Multistating, Federalism and Local Autonomy

[Antiochene Empire]

We all know that multistating, that is to say one person playing two or more distinct countries, is prohibited. However, it also seems that it is permissable to establish a puppet state on occupied (but not annexed) territory.

But is it acceptable to establish an autonomous or federal state, which, although distinct from the rest of your nation, would nonetheless be considered part of it for practical and/or legal purposes? A good example of what I mean would be the Kingdom of Bavaria in the period 1870-1918: although indisputably a part of the wider German Empire, Bavaria nevertheless possessed a distinct local identity, with its own monarchy, railways, army and even diplomatic representation. Now I personally don't see this as contravening the multistating rule, but as my nation may be heading in this direction (if my RP continues to its logical conclusion), I wanted to get a second opinion.

[East Xibeiguo]

As per the current rules, you can as long as it's part of your only account. I have in the past tried this (For reasons of a corporation), and, if I remember correctly, Cabinda (Sp?) tried to have an autonomous state, but, they we where forced to keep one account.

[Limburg]

Since we are on the topic of "multistating," would it be OK for me to have a colony in Indonesia? It would be similar to the Dutch East Indies but Royal Dutch Shell would have more autonomy.

[East Xibeiguo]

Since we are on the topic of "multistating," would it be OK for me to have a colony in Indonesia? It would be similar to the Dutch East Indies but Royal Dutch Shell would have more autonomy.

Warlordia said no to Austria when he asked earlier this week.

[Kaisertum Österreich]

To get the full story on the rules you should pm Neil. I talked to him about this issue and my idea of a "colony" was me controlling the region and usurping their resources. I don't plan on giving them autonomy at all. So I've been cleared for my planned RP. But like I said it depends on what you want to do and the best way to find out is to ask the Admin. 

[Antiochene Empire]

The Multistating rule was introduced to prevent players taking up space with second or third nations they don't have time to play consistently. Since I have no intention of using any of my other accounts, or claiming land I don't already control or can't annex as it is, I personally don't see a problem with my plans.

On the subject of colonies, I am unaware of anything in the rules preventing a nation from conquering and annexing a province to rule as an overseas territory, provided the conquest is RPed in a plausible fashion. Claiming a territory as a colony without RP, on the other hand, almost certainly isn't acceptable. But again, if in doubt, talk to Neil. 

[The Republic of West Africa]

The Multistating rule was introduced to prevent players taking up space with second or third nations they don't have time to play consistently. Since I have no intention of using any of my other accounts, or claiming land I don't already control or can't annex as it is, I personally don't see a problem with my plans.

On the subject of colonies, I am unaware of anything in the rules preventing a nation from conquering and annexing a province to rule as an overseas territory, provided the conquest is RPed in a plausible fashion. Claiming a territory as a colony without RP, on the other hand, almost certainly isn't acceptable. But again, if in doubt, talk to Neil. 

As KweKwe I did this very thing near Russia. Although my country was in West Africa I RPd a finacial crisis in a nothern sub-region province and acquired it as my own.

[Latin Union]

The admins and mods allowed my to conquer Goa and keep it as a colony of sorts.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

As of this writing, my understanding is that overseas colonies are not allowed.

With regards to federations, I would say that for the purposes of RP within your nation you could have varying degrees of autonomy. For example, Malawi is part of Rhodesia, however the specific arrangement is similar to that of Puerto Rico and the United States. Malawi has its own laws and government, however its foreign affairs, defense and other related relations are under the control of the Rhodesian government in Salisbury. There is no reason why I could not RP the Malawian government taking more independent measures, however I would still do so under my regular account. The same would apply for other autonomous regions. If you have the territory in the first place there is no reason you can't give it autonomy, but you would still have to maintain it as part of your nation and on your account.

In the real world you see examples of federated governments in which certain constituents choose to act with greater degrees of autonomy than others, examples being Québec in Canada and País Vasco/Euskal Herria and Catalunya in Spain. These regional governments take certain measures, especially with regard to trade and cultural affairs, that exercise a greater level of autonomy than other constituents. Such actions are usually driven by aspirations of independence.

[Antiochene Empire]

So in other words, so long as everthing is RPed under the one account and is more-or-less pulling in the same direction, then it is acceptable.

As of this writing, my understanding is that overseas colonies are not allowed.

I must admit that this rule has me a little confused. How exactly does the GSB define 'overseas colony' in this context? Plenty of nations rule over non-continguous provinces, so I assume that there is nothing to prevent a country annexing a region remote from their original territory, provided such an acquisition is correctly and realistically RPed.

[The United Norse Federation.]

Now since when overseas colonies are not allowed? Here is my understanding of the situation.

1. Multistating isn't allowed, you cannot be one nation and another because then that would take up space for others, as well as one player RPing his two nations as close allies thus giving one player a unfair advantage.

2. Colonies are allowed. Colonies are basicly lands claimed by another nation, and so all the benifits and problems that come with the mother nation to put a name to it, come to that nation. When the 13 American colonies were founded, the Americans were British, they weren't Americans, but due to the abuses that the British government imposed on the American people, we revolted. So if I want move in for instance some of northern africa, or eastern africa, I can. But it has to be RPed, anything else, reguarding the interation between my nation and the colonies, all depends on how interesting I want to make it.

3. Autonomy is a tricky subject, now true that Bravaria did have it's own monarchy, rails, roads, army and such. They answered to the greater Empieror William I. So yes, autonomas states do operate indipendently is some cases, however the still are labeled as citizens of the government they are under and do have to answer to who ever is in power. You can RP that all you want if you want to make things just a little less boring in your own country.

[Warlordia]

2. Colonies are allowed.

Only if they are not autonomous.

3. Autonomy is a tricky subject

No it isn't.
Autonomous colonies and provinces played as De Facto independent in-game entities constitutes multi-stating and is thus illegal.

[Antiochene Empire]

This is not a criticism of anyone here (hopefully you know me well enough to realise that I'm not here to create trouble!), but I'm still not satisfied with the answers to these questions and if necessary will apply directly to the GSB/admins for a dispensation, should that prove necessary.

In particular I have the following issues with recent statements:

1. Multi-stating is not allowed because it takes up space for others. The rule does not exist to conserve space- if it did, then we wouldn't allow supermassive nations like the HOE, Warlordia, the LU and the former Xibeiguo. Rather the rule exists to prevent people taking up space with 'part-time' projects.

2. De-facto independent entities constitute a violation of the multi-stating rule and are thus illegal. However players often RP multiple factions in civil wars with distinct territories, military forces and diplomatic policies.

The truth is I am just not sure how far I can take my ideas. What I would say though is that 1) I do not plan to use another account, 2) I do not plan to take up space that I either do not already own or cannot reasonably annex, 3) my proposed autonomous state will have a very clear relationship to the Empire and 4) this scheme of mine has inspired me to write some 7000 odd words of RP in the last week alone so I really don't see it having a negative impact upon my activity levels. 

Now if anything I have said here raises concerns that I might be sailing into dangerous waters, then I am happy to discuss my plans via PM. 

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

3) my proposed autonomous state will have a very clear relationship to the Empire

Just make it clear that it's part of the Empire and I have no problem with it. As long as the "autonomy" is nothing more than a puppet government (similar to South Africa's bantustans) and your central government is calling all the shots then I see no problems.