New West Indies

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## New West Indies

### Regional Language(s)

English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese

## Miscellaneous

### Date Format

mm.dd.yyyydd.mm.yyyy

"*Have a seat, grab a drink, listen to the waves, and enjoy your stay!*"

– Achipel

The **New West Indies** (NWI) is a NationStates region and community founded on March 7th, 2018 by Achipel. It is a large region of 95 nations, 57 of whom are citizens. At its height, it had 169 nations and 87 citizens (at separate times, respectively).

The community largely emphasizes legislating, regional lawmaking, futuristic roleplay, and design. The government of the region extends opportunities to citizens for participation in its affairs, while private initiatives have recently gained steam, such as the Roleplay Committee.

The New West Indies is highly active abroad, with ties to 10000 Islands, Refugia, Osiris, The South Pacific, and others.

## Etymology

The term "New West Indies" refers to a previous homonymous Nationstates region. According to Achipel, the current New West Indies was created as a reference to this former region, where Achipel once resided.

The name reminds a distant past where the New West Indies was a Caribbean and Pan-American themed roleplay region, with the name pointing to the real-life West Indies, another name for the Caribbean.

The abbreviation "NWI" refers to the New West Indies. There is no official way to designate a citizen of the New West Indies, though the term "New West Indian" has been used.

## History

### **Nascent Era**

Early activities in the New West Indies were defined by Achipel's initiatives and were relative quiet amongst the small populace. Achipel focused on developing recruitment drives and the Constitution.

Additionally, there were multiple polls inquiring about how the regional roleplay would function, such as its location, time period, and whether NPC nations should be involved. The results of these initial polls would set precedent for years to come, and they still affect the current roleplay today. The most well-known name from this era is Unia Saul, who helped develop initial ideas for roleplay and posted frequently on the Regional Message Board.

On March 21, 2018, the initial version of the current Constitution was implemented. Its tenants, including freedom of expression, direct democracy, and separation of powers, significantly shaped New West Indian values.

### **Early Expansion**

Beginning in May of 2018, the region experienced a distinctive surge in population, doubling in nation count over the course of the month (from 20 nations to 40 nations). Multiple well-known contributors joined this month, including Cymiopolis, Volirum, and Luraqau. They, among others, would be crucial to developing the region over the course of the expansion era and beyond.

Roleplay began in earnest, with nations finally posting in-character for the first time. Most early posts were defined by basic diplomacy and simple national perspectives.

### **Karterian Era**

#### **Exile of Electorate**

*Main Article: Exile of Electorate*

Electorate, an active roleplayer and longtime resident at the time, was banned on July 4, 2019 by Achipel on orders of Secretary-General Karteria, who had assumed office just four days prior. This eviction, to initially last 3 months, was the culmination of an alleged series of minor abuses of expression and toxicity.

Following the initial ban on July 4, Electorate was given a month-long extension to that ban following allegations of bullying another citizen via telegram. Before two weeks could pass, this ban was made permanent via Executive Decree 007 (enacted by the Secretary-General), alleging a conspiracy to commit sedition with the assistance of two other residents. On July 30th, Electorate was accused of puppet flooding via the nation Dentritown, and that nation was subsequently banned by the Secretary-General following Executive Decree 008.

Electorate maintains an extensive criminal history. They are one of two nations to receive a permanent ban in New West Indies history or be charged with sedition.

#### **Accelerated Government and Legislative Explosion**

The mid to late August period saw Nationstates move out of the NS Summer, and a firmer establishment of the relatively newly elected Karteria administration.

By mid-August, the administration had opened a Government jobs programme that assigned responsibilities to applicants, thereby devolving power from elected officials to appointed civil servants. A few positions were filled, especially in the Department of Administration and the Office of the Secretary-General. A few civil servants began political careers in those jobs, such as New United Carolinas who later became Secretary of Administration, PotaTown and Ventus Prime who both later became Secretary of Foreign Affairs, or Reno Sheriffs Department who became President of the General Assembly.

Partially due to both this government revival and the end of the NS Summer, many nations immigrated in September, including future elected officials like North Italian Union or Ventus Prime. The increased publicity of the Government aspect of the New West Indies gradually led to an increase in interest for the General Assembly.

On September 25, 2019, the 7th Presidential Election for the office of President of the General Assembly was called. The main candidates were incumbent Thyostega, and challenger Reno Sheriffs Department. 48 hours later, the latter emerged victorious with 22 votes to Thyostega's 16, and the official GA term started on October 1st.

