Arstotzkan Union

Independent Federal Republic of the Arstotzkan Union Onafhankelijke Bondsrepubliek van de Arstotzkan-unie (Dutch) Repupiripia motuhake motuhake o te Arstotzkan Kotahitanga (Māori) República Federal Independiente de la Unión Arstotzkan (Spanish) Respublica Foederalis Unionis Arstotzkan (Latin)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Per aequalitatem unitatis" "Equality Through Unity"
Anthem: Solidarity Forever
Capital and largest city	Unitya, Gollandiya Capitol Territory
Official languages	English (de-facto) Dutch Maori Spanish Latin
Religion	Christianity (de-facto)
Demonym(s)	Arstotzkan
Government	Democratic socialist federal dual-presidential constitutional republic
• First President	Ethan Brinkman
• Second President	Zion Ormsby
• Vice President	Peter Gedye
Legislature	Federal Assembly of the Arstotzkan Union
• Upper house	Federal Congress
• Lower house	House of Representatives
Independence  from New Zealand
• Independence Declaration / First Union Formed	22 August 2019
• Current Constitution adopted	25 November 2019
• First Territories Established	27 December 2019
• Independence Declaration Adopted	18 June 2020
• Latest Territory Admitted	26 August 2024
Area
• Total	374.05 km2 (144.42 sq mi) (44th)
Population
• 2024 estimate	1865
• Density	5.21/km2 (13.5/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	▼ $136.650 million (AUC)
• Per capita	▼ $66,143 (AUC)
Currency	Arstotzkan Credit (AUC)
Time zone	UTC-5:00 CST UTC+10:00 AEST UTC+12:00 NZST UTC+13:00 NZDT
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+64
Website Arstotzkan Union Online
Preceded by Arstotzkan Union

The Arstotzkan Union is a self-declared sovereign state, formally recognized as the Independent Federal Republic of the Arstotzkan Union, or simply The Union. Situated within New Zealand, it is a prominent figure in the micronational landscape, often referred to as the largest micronation in the country and a micronational superpower in New Zealand. Despite its claims to independence, the Union's political status remains complex, with the international community classifying it as a de facto autonomous republic.

Encompassing an area of 374.05 square kilometers, the Union is divided into four states and two administrative regions, comprising a total of sixteen territories. With a population exceeding 1600, the Union's territory is primarily located within the Tauranga region of New Zealand.

A staunch advocate for micronational sovereignty, the Arstotzkan Union has been instrumental in shaping the micronational landscape. The nation's founding in 2019 marked the inception of a political entity with a strong inclination towards socialist and republican principles. The Union's influence is evident in its role as the founder of the Coalition of United Micronations in 2021 and its involvement in the establishment of the Ward Empire in 2022 as well as nine other nations that same year.

The Union's foreign policy is characterised by a proactive stance on micronationalism. It is a key member of several micronational organisations, including the Allied Court of Justice, the United Micronations Treaty Alliance, and the Allied Micronational Treaty Organization. Moreover, the Union's military capabilities have earned it a reputation as a significant regional power, often drawing comparisons to the United States within the micronational context. This standing is corroborated by its high rankings on the Dresner's System of Classification and the Categoric-Gradial System of Classification.

A cornerstone of the Arstotzkan Union's domestic policy is its commitment to inclusivity and civil liberties. The nation's constitution explicitly protects the rights of individuals, encompassing identity, speech, expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion. The establishment of the Federal LGBT Relations Board in 2021 further solidified the Union's dedication to equality.

In the realm of economic policy, the Union adheres to socialist principles. The state advocates a planned socialist economy with its predominant export being labour to New Zealand and Australia. In 2024 the Executive Committee, the nations second highest authority, announced that it has generated a GDP of over $79 million (USD) making the largest economy in the micronational world.

While the Arstotzkan Union has achieved significant milestones, its status as a micronation presents unique challenges. The lack of formal recognition by the international community and the inherent limitations of its territory pose obstacles to achieving full sovereignty. Nonetheless, the Union's determination, coupled with its active role in the micronational community, positions it as a potential model for other micronations aspiring to political recognition and self-determination.

Etymology

The name Arstotzka comes from the game Papers, Please.

Official Names:

• 22 August 2019 -- 18 September 2019: Arstotzkan Union / Arztotzkan Union
• 25 November 2019 -- 12 May 2020: Arstotzkan Union
• 12 May 2020 -- 8 June 2020: Democratic Republic of the Arstotzkan Union
• 8 June 2020 -- 18 June 2020: Sovereign Democratic Republic of the Arstotzkan Union
• 18 June 2020 -- 14 October 2020: Independent Democratic Republic of the Arstotzkan Union
• 14 October 2020 -- Present day: Independent Federal Republic of the Arstotzkan Union

History

Main article: History of the Arstotzkan Union

Pre-war Arstotzkan Union (First Brinkman Administration)

On 22 August 2019, the Arstotzkan Union was formed by several founding fathers. Prior to its establishment, the area that would later become the nation's capital was designated as an independent zone, separate from New Zealand, where the future founding fathers enacted laws concerning certain dangerous topics.

During the morning of 22 August 2019, Ethan Brinkman declared the area's independence from New Zealand, establishing it as an independent nation rather than a self-governing zone. On this day, Ethan Brinkman was proclaimed President of the Arstotzkan Union, and he formed the Arstotzkan Union National Government, designating the day as "Commemoration Day."

