Southfield

* Map
* Federal Republic Flag

**Southfield**, officially the **Federal Republic of Southfield**, is a country in the Southwestern region of Masnar. Situated in the heartlands of the Southwestern region, it is surrounded by the Great Kingdom of Zaxlandia to the east, the Dual Eagles Union to the west, and the oceans to the north and the south. The capital and most populous city is Hyannis. Southfield is a federation of 9 states, 7 autonomous republics, 2 federal cities and 1 territory.

## History

### Early History

Southfield's early history is complicated, and historians weren't sure if some of the information gathered really exists. The earliest known settlement in Southfield, the Otoyk Culture, dated all the way back to 2700BC. Initially, people were skeptical about its own existence, but numerous archaeology soon proved that the culture indeed existed. Southfield used to be inhabited by numerous nomadic tribes.

### Kingdom of Southfield

Millenias and centuries after, there were only three states by 104BC; Akasia, Aldenberg and Kybilia. The three states fought each other in numerous battles, and soon in 14BC, Iohann I of Aldenberg united Southfield for the first time, establishing the Kingdom of Southfield, and later developed itself to catch up with other states in the region. The Kingdom of Southfield was ruled by numerous Kings (known in Novoribirsk as Tsars) for years and years. Its royal house, the House of Aldenberg and later the House of Vynnistia ruled the country. Initially an absolute monarchy, the country gradually adhered to democracy in the later years. Southfield thrived and became a prosperous country. Because of this, it is occasionally called the Southfield Empire. The Empire lasted for hundreds of years. The last King of Southfield, however, wasn't a good ruler. People began rebelling against the King, in an event known as the "April Revolution" and the monarchy was overthrown.

### First Republic of Southfield

The First Republic of Southfield, commonly known as the Democratic Republic of Southfield, was founded shortly after in 898. The House of Vynnistia would no longer control any power, except for a brief period from 978 to 986, where Prince Johann IV was became Prime Minister. The Democratic Republic of Southfield was based on a parliamentary democracy, where the Prime Minister wields all executive power while the President being a ceremonial title. After around 50 years of the Democratic Republic of Southfield's existence, the Communists, namely the Southfield Party of Socialist Labour, slowly but surely rose to power, and overthrew the First Republic, plunging the country into a civil war in 948. It was fought between the Republicans and those who are opposed to the Communists, and the communists led by the Party of Socialist Labour. The Communists won, creating the Southfield People's Democratic Republic, while the Republicans retreated to a small territory in Hyannis.

### Southfield People's Democratic Republic

The Southfield People's Democratic Republic ruled for 14 years, and was a repressive and totalitarian regime, starving many people and killing those who are against them. The Southfield Genocide killed around 25,000 Southfield people. Furthermore, the state also employs all-encompassing campaigns in which propaganda is broadcast by state-controlled mass media in order to control the citizenry. Dissent is strictly cracked down upon, and are usually met with death penalties. Court system is also corrupt, often being a kangaroo court resulting in convictions. Penalties include being sent to "re-education camps" or capital punishment (death penalty), often in an extremely cruel and horrifying way. After gaining support from many countries, the Independent State of Southfield, led by military general Edward Hawthrone, attacked the SPDR in 960, kickstarting the 2nd Southfield Civil War.

### Modern History

The 2nd Southfield Civil War ended with the Republican victory, creating the Second Republic of Southfield in 960. Edward Hawthrone would be elected for President and serve for 8 years. 3 years after the restoration of the Republic, President Edward Hawthrone signed the Treaty of Federation, creating the Federal Republic of Southfield. Rapid urbanization and development would soon make Southfield once again a prosperous and democratic state.

To prevent such further civil wars, Southfield decided to expand its own army, the "**Southfield Armed Forces**", to protect the nation from any enemies, whether it may be domestic or international.

## Armed Forces

Southfield's army is known as the **Southfield Armed Forces.** The army is constitutionally labeled as the protectors of the nation from enemies, foreign and domestic. It is subdivided into 5 branches:

1. Southfield Ground Forces
2. Southfield Navy
3. Southfield Air Forces
4. Strategic Commands
5. Special Defence Forces

Each of the branches describes their functions in their name. The Strategic Commands is responsible for being in charge of launching missiles and incidenary weapons. However, launches is only approved from the President of the Federal Republic of Southfield. The Special Defence Forces, however, is made up of elite and well-trained personnels to deal with any attacks, and are constantly on stand-by, ready to deploy in times of need.

