Asbestian Soviet Republic
Asbestian Soviet Republic Асбестовая Советская Республика (Russian) | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Emblem
| |
| Motto: "w:Бог с нами!" | |
| Status | Active |
| Capital | Volograd |
| Largest | Pripynsk |
| Official languages | English, Russian |
| Ethnic groups (2024) |
|
| Religion (2024) | Christianity |
| Demonym(s) | Asbestian |
| Government | National Communism under a Unitary Dictatorship |
• General Secretary and Chairman | Zachary Hueckstaedt |
| Blake Maddux | |
| Dacie Hueckstaedt | |
| Legislature | Central Assembly of the Asbestian Soviet Republic |
| Independence from United States | |
• Declared | 15 March 2019 |
• Current constitution | TBA |
| Area | |
• Total | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 256 |
• 2023 census | 188 |
| HDI | 0.944 very high |
| Currency | Asbestian Ruble (A₽) (AR) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +1 |
Asbest, officially the Asbestian Soviet Republic (Russian: Асбестовая Советская Республика), is a North American micronation in the state of Texas, United States of America. It was established by Russian micronationalist Zachary Hueckstaedt in 2019 and consists of a small territorial claim roughly 31 km² in size.
Generally considered a communist state by observers, Asbest officially describes itself as a socialist "workers' and peasants' state." It is governed under a one-party system with a centrally planned economy focused primarily on agriculture and industry. The ruling Asbestian National Communist Party (ANCP) takes a leading role in all state affairs, with its general secretary acting as the nation's de facto supreme leader and chairman of its collective head of state.
Asbest was initially created as a political statement to show that a government modeled closely upon those of the former Eastern Bloc could operate within a micronational framework. However, it has since grown into a functional microstate with serious aspirations of achieving internationally recognized statehood. Since its foundation, Asbest has taken an active role in promoting social equality, labor rights, and environmental protection around the globe.
Etymology
Asbest is derived from the first part of the word "Asbestos" in Russian, the name of a mineral that was mined in the General Secretary's hometown and was chosen to represent the Slavic roots of Asbest.
History
In 2019, a small group of American micronationalists founded the People's Republic of America (PRA), with the goal of creating a functional communist society within the framework of a micronation. The PRA was largely a political experiment designed to show if Americans would agree to a communist system even if it is not self-described as one, which was a relative success, but later evolved into a much more serious project.
Politics and government
The Asbestian Soviet Republic is a one-party state governed by the ANCP, which is nominally considered Marxist–Leninist but describes itself as "a movement of the working class, centered on the alliance of workers and peasants." Asbest officially terms itself a Democracy although the ruling party maintains almost total control over political power in the country. Smaller political parties are permitted to exist within Asbest as long as they accept the "leading role" of the ANCP.
General Secretary of the ANCP
The General Secretary of the Asbestian National Communist Party is the country's supreme leader and de facto head of state. The general secretary is ex officio the Chairman of the State Council and commander-in-chief of the Asbestian People's Army. In this capacity, the general secretary has the power to lead the overall affairs of state and policy and appoint all diplomatic officials. He also has the authority to appoint diplomatic representatives abroad, conclude treaties with foreign powers, declare a state of emergency or a state of war, and direct the national defense of Asbest during times of war. Zachary Hueckstaedt has served as general secretary since the country's foundation in 2019 and is often referred to by such titles as "Honorable Chairman," "Beloved General," and "Father of the Asbestian Socialist Revolution."
Vice Chairman
Zachary's Vice Chairman of the Central Assembly of the Asbestian Soviet Republic is commonly called "the Vice Chairman." The Vice Chairman is appointed by the Central Assembly, the country's legislature and highest organ of state power. The Vice Chairman organizes and oversees the People's Council and represents the government of Asbest both at home and abroad. Vice Chairmen are appointed for life unless the General Secretary deems removal necessary.
People's Council
The People's Council is the unicameral legislature and only branch of government in Asbest. It consists of 10 deputies, each directly elected by their constituents to a five-year term. The main duties of the People's Council are to introduce and vote on bills to be formally signed into law.
Political parties
The ANCP holds a near-total monopoly on power within the country through a coalition with the Socialist Front, a popular front of minor political parties that are under the de facto control of the ANCP. A party congress was convened following the foundation of the ANCP in 2024 to elect a central committee, which in turn organized a politburo and party secretariat. Party rules stipulate that a congress must be held at least once every five years but can take place whenever it is deemed necessary by the central committee. An instrumental version of The Internationale is played at the closing ceremony of each congress, under the slogan, "No language divides us. The Internationale unites us."
| Logo | Name | Spectrum | Ideologies | Seats | Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Asbestian National Communist Party | ANCP | Far-left | Communism Marxism-Leninism Left-wing nationalism Zachary Hueckstaedt Thought Socialist patriotism |
7 / 10
|
Ruling party | |
| Socialist Front | SF | Left to Far-left | Social democracy | 3 / 10
|
Socialist front, subordinate to the ANCP | ||
Law and order
The Socialist Constitution of Asbest is the supreme law of the country and consists of written text and unwritten conventions. Asbest's legal system is largely a civil law system, with a judiciary made up of the Supreme Court and Appeals Court. The Asbestian People's Police, or APP, is the national civilian police force responsible for public safety and the investigation of criminal offenses. The Ministry for State Security serves as a counterespionage organization used to monitor and control perceived threats to the government and ANCP.
The Asbestian Soviet Republic publicly maintains a policy of macronational privilege and follows all American federal and provincial laws. The Asbestian government can revoke or deny citizenship to any individual convicted of a criminal offense.
Military
The combined military forces of Asbest are the Asbestian People's Army (APA). It consists of four service branches — Ground Force, Air Force, Navy, and Rocket Force. The APA is not a traditional nation-state military; it is the armed wing of the ANCP and is controlled by the party, not by the state.