Arstotzkan Wars Period

In the ensuing days, the Arstotzkan Union grew more powerful, evolving into a violent and totalitarian state without checks from its constituents. On 18 September 2019, the Ministry of Defense led a coup against the Arstotzkan Union National Government and President Ethan, resulting in the downfall of the Union and the initiation of the Arstotzkan Wars. These conflicts persisted until 25 November 2019. Unstable peace reigned over the Arstotzkan Union until 6 December 2019, when a second coup against the newly formed government led to the formation of the Underground Government, with the Presidential Upper Cabinet assuming control.

On 6 December 2019, the Democratic Labour Party of Arstotzka, a radical, anti-Union party, assumed power over the Arstotzkan Union. Operating covertly, the Underground Government passed the Territorial Bases Initiative on 27 December 2019, establishing Arstotzkan Union Defense Force military bases as sovereign territories across New Zealand. These territories remain part of the Arstotzkan Union to this day.

Following the end of the Arstotzkan Wars and the retaking of power by the Underground Government on 5 February 2020, the Arstotzkan Union made progress in building its government. Legislation began being passed, with the Entertainment and Social Media Restrictions and Censorship Act 2020 becoming the first new piece of legislation passed under the new government.

Second Post-War Period (Last Brinkman Administration / First Brinkman - Gedye Administration)

During this time, the Arstotzkan Union experienced democratic growth never before seen, with presidential elections being held in May 2020, and new members of government being sworn in based on the election results. In October 2020, the National Government of the Arstotzkan Union evolved into the Arstotzkan Federal Government, commencing the Federalisation of the Arstotzkan Union, a comprehensive process of national reform that was completed on 7 April 2021.

Arstotzkan - Confederate War

In November 2020, agents of the Arstotzkan Union Security Intelligence Service (AUSIS) informed First President Ethan Brinkman of a new group that would go against the national security interests of the Arstotzkan Union. This group turned out to be known as the Confederate Democracy of Gamers, a rogue successionist state that had declared independence from the Arstotzkan Union in the city of Bethlehem, Judea (the largest city in the Arstotzkan Union at the time). On 26 November 2020, war broke out between the two nations. This war would continue until 10 February 2021. During the war, First President Ethan Brinkman announced his resignation on the Arstotzkan Union National News Network, the nation's largest news source. This was a shock, as Ethan had been in power throughout the history of the Arstotzkan Union. On 4 February 2021, Vice President Zion Ormsby was sworn in as the 2nd First President of the Arstotzkan Union. The end of the war was brokered by First President Zion Ormsby, Arstotzkan Ambassador to the Confederate Democracy of Gamers & Prime Minister of Arstotzka, Ethan Brinkman, and Confederate President Elijah Tibbits. Both nations agreed not to fight another war and become allies. This was met with much dissent from both nations' governments.

Post-Confederate War Period (Ormsby - Gedye Administration)

Peace once again reigned, and the Arstotzkan Union completed the Federalisation process on 7 April 2021, as the Fourth Session of the National Assembly of the Arstotzkan Union voted unanimously to dissolve into the Arstotzkan Federal Congress and the Arstotzkan People's Senate. The Arstotzkan People's Senate later became the Arstotzkan State Senate, adopting the State Government of Arstotzka and the Arstotzkan Territorial Government before transforming into the House of Representatives of the Arstotzkan Union.

Eight days later, on 15 April 2021, the Arstotzkan Union broke its promise and, under the command of its Commander in Chief, the Arstotzkan Marine Corps launched an invasion of the Confederate Democracy of Gamers, making the nation a protectorate of the state. This occupation lasted for over a year until the Arstotzkan Union officially dissolved the state in early 2022.

Second Brinkman - Gedye Administration

On 1 June 2021, as promised, State Governor Ethan Brinkman became First President again after a six-month absence, with Zion Ormsby returning to his role as Vice President of the Arstotzkan Union. During the new administration, First President Ethan Brinkman formed the Executive Committee of the Office of the Presidency and the Politburo of the Arstotzkan Social Liberal Democratic Party on 16 June 2021, (then known as the Political Bureau to the executive committee of the Second Democratic People's Party of the Arstotzkan Union). These were the first additions to the executive branch of government since the founding of the dual presidential system in May 2020.

In June, Ethan Brinkman passed the June 2021 Foreign Policy which was the first since the November 2020 Foreign Policy and this was one of the most strict on the Confederate Democracy of Gamers. The foreign policy also began relations with Nova Roma which would eventually led to the expansion of micro nationalism in Tauranga, New Zealand.

Two months later, in August the Arstotzkan Union was forced into its second Covid-19 lockdown with First President Ethan Brinkman making an emergency address on the AUNNN late on the night of 17 August 2021. This was brought with much upset as the second anniversary and 2021 State of the Union Address which was expected to take place on 22 August 2021 was forced to be done during this lockdown.

In the same month, the Arstotzkan Federal Government began to look at new government reforms and on 31 August 2021, the Arstotzkan Statute on Government Systems was passed. This gave the federal government better powers and made better attempts than previous reforms in organizing the government. On the same day the first and only piece of Covid related legislation was passed. Known as the Covid-19 Response and Public Health Safety Act 2021. This act gave the federal government powers and responsibilities to protecting public health.

