Post by Objective Reporter on Feb 9, 2004 18:09:33 GMT -5
NPO Gaining Influence
by The Objective Reporter
******** Disclaimer ********
The New Pacific Order (NPO) currently has a policy of boycotting the NetworkRadio news service. While this is regrettable, it is still our duty as a news organization to bring you the significant events and personalities shaping the Nation States world.
This story was therefore written without the explicit perspective of any of the NPO officials or insiders, although we attempted to represent their views. We hope it still meets our standards of objectivity and reporting excellence.
******** End Disclaimer ********
What government in Nation States generates more discussion, more debate, and more hatred than any other in the game? If you answered anything but the New Pacific Order (NPO), the government of The Pacific headed by Francos Spain, you probably haven't been playing that long.
The source of the NPO's controversy lies with the methods Francos Spain and his appointed senators use to maintain the stability of the regime, and its bare-knuckle intolerance of opposition. The Civil Code, the NPO's documented set of laws, is rigidly enforced - illegal acts include badmouthing the government and collecting more than 15 endorsements. The NPO encourages its civilians to report Civil Code offenders. Civilians who report some number of offenders are given a title and thus prestige; in a region of over 7000 nations, this provides the NPO with an added dimension of control.
Critics argue that these policies effectively mute the will of The Pacific's nations, and that a feeder region in particular needs to be receptive to the (possibly dissenting) voices of its nations. Supporters of the NPO counter that any nation is welcome to join the NPO forum and express themselves as long as they stay within the bounds of the Civil Code. NPO supporters also argue that although other Pacific regions claim to be democratic, they invariably end up using the same tactics the NPO use to counter threats to the delegacy.
Critics are also displeased with the manner in which nations are ejected - quickly, often without explanation - without a clue as to what rule they broke. Let the record show, however, that only one of the many critics I interviewed was able to produce an example of such a nation. NPO supporters have responded to this in the past by saying that the NPO has a High Court before which any ejected nation may air their grievance. To date, few nations have attempted this.
The NPO is becoming more controversial all the time. When in early January, Francos Spain's puppet FSend was caught collaborating with then anti-NPO leader Savage Lands in an attempt to unseat LadyRebels as delegate of The South Pacific, he rekindled the flames of protest against his regime - flames that were fanned higher when it was revealed that he and Savage accused the popular LadyRebels of rascism in a propoganda campaign aimed at UN members of The South Pacific. This was an illegal tactic that not only got Savage Lands deleted, but which resulted in moderator Neutered Sputniks punishing Francos Spain by choosing to make public his involvement in the affair - the first time a moderator's punishment has ever deliberately altered the political dynamics of the game.
Though Franco's fiasco in the South Pacific could be considered a setback for the NPO, the NPO is strong and getting stronger. The NPO has not only survived the initial backlash in September '03 caused by the methods used to install the regime (massive ejections and a ban list so long a new rule was put in place to limit the number of banned nations to 200), it has also survived several invasions and other campaigns to displace the regime. Now, the NPO is here to stay, and gaining influence. Savage Lands, a formidable veteran and former delegate of The Pacific, has reincarnated into his new identity as The Godly El Sabah Nur, and has joined on with the NPO.
The NPO has recently gained another ally, the USSR, a former Alliance Defense Network (ADN) region, headed by RedCommunist. It was RedCommunist's cozying up to Francos Spain that angered the leadership of the ADN, a defensive alliance that is strongly opposed to the domestic policies of the NPO. When the USSR's involvement with the NPO became public, the USSR was quickly removed from the ADN. While the impact of this departure was minimized by the fact that RedCommunist did not have access to the ADN's military intelligence, the new alliance nonetheless suggests that there are those in Nation States who are beginning to perceive the NPO as a legitimate power worth allying with. NetworkRadio has learned of other alliance propositions being floated between the NPO, USSR, and the Atlantic Alliance.