Ever since the restoration of Republican rule in Southfield, the country began investing and expanding its army, to prevent further conflicts itself. This made fruitful for any wars involving Southfield, as constant expansion and investment of its own army made it the 6th strongest nation in Masnar. Unlike other countries, conscription is inactive, as most of the serving personnel enlisted voluntarily. Conscription is only activated in times of nationwide emergency, and such scenario is very rare.

## Federal Subjects

Southfield's administrative subdivisions are called Federal Subjects. Each Federal Subjects are divided into four categories.

* States
* Autonomous Republics
* Federal Cities
* Territories

### States

States are constituent states within the Federal Republic of Southfield. Their powers are equivalent to the real-life states of the United States of America. Each states is governed by a Governor, the executive branch of a state govenment responsible for enacting state laws. States are allotted with state legislatures, which its size depends on the population of each state. The state's population also determines how much parliamentary constituencies (known commonly in Southfield as "ridings") has in the House of Representatives and Senate. There are currently 9 federal subjects classified as States. These are:

1. Hyannis State
2. Mayfair State
3. New Anhelm
4. Hillingside State
5. Aberdeen State
6. Hevlan State
7. Cyrenia State
8. Portsmouth
9. Allegheny State

### Autonomous Republics

Autonomous Republics are constituent republics nested inside the Federal Republic of Southfield. Republics differ from other subjects in that they have more powers devolved to them. Autonomous Republics have their own constitutions, official languages, and national anthems. Due to this, Southfield is an asymmetrical federation as the other federal subjects does not have these rights. Powers varies between autonomous republics and largely depend on their economic power. Through the signing of bilateral treaties with the federal government, republics had extensive authority over their economies, and internal affairs. All autonomous republics are dedicated to a specific set of minorities within Southfield. Secessionist movements exist, but they aren't very strong. Each autonomous republics are assigned to a legislature to represent Southfield's ethnic minorities. The autonomous republics is headed by a President of each respective republic, or in some cases: Head of the Republic. Autonomous Republics can be a full Presidential Republics, a Semi-Presidential Republic or a Parliamentary Republic. There are 7 autonomous republics within Southfield, these autonomous republics are:

1. Republic of Novoribirsk (Russians and Novorians)
2. Autonomous Republic of Hayrenakan (Armenians)
3. Greenwich Republic (Germanic-speaking peoples, excluding English)
4. Autonomous Republic of Asqeron (Turkic and Persian-origin population)
5. Fengtian Special Administrative Republic (East Asian-speaking peoples)
6. State of Erbil (Muslim population)
7. Republic of Cantabria (Pequenese people and Spanish-speaking population)

### Federal Cities

Federal Cities, known in Southfield's registry as "Cities of Federal Significance", is a city that has a status of both an inhabited locality and a constituent federal subject. These cities are important to Southfield's economies, and usually recognized as a separate federal subject. Southfield has 2 federal cities, with one pending approval to become a federal city. Unlike other federal subjects, federal cities have a governing model akin to a city-council local government, and both are headed by the Lord Mayor. These 2 federal cities are:

1. Hyannis Federal Capital City
2. Hevlan City

One city is currently pending an approval by the Southfield government to become a federal city in its own right.

* Independent City of Salisbury

### Territories

Any states that has not been assigned as a state, autonomous republic or federal cities are listed as territories. The territories have rights as states, with territorial assemblies exist for federal subjects assigned as such, but in practice they are governed directly by the Federal Republic of Southfield as a whole. Territories are headed by the Chairman of Territorial Administration (CTA), whose role is to oversee, enact laws, and represent the territory. There are 2 within Southfield. The Territories of Southfield are as following:

1. Northeastern Territories
2. Oakridge Islands Overseas Territories

Any entities prior to becoming a state or autonomous republics are enlisted as territories, as it was the case for Oakridge Islands Overseas Territories. There has been many petitions to assign the Northeastern Territories as a state, but none were successful. Overseas Territories is a distinct variant of territories, being separated from Mainland Southfield. The only entity with this title is the Oakridge Islands Overseas Territory.