The Arstotzkan Union will not stand with New Zealand if it wishes not to stand as a member of the international community and won't stand against the threat posed by the People's Republic of China. Until things change, the Arstotzkan Union will remain free from New Zealand and will not be in any form of alliance with New Zealand.

First President Ethan Brinkman, Arstotzkan Union National News Network "Address on foreign affairs and relations with New Zealand" - 15 September 2021

In September with a new defence alliance being announced that didn't include New Zealand, the First President and Arstotzkan Federal Government became completely enraged with the New Zealand Government. On 15 September 2021, First President Ethan Brinkman announced in a statement to the Arstotzkan Union National News Network that the Arstotzkan Union would cease all diplomatic relations with New Zealand. This was a major shock to the Arstotzkan and New Zealand people's with Ethan Brinkman's family questioning him for the decision.

With the government exercising major reforms in August, the leadership of the Arstotzkan Union Defense Forces decided it was time for reforming. New ideas were presented and a whole new structure was created by Arstotzkan Army Corps, Commander Liam Huxley. On 31 October 2021, Kommondant of the Arstotzkan Union Defense Forces announced the passing of Executive Presidential Order 0001 (Executive Presidential Order on the Reforming of the Command and the Structure of the Arstotzkan Union Defense Forces). This changed the defence force from having four branches (Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force) to having two (Army and Navy). This also included reforming the branches to their current regimental system.

Pressure began to mount in the Arstotzkan Federal Government around democratic processes needing to be undertaken in all sectors of government and in November the First President announced the Arstotzkan Future Planning Summit which was to take place on 12 November 2021. This was a minor success and on 18 November 2021, for the first time in history the First President began answering questions directly from the public in regards to government actions.

Focus on the Arstotzkan Union began to dwindle slightly coming towards the end of 2021 and only minor reforms occurred with Arstotzkan High Command seeing some changes following the implementation of Executive Presidential Order 0001. Territorial focus began to increase in December 2021 and reforms on the territorial governments began around this time.

In a complete turn of events and in the last hours of 2021, First President Ethan Brinkman made an emergency announcement to the Arstotzkan Union National News Network announcing the restarting of relations with New Zealand due to a rise in Covid-19 variants and major threats to global security.

Attention once again fell on the territories with the names of the territories and state in the Arstotzkan Union being changed and a major unity of the territories.

In February 2022, the Arstotzkan Federal Government began to look at harsher penalties for those who acted against the Arstotzkan Union during the Arstotzkan-Confederate War and imposed the Preventative Measures Act 2022 which, along with amendments to the Civil Protection Act 2021, restricted and outlawed former government employees and anyone involved with the Confederate Democracy of Gamers during the war in 2020.

On 24 February 2022 with the announcement of the Russian Federation conducting a "special military operation" in Ukraine, the Arstotzkan Union announced its support for the nation and amended the Preventative Measures Act to impose sanctions of the Russian Federation, a former ally of the Arstotzkan Union.

Months later on 7 May 2022, First President Ethan Brinkman was enjoying a meeting with Confederate Democracy of Gamers Defense Chief, Grayson Moore and Arstotzkan Minister of Health when Grayson attacked the First President and declared the foundation of his own nation known as Grayson Country. The Minister of Health also joined in and created his own nation however 38 hours later it was quickly dissolved through diplomatic means. This sparked the 2022 Arstotzkan Independence Crisis.

For nearly a month the Arstotzkan Union attempted to end the crisis and bring back Grayson Country into the Arstotzkan Union until on 1 June 2022, Elijah Tibbits, President of the Confederate Democracy of Gamers announced the re-starting of an independent CDG and proclaimed an alliance with Grayson Country. This ended the Independence Crisis following the proclamation of war by the Arstotzkan Union on the evening of 1 June.

Arstotzkan - Alliance War

War raged in the Arstotzkan Union for the first time in nearly two years. At the beginning of the war the Arstotzkan Union embarked on a massive propaganda campaign to boost enlistment into the Arstotzkan Union Defense Forces however this was unsuccessful.

Rumours of an Arstotzkan led invasion of the alliance nations was on the minds of Grayson Moore and Elijah Tibbits and so the two leaders began to fortify their main cities and protect civilians against an invasion. This invasion would never come.

After the independence of the CDG, President Elijah Tibbits was made aware of a series of very restrictive laws that was oppressing former Confederate citizens in the Arstotzkan Union. President Elijah confronted First President Ethan about the law, requesting it be repealed however Ethan said that he would not unless the Confederacy surrendered. On 20 June 2022, President Elijah organised the formation of a legal group known as the Confederate Legal Team (CLT) who announced that they would take legal action against the Arstotzkan Federal Government if the law was not repealed by 24 June. The Arstotzkan Federal Government held strong and true to their word, on 25 June 2022 the Confederate Legal Team filed a lawsuit against the Arstotzkan Federal Government with the Supreme Federal Court under Article 16 of the Constitution.

Two days later, on 27 June, the Supreme Federal Court heard the case. The Confederate Legal Team opened with evidence claiming that the Preventative Measures Act and Civil Protection Act (s 9 - 11) breached Articles 6 & 7 of the Constitution of the Arstotzkan Union and Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is enacted by Article 7 of the Constitution. Attorney-General of the Arstotzkan Union, Peter Gedye argued that the laws were passed due to preventing a future national security issue. Three days later, Chief Justice, Ethan Brinkman delivered his ruling and ruled in favour of the Confederacy which was a massive surprise to everyone in the Arstotzkan Union.

