Republic of Capricornia
 National Flag | |
| Motto: We Are A Land Bound By Sea National Anthem: 'Capricornia' by Midnight Oil | |
| Type of entity: | Micronation |
| Location: | Northern parts of the Musanian Lands; physical residence in Berlin, Germany |
| Date of foundation: | 2006-08-01 |
| Leadership: | John Beynon |
| Organisational structure: | Parliamentary Republic |
| Language: | English |
| Purported currency: | Common Wallaroo |
The Republic of Capricornia is a separatist micronation on the north coast of the Musanian Lands and is a member of the Federated Micronations of the Musanian Lands (FM). Within the FM, it takes the lead on foreign policy and on monetary matters. The Republic maintains a strong army, the Capricornian Defense Force (CDF), and a Postal Service, Capricornia Post. Its economy is based on trade and industry. The official language is English; Balanda is widely used in the countryside and recognized by law. Musogradian is widely spoken, but not officially recognized.
History
The Republic of Capricornia was founded after a war of independence against the then Federation of Musograd in July 2006. In the years up to 2002, Musograd had an active policy founding settlements on the continent of Australia. This policy was ended in 2002 / 2003, the settlers were repatriated and mostly resettled on the northern shores of the Musanian Lands. Although granted a high degree of autonomy as Province and later Republic of Thylacinia, the "Redfeets", as the radical settlers were called, resented the Federation Government and its policies and fought a successful campaign for their own independent Republic of Capricornia.
In February 2007, another war between Capricornia, the Balanga Respublike (now Balanda Republic) and the Federation of Musograd flared up, about the possession of Balangrad City. Capricornia and the Balanga Respublike won this war and put Balangrad under shared control. Later that year, Musograd won back control over parts of the city. Successful peace talks led to a common control scheme for the city, and reciprocal recognition of the three states.
In 2008, the conflicts between Capricornia and Musograd diminished even more, a common expedition (without settlement activity) to Australia was executed, and Capricornia helped the Musogradian economy to recover after the great Libertarian Crash of 2008, by supporting the introduction of a common currency, the Common Wallaroo. On 2009-10-03 (October 3, 2009), after the dissolution of the Federation of Musograd, Capricornia and 4 successor states of the Federation of Musograd founded the Federated Micronations of the Musanian Lands. Together with the Dershowo Musograd, it is seen as the leading nation of the Federation.
The former Prime Minister of Capricornia, Hon. William Thorpe, has been elected Secretary of the Federated Micronations of the Musanian Lands, following Gen. Mikhail Houloubek who has assumed the office of Secretary of the Dershowo of Musograd (now ret'd). Current Prime Minister is Hon. John Beynon.
In 2020 and 2021, Capricornia has started to actively foster cooperation within the Federated Micronations, creating alliances with less developed states like the Balanda Republic and the Repubblica Naquarnia.
Government
The government system is based on a one-chambered Parliament with 91 members, electing the Prime Minister and his (or her) Government. The Parliament also elects the delegates to the Federation Council of the Federated Micronations. The dominating political parties have their roots in the Australian settlements and their Milicia tal' Australija - both the Southern Cross Movement and the Freedom Party are led by former MtA officers. The Southern Cross Movement under Prime Minister John Beynon has lost the majority of Parliament seats in the elections of 2020 for the first time in Capricornian history, but formed an alliance with the Aurora Borealis party.
Foreign policy
Due to its history as a separatist nation, Capricornia felt it to be its duty to support separatist movements, as long as they use peaceful means or at least act only in self-defense. The state department of the Republic has developed a policy of Unilateral Recognition which does not require reciprocal recognition. Before joining the Federated Micronations, Capricornia has unilaterally recognized the following countries, without regards to their current political status:
- Republik Baden-Württemberg
- República Española
- Republic of Taiwan
- Central Tibetan Administration
- Repùbrica de Sardigna
- Kingdom of Scotland
- Republique du Québec
- Hutt River Principality (note: this country is a sovereign state and NOT a micronation. It has dropped the "Province" from "Hutt River Province Principality")
- Republic of Kosovo
- Republic of Macedonia
- Ukraine
- Republic of Georgia
- Free State of Bavaria
- Free State of Lippe
and after joining the Federated Micronations:
- Free State of Oldenbourg
- República Española
- Fédération de la Suisse Romande
- Free City of Basel
- Sorbish Free State
- Free Republic of Libya
- Belarusian Democratic Republic
- Republic of Hungary
- Repubblica Vaticana
- Principato di Filettino
- Kingdom of Bir Tawil
The Republic of Capricornia has taken responsibility for the foreign policy of the Federated Micronations; all foreign policy statements of the F.M. are accepted directly by Capricornia. There currently is no policy of actively asking for reciprocal recognition by other Micronations, but this is expected to change as soon as the respective resources are in place. Reciprocal Recognition of the Republic of Capricornia as a member of the Federated Micronations and the Soviet Republic of North America has taken place in January 2010.
Postal Service
Postal services and Telecommunications within the Republic of Capricornia are performed by Capricornia Post, a state company of the Republic. Capricornia Post is issuing a low number of stamps each year, originally focussing on patriotic symbols, and later on foreign policy.
The first issue, from 2006-08-01, consisted of 2 stamps valued 500 and 1000 Capricornian Shillings and celebrated the Declaration of Indepence of the Republic of Capricornia. The stamps show Glebe Point in Sydney, the Landing Place of the First Australian Expedition in 1993. The diagonal texts display the national motto "We Are A Land Bound By Sea" (from a patriotic song by C.Anu) and a line from the National Anthem. On the margins, and on the top right corner of the stamps, the Flag of the Republic of Capricornia is displayed. Valid until 2008-04-01.
A series of stamps under the motto "For Your Freedom And Ours" (after T.Koscziusko) was started on 2008-03-16 with stamps and a miniature sheet dedicated to the freedom of Tibet and Taiwan, especially to honour the Tibetans killed or imprisoned in 2008 by the authoritarian Chinese government. Both countries have been unilaterally recognized by the Republic of Capricornia. Similar issues have followed; since 2010, both "Republic of Capricornia" and "FM" for the Federated Micronations are being displayed on Capricornia Post issues.
To enhance friendly relations with other micronations, Capricornia Post offers to send their postal authorities current and old issues of the Republic of Capricornia in exchange for their respective stamp issues.
In 2008, some Capricornia Post issues were placed at the signpost of the Tropic of Capricornia in Western Australia. The person who discovered them and took them with him will receive a full collection of all Capricornia Post issues if he can send in a proof in form of a scan of the stamps!
Capricornia Post Extraterritorial Agencies is a fully owned subsidiary of Capricornia Post, operating postal offices outside of territories belonging to the Federated Micronations, like Frya Nordland Territories or the joint sovereign base territory operated by Capricornia, Naquarnia and the Balanda Republic. In addition to this, two mobile post offices (Baltics, Mediterranean) are operated by CPEA.