LustForDecay
Populist Republic of Vāssa
Nation Description:
Vāssa is an ancient nation, one that has seen both periods of prosperity but also of deprivation. It is a nation that has changed much over the course of time, it has gained and suffered from its inception to the present. Although the days of supreme importance to the known world are millennia past, Vāssa may yet still rise to be of supreme regional importance once more, if it can navigate the dangerous waters of modern politics. Although not the most modern nation, it is not entirely without power either, it is yet to be seen whether Vāssa will continue or improve upon this given other issues.
Vāssa has in the past built itself upon its national riches and does the same now, even if much of these benefits are suffered upon the greedy of Vāssa. The government is no longer popular nor is it likely to become so, too conservative for the left wing parties of the cities with their international ties, and too left wing for the rural landowners and religious leaders. Many see it as simply a form of foreign dominance over Vāssa, something which has greatly hampered the ability to make alliances with different political groups.
Culturally Vāssa has been and is tied strongly to the national identity of the four cultures that are seen as naturally Vāssan. The Frenyi do not have such a luxury, seen as foreign they are often the target of pogroms from rural communities, often leaving their assets to be seized by those who support the massacres.
Those four cultures are tied tightly through Vāssa's long history, now they hold dear the music and songs of Vāssa, that along with the unique jewelry created has long been held up as something of a unifier. In most of all aspects of life from the fields even into the factories songs and music are had, something not many nations pursue. Musicians have been long a prestigious profession within Vāssa and now sing not only the traditional songs and the new songs of the current day but now work in ballads for and against things in politics. Jewelry, as may be unusual in other countries, is worn by almost everyone, young, old, men, and women. Extensively from piercings of modernity to traditional bracelets and necklaces.
The corruption of Vāssa is not a simple matter of a few bad apples, the entire system would have to be overhauled to accommodate a lack of it. Laws remain enforced as much as those who pay the police for them to enforce, the military is a pawn of political and financial maneuvers, and votes are bought and sold for individual benefit. Many political parties are separated not of ideology but instead of who wishes to use them to gain wealth and power. However many of the people would wish it to be different and it is yet to be seen whether their Will can be sufficient to overcome.
The single shining hope from within the officialities of government lies in the Navy. Partially of the necessity of effectiveness for protecting Vāssa's vital trade and partially of hardened resolve the Navy has remained relatively free of the infestation of corruption, and will no doubt be either a powerful ally to whichever force seeks to turn out the massive issue of corruption, or may grow to be a force in their own right. In any case whether the Power of the People or other Powers, it will be necessary if Vāssa is to be strong once more, a hope that may not come to pass.