One thing is certain: with Savage Lands and RedCommunist both hopping the fence to become friendly with the NPO, it's clear that Francos Spain is beginning to extend his influence beyond his home region of The Pacific. It is uncertain, however, what kind of influence he will yield, going forward. Will it be political, as with the USSR, or will it be military, as with Savage Lands?
The NPO's military designs, if any, are unknown. The NPO's most ardent critics, such as Siggi, Head Commander of the Rejected Realms Army (RRA), were convinced that Francos Spain had conquest on his mind, even before the adventure in The South Pacific. Few in Nation States who are connected to this debate are not at least wary of the NPO, and nobody thinks the NPO is harmless. Indeed, the NPO was in the middle of diplomatic relations with a South Pacific ambassador when the Savage Lands & FSend attack occured, undermining any future attempts at diplomacy.
Recently, in what could only be described as a public forum for anti-NPO sentiment, an in-absentia election was held in the NS forums for the new delegate of The Pacific, with popular anti-NPO crusader Crazy Girl getting all the endorsements. The thread quickly degenerated into verbal fisticuffs between NPO critics and supporters, with no clear winners. If this reporter may be allowed to editorialize, it seems that debate over the NPO basically boils down to what beliefs are held about what constitutes an acceptable government; since those beliefs vary so widely, the debate probably has as much chance of being resolved as the abortion debate.
As to whether the NPO can be conquered, many, like 1 Infinite Loop, delegate of The East Pacific, feel that it would take a slip up by Francos Spain, or an exploitation of some other kind. Veteran invader Ackbar feels that the NPO is indeed vulnerable, but that past invasions have been impotent, lacking commitment, and lacking a leading presence that instills trust. Pope Hope, Director of the ADN, feels that a new unity and new tactics give fresh life to the movement to overthrow the NPO.
Up until the day that Franco's regime is overthrown, if that day ever comes, the NPO will most likely continue to be the most controversial regime in the game. As a testament to the NPO's notoriety, even the founder of Nation States, Max Barry, recently called Francos Spain a "ruthless dictator". One thing is certain: the NPO sure does make things interesting.
by The Objective Reporter
******** Disclaimer ********
The New Pacific Order (NPO) currently has a policy of boycotting the NetworkRadio news service. While this is regrettable, it is still our duty as a news organization to bring you the significant events and personalities shaping the Nation States world.
This story was therefore written without the explicit perspective of any of the NPO officials or insiders, although we attempted to represent their views. We hope it still meets our standards of objectivity and reporting excellence.
******** End Disclaimer ********
What government in Nation States generates more discussion, more debate, and more hatred than any other in the game? If you answered anything but the New Pacific Order (NPO), the government of The Pacific headed by Francos Spain, you probably haven't been playing that long.
The source of the NPO's controversy lies with the methods Francos Spain and his appointed senators use to maintain the stability of the regime, and its bare-knuckle intolerance of opposition. The Civil Code, the NPO's documented set of laws, is rigidly enforced - illegal acts include badmouthing the government and collecting more than 15 endorsements. The NPO encourages its civilians to report Civil Code offenders. Civilians who report some number of offenders are given a title and thus prestige; in a region of over 7000 nations, this provides the NPO with an added dimension of control.
Critics argue that these policies effectively mute the will of The Pacific's nations, and that a feeder region in particular needs to be receptive to the (possibly dissenting) voices of its nations. Supporters of the NPO counter that any nation is welcome to join the NPO forum and express themselves as long as they stay within the bounds of the Civil Code. NPO supporters also argue that although other Pacific regions claim to be democratic, they invariably end up using the same tactics the NPO use to counter threats to the delegacy.
Critics are also displeased with the manner in which nations are ejected - quickly, often without explanation - without a clue as to what rule they broke. Let the record show, however, that only one of the many critics I interviewed was able to produce an example of such a nation. NPO supporters have responded to this in the past by saying that the NPO has a High Court before which any ejected nation may air their grievance. To date, few nations have attempted this.
