If you established your own country..........

[Lincoln Republican]

If you bought an island somewhere not claimed by any country, we will say an island of about 100,000 people, rich in natural resources, including oil, and you proclaimed that island to be a sovereign nation with you as the first leader of the new nation..........

What type of government would you establish?

What policies would you like to see instituted?

What relations would you have with other nations?

[RogueBeaver]

Government: Either constitutional monarchy or semi-presidential. Bicameral legislature, one house elected by FPTP and the other appointed. Titles of nobility will be on offer.


Policies: Keep a very lean government both domestically and militarily. Probably too small for a real military, so we'll apply for P5 protection. Pro-Western to the nth degree.

[Lincoln Republican]

If you had titles of nobility (to the highest bidder?) that would mean a monarchy in some form.  A presidential system of some type would not lend itself to having a nobility class.

Or would you work around that somehow? 

[Yelnoc]

I would try to model Singapore as closely as possible.  I would run things, appointing people to government positions on meritocratic principles.  Once the economy is healthy and self-sustaining, I would begin the transition to democracy.  Knowing myself, if my son proved to be a competent person interested in running things, he would have an inside track to the top job.

Of course, if I was some foreigner who bought the place like in the OP, I doubt I would be popular enough to pull that off.

[tpfkaw]

None, none, and cordial while keeping distance.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

100,000 population and rich in natural resources means I need to avoid the resource curse if I want a stable country.  How to avoid that depends on the qualities of  the 100,000 people I find myself suddenly ruling and what sort of infrastructure is already there, so insufficient information to determine initial policies.

As for long term policies, that too depends upon information not given.  Is the island way out in the ocean or on the coast of another nation whose economy my realm might interact with reasonably?  Is there land for population growth with an insular economy, and if so, how much land?  What's the climate like?  Dominca, Iceland, Macao, and Man would each require different policies.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Constitutional monarchy, unicameral legislature with half of the seats elected through proportional representation, and half of the seats being FPTP. Voting would be compulsory. Registration would be automatic upon reaching the voting age of 16.

A very limited, but clear, charter of rights, focused mainly on personal freedoms so as to infringe on the government's ability to intervene in the economy as little as possible. Failing that I would just prefer near-total parliamentary supremacy.

A certain percentage of profits from the rich natural resources of the nation would be distributed equally to all citizens.

Neutrality in most international affairs, with a very limited defensive force, but two years of national service in some form or another required from all natural born citizens.

But the question is really broad for such a small nation. Any policies we all come up with would probably be too grand in scale.

[John Dibble]

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Well, it's just big enough to be a real nation but small enough to be a good place to experiment, so I'd probably try some form of meritocracy. If there were elections of some sort, voting would be a privilege to be earned through some kind of national service and not simply given to any idiot who comes of age. Alternatively, people would be elected to promotion by their peers and their direct superiors, as people will probably care more and think about who they vote for if the person has a very direct and noticeable effect on them.

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1. Education. Build at least one top-notch science based university to attract young talent from other countries.
2. Respect for personal freedoms.
3. A small but elite military force would be maintained to deal with ordinary threats such as pirates or smugglers. Citizens would also attend boot camp in high school if they are physically able and learn how to use small arms. Every home having an adult of fighting age would be required to have a government issued firearm in a similar style to how Switzerland did it, though the guns would be in sealed cases which would send a signal to command when opened to notify them of unauthorized use of said weapons. Ideally the guns themselves could have a tracker on them as well. (this is not to say private gun ownership would be similarly regulated, but the guns distributed for defense are government property)
4. Profits from resources would be used to fund a variety of programs - education (schools, scholarships, etc.) and some kind of social security for retirees, things like that. Nothing could go into the pockets of the heads of government outside of their general salary, which would be good but not absurd.
5. Ecological conservation efforts where feasible. Use eco-tourism to help make this economically viable.

