Karnia-Ruthenia

Karnia-Ruthenia, officially The Kingdoms and Lands of the Crown of Ruthenia and the Lands Represented in the Council of Karnia and also known by other names and often referred to as the Karno-Ruthenian Empire, is a constitutional monarchy largely based on the culture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is located in America, Europe, East Asia and Eastern Antarctica. It was created as a constitutional union of the Kingdom of Ruthenia and the Empire of Karnia, as a result of the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016  and came into existence on 01 August 2016, when the compromise was ratified by the Imperial and Royal Council. The Empire consists in several territories ruled by royal families. The entire structure of micronational government is inspired by Austria-Hungary, although there is a deep preservation of democratic values and the integration of different micronational projects that coexist harmoniously under the leadership of the Emperor-King. Citizenship can be acquired on its website for free, and political participation is widely encouraged. Diplomacy also has a prominent place in the history of Karnia-Ruthenia and its predecessor, the Kingdom of Ruthenia, which until the founding of the Empire, had established diplomatic relations with more then 100 projects, and is considered the greatest micronation in South America.

Structure and name
Main article: Structure and name of Karnia-Ruthenia The monarch of the House of Götzö-Thomaz-Rocha rules as King of Ruthenia over the Kingdom of Ruthenia ("Lands and Kingdoms of the Crown of Ruthenia") and as Emperor over the Empire of Karnia ("Lands Represented in the Imperial Council of Karnia"). The micronation bore the official name of Karno-Ruthenian Monarchy, but it is often contracted to “Dual Monarchy” or simply referred to as “Ruthenia” or “Karnia”, but the full official name is “Lands and Kingdoms of the Crown of Ruthenia and the Lands Represented in the Council of Karnia”. The Empire is a unitary state, which guarantees a degree of autonomy for its administrative regions. The Imperial Diet is located in Persenburg, the imperial capital and seat of the Imperial Court. The Empire uses several macronational currencies, but also have a common currency, the Ruthenian Mark. Persenburg serve as the Monarchy's primary capital. The inspiration behind the structure and nomenclature of Karnia-Ruthenia is the Austro-Hungarian Empire, since Karnia and Ruthenia were inspired by the Monarchy of the Habsburgs and the union could be conveniently made the same way as Austria and Hungary did when they were united in 1867.

History
Main article: History of Karnia-Ruthenia The history of Ruthenia raises some questions. Should it be confined to the current Karnia-Ruthenia or to all lands formerly ruled by the rulers of the Empire, like the Principality of Lomellina? Of the lands now part of modern Empire, many were added over time, while other parts are now part of other micronations. On 19 November 2014, the now Emperor-King Oscar established the Throne of Ruthenia, declaring the private property of his family in São Paulo and Piauí, Brazil as an independent kingdom. The micronation eventually developed, merged with other micronations and through the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016, established the dual monarchy of Karnia-Ruthenia. The micronationalists who created the Empire began their careers micronational between 2009 and 2016. Besides the difference between the years they began their involvement with micronationalism, the influences of these micronationalists can also be observed in the current structure of Karnia-Ruthenia. The European micronationalists of the Empire were influenced by the micronational practices of the continent, closer to the definition of "aspirant states" like the Principality of Seborga, the Principality of Sealand and the Principality of Hutt River. This kind of micronations are founded based on historical or legal anomalies (divergent interpretations of law). These types of micronations are usually located on small (or disputed) territorial enclaves, generate limited economic activity founded on tourism and philatelic and numismatic sales and are tolerated or ignored by the nations from which they claim to have seceded. Among the Americans micronationalists who helped the creation of the Empire, the micronational shed practiced was defined as political, social and economic simulations; even modelist projects, focused more on culture than for a micronational practice considered pure, resuming themselves in recreating the past or simulating political or social processes. Those micronational projects tended to be reasonably serious and they were largely inspired by micronations as the Holy Empire of Reunion and the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis, among others. The current historiography divide the history of Karnia-Ruthenia as follows:

National colors and symbols
Main article: Flags and symbols of Karnia-Ruthenia or Armorial of the Karno-Ruthenian Empire