Reno Sheriffs Department was an active President, and proceeded to send the long list of WIP resolutions drafted under the less active Thyostega presidency to the floor. At the height of this period, the General Assembly was passing close to one resolution a week.

A series of electoral and impeachment reforms were passed in the early days of the Reno Presidency, and the Assembly saw the first bills proposed and successfully passed by citizens other than Karteria and Achipel. Meanwhile, the long-awaited Judicial reform proposed by Twelve Titans entered a final round of debates and negotiations, driven by citizens of the September immigration wave and regional veterans alike. A Criminal Code to immediately succeed "Establishment of a Judicial System" was drafted. Finally, on the 18th of November, 2019, the landmark bill passed under the name GAR#21.

### **Renaissance Era**

> "The community at-large has experienced a great cultural renaissance alongside developing its own identity... individual determination has never been so on display."
>
> – Secretary-General Karteria
>
>

The advent of the Roleplay Committee, private broadcasting, and community competitions through the Department of Internal Affairs spawned a new wave of culture not previously seen in the region. Roleplay was always (and still is) a major activity, but other events were limited, and any creativity was channeled through RP writing. However, stations led to citizens acquiring personal platforms to share their content outside of roleplay, a unique experience.

## Demographics

### **Population**

The New West Indies currently has a population of 103, 57 of which are currently citizens. This number has been higher and has been in steady decline as of late. On the current list, several nations have ceased to exist or emigrated, making this number possibly lower. Nevertheless, the most active citizens are long-time members of the region, indicating a high level of dedication.

### **Language**

English is the most widely used language in the New West Indies, however other languages are quite common as well. The New West Indies hosts Italian speakers, such as North Italian Union, German speakers such as The Founder Achipel and Central Birdland, and portuguese speakers such as Portinabia. Other languages spoken include French, Spanish, Greek, and Norwegian. These languages form an integral part of the community and help shape regional culture.

## Government and Politics

*Main article: Politics of the New West Indies*

### **Political Divisions**

Prior to the summer of 2019, the New West Indies did not have official political parties or groups. Some argue that particular friend groups banded together to vote similarly, but there was not any apparent or significant coordination.

However, on July 7, 2020, the Progressive Party first formed, and the Conservative Union quickly formed in opposition. The former championed high recruitment levels, freedom of expression, and a balanced focus on activities. The Conservative party generally opposed high recruitment and mandatory WA citizenship. Later, the Constitutional Centrist Party formed, quickly becoming the PRO party’s primary opponent.

During the late summer of 2019, the two major parties (PRO and CEN) seemed relatively competitive. Following a major Progressive push to oust Roussillon (CEN) from the GA presidency, the Centrists rallied to elect their nominee Thyostega to fill the remainder of the term. Nevertheless, this turned out to be a fleeting victory. The Progressives regained the presidency in the September election cycle on the back of Reno Sheriffs Department, while Karteria (PRO) handedly won a second term as Secretary-General. Following the latter victory, the Progressive party dissolved, with the founder Karteria claiming parties in general were toxic for the region. Opposition parties would soon follow suit.

### **Military**

The New West Indies is prohibited by law from initiating any “offensive” actions against another region. While maintaining a defensive military is legally plausible, there are reasons to believe this is ill-advised.

## Economy

*Main article: Economy of the New West Indies*

## Infrastructure

*Main article: Infrastructure of the New West Indies*

The New West Indies maintains its affairs on multiple platforms. The “on-site” NationStates region is the primary home, where major government documents are kept, the roleplay is conducted, and elections have often been held. The government also uses on-site telegrams for mass communication with residents as well as utilize nations for citizenship verification.

Meanwhile, the Discord server is where much of the internal socialization occurs. Members often partake in general discussion, vexillology, cultural events, General Assembly drafting, and “shit-posting” on the server.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Citizens List
2. ↑ Regional History Page
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Criminal, Civil, and State Records
4. ↑ Telegram from Electorate
5. ↑ Executive Decree 007
6. ↑ 2nd State of the Region Address.
7. ↑ First Annual Native Language Census.
8. ↑ Progressive Party Manifesto.
9. ↑ Conservative Union Manifesto.
10. ↑ Party Leader Announcement.

## External links

* New West Indies region
* New West Indies Discord server
* NWI.gov homepage
* Regional welcome page