ARCHIVED: Reception for TNP Monarchies

[Ator People]

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Special Interest Reception for Monarchies and Other Absolute Governments in The North Pacific.

First, thank you to the two chefs who flew in from Ator People to prepare this traditional Atorian meal (Seasoned lamb over potatoes with a mushroom and port sauce)! I have been assured as well that we will be serving the finest Atorian wines as well, so please enjoy!

My name is H.E. Duke Patrick J. Stevens, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. I am the Special Envoy to the Vladivostok Conference from the Sovereign Kingdom of Ator People. It is my sincere honor to welcome our fellow North Pacific diplomats here, especially those from monarchies and other absolute governments in the region.

Our region has a long history of democratic regional governance. However, that does not mean that sovereign nations within The North Pacific must govern their own nations in the same way. In fact, many of our nations have found that on a national level absolute governance is far more effective, efficient, and beneficial to our people.

As we, along with so many other diplomats from other TNP nations arrived in Zemnaya Svoboda for the Vladivostok Conference, we in the Atorian diplomatic mission felt a certain kinship among those who shared similar government structures. I hope this reception serves as a chance for us to learn more about each of our nations and governing structures and discover common values between our countries.

So, without further ado, I'd like to invite one representative from each nation present to come up and introduce yourself and share with us some information about the history of your nation, your nation's form and method of governance, and any concerns or hopes you have coming into the Vladivostok Conference.

 

[mcmasterdonia]

King Johnslo stands and steps forward towards the microphone, closely followed by his wife Queen Meghan.

"I would like to thank, H.E. Duke Patrick J. Stevens, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Ator People for hosting this reception for North Pacifican Monarchy's. I believe it is important that we recognise the diversity of governmental and political systems in our region.

I believed it was vital that the Queen and I attend such a conference, to ensure that other nations with different political systems and cultures to ours did not attempt to force radical change upon a historic nation such as ours. That is why the Queen and I decided that it was best that we ourselves attend this conference.

A monarchy represents more than simply the head of states of the nation. It is not a hereditary self serving body that its republican critics say that it is. Those who say such ridiculous things, do not truly understand the wonderful and engaging institution that monarchy is, and the benefits it brings to its people.

In Mcmasterdonia, monarchy represents the very spiritual and cultural core of our nation. Besides a short civil war, since the nations founding the monarchy has existed and served our great nation. It is a great institution, and the guide of the cultural and social well being of our nation. Currently it is estimated that dissatisfaction with the monarchy is less than 1%.

However, as King it is my responsibility to guide and unite our nation in difficult times. Recently we have faced a small rebellion in our south, led by the dwarven minority group. Most of these attacks have been minor, except upon arrival a this conference the Queen and I were victims of an assassination attempt.

We were lucky to have been guided by Nermantes, our protector. Nemantes is from the mountain regions of Northern McMasterrdonia. We forged our relationship in the fire and art of war, unto which she pledged her life to the protection of my family and all our possessions.

The Queen and I must be prepared to lead social and democratic change, or face irrelevance in our nations future. It is important that we remained engaged with our citizens, it is after all clear it is our responsibility to serve our people, and for our people to in turn serve us.

Most political responsibility has been ceded to the elected government of the day, however the role of the Monarch in our government remains to be a vital institution. It is exclusively the monarchs reponsibility to call elections, decide who is best suited to lead the government after an election, to command the armed forces, represent Mcmasterdonia in foreign affairs and trade, and to lead the economic discourse of the nation.

On behalf of the Queen, our imperial family and our loyal citizens, we would like to thank the government of Ator People for inviting us to this conference. It would give us no greater pleasure, than to welcome your royal family to a state visit of our imperial nation."

The King steps back, and allows Queen Meghan to step forward to the lectern,

"I would like to very much echo the words of my husband, King Johnslo and thank the Atorian government for inviting us to attend such a conference.

I was born in the former enemy, turned ally of McMasterdonia, the Archduchy of Uzbarrjan. I have, like the King, grown up as part of the royal family, an institution dedicated to public service and the well being of others. I am however more conservative and reserved than my husband on some issues.

We all no doubt agree the vital role that monarchy plays in the functioning of our Government. It is vital that we fight to allow this to continue, and also that we fight against international pressure upon us to change our nation in ways expected by the international community. Other political leaders, and nations, will preach what they like for their own personal agenda's and reasons.