Politics
Main article: Imperial Diet Ruthenia and Karnia maintained separate parliaments each with its own prime minister under the monarch after the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016. After the Imperial Constitution of 2017, the parliaments were unified into one, the Imperial Diet, a bicameral parliament with representatives of all the regions of the Empire. In accordance with article 80, Chapter V of the Constitution, the Imperial Diet is the political body with the highest authority in government, responsible for administering legislative power, and is divided into an upper chamber, the House of Peers, and a lower chamber, the House of Representatives. The competences of the Imperial Diet are: authorize the declaration of war and the celebration of peace, override State of Exception declaration, authorize the ratification of international treaties, authorize the resignation of the Emperor and recognize the Crown Prince, authorize the marriage of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, supervise the activities of the Cabinet, give effect to motion of no confidence, elect by relative majority the Imperial Chancellor and enact constitutional amendments. The government comprises ministers for joint responsibilities (culture, finances, foreign affairs, immigration, imperial and royal household, information, interior and of defense) On June 2016, two ministries were created: the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, responsible for the development of new approaches from the Imperial and Royal Government to its citizens and foreigners and the Ministry of Antarctic Affairs, to protect, defend and clarify the situation of the Antarctic continent and specially the current status of the Grand Duchy of Gaussland. The last ministry created was of the justice, on 09 December 2016, related to the Imperial Supreme Court. This structure was maintained after the promulgation of the new constitution. The offices of Minister-President of Ruthenia and the Prime Minister of Karnia were created after the Comrpomise, but replaced by the office of Imperial Chancellor. The Imperial Chancellor of Karnia-Ruthenia, is the head of government of the Karno-Ruthenian Empire and leader of the Cabinet, appointing and dismissing its members. The Imperial Chancellor do not have a fixed mandate, leaving the office by resignation or motion of no confidence of the Imperial Diet. Among its competences, are exercise the highest authority in matters concerning the Government, head the Cabinet, appoint and dismiss the members of the Cabinet, upon the consent of the Emperor, advise and be advised by the Emperor, create and regulate imperial agencies, propose bills to the Imperial Diet, monthly take part in the Imperial Diet, in Ordinary Session, to answer the Questions to the Imperial Chancellor.

Law
At the beginning of Ruthenian history, which is the origin of the Empire itself and the state with the most profound legal tradition, did not have a single legal system, considering the use of common-law principles. However, when the General Assembly of the Kingdom was established, the development of more specific laws such as the Civil Code, eventually forced the creation of a different legal system of the intended previously. Therefore, extensive legislation was created between the years 2014 and 2016 until the signing of the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016. Since the states of the Empire were formed in a large majority of new micronations, most of the legislation would be coming from the proper legislative process of the Empire, which largely was the Ruthenian legislation adapted to this new situation. In 2016, after the Foundation of the Empire, the common Criminal Code and a Civil Code, adapted of Ruthenian versions of 2015 was introduced after the consolidation of the Constitution over all other constitutions of the states that composed the Empire. The legal culture of the Empire has always been very rich, but has become much improved over time, especially after the completion of the work of the Constitutional Commission and the promulgation of the new constitution.

Internal Affairs
The Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016 created the semi-independent states of Ruthenia and Karnia linked by personal union under a common monarch, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a system of corporative federalism, a system of federalism not based on the common federalist idea of relative land area or nearest spheres of influence for governance, but on fiduciary jurisdiction to corporate personhood, where groups who are considered incorporated members of their own prerogative structure by willed agreement can delegate their individual effective legislature within the overall government. This system is similar to that used by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a version of corporative federalism that gave its wide demographic of different ethnicities each their own individual rights within their own assemblies instead of by relation to the territory of the Empire. The Imperial Constitution of 2017, the third in force throughout Karno-Ruthenian history, ensured numerous new rights to the population, like a more representative and less confused democracy through a unified parliament, the Imperial Diet. Making the state leaner and more efficient was one of the commission's biggest challenges, which made the Empire a unitary and cohesive state. This made the Empire more distant from the Austro-Hungarian model chosen at first, which made the state structure more like a modern state.