The Rights created and set forth in our Constitution have been crafted over the past three years for the protection of our independent and free citizens. [...] My Government should not have the power to act out of the bounds of our Constitution and its framework to create and ratify discriminatory legislation that may attack, harass and withdraw rights of citizens of our current and former enemy. They may have had some or no involvement and have come and intertwined themselves in our republic and will be given the rights protected by our united socialist republic.

Chief Justice Ethan Brinkman, Plea of Amendment for the case of Confederacy v. Arstotzkan Union, 30 June 2022

On 6 July 2022, Ethan Brinkman organised with Ben Ward, a long time friend for him to establish his own Micronations, later that day the Ward Empire declared its independence and immediately the Arstotzkan Union announced an alliance by signing the Treaty of Two Nations. The Ward Empire joined in the Coalition against the Alliance and both nations began preparations for an invasion of the CDG and Grayson Country, this was known as Operation Peacekeeper III with the first two operations being more diplomatic and Peacekeeper III being military action.

With the creation of the alliance between the Arstotzkan Union and Ward Empire beginning, Ethan invited the Ward Empire in a new intermicronational organization known as the Tauranga Commonwealth of Micronations, which was originally founded on 28 January 2021 but never gained any new members until the founding of the Ward Empire. Eventually as the Arstotzkan - Alliance War dragged on the Arstotzkan Union began to look at other partnerships for bolstering an offensive against the Alliance. On 3 August 2022, a congress of leaders and students of Tauranga Boys' College gathered in a classroom and signed Resolution 01 of the General Assembly of the Tauranga Commonwealth of Micronations. This began the TCM properly.

Tauranga Commonwealth of Micronations

With the forming of the TCM properly the nations began to form under the leadership of Ethan Brinkman as the Secretary General. Each weekly meeting of the nations did not end up with many major resolutions being passed and it was predominantly focused on Ethan teaching the new leaders how nations work and how to build them, with some of the first meetings going into how to write a declaration of independence and constitution.

During this time Ethan Brinkman and Ben Ward met in Bethlehem, Judea in the Arstotzkan Union on 4 August 2022 and announced that the Arstotzkan Allied Forces, the main group against the alliance, would be dissolved and both nations signed the Bethlehem Charter which formed the Tauranga Allied Micronational Treaty Organization. This new organization would be more organized and well formed and would allow new nations in under a unified banner. The TAMTO organization would also be dedicated at protecting the new nations of the Tauranga Commonwealth of Micronations.

On 24 August 2022, Ethan Brinkman was contacted by a FDF Officer, a member of the Federal Defense Forces of the Taurstan Anarchist Federation, who informed him of a rouge nation known as the Matakana Island Rouge Nation who was posing a major threat to the national security and sovereignty of the infant nations. Ethan informed him that TAMTO would be put on high alert and that a vote on the task of preventing any dangerous actions coming towards the new nations. Ethan also informed the FDF Officer that troops from the TAMTO's Joint Allied Response Defense Battalion, which was the smallest of the five main army groups of the alliance.

During the fourth session of the General Assembly, which took place on the same day, hackers from the Empire of Him, the new name for the Matakana Island Rouge Nation began a cyber attack on the Tauranga Commonwealth of Micronations main communications site. Cyber teams from the JARDAB and other allied units quickly dispatched the hackers and Secretary General Ethan Brinkman announced Resolution 07 which passed with unanimous approval and all members states were at war with the Empire of Him.

Commonwealth - Empire War

Main Article: Commonwealth-Empire War

Following what became the first major battle of the war, the Commonwealth Forces quickly regrouped and planned for a counterattack. That afternoon, Secretary General Ethan Brinkman sanctioned a counter-offensive in Philosostan, a newly created region of micronational affairs and one of the most contested regions in the entire Tauranga Micronational Area. Ethan did this both on behalf of the TCM and also the Arstotzkan Union as the Union had not seen battle since 15 April 2021 with the invasion of the CDG.

On 25 August 2022, a day after the First Battle of the General Assembly, PVB troops from the Taurstan Anarchist Federation and DAF troops from the Ultra Democratic Republic of Referendums with the support of TAMTO's JARDAB and the Arstotzkan Union's 2nd Army Infantry Regiment moved into secure Philosostan. Commonwealth Forces made quick successes but were ultimately pushed into a stalemate by the Empire forces.

In retaliation for the stalemate and wishing to garner another victory, Commonwealth Forces liberated the local uninhabited island, known as Rat Island. Which was occupied at the time by Empire insurgents. Although no JARDAB soldier was involved in the operation, the commander of the battalion and TCM Secretary General, Ethan Brinkman, endorsed the operation and said that the PVB and DAF troops would have the full support of the group, should they require it.

