Polaris
Polaris | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Ethnic groups | 55% waterbender 35% nonbender 10% other |
| Demonym(s) | Polarian |
| Government | Social Democracy |
• Jarl | Adelaide |
• Speaker | Ljot Vogdottir |
• Chief Justice | Knud Tostisson |
| Legislature | Congress |
| Currency | Water Tribe Tally (τ) |
Polaris is a domestically sovereign city-state. It is the capital city of the Water Tribe. All foreign policy matters, except those relating to border rights, are deferred to the Water Tribe. It is home of the Polaris Docks, the largest docks in the world.
History
Polaris was a city founded on the eastern coast of a region that later became the greater Water Tribe, a nation known for its waterbending prowess and social unity. Svet was elected as the Jarl of Polaris, and Polaris became the capital of the Water Tribe. However, due to its size and distance from the other parts of the Water Tribe, Polaris developed a distinct culture and identity over time. Some of its citizens began to feel that they were different from the rest of the Water Tribe and demanded more autonomy and self-determination.
As the demands for autonomy and self-determination grew, tensions between Polaris and the rest of the Water Tribe began to rise. The citizens of Polaris felt that they were not being fairly represented by the Water Tribe's central government and that their unique cultural and economic needs were not being adequately addressed. However, the Water Tribe government was concerned about preserving its unity and maintaining control over its capital city.
Polaris Proposal
In order to address the conflict and find a way to reconcile the differing viewpoints, the Water Tribe and Polaris formed a joint committee to draft the Polaris Proposal. The proposal recognized the full domestic sovereignty of Polaris, which meant that it had the authority to govern itself internally, including having full control over its own borders. However, it also reaffirmed that Polaris remained part of the Water Tribe and that all its citizens were considered Water Tribe citizens as well. The proposal also stipulated that Polaris would continue to be the capital of the Water Tribe and that foreign affairs would be handled by the Water Tribe as a whole.
The Polaris Proposal was a compromise that allowed Polaris to have more control over its own affairs while still being part of the greater Water Tribe. It helped to ease tensions between the two sides and allowed for a more peaceful and cooperative relationship to develop. The Water Tribe and Polaris began to work together more effectively, with the Water Tribe respecting the autonomy of Polaris and Polaris recognizing its place as part of the greater Water Tribe.
Geography
Polaris sits at the northeastern tip of the Water Tribe and serves a strategic purpose, exerting influence over the 7-shaped bend of the Central Sea. While the city sits on terrain which is relatively flat and frozen, it is surrounded by forests and a rare ice spike biome. Many entrepreneurs have intended to harvest these ice spikes for profit, but none have succeeded.
Government and politics
Polaris is a constitutional socialist democracy. While it is a part of the Water Tribe, no Water Tribe laws have any legal force inside of Polaris. The Water Tribe does have control over all foreign policy and laws pertaining to foreign matters, except for any of those to do with Polaris border rights.
The government is comprised of four branches:
- Public: The citizenry of Polaris collectively hold certain powers that the other branches do not have. The veto power, the power to approve executive cabinet members, the power of impeachment, the power of amending the Constitution, and the power of invoking binding referenda are all solely vested in the citizenry of Polaris.
- Legislative: The unicameral Congress makes laws, declares war, and has monetary powers, among other things. All members of the Congress are directly elected by the public.
- Executive: The Jarl, directly elected by the public, is the commander-in-chief of the military, has the power to appoint cabinet members with approval from the public, and is tasked with enforcement of the law.
- Judicial: The Tribunal Council, whose judges are appointed by the Jarl with approval from the legislature, interprets laws and overturns those found to be unconstitutional.
Economy
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Demographics
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Culture
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