## Political System

Notable for its stability and fully-functioning political system, the Federal Republic of Southfield is the most democratic nation recorded within Masnar, with a score of 9.31 recorded in the Democracy Index. Southfield is a democratic semi-presidential federal republic, where executive power is vested with the President of the Federal Republic of Southfield, while legislative power is vested within Southfield's **Federal Assembly**, divided between the **Senate** *(upper chamber)*, and the **House of Representatives** *(lower chamber)*. The Prime Minister, serving as the Head of Government, is responsible to the Federal Assembly. The judicial system is independent from both powers, though the Ministy of Justice, the ministry overseeing Southfield's judicial system, is a part of Southfield's Cabinet. The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister.

Until 960, the Federal Republic of Southfield's predecessor, the **Southfield People's Democratic Republic**, the political system featured a single-party framework characterized by the superior role of the ruling Southfield Party of Socialist Labour, with other political parties in the SPDR, while nominally independent, is under the direct influence of the SPDR. After the restoration of the Republic of Southfield and subsequent federation, the SPDR Constitution, written in 948, was repealed.

### Legislature

Southfield's main legislature is the 500-member **House of Representatives**, which has greater powers over the 250-member Senate. The House of Representatives's powers are:

* Passing, ratifying and initiating laws.
* Convening the House of Representatives.
* Electing the Prime Minister, usually after a general election.
* Convening a motion of no-confidence within the parliament.
* Appointing a Minister in a cabinet upon reccommendation of the Prime Minister or President.
* Ratifying the composition of the Cabinet of Southfield and changes in it on the submission on the Prime Minister.
* Forming and disbanding ministries and committees on the Cabinet of Southfield's proposal.
* Overriding a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority.
* Ratifying presidential declarations of war.
* Impeaching the President.
* Hearing work reports of appointed officials and the Cabinet.
* Ratifying international treaties.
* Overseeing the granting of foreign aid and negotiating foreign loans.
* Determining basic measures for national security, including declarations of war, mobilizing troops, and meeting international treaty obligations.

#### Differences between Elections and Appointments

##### Elections

Candidates are nominated by the delegates. When voting to elect, delegates are allowed to vote for or against the candidate, or to abstain. There can be more than 2 candidates at one point. If a delegate votes against the candidate, they can write in another person as a replacement, but if they abstain, this right is unavailable.

##### Appointments

Candidates are nominated by an appointed person, such as President or Prime Minister. When voting to appoint, as with elections, delegates are allowed to vote for or against the candidate, or to abstain, but by contrast, delegates can't write in another person after voting against or abstaining.

### President of the Federal Republic of Southfield

The President of the Federal Republic of Southfield is the head of state of the Federal Republic of Southfield. The President represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, conducts negotiations and concludes international treaties. The President is elected by the citizens of the Federal Republic of Southfield for a single 5-year term of office. The term is non-renewable, and the incumbent President cannot run for election once their term is up. Because Southfield is a semi-presidential republic, the President is not the head the government. Instead, jurdistriction of the governmental powers is vested in the roles of Prime Minister.

Should a presidential vacancy occur, a successor must be elected within sixty days, during which time presidential duties are to be performed by the Vice-President or the Prime Minister in the order of priority as determined by law. The President is exempt from all criminal liabilities (except for during impeachment, insurrection or treason). After the Presidency, however, Former Presidents are still subject to criminal charges, mostly on corruption charges under their term in office.

The President's residence is the Cantilles Palace, located in the heart of Hyannis, Southfield's federal capital city. Adjacent to the Cantilles Palace is the Executive Palace, the main working office of the President of the Federal Republic of Southfield.

Until 980, the President is elected by the public for two 4-year terms, until a constitutional amendment transitioning the country from a presidential republic to a parliamentary republic, where the President is solely elected by the 750-member Federal Assembly, with the President being elected for a single 6-year term. Following the 980 Presidential Election incident, where a far-right political extremist was nearly elected as President, parliament once again amended the constitution changing the presidential election process to direct election with an electoral college determining the future President. After the constitutional referendum of 994, the process once again returned to the direct two-round election process, with the first election being held under this manner in 998.