After the success of Operation: Sea Rodent, Ben Ward, the Supreme Emperor of the Ward Empire, informed Ethan Brinkman that the leader of the Empire of Him would be at the Commonwealth Joint Army Forward Operations Base along with a small insurgent force to receive military training from members of the New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps. Ethan sanctioned any military action that could be taken against him and together they devised the Battle of the Point. So called as it was near the northern border of the Commonwealth Defense Region (at the time). Ben Ward informed Ethan Brinkman that other cadets from the NZDF who would be present there, would be happy to unofficially aid in the prevention of any insurgent threat to the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The New Zealand government and Ministry of Defence never acknowledged this action, nor were informed, however it is believed that when the Empire heard of this planned action, the Emperor refused to show for fear of safety. The small number of insurgents who did show, immediately surrendered to JARDAB and NZ Forces.

Because the belligerents of the Arstotzkan - Alliance War were also members of the Commonwealth, much of their military was focused on the larger Commonwealth War. On 13 September 2022, First President Brinkman announced the Arstotzkan Union would surrender and sign the Treaty of Peace, Unity and Cooperation, ending the Arstotzkan - Alliance War.

Subsequently following the Battle of the Point, Secretary General Brinkman, Supreme Emperor Ward and Election Leader Tristen began meeting to devise an invasion of Philosostan to force a major escalation in the war and secure victory. Two operations were created, Operation Supremacy and Operation Overlord. Both were drafted by the three heads of the war in now deleted emails. Both were eventually cancelled, the reasons for why Operation Supremacy was cancelled is believed to allow for Operation Overlord. Operation Overlord was cancelled following the Philosostan Coup, despite the Commonwealth stating it was apart of the operation.

Towards the end of the war, agents from intelligence divisions (primarily the Arstotzkan SCNSI) in the Joint Allied Defense Response Battalion, aided in the formation of the Philosostan People's Front, a loosely organised militia with intentions to rise up against the Imperial Control over Philosostan. On 28 September 2022, the Philosostan People's Front, along with troops from JARDAB, as well as led and orchestrated by high ranking officers from the Arstotzkan Union Defense Force led a bloodless coup against the imperial regime. Later that morning, General Ethan Brinkman, commander of the Battalion, along with Ben Ward, Chairman of the Allied Military Council proclaimed the Commonwealth would form a temporary caretaker government to establish a newly independent nation.

During the Seventh Session of the General Assembly, and during the vote for the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Election Leader Tristen announced that talks had been happening between the Ultra Democratic Republic of Referendums and the Empire of Him to negotiate a surrender. Secretary General Brinkman asked if the Empire wished to surrender and become a member of the Tauranga Commonwealth of Micronations to which they said yes. The General Assembly approved the measure and the Commonwealth - Empire Peace Treaty Agreement was signed and ratified on 26 October 2022, ending the Commonwealth-Empire War.

Post Commonwealth War

Immediately following the end of the War, the Arstotzkan Union and Ward Empire began to look at taking back control of Rat Island. The island having been captured by Commonwealth Forces during the war but had to be handed ovr

Government and politics

The People's Banner of the Arstotzkan Union. It is the current flag and has been in use since 10 December 2020

The Arstotzkan Union officially is a democratic socialist federal dual-presidential constitutional republic. It has two Presidents, the First President is Ethan Brinkman, the Second President is Zion Ormsby and the Vice President is Peter Gedye. Presidential term limits are defined by Article 4, Section 2 of the Government Procedures Act 2023, which prescribes the term of a president is one that last for the life of the individual, or until their death or resignation and or retirement. Military authority and major supreme powers are vested in the First President who exercises them under the powers from the Constitution (specifically Section 4), Executive and Supreme Powers Act 2022 and the Armed Forces Act 2023. The Second and Vice Presidents also have their powers codified by the same legislation.

The Arstotzkan Federal Government holds both legislative and judicial branches. The legislative branch consists of the Federal Assembly, which holds the Federal Congress and the House of Representatives. The Federal Congress' function is to create a second draft of legislation before it is approved by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Assembly and sent to the executive committee for ratification. The House of Representatives function is to be a council of representatives from the four states of the Union to draft and create bills for the Government. Like the executive, members of the legislative branches are selected by the Office of the Presidency. A democratic election occurred in 2020 and many people who won positions in that election have held them since then. The only party that is in the Arstotzkan Federal Government is the Socialist Party of the Arstotzkan Union and has its roots from the Arstotzkan People's Party (founded 22 August 2019).

The Federal Judiciary of the Arstotzkan Union is the judicial body of the Arstotzkan Federal Government. It consists of the Supreme Federal Court of the Arstotzkan Union, Federal Court of Appeals and four Federal Territorial Courts (over four judicial circuits). A fifth District Court in the Arstotzkan Union Proper was formed but later dissolved by the Land and Territories Act 2023 when the state was officially dissolved.

The executive branch of the Arstotzkan Federal Government consists of the Office of the Presidency, which is the highest body in the Arstotzkan Union. It contains all three presidents (First, Second and Vice). Every office, department and body in the Arstotzkan Union eventually reports to the Office of the Presidency. It also ratifies all bills and makes them acts, as well as, decides on national functions, matters of national security, actions being taken by the People's Armed Forces of the Arstotzkan Union and has the final say in any matters relating to the nation as a whole. Until 15 August 2024, a lower council known as the Executive Committee held power until it was dissolved by the Office of the Presidency in an effort to consolidate power and end the constitutional crisis.

The other body in the Executive Branch is the Politburo of the Socialist Party of the Arstotzkan Union. It only acts to plan activities relating to the SPAU and does not have any power over the government or the nation.