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Given the small size of the nation we'd be neutral in world conflicts that don't involve anything near us. If there was something occurring near us it would depend on the nature of the conflict.

Relations would otherwise be about trade and ensuring that we are able to make good money off of our resources.

[Lincoln Republican]

In reply to Ernest

Please see the following additional details:

Island is in the Caribbean, about fifty miles south and east of the southern tip of  eastern Florida.  It is about the size of Jamaica, so there would be plenty of room on this island to sustain this population.

Somehow, don't ask me how, it has remained uncharted, and hidden from the world.  

The island had no human habitation until a British ship drifted aground there about 500 years ago.  The ship had men, women, and children aboard, headed for Guyana for a settlement.  The passengers decided to remain on this beautiful island paradise, carried on through the generations, and are happy and content, although, only educated to the extent of 16th century standards, as this is what has been passed down through time.  They live in houses built from wood found on the island.

The climate is of course like that of Jamaica or Cuba.

The population grows vegetables, and fruit grows plentifully naturally.  They have cattle, chickens, hogs, geese, as the original ship brought seeds and livestock with them.

So these people would require major education to bring them into the 21st century.   

[Hatman 🍁]

I would draft a small constitution outlining the electoral system (2 houses, one elected by PR (STV if no parties present) the other with AV; separate election for President, elected by AV). I would then call for immediate elections (within let's say 2 months). I would run for President and hope to win. If not, I would sell the island to the incoming government.

[TNF]

Westminster style parliamentary democracy with a figurehead President. Unicameral legislature elected by proportional representation with automatic voter registration for all persons aged 16 and older. Unwritten constitution with a strong emphasis on protection of individual rights and a social market economy. Supremacy of Parliament in matters foreign and domestic.

The economy would be a social market economy that combines the American System, the Nordic Model, and the East Asian economic model of development and growth, with targeted growth measures, protectionism, and strong social insurance programs.

In foreign affairs, closely aligned with the United States.

[Oakvale]

I would model it almost entirely after Costa Rica, the greatest country in the world.

[© tweed]

nationalize the oil industry, export all of it that I could, and use it to accumulate a balance of foreign hard currency.

embark on a Stalinist industrialization programme to try to achieve self-sufficiency in all major areas of the economy, as to avoid relationships with global capitalism where-ever possible.

also nationalize the major sectors of the economy: housing, health, etc.

engage in international trade through the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

Constitutional monarchy, unicameral legislature with half of the seats elected through proportional representation, and half of the seats being FPTP. Voting would be compulsory. Registration would be automatic upon reaching the voting age of 16.

I never had you pegged as a person in favour of monarchy Marokai. I know Leif is a strong supporter of constitutional monarchy but I didn't think any of the other Americans were. Glad to see though.

[k-onmmunist]

Federal republic with a good deal of power lying in the regions. Unicameral legislature, voting at 16 along D'Hondt proportional representation lines. Voting voluntary. The nation would be completely neutral and maintain only a small defence force - enough to protect against outside attack.

A simple bill of rights would combine personal liberties with something along the lines of FDR's second bill of rights to ensure that the government is committed to the people and not to corporations.

Oil and major industries would be nationalized and a huge program of industrialization will begin, combined with industrial tariffs. Much of the oil profits would be given to the people, with some remaining in the government coffers to fund economic expansion.

[Vosem]

I looked through this entire page to find the opebo reply. I was disappointed when I didn't find it.

That said, I would probably establish a dictatorship under my own control. I know myself too well to think I might give something up if no one can prove it doesn't belong to me. Character weakness.

If I had to design the best government, a microstate of only 100,000 people or so would probably have an Israel-style system (which I've always thought was best suited for a small country of less than 1 million or so); a party list system, no threshold, and some weak local government. There would be a defined constitution, similar to the American one in many respects but going into significantly more detail about public policy.

Internationally? Probably a close ally of the US, Israel, et cetera. I could see my nation cutting off diplomatic relations with Iran, though I doubt a random small island microstate has the resources to pull off a war.

