briefly and informally as high seas. Similar considerations may apply to other uninhabitable areas that may surround nations on more unusual worlds, such as seas of [[lava]] or regions that are not practically colonizable due to dangerous [[rhegus\|rhegi]].		Not all national borders necessarily are on the land; it often becomes necessary to define [[water]] borders as well, to denote exactly where the boundary is between two nations separated by a [[lake]] or other body of water, or how far a state's claim extends into the ocean. The latter [[maritime border]]s are important not only for enforcing how close other nations' vessels can come to the shore of the state in question, but also for staking claim to oceanic resources including fish and underwater minerals. On some worlds no maritime borders may be formally defined, but such definition becomes increasingly necessary as ocean travel and exploitation of marine resources becomes increasingly common. Even on densely populated, [[technology\|technologically]] advanced worlds, there may remain parts of the oceans not subject to any national claim; these areas may be known as [[international waters]], or more briefly and informally as high seas. Similar considerations may apply to other uninhabitable areas that may surround nations on more unusual worlds, such as seas of [[lava]] or regions that are not practically colonizable due to dangerous [[rhegus\|rhegi]].

	On some worlds, it may be necessary to define borders in more than just [[planespace\|two dimensions]]. If all the nations are on the [[surface]] of the world, two dimensions may be sufficient, but this isn't always the case. Some worlds may exist in multiple layers; this may be the case, for instance, if extensive [[underground]] areas are also inhabited, so that it is necessary to specify not just what area a nation covers, but what range of depths (which may, of course, vary over its area to form a complex [[realmspace\|three-dimensional]] shape). A [[sheely world]] may also require specifications in three dimensions, to define how much of the airspace around a [[shee]] or [[welkin]] its inhabitants can claim (moreover, the space between the shees can be divvied up in a means similar to maritime borders, complete with [[international air]] analogous to international waters). Some worlds may involve complex three-dimensional shapes that allow multiple nations over and under each other in other ways, likewise requiring three-dimensional specification of their borders. One example of such a world is [[Jhembaz]], a [[worlddisk]] of [[Qabede]] so thickly [[forest]]ed that different altitudes in the foliage are settled by entirely distinct states and [[culture]]s.		On some worlds, it may be necessary to define borders in more than just [[planespace\|two dimensions]]. If all the nations are on the [[surface]] of the world, two dimensions may be sufficient, but this isn't always the case. Some worlds may exist in multiple layers; this may be the case, for instance, if extensive [[underground]] areas are also inhabited, so that it is necessary to specify not just what area a nation covers, but what range of depths (which may, of course, vary over its area to form a complex [[realmspace\|three-dimensional]] shape). A [[sheely world]] may also require specifications in three dimensions, to define how much of the airspace around a [[shee]] or [[welkin]] its inhabitants can claim (moreover, the space between the shees can be divvied up in a means similar to maritime borders, complete with [[international air]] analogous to international waters). Some worlds may involve complex three-dimensional shapes that allow multiple nations to be located over and under each other in other ways, likewise requiring three-dimensional specification of their borders. One example of such a world is [[Jhembaz]], a [[worlddisk]] of [[Qabede]] so thickly [[forest]]ed that different altitudes in the foliage are settled by entirely distinct states and [[culture]]s.

	==Divisions==		==Divisions==
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	There are, of course, many intermediate forms between the autocracy in which one person rules and the democracy in which everybody does. The reins may be held not by a single person by a small group of people, called an [[oligarchy]]. (Oligarchies of specific small numbers may have their own names; systems with three rulers, for instance, is sometimes called a [[triumvirate]].) If those with power make up a significant proportion of the populace but still a minority, it might instead be called an [[aristocracy]]; such a structure lends itself to a high level of social inequality, as the aristocrats may look after their own interests while ignoring those of the powerless—except, again, perhaps just enough to forestall revolution. (The line between oligarchy and aristocracy is a fine one, and may be entirely semantic.) In between the oligarchy and the aristocracy (or perhaps a special case of an oligarchy or aristocracy) is a rulership by a particular profession or social group: a [[kritarchy]] is a rule by judges, a [[stratocracy]] a rule by the [[military]], a [[goetarchy]] a rule by [[mage]]s, a [[hierocracy]] a rule by [[priest]]s, and so on. Some forms of government involve the rule, at least nominally, of entities that aren't citizens of the state at all. A [[theocracy]] is in principle direct rule by a [[god]] or gods, though in practice this usually ends up devolving into a hierocracy, an [[ecclesiarchy]] (government synonymous with the hierarchy of a [[church]]), or perhaps a [[hagiarchy]] (rule by individuals considered holy). A [[mageumarchy]] is a government where the laws are enforced by a [[rhegus]] covering the state.		There are, of course, many intermediate forms between the autocracy in which one person rules and the democracy in which everybody does. The reins may be held not by a single person by a small group of people, called an [[oligarchy]]. (Oligarchies of specific small numbers may have their own names; systems with three rulers, for instance, is sometimes called a [[triumvirate]].) If those with power make up a significant proportion of the populace but still a minority, it might instead be called an [[aristocracy]]; such a structure lends itself to a high level of social inequality, as the aristocrats may look after their own interests while ignoring those of the powerless—except, again, perhaps just enough to forestall revolution. (The line between oligarchy and aristocracy is a fine one, and may be entirely semantic.) In between the oligarchy and the aristocracy (or perhaps a special case of an oligarchy or aristocracy) is a rulership by a particular profession or social group: a [[kritarchy]] is a rule by judges, a [[stratocracy]] a rule by the [[military]], a [[goetarchy]] a rule by [[mage]]s, a [[hierocracy]] a rule by [[priest]]s, and so on. Some forms of government involve the rule, at least nominally, of entities that aren't citizens of the state at all. A [[theocracy]] is in principle direct rule by a [[god]] or gods, though in practice this usually ends up devolving into a hierocracy, an [[ecclesiarchy]] (government synonymous with the hierarchy of a [[church]]), or perhaps a [[hagiarchy]] (rule by individuals considered holy). A [[mageumarchy]] is a government where the laws are enforced by a [[rhegus]] covering the state.

