Official Declaration for the International Posturing of the Sutherland Federation

[Wonderess]

On the Authority of Sutherland and the Wondrous Orders​

A Treatise on the Sutherland Federation and Its Vision for World Relations​

To the Nations of Eras​

Above all things, it is an honor and a monumental privilege to be among the historic, great, cultural, and triumphant nations of Eras. We, the united people of Sutherland come before you to offer our wishes and vision for the future. It is only right that we introduce our ideals and determined purpose as a people so that all nations may have the ability to know who is a friend and an ally or various ideals and missions going forward.

Our first matter is to address how Sutherland positions itself in relation to the other nations of Eras. We believe that we are unique among the peoples of the realm, but this does not imply isolation. Through our unique view and identity we hope to learn and join in the celebrations of others as to grow closer in international friendship and collaborative action so that our vision of a better world may be realized. Now we dare to speak to particular political regimes so that Eras may know where we stand.

To Absolute Monarchies: Sutherland having a monarchical figure in the Arc-Wonderess has goodwill and admiration for those monarchies that are absolute and historic. We hope and pray that God may truly bless such a noble king or queen. However, monarchy has the ability to become tyranny when a ruler no longer cares for their people but rather power and even imperialism. These acts are unacceptable and therefore limit the ability for Sutherland to work with such treachery unless evidence of concern and better treatment of the people is evident. Furthermore, Sutherland strongly denounces any regime which hides behind tradition or law in order to advance acts of evil for dishonor only worsens the state of the tyrannical soul and will decrease evermore the prospect of Sutherland's friendly involvement with such a nation.

To Constitutional Monarchies:It is honorable that such a nation should honor tradition and the will of the people in such a balance. Sutherland is very likely to partake and trade and camaraderie with such a nation so long as such an ideal is upheld. However, oligarchical tyranny is just as unacceptable as the tyranny of an individual. If this federation suspects that the will of the people is being suppressed by those very individuals that were elected by them then the only course of action Sutherland will be forced to take would be embargoes and an opening of the nation for sanctuary where such citizens would be more appreciated and adapted into our vision. It is our hope that such provisions would never prove necessary.

To Democracies and Constitutional Republics:Sutherland is well aware of the need for the people to be heard and honors such visions of governmental at every possible opportunity. However, the tyranny of the majority is a situation that always becomes possible with every election. As before, Sutherland must gauge the freedoms of the government's people before agreeing to trade and warm relations. It is also the hope of Sutherland that corporate interests are not the primal driving force of a government for such corruption is most certainly a detriment to the people. As long as Sutherland hears the voices of your nation being heard and considered seriously, then may the nation consider the Sutherland Federation an ally.

The Rule that Drives Us​

It is most likely well known by your people of the Courantist fervor of the Sutherland Federation in all things. Firstly, we would like to extend an invitation to faithful members of Courantism in all of Eras that we open our gates to you. If you seek a nation that places faith and the pursuit of good before all things then come unapologetically to these southern lands and join this journey toward salvation and personal betterment. We may not offer the largest economy or the greatest military defense, but we offer a community set on the good of the other in faith and the bond of spiritual family life.

Before the law is the ultimate vision of our way of life. This is The Wondrous Orders which stands as a moral guide in the day to day. Our government was formed around its precepts which calls us to compassion of the other, rejection of sinful life, and the practice of ever growing faith. This may be off putting to some nations that rather a more secular approach to government. We assure you that extremist sentiments that may threaten to become present among our people is prevented by the cooperative work of the Arc-Wonderess, Arc-Regent, and the entire Core General of this federation to ensure a balanced and prudent enforcement of law that denies the use of capital punishment, torture, and the declaration of holy war. All these things are beyond the purview of the Orders and the government as a whole.

We invite our friends and allies to learn of our order and our philosophical view of life. To learn of our ways is to understand how working with Sutherland can be of benefit to you! We ask for your cooperation with us and not some dismissal or fearful withdrawal from relations with Sutherland. We wish only to aid Eras in reaching its greatest potential before God. This is to say that there will be some differences culturally with other nations. Pornography of any sort, prostitution, movie and tv vulgarity and sexual content, homosexual marriage, and the selling of contraceptive devices are all prohibited within our nation. However, those among us who wish to leave Sutherland are free to do so. Therefore, these policies are agreed with a decisive majority of the nation. We believe that having such things removed from the public allows them to spend there time learning, growing in faith, and spending time with their fellow man. All things worthy of time and effort in our eyes. We look for those nations that most especially endorse such prudence and values.