[afleitch]

I'd install myself as a constitutional monarch; king is too regal so I'd make it a Principality.

I'd establish a fully elected unicameral parliament for all voters over the age of 16 elected using the STV system. I would establish a bill of rights and a liberal constitution (including full gay rights). I would retain veto power only as a technicality to keep the country stable in the first years). I would have a small to non existant military. No special recognition would be provided to any faith.

I would then sit back essentially and let the country govern itself. I'd probably become an urban planner; designing roads, buildings etc and a be patron of the arts.

Good idea for a game on here actually...

EDIT: So basically I would become like Babar...

[dead0man]

Constitutional Monarchy with me as Head of State (I'd come up with a funny name), non-hereditary becoming a Presidential system after my death.  100 seat unicameral, using STV as the way they are elected.  Very liberal economy and society.  Low taxes, no tariffs, no trade with countries with over-the-top social or environmental ills.  Tourism would be key.  I'm thinking the Amsterdam of the Caribbean, lots of casinos, brothels and pot shops.  All lightly regulated and moderately taxed by the state.  (mainly to keep them safe and, hopefully, corruption free...though that will be hard)  I'll spend more than I need to on education and police.

But the best part will be the Common Sense Squad.  Kind of like a mobile Jury that runs around the country looking for Bull sh**t.  Every adult citizen will have to participate in someway.  Maybe a month at a time.  If you see Bull sh**t, you have a number you can call (like 922 or something) and the Common Sense Squad will come have a look, see if it's Bull sh**t, make a recommendation or decision or arrest or whatever, then off to the next call.  I'm thinking a highly stylized (and speedy) Short Bus or two.  Everything they do will be well documented via video and broadcast LIVE! (with weekly specials showing the biggest asshats) on the special Bull sh**t channel.  I think this will decrease the amount of assholes and asshole like behavior in the population.  Think your neighbor is being a bitch?  Call the Common Sense Squad, someone is going to look like a douche when they show up.  We don't use public humiliation enough anymore.

[Redalgo]

I'd be open to a making a lot of adjustments and restructuring things if given good advice, but...

What type of government would you establish?

I would establish a constitutional republic with a cautious, Madisonian tendency to install rigorous checks and balances between five, limited branches of government in a semi-presidential system: legislative, executive, judicial, investigative, and popular. The Constitution would obviously have a number of stipulations – including a provision of entitlements for the people that would mostly be in line with (though probably reworded a bit from) the International Bill of Human Rights.

The legislative branch would be bicameral. The first chamber, a Covenant of Wisards, would consist of a hundred representatives elected by AV with a quarter of the seats apiece reserved for natural scientists, social scientists, engineers, and a jumbled mix of artists, historians, theologians, and philosophers. Being a technocratic body, suffrage would be extended only for citizens who have received a Bachelor’s Degree or greater relevant to the section or sections of academic focus to which they want to elect candidates. Whizzes would get titles as honorifics and an indication of their exceptional abilities to lead and provide for the people in accordance to the rights and duties outlined in the Constitution. Meanwhile, The People’s Assembly will be an aristocratic institution consisting of 400 representatives selected via PR and AV since there would be a 2.5% threshold. Suffrage is universal, i.e. all who are of at least fourteen years of age and six months of residence.

The executive branch would be headed by a Presidium of five figures. Among them: a Vice President in reserve in case one of the others die or are otherwise incapacitated in office would be appointed by a simple majority vote by the Supreme Court; three more Presidents who must share the powers of head of government would be elected via PR, the AV, and the same standards of suffrage used in elections for the People’s Assembly; and a Sovereign (ceremonial head of state with limited powers that overlap somewhat with the heads of government) would be selected by the highest labour council via a process of their choosing. During procedural deadlocks there would be provisions for the Veep to step in and side with one faction or another to get things moving again. The Presidium would have control over several departments responsible for fleshing out the fine details of enacted legislation and then both implementing and enforcing it, and also command the all-volunteer armed forces – consisting of the distinct Land Corps, Sea Corps, and Sky Corps.