## Diplomacy

Southfield has good relations with all nations in the Southwestern Ocean Alliance and Pax Imperatoria. Southfield is also a key ally within the Pax Imperatoria as well. Notably, the Dual Eagles Union, Redstar Empire and Arab Kingdom of Russnisu are also considered to be one of Southfield's most prominent and most friendly nations towards Southfield.

Tottenham Hotspur, a nation with nearly identical government as the Federal Republic of Southfield, also enjoys good diplomatic relations with Southfield.

Generally, Southfield maintains all its diplomatic relations with other countries. Diplomatic relations with other countries are severed after the 1st Southfield Civil War, under the regime of the isolationist Southfield People's Democratic Republic. The SPDR, however, is not recognized by many countries, instead recognizes the **Independent State of Southfield**, a republican government operating in Hyannis and Mayfair State during the rule of the SPDR. After the restoration of the Republican rule in Southfield, and the subsequent federalization of the country, diplomatic relations with other countries are restored.

## Space Program

Southfield's official space program, codenamed **Project Constellation**. This is Southfield's only space program overseeing both crewed and robotic spaceflights to Masnar's Orbit. The Project is oversaw by the National Aeronautical Research Administration (NARA).

### Project Constellation-Star Control Space Race

Project Constellation and Redstar Empire's space program, the Star Control, went head-to-head in a competition known as Space Race, over who can launch a satellite first and send a man to orbit first. The following developments will result in Project Constellation-Star Control Rivalry until the International Partnerships Program's creation.

#### Satellite Program

Project Constellation planned to launch Southfield's first satellite, the COMSAT-1, while Star Control planned the launch of the Starbug-1, Redstar's first satellite. In the end, COMSAT-1 was launched first in Haymarket Launch Complex, and Starbug-1 launched shortly after.

#### Manned Spaceflight

While Southfield planned its launch of Lightstar, a spacecraft determined to launch the first person from Southfield to space, Redstar launched astronauts of their own first, this time to the Moon, in a project known as Ixion Project. Ixion is a space shuttle designed to enter the moon instead of Low Masnar Orbit. Ixion-1's spaceflight, crewed with astronauts from Redstar, Pequeno, Sanguis and Panderia, managed to reach the moon. However, the shuttle disintegrated upon re-entering Masnar's atmosphere, destroying the orbiter. However, the forward fuselage of the Ixion provided as a lifeboat. The crew of Ixion-1 survived. The Ixion Disaster halted all Redstar's space program indefinitely.

Later, Southfield launched "Lightstar 3", piloted by Michael "Mike" Mitchell, Southfield's first astronaut. The Lightstar 3 entered Masnar's lower orbit and landed near the waters of Southfield. Southfield became the second nation to launch a man into space outside of Masnar, and the first to land a spacecraft safely back on Masnar.

#### Space Shuttle Program

The success of Lightstar paved the way of Southfield's Space Shuttle program. Unlike Redstar's Ixion, Southfield's Space Shuttle was designed to only go to Low Masnar Orbit, as they see the Space Shuttle as "completely uncompatible" for Moon landing, thus enhanced the structural stability and integrity of the Shuttle. The Space Shuttle has 6 fleets, as following:

1. Space Shuttle "Enterprise" (0V-200)
2. Space Shuttle "Pinewood" (OV-201)
3. Space Shuttle "Ascension" (OV-202)
4. Space Shuttle "Tranquility" (OV-203)
5. Space Shuttle "Endeavour" (OV-204)
6. Space Shuttle "Solaris" (OV-205)

The maiden flight of the Southfield's Space Shuttle program, coded as "STS-1", (Shuttle Transportation System-1), was launched in Haymarket, launching astronauts Edward T. Johnson and Stephen R. Mitchell in Space Shuttle "Pinewood" to space. The Space Shuttle landed in safety a few days later. Later, Southfield commenced the International Partnerships Program, inviting countries that Southfield has diplomatic relations to send an astronaut in one of Southfield's Space Shuttles. Eli Jones from the Redstar Empire is the first astronaut participating under the International Partnerships Program. His flight was in STS-6 abroad Space Shuttle "Ascension". Southfield also uses the International Partnerships Program to extend Southfield's reach of diplomatic relations abroad.

Southfield's Space Shuttle Program still continues on to this day. Southfield has also planned the commencement of "Project Constellation", designed to finally land Southfield astronauts onto the Moon.