Current Government

Party			Spectrum	Ideology	Leaders	House seats	Logo
Government
	Socialist Party of the Arstotzkan Union	SPAU	Far-Left	Arstotzkanism Democratic Socialism Communism	Ethan Brinkman Peter Gedye Zion Ormsby	25 / 25

Military and Law Enforcement

Main article: Military History of the Arstotzkan Union

The Arstotzkan Union's national defence rests with the People's Armed Forces of the Arstotzkan Union. The micronational worlds largest military force, consisting of 430 soldiers over three branches, the Arstotzkan Army Corps, Arstotzkan Naval Corps and Arstotzkan Union Reserve Force. The First President of the Arstotzkan Union is the Commander and Chief of the People's Armed Forces of the Arstotzkan Union and holds the rank of General of the Armed Forces. In 2020, the National Government of the Arstotzkan Union created Arstotzkan High Command and the Arstotzkan Executive War Council, its duty is to work with the Department of National Defense to advise the (through the Senior Chairman of the Department of National Defense) Executive Committee on the functions of the Armed Forces. Soldiers matters are passed onto the Department of National Defense by the General Secretary of the Armed Forces, who organises soldiers affairs and monitors on-base activities.

Arstotzkan Federal Police Service Emblem. Created by First President Ethan Brinkman

Law enforcement and policing matters are up taken by the Arstotzkan Federal Police Service. A recently new department created by the Police Force and Public Order Act 2022, which formed the police force on 23 October 2022. The AFPS took over the job of policing from the Arstotzkan Police Service and Arstotzkan Presidential Guard (then known as the Arstotzkan Federal Guard). The AFPS, are the child department of the Executive Committee and they work directly on the advise of the Chief of the AFPS. In January 2023, the AFPS participated in one of the largest police actions in Arstotzkan History, by arresting 25 individuals linked to a far-right group known as the New Arstotzkan Liberation Front, which wished to take down the Arstotzkan Federal Government.

Administrative Areas

The Arstotzkan Union is comprised of many political divisions. There are three main administrative areas and are categorised in a hierarchal structure. States are the largest administrative division. States are a group of two or more territories and are usually divided based on their geographical location. There are five states, Wairoa, Rangitaiki, Hōrana and Makariri are the New Zealand based states, with the overseas territories being organised into the United Overseas Territories. Rangitaiki is the largest by number of territories and Makariri is the largest by size. Each state is led by a Council Chairman. The Council Chairman has a seat on the House of Representatives and is tasked with voting and establishing new laws for the Arstotzkan Union based on the wishes of the Arstotzkan people's. There are four State Representatives, one for each state.

Territories are the next administrative division. They are areas that are seen by the Arstotzkan Federal Government of importance to the Arstotzkan Union. The official definition of a territory is listed in the Union Constitution Act 2024 and is:

• An area of land that is inhabited by citizens (pursuant to the Citizenship Act 2022 and Civil Protection Act 2021) of the Arstotzkan Union, and;
• An area of land seen as of national significance to the Arstotzkan Federal Government and or the Office of the Presidency of the Arstotzkan Union, and;
• An area of land seen as of national significance to the People’s Armed Forces of the Arstotzkan Union for the protection of the state and national security of the Arstotzkan Union and New Zealand, and;
• An area of land seen as required to be a part of the Arstotzkan Union to allow for bettering the sovereignty of the Arstotzkan Union.

There are 18 territories. 16 in New Zealand, one in Australia and one in Cuba. The largest three are Yuzhnaya Zemlya Territory (MA), Vici Aquilonis Territory (WA) and Nueva Unidad Territory (RG). Territories are governed by a Territorial Commander and the territorial commander is responsible to the States Council. All territorial commanders have a permanent seat in each State Council and advise the Council Chairman on the issues in their territories.

Below the territory is a city. There aren't many cities and cities are primarily in the larger territories. There are currently, two cities. One in the Gollandiya Capitol Territory and one in the Te Whakapaipai Territory.

The final type of administrative division in the Arstotzkan Union are Autonomous Administrative Regions. Currently there is two, the Grayson Administrative Region, and the Moutere Hapori Administrative Region, both in the Eastern Arstotzkan State. Autonomous Administrative Region's or AAR's are different to cities, territories and states as they are self-administering and have their own independent governing body. These independent governing bodies are responsible to the Office of the Presidency and have special privileges over law making and administering their regions.