The judicial branch would embrace a system of civil law and consist of a Constitutional Court capable of proactively striking down legislation and nullifying executive actions and whose five judges are appointed by the highest labour council via a process of its choosing and approved by the People’s Congress, a Supreme Court consisting of seven justices appointed by the Presidium and approved by the Covenant of Wisards for settling appeals, and however many lesser courts are needed to handle the island’s caseload. The judges to serve in the lesser courts shall be selected by those labour councils that operate within the courts’ respective territorial jurisdictions without national-level interference. I'm  not savvy with this sort of stuff so I'd want a lot of input.

The investigative branch is responsible for coordinating government-authorized research and managing all three tiers of public education. It also coordinates with think tanks, runs polls, and carries out independent studies so as to provide other branches of government with whatever information (including foreign intelligence) is needed for leaders to make well-informed decisions. This also is applicable to the masses themselves, for whom the investigative branch is to provide public news broadcasts, educational programming, and election coverage that is as objective, balanced, honest, and transparent as reasonably possible. It also is responsible for running libraries and museums, preserving monuments and cultural heritage sites, and making openly available for public viewing government documents that are not currently (yet still only temporarily) classified to protect personnel from short-term security threats. This branch must adhere to the stipulations of legislation and the Constitution but is to be largely independent from other branches of government – being run by academians from within the public education system.

Finally, the popular branch exists as a grassroots, democratic institution for conveying the people’s concerns to officials, regulating political parties and levying a slush fund to allot equitably to candidates running for office depending on the public office being contested, and helping various organizations negotiate and/or voluntarily coordinate their efforts on a multitude of private concerns (e.g. churches, non-profit groups, chambers of commerce, labour unions, and so forth). It is loosely organized as an intertwined multitude of labour councils (aka “soviets”). Some might have members elected by the workers who serve in cooperatives, whereas others could be voluntarily organized groups of people with a wide variety of different agendas. Above all else, the purpose of these councils is to encourage fluidity of information, facilitate social networking, and better hold governing institutions accountable. Regulations would have to exist for who can vote in which instances, settle on procedural matters, and arrange councils into tiers of representatives depending on how active or passive people want to become in getting involved with social affairs.

Since the country is too small for a proper federalist system, the councils would probably be afforded a lot of leeway to satisfy legislative and executive functions for sub-administrative districts and townships on the island (though they’d still be restrained by the Constitution).

My first act would be to relinquish ownership of the island in exchange for being one of the principal architects in creating the new system of government. After a single term serving in office I would either seek election if my approval rating was over 60% or otherwise abdicate and turn my attention to trying to secure a much humbler post in one of the labour councils.

What policies would you like to see instituted?

- Nationalize the oil industry and pass protectionist measures to shield weak, fledgling industries.
- Strategically invest in basic infrastructure, health services, education, and anti-poverty programs.
- Do not seek a universal, social democratic welfare regime until more developed, economically.
- Promote conservation, eco-tourism, and economic diversification to stave off long-term problems.
- Fiscal restraint now causes less misery than being an indebted prison [Inks] for the IMF later on.
- Prioritize process quality and anti-corruption measures over achieving decisive political results.
- Minimize the armed forces and have them work with labour council volunteers on security issues.
- Adjust constitutional provisions to keep the threat of any one body consolidating power minimal.
- Work with the councils to request volunteers if the state is struggling to fully finance programs.
- Strive to keep the political culture secular, non-violent, and pluralistic – even if it means I lose big.
- Establish a system of market socialism or settle for a more mixed economy if that gets unpopular.
- Tax with the dual intent to raise revenue and reduce disparities of opportunity among the people.