Day to Day​

One aspect of Sutherland that is unique is its government structure. The strongest government of the nation are the 120 governmental districts that each include 10000 citizens. These communities are direct democracies in that all citizens vote and introduce motions that affect the community's infrastructure, community projects, and events. Citizens of 18 years of age have a month window to vote on motions brought before the community before they go into law. These governmental districts are part of a Dominion that acts as a province or state government approving intergovernmental district legislation and assuring continuity of economy and laws across the Dominion. The federal government is the collection of governmental district heads. From them are elected the three Regents who each represent a third of the Sutherland population. Also committee leaders and the speaker of the Core General come from this number. These members are guided by the Arc-Wonderess who may call the nation to hold a referendum on a decision from the Core General if he finds it contrary to the Orders. Overall, the Core General is a representative of the Dominions to the world. The Core General is a forum where the Dominions learn and improve through the success of one another. Making the government more about improvement and collaboration than legislation and winning popular vote contests.

Conclusion​

We know we are different from the rest of Eras. We only ask for a chance to work with you and make this world a better place regardless of influence, power, or military might. This land of faith is capable of becoming a great ally to you nations of Eras. We are eager to prove it and ask that you come to our World Sutherland Conference of Nations and introduce yourself to the Arc-Wonderess. We are praying and hoping for you all regardless of your values and hopes. We look forward to working with you as a people and as a nation.

In faith & patience,

Arc-Wonderess of Sutherland - Servant of the Wondrous Orders

Arc-Regent of Sutherland - McMasterdonian Tolerance Caucus Head

 

[The South Falls]

(Lemme try to respond to what I understand the declaration as, it may not be right)

From the Foreign Relations Sub-Ministry of The South Falls​

To: The Constitutional Monarchy of Sutherland

From: The Foreign Relations Sub-Ministry of The South Falls

The declaration that your nation has made is quite extensive. We welcome new nations into Eras, as we are new ourselves. Congratulations on being in Eras, and we wish you peace, and prosperity, forevermore. Now to the meat of this reply, about the declaration itself.

Having a Monarch was something that this nation tried, at the beginning of our independence, thirty-five years ago, in late 2000. We proclaimed a king, King John I. This was the regnal name of our hero, not unlike George Washington to the United States, John Arnold Palmerston. The reason why we dropped this monarch was for multiple reasons. We respect Sutherland's choices in becoming a monarchy, but we believe, that, due to the inherent risk of tyranny, monarchy doesn't work. It leads to the squashing of the people for the elevation of the monarch. However, what seems to be the link in our government styles is the direct democracy at the community level.

Direct democracy at the community level, people deciding what happens inside of their small communities, is very important. This fosters a sense of destiny control within the people, which emboldens them to politically be active, contributing to the democracy, and keeping it from growing nascent. We agree with direct democracy at the community level, however, if our nation was to choose the government style of all the world, then we would choose a direct democracy. It keeps the entire people voting for what they want. We understand the concerns for tyranny by majority, however, that is less common that tyranny by an oligarchy.

The next part of this declaration that we'd like to address is the law, and the part religion plays in it. Legislation of morality was again tried, with the 2008-2009 prohibitions, but that only raised a large beast of organized crime, that we are still stomping out. We make our laws more secular, not legislating morality, but still trying to punish the crimes that result in the harm of people. We believe, however, that the way that Sutherland operates has not brought crime to you, in so far as we know, and would like The South Falls to make allies with the Sutherland.

We also ask for a chance to work with Sutherland, and make both our nations prosper inside of the large, entangled sphere that is Eras.

Kourtney Carrieson, Foreign Affairs Minister of THe South Falls

Swinton Jalerazo, Sub-Minister of The Foreign Relations S8b-Ministry of The South Falls

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Mod Note: References to real-life political figures and nations don't make sense, because our real-life nations don't exist in Eras. You'll get used to it. Also George Washington is apparently Vallish (Jorgen Vanning, first Lord President of Valland).

 

[Wonderess]

In Response to The South Falls​

It is sad to find that such political structures failed your people in the past. As you pointed out, are system is infused with the wisdom and moral structure of the Courantist faith. What we desire most are allies that care for their people and are willing to join Sutherland in fostering peace, philosophical dialogue, and the overall betterment of Eras. Seeing that we are two nations that closely neighbor one another, the Federation finds the successful establishment of diplomatic ties and friendship very important and necessary. We ask that you be willing to be open to talks with us so that success be the only fruit of our efforts.

On another note, the Federation prefers the political classification of Philo-Constitutional Monarchy. The Arc-Wonderess is seen as a figure versed in philosophy, especially relating to The Wondrous Orders. We use the philosopher king model as proposed in The Republic by the philosopher Plato.

Thank you for contacting us and taking the time to foster diplomacy in this seemingly conflict filled world.

In faith & patience,

Arc-Wonderess of the Sutherland Federation