Flag	Arms	Name	Area	Admitted to the Union	Population	Official
Wairoa (Council Chairman: Liam Huxley)
Territories
		Vici Aquilonis Territory	159.38 km2	26 August 2024	412	Territorial Commander: Ethan Brinkman
		Tsentral'naya Territory	0.00075 km2	29 September 2021	10	Territorial Commander: Liam Huxley
		Socium Aquilonis Territory	0.01 km2	26 August 2024	160	Territorial Commander: Ethan Brinkman
Hōrana (Council Chairman: Ethan Brinkman)
		Angliyskiy Territory	0.081 km2	27 December 2019	2	Territorial Commander: Ethan Brinkman
		Te Whakapaipai Territory	0.28336856 km2	28 February 2023	120	Territorial Commander: Ethan Brinkman
Major cities
		Holloway	0.00197103 km2	12 November 2023	15	Mayor: Ethan Brinkman
Rangitaiki (Council Chairman: Ethan Brinkman)
		Gollandiya Capitol Territory	0.264376 km2	27 December 2019	599	Territorial Commander: Ethan Brinkman
		Skandinaviya Territory	0.000675 km2	14 September 2020	6	Territorial Commander: Peter Gedye
		Kholmistyy Rayon Territory	0.0003783 km2	14 September 2020	5	Territorial Commander: Zion Ormsby
		Shotlandiya Territory	0.000791 km2	14 September 2020	9	Territorial Commander: Jack Miller
		Privetstvennaya Bukhta Territory	0.00075 km2	14 September 2020	4	Territorial Commander: Alex Rose
		Severnyy Territory	0.001023 km2	14 September 2020	6	Territorial Commander: Tyler Brazier
		Kivi Territory	0.0807 km2	14 September 2020	4	Territorial Commander: Tyler Brazier
		Grayson Administrative Region	0.009518 km2	28 May 2023	11	Executive Councillor: Grayson Moore
N/A		Moutere Hapori Administrative Region	0.01 km2	6 December 2023	0	Executive Councillor: Peter Gedye
Major cities
		Unitya	0.05 km2	21 March 2024	339	Mayor: Ethan Brinkman
Makariri (State Representative: Zion Ormsby)
		Yuzhnaya Zemlya Territory	194.95 km2	4 May 2022	0	Territorial Commander: Ethan Brinkman
		Angliya Territory	0.000921 km2	26 February 2020	7	Territorial Commander: Piran McGee
United Overseas Territories (State Representative: Vacant)
		Ahitereiria Territory	2.4 km2	3 August 2023	430	Territorial Commander: Teariinui 'Swan' Tutengaehe
		Nueva Unidad Territory	15.53 km2	28 October 2023	76	Territorial Commander: Peter Gedye
Total Area (km2)			358.05	Total Population	1865

Former States

Arstotzkan Union Proper

Arstotzkan Union Proper. From 2020 until it was dissolved in 2022 it existed as the only state of the Arstotzkan Union, other territories were considered to be moved to being a state including the Yuzhnaya Zemlya Territory, however this was blocked by the House of Representatives.

The State of the Arstotzkan Union Proper or the Arstotzkan Union Proper was the main state of the Arstotzkan Union. Originally it was known as the Mainland State of Arstotzka and then Arstotzka before its name was changed because of its similarity to the nation of Arstotzka from the game Papers Please, prior to the federalization of the Arstotzkan Union and adoption of the Land and Territories Act 2020. The AUP was the only state in the Arstotzkan Union. It had 5 regions which were commanded by the Council Registration. Those were the Arstotzkan Capitol District, Union Central, New Staten Landt, Southern Province and Kholmistaya Tsep District. The AUP was the only place in the entire Union that had a highway system, this was until the Highway system was reformed for the new Territories.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of the Arstotzkan Union

The Foreign Relations of the Arstotzkan Union encompass a diverse array of interactions with both macro- and micronations globally. Primarily aligned with leading Western democracies while opposing claimed-communist and capitalist states, the Arstotzkan Union has emerged as a significant micronational power, particularly in the Pacific and New Zealand regions. With a robust military capability, the nation actively engages in peacekeeping efforts and extends aid to other micronations. Key elements of its foreign policy include participation in intermicronational organizations, military assistance, and diplomatic engagement with both macro- and micronations.

The Arstotzkan Union actively engages in intermicronational organizations, notably founding the United Micronations Treaty Alliance (UMTA) to support smaller micronations and promote peace in the Tauranga Micronational Area. Additionally, it has treaties independent of these organizations, such as the Treaty of Two Nations.

Possessing the largest micronational military force globally, the Arstotzkan Union prioritizes aiding allies through its People's Armed Forces, as mandated by the Constitution. This commitment is evident in various conflicts and crisis situations, including the Commonwealth-Empire War and the Benereich - Coalition War.

The Arstotzkan Union's foreign relations with micronations have evolved over time. Initially focusing on building relations with New Zealand, it later engaged with emerging micronations, both through conflict and subsequent alliances. Notable alliances include positive relations with the Confederate Democracy of Gamers and the Ward Empire, with the latter being the closest ally, marked by extensive military cooperation and direct communication lines.

Unilateral recognition for macronations and major micronations

• United Nations - 187/193 member states recognized since 22 August 2019 unofficially, officially since 11 November 2020
• New Zealand - since 31 December 2021, previously recognized from 22 August 2019 - 4 November 2021.
• United Micronations Treaty Alliance - All member states recognized since 18 March 2023.
• Transnistria - since 1 January 2023.
• Republic of Whangamomona - since 22 August 2019
• Principality of Sealand - since 22 August 2019

Recognized micronations (official)

Country	Relation Status	Founded	Diplomatic Relations Formed	Relation Length	Notes
Confederate Democracy of Gamers	Friendly / Allies	9 November 2020	13 September 2022	7002781000000000000♠2 years, 50 days
Grayson Country	Ceased	7 May 2022	13 September 2022	90 days
Ward Empire	Friendly / Allies	6 July 2022	6 July 2022	7002850000000000000♠2 years, 119 days	See: Empirical - Arstotzkan Relations
Kingdom of Krongle	Friendly / Allies	8 September 2022	10 September 2022	7002784000000000000♠2 years, 53 days
United States of Kiwistan	Friendly / Allies	21 September 2022	21 September 2022	7002773000000000000♠2 years, 42 days
Empire of Him	Friendly / Allies	22 August 2022	26 October 2022	7002738000000000000♠2 years, 7 days
People’s Liberation Council of Morrinstan	Friendly / Allies	4 November 2022	4 November 2022	7002729000000000000♠1 year, 364 days