*****
The NPO is becoming more controversial all the time. When in early January, Francos Spain's puppet FSend was caught collaborating with then anti-NPO leader Savage Lands in an attempt to unseat LadyRebels as delegate of The South Pacific, he rekindled the flames of protest against his regime - flames that were fanned higher when it was revealed that he and Savage accused the popular LadyRebels of rascism in a propoganda campaign aimed at UN members of The South Pacific. This was an illegal tactic that not only got Savage Lands deleted, but which resulted in moderator Neutered Sputniks punishing Francos Spain by choosing to make public his involvement in the affair - the first time a moderator's punishment has ever deliberately altered the political dynamics of the game.
Though Franco's fiasco in the South Pacific could be considered a setback for the NPO, the NPO is strong and getting stronger. The NPO has not only survived the initial backlash in September '03 caused by the methods used to install the regime (massive ejections and a ban list so long a new rule was put in place to limit the number of banned nations to 200), it has also survived several invasions and other campaigns to displace the regime. Now, the NPO is here to stay, and gaining influence. Savage Lands, a formidable veteran and former delegate of The Pacific, has reincarnated into his new identity as The Godly El Sabah Nur, and has joined on with the NPO.
The NPO has recently gained another ally, the USSR, a former Alliance Defense Network (ADN) region, headed by RedCommunist. It was RedCommunist's cozying up to Francos Spain that angered the leadership of the ADN, a defensive alliance that is strongly opposed to the domestic policies of the NPO. When the USSR's involvement with the NPO became public, the USSR was quickly removed from the ADN. While the impact of this departure was minimized by the fact that RedCommunist did not have access to the ADN's military intelligence, the new alliance nonetheless suggests that there are those in Nation States who are beginning to perceive the NPO as a legitimate power worth allying with. NetworkRadio has learned of other alliance propositions being floated between the NPO, USSR, and the Atlantic Alliance.
One thing is certain: with Savage Lands and RedCommunist both hopping the fence to become friendly with the NPO, it's clear that Francos Spain is beginning to extend his influence beyond his home region of The Pacific. It is uncertain, however, what kind of influence he will yield, going forward. Will it be political, as with the USSR, or will it be military, as with Savage Lands?
The NPO's military designs, if any, are unknown. The NPO's most ardent critics, such as Siggi, Head Commander of the Rejected Realms Army (RRA), were convinced that Francos Spain had conquest on his mind, even before the adventure in The South Pacific. Few in Nation States who are connected to this debate are not at least wary of the NPO, and nobody thinks the NPO is harmless. Indeed, the NPO was in the middle of diplomatic relations with a South Pacific ambassador when the Savage Lands & FSend attack occured, undermining any future attempts at diplomacy.
*****
Recently, in what could only be described as a public forum for anti-NPO sentiment, an in-absentia election was held in the NS forums for the new delegate of The Pacific, with popular anti-NPO crusader Crazy Girl getting all the endorsements. The thread quickly degenerated into verbal fisticuffs between NPO critics and supporters, with no clear winners. If this reporter may be allowed to editorialize, it seems that debate over the NPO basically boils down to what beliefs are held about what constitutes an acceptable government; since those beliefs vary so widely, the debate probably has as much chance of being resolved as the abortion debate.
As to whether the NPO can be conquered, many, like 1 Infinite Loop, delegate of The East Pacific, feel that it would take a slip up by Francos Spain, or an exploitation of some other kind. Veteran invader Ackbar feels that the NPO is indeed vulnerable, but that past invasions have been impotent, lacking commitment, and lacking a leading presence that instills trust. Pope Hope, Director of the ADN, feels that a new unity and new tactics give fresh life to the movement to overthrow the NPO.
Up until the day that Franco's regime is overthrown, if that day ever comes, the NPO will most likely continue to be the most controversial regime in the game. As a testament to the NPO's notoriety, even the founder of Nation States, Max Barry, recently called Francos Spain a "ruthless dictator". One thing is certain: the NPO sure does make things interesting.