Personal titles of "Mr.," Mrs.," and "Ms." would also be replaced with "Com." as a symbolic gesture.

What relations would you have with other nations?

Relations in all instances would be cordial but rhetorical pressure would be put on other countries when they do not live up to the high standards set in our own Constitution for our government to abide by. Trade would be sought with any regime willing to negotiate mutually-beneficial terms (i.e. trade that is fair but not necessarily "free"). Steps would be taken to join a variety of organizations (e.g., the Association of Caribbean States), and I would attempt to direct diplomatic efforts toward a strategy of dealing mainly with North American, South American, and European countries without becoming dependent on the goodwill of any of them in particular in areas of trade or national security. I would avoid war but, for conflicts abroad, I’d choose sides to voice opposition to without making material contributions because of the island’s priorities and very limited means. I would also want my party to develop strong ties with Socialist International and the FSP. I would also move to provide some public funding for labour councils that plan to organize humanitarian aid for other nations. Otherwise, however, I'd need to build up my own nation first before helping others.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

In reply to Ernest

Please see the following additional details:

Island is in the Caribbean, about fifty miles south and east of the southern tip of  eastern Florida.  It is about the size of Jamaica, so there would be plenty of room on this island to sustain this population.

Somehow, don't ask me how, it has remained uncharted, and hidden from the world.  

The island had no human habitation until a British ship drifted aground there about 500 years ago.  The ship had men, women, and children aboard, headed for Guyana for a settlement.  The passengers decided to remain on this beautiful island paradise, carried on through the generations, and are happy and content, although, only educated to the extent of 16th century standards, as this is what has been passed down through time.  They live in houses built from wood found on the island.

The climate is of course like that of Jamaica or Cuba.

The population grows vegetables, and fruit grows plentifully naturally.  They have cattle, chickens, hogs, geese, as the original ship brought seeds and livestock with them.

So these people would require major education to bring them into the 21st century.   

Ugh.  Given its location, I have to worry about Cuban and Haitian refugees, once word of the island gets out, which complicates matters.

Then there is the fact that early 16th-century Englishmen would be Catholics and wouldn't have even heard about the Reformation.  On the other hand, their religion is probably primitive.Even if they'd had any priests aboard, I'm doubtful they'd have been able to maintain a formal church.  The only Bible they probably would have had would have been a Latin Vulgate, and maybe not even that. (Unless it was a bunch of Lollards with a secreted Wycliffe Bible aboard the ship) It is entirely possible this utopia has done away with literacy, and even if they retain anything like it, I'm doubtful anyone knows Latin. So their religion is probably a folk religion with a basis in Christianity rather than anything remotely orthodox.

They might have gunpowder, but its probable that metalwork is rare and any steel is antique.  Smithing is a sophisticated skill and with only 100,000 now, they probably started with at most 100 survivors, so it is doubtful they had a smith with them, and even if they did, they almost certainly had no smelters or miners (other than some hopeful gold miners).  Free copper isn't too uncommon, but if they have anything better I'd be surprised.

You know, strike the idea of having to worry about Cuban and Haitian refugees.  The only way a place like this even remotely makes sense given its location is if it is only accessible through a narrow transdimensional rift and I bought the location of it from its rediscoverer, so I can station a permanent guard ship or maybe even a fixed platform, to control access in and out of the island.  (Or maybe the rift is only open every 500 years or so, but that would imply a totally different strategy.)

I'd start off my rule of this Bermuda Triangle Realm as Annatar, Lord of Gifts.  Improved strains of agricultural staples, plus improved versions of the tools they already have would be what I would distribute in the first years of my rule, even as offshore oil platforms and deep sea fishing trawlers were deployed to pay for my largess.  I'd also hire outsiders to help them relearn skills such as smithcraft and mining.  As well as mercenaries to protect me in the event they aren't as amenable to my help as I would hope.  I'd try to co-opt their existing structure as much as possible

My initial goal would be to get them up to a  roughly 19th century level in technology within the first decade with literacy starting to catch on among the young.  (I would not saddle them with the burden of learning Modern English, but would instead get them literate in their own language, since they would be able to have a phonetic spelling that way.)