Unrecognised and formerly recognised macronations

• Afghanistan
• United States (has been labelled a 'rogue state' and a 'threat to humanity)
• North Korea
• Russia
• Belarus

• France (Never Recognized, also has been labelled a 'rogue state' and a 'threat to humanity')

Geography and Climate

The Arstotzkan Union being a union of territories across a larger macronation has a large diverse geography. Many of its Tauranga based territories are located between 35 and 200m above sea-level, meanwhile outside the Tauranga Territories, with the lowest point being 0m and the highest being Mount Dick (New Zealand name) or Mount Arstotzkan (Arstotzkan Union rename) which is 705m above sea-level.

• Landscapes of the Arstotzkan Union
• 

  Urban Gollandiya Capitol Territory

• 

  Rural Tangata Raki Territory

Climate

The Arstotzkan Union has an oceanic or maritime temperate climate. It can also be described as subtropical.

Economy

The economy of the Arstotzkan Union is largely non existent. The Department of the State and Arstotzkan Federal Government have official stated that the Arstotzkan Union is a planned socialist economy. The Arstotzkan Federal Government doesn't directly own any business but has set up State Owned Enterprises under the State Owned Enterprises Act 2022. However businesses have planned to open in the Arstotzkan Union. In 2019 the Arstotzkan Union National Government issued the first (and to this day only) Good and Services Transportation Permit (GSTP) which set out that businesses in the Arstotzkan Union need to be registered to the Arstotzkan Union National Government and that all business practices must be inline with the socialist and now Arstotzkanist aspects of government and business.

In May 2023, the first report conducted by the Bureau of Finance showed that the Arstotzkan Union's labour economy had allowed for a major gross domestic production and the largest GDP in the micronational world. With a nominal GDP over 170 million Arstotzkan Credits (or US$107 million) it makes the Arstotzkan Union the largest economy in the micronational world. The GDP per capita sits at around 70,000 Arstotzkan Credits (or $44,514.29) it has a larger GDP per capita than New Zealand.

State Owned Enterprises

The Arstotzkan Union has four major state owned enterprises, they are:

• Arstotzkan Union National News Network (AUNNN, 2019–Present Day)
• Pacific AeroStar Aircraft (PAA, 2017 - 2019, 2022–Present Day)
  • AeroStar Defense (ASD, 2019–Present Day)
• InterFilms.com (IFC, 2016–Present Day)

Independent Companies

The Arstotzkan Union is also home to some independent international companies, they are:

• Ormsby - Miller Production Studios LLC (OMP, 2022–Present Day)

Culture

The Arstotzkan Union has an interesting culture, deriving from aspects of western and soviet-eastern culture.

Language

The Arstotzkan Union has recently changed its policy regarding language. On 28 February 2023, the First President passed the Official Languages Act 2023 and the Maori Language Adoption Act 2023 which became a major step in preserving indigenous New Zealand culture and making the Arstotzkan Union the second nation in the world to have its official language as Maori. The Arstotzkan Union also still has Dutch as a national language as well as Latin and Spanish.

In late 2022, the Arstotzkan Federal Government amended the Preventative Measures Act and removed the Russian Language as an official language and any parts of culture linking the Arstotzkan Union to the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin.

Media

The Arstotzkan Union has only one media source. The Arstotzkan Union National News Network. The AUNNN is a state entity under the State Owned Enterprises Act 2022 and is the property of the Arstotzkan Press Directorate. It does not televise but it does post important national news on several online locations these include, Instagram (the most common), Reddit, TikTok and on the new Arstotzkan Union Online (AUO).

Holidays

Holidays are a unique part of the Arstotzkan Union. Federally holidays were legislated in 2020 and have marked significant days in both international and Arstotzkan history. Some new holidays are planned to be implemented such as June 6 to remember the anniversary of D-Day.

Date	Holiday	Reason for Celebration
1 January	New Years Day
5 February	Peace Day	Commemorate the end of the Second Civil Conflict and Arstotzkan Wars
10 February	Freedom Day	Commemorate the end of the Arstotzkan-Confederate War
April	Good Friday Easter Monday
1 May	V-E Day	Victory in Europe remembrance day
6 June	D-Day Remembrance Day	Commemorate the Normandy Landings during WW2
15 August	V-J Day	Victory over Japan remembrance day
22 August	Commemoration Day	Commemorate the independence of the Arstotzkan Union
18 September	War Day	Anniversary of the start of the First Civil Conflict and the Arstotzkan Wars
26 October	Labour Day
31 October	Halloween
25 November	Unity Day	Anniversary of the end of the First Civil Conflict
6 December	Battle Day	Anniversary of the start of the Second Civil Conflict
24 December	Christmas Eve
25 December	Christmas Day
26 December	Russia Day	Celebration of the founding of the Russian Federation (considered to be repealed after Preventative Measures Act)
30 December	Soviet Day	Celebration of the founding of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
31 December	New Year's Eve

See also

• People's Armed Forces of the Arstotzkan Union
• History of the Arstotzkan Union
• Ethan Brinkman