These views will not always represent what is best for our nation, or our people. We must ensure that we continue to fight and protect what we know to be in the best interests of our Empire and our people. Only we can know how best to do this.

I am particularly concerned about discussion of a monetary union. The McMaster Royal has been the currency of McMasterdonia for more than four centuries. I would think it to be a terrible mistake if we were to abandon a stable currency that has served us well, for a new unstable fiscal union that does not understand the cultural and social diversity of the Kingdom of Mcmasterdonia.

That is all I have to say for now. We must continue to question social, political and economic changes that will have fundamental effects on how our nation operates. I second the offer given by the King for the Atorian royal family to visit Mcmasterdonia, and experience our rich and diverse culture for themselves"

The King and Queen both stand together, to much applause, before they take their seat at the table.

 

[Ator People]

*H.E. Duke Stevens takes the podium and begins to speak.

"On this third day of the Reception, I wish to welcome you all back. First, thank you to King Johnslo and Queen Meghan for presenting so eloquently the history of your great nation and its and monarchy.

I am excited to announce that our next speaker will present on the history, government, and culture of Ator People. He flew into Zemnaya Svoboda especially for this reception just this afternoon.

I present to you His Most Serene Highness, Prince Philip Nadroj, the Grand Duke of Nadroj."

*Applause

---

*H.S.H. Nadroj takes the podium and begins to speak.

"Thank you Your Excellency. It is my honor to be here to speak with you today about the history and government of the Sovereign Kingdom of Ator People.

My ancestors, the Nadroj family, came to the island that would become our great nation in 1601 with the intention of founding a base for Pacific-European trading. But they founded more than a simple trading post, and soon they had built a bustling city with a successful trading business. They sponsored settlers to come to the island until they had built three substantial cities, all under control of the Nadroj city.

But as good as the business was, it wasn't a government. However, it also wasn't under the control of any government in Europe. The Nadroj Cities (as they were known) were growing residential, as well as commercial centers. Their residents sought a more formal government.

The Nadroj family, well connected in European circles, utilized their connections with the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, to establish a governing structure for the island. The grant for an independent regional monarchy under King Henry I (crowned by Ferdinand III) was given in 1650. That was the beginning of our Kingdom.

Every King since Henry I has been elected by Prince-Electors. Five of these electoral positions were granted to various royal officials throughout the empire, while two were appointed directly by the Holy Roman Emperor (though Ator People always remained independent from the Empire, the Holy Roman Emperor continued to appoint up to two of the five Electors until 1740).

We are a monarchy, a kingship justly ruled by a single individual. Our monarch is subject only to natural and divine law, and, in matters of religion, to the Church.

Within our monarchy, though, are elements of aristocracy and democracy. We are aristocratic insofar as there are many people chosen to govern on more local levels (Grand Dukes for provinces, Proconsuls for territorial claims, Dukes for non-territorial offices, marquises for port cities, counts for cities, and barons for estates). We are democratic insofar as our leaders are chosen from among our own people and, in some cases, by our own people. For example, counts who govern cities are elected by a popular vote, and two princes, the Count Palatine of Princeton and the Marquis of Notre Dame, are both elected by a popular vote as well.

Today my nation faces threats to its monarchy. As many of you know, we recently faced a Civil War. But what you may not know is that this Civil War was the result of a decade of radical "democratizing" in our nation. From 2001 until earlier this year we had a Parliament which could overrule a monarch's veto and royal governance other than the monarch himself was abolished. This caused a terrible division in our Kingdom, eventually leading to the terrorist attacks we faced from Progressive militants this past Winter. Fortunately our royal forces were able to reclaim control of most of the region, though we are still at war, though in a cease fire, with dissidents in the south-east of our Kingdom.

As we come to this Conference as a monarchy re-born we face international pressure from nations who would wish to impose democracy upon our people. But here's the thing: our people have tried democracy and have come away terribly unsatisfied. They desire justice founded on the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity. We lost that way of life when we attempted a monarchy. We have so far regained it by re-building our monarchy. At this Conference we are interested in re-building our foreign relations in the region. We too, however, are skeptical of any proposals that might limit our sovereignty.

We are especially excited to meet at this Conference other governments which share similar governing structures as we do. We hope that we can learn from your history, culture, and government to strengthen our nation and our region."