Foreign Affairs
Main article: Foreign relations of Karnia-Ruthenia The foreign relations of the Empire are implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Emperor-King and the prime ministers of each part of the Empire play a role in setting policy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have a voice and are the one who develop this policy. Since its founding, the Kingdom of Ruthenia and after the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016, the Karno-Ruthenian Empire and its government pays special attention to foreign affairs. One of the first ministries of government was precisely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was founded on the same day that the kingdom, on 19 November 2014. Diplomatic relations are conducted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but the leadership of Foreign Affairs is in practice, led by His Imperial and Royal Majesty, the Emperor-King. Karnia-Ruthenia monthly studies and develops diplomatic relations with several micronations around the world, maintaining cordial relations with everyone and accounting for only four international incidents, only two of whom suffered from more serious action by the government.

Military
Main article: Armed Forces of Karnia-Ruthenia The military system of Karnia-Ruthenia, based upon the principle of the universal and personal obligation of the citizen to protect his homeland. Its military force is composed of the Imperial and Royal Army, a Imperial and Royal Navy and a Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops. The common army is under the administration of the joint Minister of War and the Imperial General Headquarters. The Minister of War is the head for the administration of all military affairs and for all questions related to national defence of the states members of the Empire, but the supreme command of the army is vested in the monarch, who had the power to take all measures regarding the whole army as Commander-in-Chief. The Navy is mainly a defence force dedicated to the protection of Karno-Ruthenian interests in Gurguéia River, a river which is the natural border of the Principality of St. Peter and St. Paul and crosses the Principality of St. Stephen, which also forms the Lake of Dead River (Lago do Rio Morto, in Portuguese).

Constituent states
The Karno-Ruthenian Empire consists of several constituent states, the largest of which is the Kingdom of Ruthenia. These states were once independent micronations and were joining the Empire through treaties of personal union and ultimately, joining the Empire with the commitment to submit to his suzerainty. These associated states have a high degree of autonomy under the terms of the Imperial Constitution, but are subject to interference of the Imperial and Royal Council and the Emperor-King himself, who despite being the direct ruler of most of the Empire, has influence in other regions. From 20 February 2017, after the Imperial Decree n. 078-2017 enters into force, the first protectorate of the empire, the Principality of Nossia was created. Despite the relatively peaceful period, the principality chose to maintain its independence through a referendum held on 16 March 2017, the result of which was recognized by the Emperor-King of Karnia-Ruthenia the following day. The Principality of Carpathia was reunited to the Empire on 22 June 2017, following the Treaty of Gretzenmarcher and raised to the status of Kingdom on 02 August 2017. On 06 February 2018, due the Treaty of Hakodate, the Empire established the first concession of its history, the Karno-Ruthenian Concession in Hakodate, that would later be merged to Cardonia. On 16 August 2018, was signed the Treaty of Saint Michael of Socotra, in which it was agreed that the Empire of Lemuria would deliver the sovereignty over Socotra to the Empire, becoming the first imperial protectorate. The Lateran State, Carpathia and Letzembourg would become independent on 2021.

Culture
See also: Demographics of Karnia-Ruthenia The Karno-Ruthenian culture retains much of the European influence originally brought by the Imperial and Royal Family and the rulers of the states of the Empire. It places an important emphasis on family, religion, and traditions in general, such as respect for holy days. In Ruthenia, music consists mainly of traditional Hungarian folk music, especially the Csárdás, and music by prominent composers such as Béla Bartók, Vittorio Monti, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Georges Bizet, and also makes success the current pop songs. Other aspects of Ruthenian culture include Horse racing, Hunting (banned by the Royal Family since 2014), Masses on Sundays for the Catholics, and festivals between June and August dedicated to St. Anthony and St. John the Baptist, among others, where dancing around bonfires takes place. The culture is also largely influenced by the Lomellinian Culture, adopting most of the Lomellinian traditions and customs as well as certain similarities with the Portuguese culture and Italian culture. These two great European influences made, especially of Libertian culture, a romantic and flattering influence in the micronational world. In Libertia, is usual for a citizen say they have three main goals: Discover, considering that since the beginning, the Libertian ancestors dedicated their lives into discovering new lands and new ways of living; so, Libertians follow their actions into discovering new ways to improve it's citizen's lifes. Create, the best works of art always inspired the best minds of mankind into re-writting history as we know today, Libertians create those inspiring pieces to allow tehir citizens to improve and Preserve, the world's biggest archives helped the people understand their ancestors into improving what was already done, Libertians preserve that information, allowing the common citizen to learn more. Libertians, mainly the Grancasian people practice somekind of artform wich is one of the greater values of the duchy, the ducal family is often seen painting, composing, decorating and even writing pieces of art. Other cultures that influenced the Empire everyday are the Croatian culture brought by Horvatians and the Irish culture from Kingdom of Acrin. After the Compromise that united the Empire, these cultures began an exchange with each other, mixing tastes and habits, greatly enriched by Germanic cultural aspects brought by Karnia and Letzembourg. After the Treaty of Nison on September 2016, many French elements were observed in society and were introduced by the Cumagnaise.