By 2040, I'd hope to have them sufficiently prepared for the introduction of electricity and all that implies, including the radio and simple electronics. (Using transistors and not vacuum tubes.  No need to duplicate every stage of our own development.)  Electricity could probably be introduced earlier except I'd want to prevent them from interacting overmuch with the wider world until they were ready for it, so that means no electricity and no cell phones or internet until then.

[frihetsivrare]

Government- similar to a county government in the USA.  The island would have a council of 7 or so, each representing one district, with an executive.  I would have a court system and a referendum process like Switzerland.

Policies- Encourage citizens to start businesses and invest so the island can remain self-sufficient. I would institute tariffs on foreign goods to fund government and protect industry.  Immigration would be limited to people studying in the country, skilled workers, asylum seekers or if a person wishes to marry a citizen. 

Foreign relations- Completely neutral, like many smaller European countries.  Trade with everyone as long as the goods go to the people instead of just the elite of a particular country

[Lincoln Republican]

A lot of great replies.

With the way I have described the population, the first order of business I would think would be to bring these people into the 21st century.

Then things could proceed from there.

[Beet]

The local population is useless, and the situation is one of abject dependency.

My first step would be to carefully establish my legal rights over the country's natural resources and land, as recognized under United States and international law. This is my sole asset. My second step is to incorporate in New York City an enterprise for the purpose of colonization. The new corporation will sell assets to natural resource companies to fund mapping, exploration, and settlement.

The third step will be an expedition to thoroughly map the land and make contact with the population and to secure some kind of agreement where a portion of the land will be sold to my people.

After this a coastal settlement will be founded at a suitable natural location where there is a harbor or ships can approach close to shore.

As leader of the nation, I am the head of the nation's military and am supplied small arms, mercenaries and pickup trucks by the corporations.

National development will proceed on a colonization model, with the capital city founded and built by imported employees of natural resource companies. These companies will pay for exploration and the construction of infrastructure, and the importation capital, labor, and arms.

Incremental new technologies will be introduced to the local population for their benefit.

"Missionaries" will be sent to the native population centers to spread ideas such as vaccination, sanitation, and education.

Eventually, native workers will be encouraged to migrate to the newly settled areas to provide cheap, unskilled labor where that is called for.

The final stage will be to forcibly annex the entire island and make it clear to the people that I am the sole sovereign, preferably with as little violence as possible. For this purpose treaties may be negotiated guaranteeing many native rights and privileges in exchange for their acknowledgement of my sovereignty.

My government is not independent until enough revenues come in (to my banks in NYC and London) from the mineral and oil companies to establish a decent military and at least one city with a self-administrating infrastructure (sewage, electricity) that is not entirely a "company town." Full de facto independence from the oil and mineral companies may take decades.

Naturally, my foreign policy is pro-Western, pro-IMF, pro-World Bank, and pro-anyone else that can help me.

[Pingvin]

Confederation with a "States Rights First" principle. Presidential republic. Voting is mandatory. Two-chambered legislature: House of Representatives (1000 members) and Senate (136 members). Term limits for congresspeople: 2 six-year terms for Senate and 6 two-year terms for Represenatives. All former presidents and vice-presidents are appointed to the "National Senator" office.
President is elected by popular vote (IRV) with vice-president for one six-year term.
Isolationist. No strict gun control laws. Gov't runs only courts, army and police. Abortions are banned only with exceptions of rape, incest, or when mother's health is in danger. Marriage is only between one man and one woman. Immigration is very restricted. Burka, minarets and stupas are banned. Gold standard.
Supreme Court - 12 judges with one, non-renewable 15 years term.

[minionofmidas]

Whatever those 100,000 people want.