Integralist Republic of Harambanistan
Integralist Republic of Harambanistan | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: Christ is King | |
| Anthem: "O God of Earth and Altar" | |
| Irving, Texas | |
| Official languages | English |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Demonym(s) | Harambanistani |
| Government | Unitary one-party crowned republic |
• Doge | Paul Peterson |
• Premier | Benedict Baltz |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence from Quailia | |
• Foundation as a colony | 4 December 2016 |
• Independence declared | 24 June 2022 |
| Population | |
• 2022 census | 14 |
| Currency | Harambanistan dollar |
Website Official website | |
The Integralist Republic of Harambanistan, commonly called Harambanistan, is a micronation and new state project based in Irving, Texas. Founded in 2016 as a colony of the Empire of Quailia, Harambanistan gained its independence in 2022, declaring itself to be a confessional Catholic state governed by the principles of integralism and distributism.
Etymology
The name 'Harambanistan' is derived from the name of Harambe, in whose memory Harambanistan was founded.
History
On 4 December 2016, a meeting took place on the campus of the University of Dallas. The meeting was held by Benedict Baltz, then Chancellor of the Empire of Quailia, who intended to inform his friends about micronationalism and the Quailian project and to invite them to participate. The attendees of the meeting unanimously voted to join Quailia as the Expatriate Colony of Harambanistan.
In June 2022, after a period of extended inactivity for both Harambanistan and Quailia as a whole, Benedict Baltz began talks with Paul Peterson, another Harambanistani, about the feasibility of creating a micronation that was founded from the ground up according to Catholic social teaching. It was decided that Harambanistan would become such a micronation, declaring independence from Quailia on 24 June 2022.
Territory
Being a nation-building project in its first stages, Harambanistan does not yet claim any permanent territory. It does however exercise control over an 800 square foot territory located in Irving, Texas that is leased from the United States of America.
Politics and government
Harambanistan is a one party state under the leadership of the Christian Workers' Party, the sole legal political party. Decisions are made according to the collective leadership model, in which major decisions are made by consensus of the Politburo.
Harambanistan is a crowned republic led by the Doge as head of state. The Doge is elected by the National Assembly and serves for life.
The daily governance of Harambanistan is handled by the State Council, the members of which are appointed by the National Assembly. The State Council consists of the Premier, the Vice Premier, and the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Economy, Justice, Security, Culture, and Information.
The democratic state organ is the National Assembly, which consists of all party-members who wish to participate.
Foreign relations
Harambanistan is open to diplomatic relations with other states, especially Christian nations and nations in the Texas sector.
Full diplomatic relations
Mutual recognition
Unilateral recognition
All member states of the United Nations except the State of Israel and the Republic of Korea
The Holy See
Sovereign Military Order of Malta
State of Palestine
Economy
As a distributist economy, the means of production in Harambanistan are owned either by individual workers or by worker cooperatives. Usury, speculation, and price gouging are all criminal offenses.
Harambanistan's currency is the Harambanistan dollar (H$), a time-based currency where each dollar is equivalent to one-minute of useful labor. The Harambanistan Monetary Authority is responsible for issuing banknotes, which it does in H$1, H$5, H$20, H$60, and H$300 denominations. The United States dollar is also widely circulated.
Enterprises in Harambanistan include Solidarity Community Development Bank, which offers interest-free loans to Harambanistanis in need; InterTube Tobacco Company, a cigarette manufacturer; and Weis-Bier, a microbrewery.
Beer and cigarettes are considered public goods and are distributed free of charge by the state.
The state is funded using a voluntary contributions scheme inspired by the ancient Greek custom of liturgy.
Culture and media
The foremost cultural institution in Harambanistan is the Harambanistan Film Society, a membership organization which hosts screenings and discussions on a wide variety of films. The dress code for all meetings of the Harambanistan Film Society is black-tie.
Harambanistan's national cuisine consists of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate milk, all of which are commonly served at Harambanistani gatherings. Bavarian-style pretzels and lager are also identified as having particular cultural relevance.
The national sport is bowling.
Harambanistan's sole media outlet is the Harambanistan News Agency, an online news service operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Information and the Christian Workers' Party Propaganda Department.
Religion
The state religion of Harambanistan is Roman Catholicism. Most citizens are Roman Catholic, although other religions are tolerated by law. As an integralist state, the doctrines and teachings of the Catholic Church exert special influence over the government and society of Harambanistan, and the government considers it part of its mission to ensure not only the political and economic flourishing of Harambanistan but its spiritual and religious flourishing as well.
Holidays
| Name | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All Catholic solemnities | Throughout the year | All Catholic liturgical solemnities, as celebrated according to the particular calendar of the Diocese of Dallas, are considered national holidays and days of rest. |
| Emperor Norton I Day | 8 January | To celebrate the legacy of Emperor Norton I and micronationalism as a whole. |
| Groundhog Week | The week containing the first Saturday in February | A traditional celebration inherited from the University of Dallas. |
| Feast of St. Joseph the Worker | 1 May | To celebrate and honor laborers. |
| Harambe Remembrance Day | 28 May | To commemorate the death of Harambe. |
| Independence Day | 24 June | To celebrate Harambanistani independence from Quailia. |
| Founders' Day | 4 December | To celebrate the foundation of Harambanistan. |