Scotland (Royal Prerogative)

Scotland (Alba in Gaelic) is a European nation state, located in the British Isles to the north of England. Scotland has been an independent nation state for over a thousand years; its proximity to, and economic and political links with, its southern neighbour England has shaped much of its history. Scotland also has a long history of association with France. This association was brought to an end during the Great European War in 1936, when Scotland sided against France for the first time in centuries.

History
The state of Scotland traces its roots to the unification of the ancient Irish state of Dál Riata (also Dalriada or Dalriata) and the powerful druidic pictish state of Alba, formally unified in 843 by Áed I.

Its old and still grand royal city Dunadd lies to the North West with the administrative government capital now residing in the An t-Oban (Oban) the burgeoning metropolises of north West Europe, with direct sea inks to the nations of the Americas, and Baltic’s

Other notable towns include the four historical university cities of Glaschu (Glasgow, 483AD), Dùn Èideann (Edinburgh, 600AD), Obar Dheathain (Aberdeen, 765AD)) and Dùn Dèagh (Dundee, 1065AD) which continue to lead the way in scientific and philosphical research. Additionaly, the island of Ì Chaluim Cille (Iona) is the spiritual home of Celtic Christianity and home to the Abbot of Ì Chaluim Cille (Iona) spiritual leader of the the Celtic Rite. The Celtic Church considers the Pope as head of the Church, though it is considerably more liberal than the Roman Church. The present Abbot is Mugron II.

Government
Scotland is one of the earliest examples of a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch currently being James XII of Scots. The elected proportional Parliament, is headed by a Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and has a bicameral chamber with a Seanadh (upper chamber) and the Dàimh (lower chamber) where most direct power lies. The Crown and Parliament had historically quarrelled for control and squabbled over their powers; the Statute of Perth finally concluded this argument in 1403 and laid down the exact powers of each, though earlier attempts notably in 1320 at Arbroath laid the principle foundations of the present constitutional set up. These formal pacts between the three states and the Crown ensured some form of early European representative government. Only Parliament may raise revenue (including taxes) or declare war, the King though Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and defender of the faith (Celtic Rite) has little if no executive authority; in line with Scottish political history this lies solely with the people. The present First Minister is Alex Salmond, of the People's Party.

The Taoiseach is supported in their position by the priviy council (cabinet) which are appointed by the Taoiseach from governement members

Religion
The Celtic Church having seen off the expansion of the Roman rite at the Council of Dunkeld in 1020, agreed to a mutual recognition treaty. The Celtic Church though recognising the Pope as head of the church nevertheless retains independence in liturgey and theology.

Scotland (Alba) recognises the role of the church as being the national church whilst upholding religious freedom. Scotland has large a Jewish population who were driven from England and other Catholic nations in the 1200's, it also has smaller Muslim and traditional druidic communities in the north (the druidic peoples have special protection in law). The Celtic Church is liberal in theology, with differing orders from the Roman rite. Notably, the church has no Bishops but Abbots or Lord Abbots equal to an Archbishop. These Abbots can be either male or female, though the majority of the clergy can marry senior clerics such as Abbots must be celibate or widowed.

Though once a major power in the country, the Church no longer has a presence in the upper chamber and has lost most of its lands after the Statute of Perth.

The Church has provinces in Scotland, Northumbria (Britain), Armargh (Kingdom of Ireland & Manx), Wales (Britain), Canada, North American Confederation and Mexico

Politics
The political structure of Scotland is a consititutional monarchy with power residing in the sovereign parliament elected under a proportional system, traditionally sovereginty resided with the people this was formalised under the Statute of Perth. Both upper and lower chambers are elected to a four year term.

The present parliamentary split is

Upper chamber:

Independent - 25

Peoples Party (Social Democrat)- 15

Liberal (Centre Right) - 10

Farmers (Centre / Liberal) - 5

Lower chamber:

Independent -5

Peoples Party - 40

Liberal - 39

Farmers - 16

With a proportional system the government includes a coalition of the Peoples & Farmers Parties which has been in control of the present parliament since 1993.

Since the European war of the 1930's Scotland has concentrated its international efforts in alliances away from its traditional European partner France, concentrating on the North American Confederation and Canada both of which have strong links historically to Scotland. Scotland nevertheless, has a strong though sometimes difficult relationship with its neighbour Britain (Engaland & Wales) a federal republic. Scotland has been seen to interfere in internal British politics by supporting greater cultural freedoms within the prinicipalities of Cornwall & Wales celtic speaking nations.

Patcs

Scotland, Briatain & the Kingdom of Ireland agreed a mutual protection pact after the last European war, though militarily based it has brought about substantial economic benefits as well as combating organised crime.

Scotland also maintains close military & economic links with Russia, Japan, Mexico and the Zulu Republic