	The government of a large state is complex and not necessarily monolithic, and different ~~branches~~ or levels of the government may run by slightly (or radically) different systems. The branch of the government that actually performs the day-to-day administrative tasks and enforces the [[law]]s is called the [[executive branch]], and is the part most often associated with the government as a whole. However, states may have other branches which may or may not have some degree of autonomy from the executive branch and from each other, such as a [[legislative branch]] concerned with passing [[law]]s, a [[judicial branch]] concerned with interpreting them, an [[electoral branch]] that directs elections of officials, and a [[revisory branch]] devoted to auditing the other branches. It's possible that these branches may reflect different forms of government, with perhaps the executive branch being a hereditary monarchy and the legislative a democratically elected council. It's also possible, and quite common, for the corresponding branches to take a very different form at different levels or different localities at the lower levels; local leaders may, for instance, be elected even when the national leaders are not, and they may be elected by very different methods in different parts of the state.		The government of a large state is complex and not necessarily monolithic, and different [[branch (government)\|branch]]es or levels of the government may run by slightly (or radically) different systems. The branch of the government that actually performs the day-to-day administrative tasks and enforces the [[law]]s is called the [[executive branch]], and is the part most often associated with the government as a whole. However, states may have other branches which may or may not have some degree of autonomy from the executive branch and from each other, such as a [[legislative branch]] concerned with passing [[law]]s, a [[judicial branch]] concerned with interpreting them, an [[electoral branch]] that directs elections of officials, and a [[revisory branch]] devoted to auditing the other branches. It's possible that these branches may reflect different forms of government, with perhaps the executive branch being a hereditary monarchy and the legislative a democratically elected council. It's also possible, and quite common, for the corresponding branches to take a very different form at different levels or different localities at the lower levels; local leaders may, for instance, be elected even when the national leaders are not, and they may be elected by very different methods in different parts of the state.

	The form of a government may, and indeed commonly do, change over time. While some dictatorial dynasties may have persisted for hundreds of years, this is not universally the cause. A state's leaders may gradually cede powers to the populace, or conversely may arrogate powers they did not formerly possess. Judicial decisions may change the way that other branches of the government carry out their duties. And, of course, a revolution or similarly drastic event may radically change the government overnight, turning it from a monarchy to a democracy or a democracy to a [[military dictatorship]]—or dissolving the government and turning it into [[anarchy]] until someone or some organization manages to organize the people or to seize power itself.		The form of a government may, and indeed commonly do, change over time. While some dictatorial dynasties may have persisted for hundreds of years, this is not universally the cause. A state's leaders may gradually cede powers to the populace, or conversely may arrogate powers they did not formerly possess. Judicial decisions may change the way that other branches of the government carry out their duties. And, of course, a revolution or similarly drastic event may radically change the government overnight, turning it from a monarchy to a democracy or a democracy to a [[military dictatorship]]—or dissolving the government and turning it into [[anarchy]] until someone or some organization manages to organize the people or to seize power itself.

Tada: Created page with 'A '''sovereign state''' is an independent political body with a permanent population, over which a single government has authority. The term can refer to the pe…'

2011-12-24T11:06:12Z

Created page with 'A '''sovereign state''' is an independent political body with a permanent population, over which a single government has authority. The term can refer to the pe…'

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