Language
In everyday use, Portuguese is used by the majority of the subjects in Ruthenia, Libertia and Horvatia. In Court, the official language while still the Portuguese, the English and French has also regular use, especially by the government and it is the only language used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But English is the official language after a plebiscite to decide which national language would be adopted by Ruthenia. Lusophones and Anglophones had split the Ruthenian government, disputing for power. The plebiscite ended with the victory of the supporters of the English language. With the formation of the Empire and the subsequent constitutional reform, English and Portuguese became the official languages of the micronation. The States of the Empire can edit legislation and make use of the Portuguese for their affairs, but in common subjects, only English is allowed. In some regions, French is also spoken among the population and in domestic affairs. On January 2018, the Carpatho-Horvatian language was presented to Emperor-King Oscar by King Christian of Carpathia. Carpatho-Horvatian is a Slavic-based language, including various elements from Serbo-Croatian and Russian. The name Carpatho-Horvatian comes from names of Carpathia and Horvatia and was created to be used in both Carpathia and Horvatia, as the two regions are heavily Slavic-based.

Religion
See also: Catholic Church in Karnia-Ruthenia Since the founding of the Kingdom of Ruthenia, religious freedom is guaranteed by law to all subjects. This guarantee was reassured in the Ruthenian Constitution of 2015 and in the Imperial Constitution of 2016. Due to cultural and social diversity of the Empire, the Roman Catholicism is predominant and is even the official religion of the Empire, according to the constitution. But the Unitarianism, Deism and Eastern Orthodoxy still enjoy official status. The Patron Saint of the Empire is St. Stephen, King of Hungary, also the patron saint of the Imperial and Royal Family. His cult acquire more strength when genealogical studies showed a kinship between the Imperial and Royal Family with King Ladislaus I of Hungary through Mary of Hungary, wife of Iaroslav Sviatopolchich of Volhinia and also a distant relative of St. Stephen. St. Stephen's feast is observed on 16 August, one of the most important holidays of the Empire. In Karnia, the patron saint is St. Adalbert of Prague and in Libertia, Leonardo da Vinci was made a kind of "patron saint", an example to be followed in the duchy which is Deist. In 13 December 202210,

Cuisine
With variety as diverse as its society, eating habits suffer direct influence of European cuisine. The Ruthenian cuisine is marked by the conspicuous use of meat in many of its traditional dishes. Typically, Ruthenians feed on rice accompanied by beans, quite varied green salad, and meat and eggs. A popular dish is the barbecue, especially beef, served with sauces or with French bread. In Persenburg, popular dishes include lasagna, pizza, pancakes, and also the consumption of sweets such as cakes and pies, all inspired by the European habits of the inhabitants of the capital. In Libertia, the national food is the Lasanha de Peixe (English: Fish Lasagna) mixing the Lasagna from the Italian culture and the fish element from the Portuguese culture. It is one of the most cherished dishes in Grancasa and is often in celebratory days, mainly Christmas and Court dinners. Other traditional dishes are Bacalhau (Cod Fish), Canelones (Cannelloni) and all types of pasta and sauces. In Nordinsel, the favored dish is Feasgar nan Lochan (Feast of the Lochs). Reflecting the traditions of both Ireland and Scotland, and their extensive history of sea trade, Lochan is a dish of meatballs stuffed with spiced cheeses, wrapped in thick, peppered bacon, draped in Italian mozzarella cheese, and garnished with a glaze made from Moroccan dates, cinnamon and other spices, served with a generous slice of brioche.

National holidays
The national holidays are of paramount importance in order to inspire the Karno-Ruthenian people to celebrate their unique and extremely rich culture and exist holidays with fixed and with varying dates. National holidays were regulated by Imperial Decree 028-2016 and other specific laws until 18 February 2022, when approved the Law A3-11, establishing the new holidays and suppressing others.