Izbien

The Federal Socialist Republic of Izbien, also known as Izbien, is a confederation of syndicalist states known as collectives. It is located north-west of Valeya off of the coast of Transoxthraxia. It is one of the few nations in Valaya that have had a successful socialist revolution. It continues to be known for its rural lifestyle, multiculturalism, individual autonomy, and a strict adherence to freedom of association.

Etymology
Izbien gets its name from the biggest of its islands which both its capital, Port Izbien, and meny of the most populated cities reside. This Island got itself from the Zusan explorer Izbien Von Donhourt who was famous for exploring the western coast of Valaya.

To the Anglans the land is known as Jamesland named after there James Darson who was one of the founders of Gobental.

Civil War
In 1924 there was an early and hard-hitting winter within the Izbien. The Gobental province which was primarily responsible for farming was hit the hardest and the crop that was supposed to feed the nation for the winter went bad. While this alone didn’t destroy the food supply the Federal government of the Neptian Republic refused to send aid which only compounded the issue. Their reason is that there was enough food in supply and aiding would only harm the importers which they relied on.

In response to this refusal by the government to aid the failed crop the primarily Anglan local Gobeltal government formed a commission outside of the Senete’s control to solve this crisis. Since they had been already been dismissed in the past and had been excluded from the larger political process systematically this action was necessary.

The issue would only compound itself when prices for basic food like bread would be raised to meet the new demand in Izbien which would exacerbate the already tense winter.

Wip

Politics and Government
Izbien has 3 levels of governance. A basic unit is a local organization or union meant to the government or represent a certain workplace or space. These units

Izbien has multiple parties, unions, and organizations that all run together. While the US has strict borders of what states control what. Ibzien has a system based more on local control. Local workplaces would be their own governmental organizations along with housing complexes, parties, townships, and communes. Each with roughly equal rights afforded to them by the federal government. The only broad governmental force is the Collective, which the base township, workplace, ect must be a part of. A federal congress is separated into the Senate of Unions made up of elected members from the largest unions, as well as the People’s assembly which every collective gets a certain amount of. Justice is handled on a local level and between collectives. Laws can vary from town to town on certain punishments however generally retaliation and transformative justice is common. However, it isn't always practiced uniformly.

The federal government is run primarily by the Izbien Workers Party which runs itself as the vanguard party but offers other leftist parties to exist. Mainly the Syndicalist Union Census which is focused around the power of unions, and the Woodmaker’s Union which is the political wing of a large and prominent rural union. Primarily the Federal government handles ensuring collectives and other institutions are making sure their citizens are treated fairly as well as facilitates the exchange of goods through managing and ensuring contacts between workers and their organizations and communes among themselves. The federal government runs the main military force that is tasked with protecting the nation. However, militias are common and prevalent in many parts of the nation run by the collectives. Specifically, they are able to act on their own and very rarely with federal oversight. Such as in the past they both acted as first defenders and attackers in many wars to the chagrin of the Executive Committee. The Izbien Federal government allows leftist parties specifically to run, however, any reactionary organizations or parties are shut down by federal officers. However, the internet isn’t highly censored. Housing, Healthcare, Food, and Work are all guaranteed in Izbien so descent back to a capitalist system isn’t often common unless by outside forces.

Military
The Izbien Military comprises the Izbien Armed Forces, Special Forces, Navy, and Airforce. Personal are either in reserve or the active troops. The Reserve troops to be called on if war is to break out, or if extra mobilization is needed. Active troops are active in bases or in operations in or outside the country.

The Izbien Military budget is moderate and most of it goes towards maintaining the current Military by purchasing supplies from foreign manufacturers. However, some supplies are solely made in Izbien such as rations, clothing, and non-combat gear while most weapons are made outside of the country. However, Ibzien does hold stockpiles of weapons for military use.

Izbien has 95,000 active military troops located in several bases around the nation as well as outside of the country. 4 divisions of 20000 are regarded as the nation's main defensive force. While there are 36,000 Reserve troops ready to be called on at any time. Izbien's military age is 18 to 50 and doesn't partake in constrictions and drafts are rare and the last resort. Between the age of 18-50 Izbien 5,755,550 available for military service and 4,633,472 capable of military service.

Within the Izbien Navy consists of what they were able to get from breaking off of the dissolving Republic plus some newer ships.

Culture
The Culture is primarily an offshoot of Anglian which has been morphed by the socalist revolution and the rugged individualism that had been present before it as well. The people are in a transitional state between individualist and collectivist and this is the most prominent divide in the country other than the Germano-slav and Anglicans.