In 2024, Zachary Hueckstaedt defined the core principles of the ANCP as follows:
- To consolidate the ruling status of the National Communist Party
- To ensure the territorial integrity of the Asbestian Soviet Republic
- To protect the citizens of Asbest and guarantee their safety
- To provide emergency response and natural disaster relief
- To help maintain micronational peace.
As a landlocked micronation, Asbest places a priority on developing its Ground forces and Ground warfare capabilities. However, the APA is widely considered to be a ceremonial military or "parade force" by outside observers and is described as a peaceful organization by the Asbestian government. A considerable portion of Asbest's small defense budget is dedicated to naval and biological warfare prevention.
Foreign relations
To date, Asbest has not received diplomatic recognition from the United Nations or the government of any recognized sovereign state. It instead focuses its efforts on establishing diplomatic relations with other micronations and independence movements. Asbest's government cites the declarative theory of statehood, famously expressed in the 1933 Montevideo Convention, as legal justification for its sovereignty since it meets all of the criteria to be considered a sovereign nation.[a]
Unilateral recognition
Mutual recognition
Territory
The territorial claim of Asbest consists of a fairly large area around the Cedar Creek Lake area.
Geography and climate
The majority of Asbest is comprised of farmland, with large fields, and small ponds bordered by forests on all sides. The southern region of Asbest contains its main forest as well as its largest military field base. The country experiences an extreme Mid South climate.
| Climate data for Asbest | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 20.0 (68) |
22.0 (71.6) |
27.0 (80.6) |
31.0 (87.8) |
35.0 (95) |
39.0 (102.2) |
42.0 (107.6) |
43.0 (109.4) |
38.0 (100.4) |
30.0 (86) |
23.0 (73.4) |
20.0 (68) |
43.0 (109.4) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 5.0 (41) |
7.0 (44.6) |
11.0 (51.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
24.0 (75.2) |
30.0 (86) |
34.0 (93.2) |
32.0 (89.6) |
26.0 (78.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
10.0 (50) |
6.0 (42.8) |
20.0 (68) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 0.0 (32) |
1.0 (33.8) |
4.0 (39.2) |
10.0 (50) |
17.0 (62.6) |
23.0 (73.4) |
27.0 (80.6) |
25.0 (77) |
20.0 (68) |
13.0 (55.4) |
5.0 (41) |
1.0 (33.8) |
12.0 (53.6) |
| Average low °C (°F) | -5.0 (23) |
-4.0 (24.8) |
0.0 (32) |
4.0 (39.2) |
10.0 (50) |
15.0 (59) |
18.0 (64.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
12.0 (53.6) |
7.0 (44.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
-3.0 (26.6) |
4.0 (39.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | -20.0 (-4) |
-18.0 (-0.4) |
-10.0 (14) |
-5.0 (23) |
0.0 (32) |
5.0 (41) |
8.0 (46.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
-2.0 (28.4) |
-15.0 (5) |
-17.0 (1.4) |
−20.0 (−4) |
| Average Precipitation mm (inches) | 50.0 (1.969) |
45.0 (1.772) |
60.0 (2.362) |
80.0 (3.15) |
120.0 (4.724) |
180.0 (7.087) |
150.0 (5.906) |
120.0 (4.724) |
90.0 (3.543) |
70.0 (2.756) |
60.0 (2.362) |
50.0 (1.969) |
1,050.0 (41.339) |
| Source: [Asbestian National Civil Defense Administration] | |||||||||||||
Economy
Like the former UASR, Asbest has a planned economy guided by a series of "Yearly Plans" which are closely modeled on the five-year plans of the Soviet Union, but adapted to a "micronational scale." In addition, reforms have been undertaken to direct the economy toward market socialism, highlighting the fact that Asbest has not yet achieved true socialism but is in the process of working towards the creation of a future socialist society. Asbest's economy is primarily focused on its two largest industries, agriculture and welding, and is almost entirely dependent on America for the importation of essential goods and services.
Culture
Asbestian culture is heavily influenced by the labor movement and the collective effort of the people to defend and continuously improve workers' rights and the standard of living for all people.
Asbest dedicates significant resources to promoting an atmosphere of tolerance and racial equality, and within the ANCP, environmental protection and animal welfare are top priorities, with formal standards for living for animals being codified in the Asbestian constitution.
National symbols
Asbest's primary national symbols are its flag and national emblem. The Flag of Asbest consists of a red field with a hammer and sickle and the bottom third of the flag containing broad white, black, and blue bands. The symbolism of the flag contains both ideological and regional meaning. Blue symbolizes the Asbestian sky, black represents the strength of the people, and white represents freedom and peace in Asbest, with a yellow star above the hammer and sickle embodying the triumph of communism.
Holidays
Public holidays in Asbest include important dates unique to the country and its people, as well as holidays shared with the neighboring USA. Work is typically canceled on these dates, with particular reverence given to the anniversaries of the nation's birth and the foundation of its ruling party.
| Date | Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Celebration of the start of the new year. |
| 15 March | Revolution Day | Commemoration of the establishment of the Asbestian Soviet Republic on this day in 2019. |
| 1 May | International Workers' Day | Celebration of laborers, the working class, and the international labor movement. |
| 4 July | American Independence Day | Commemoration of the establishment of the United States of America on this day in 1776. |
| 13 August | National Party Day | Commemoration of the establishment of the National Communist Party on this day in 2023. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. |
Notes
- ↑ The Declarative Theory of Statehood defines a state as a person in international law if it meets the following criteria: 1) a defined territory; 2) a permanent population; 3) a government; and 4) a capacity to enter into relations with other states.