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Setting:
Europe has been intrinsically tied to modern history for better and worse over the last several centuries. It was through the unique and cutting edge philosophical, technologic, economic, and political movements and innovations that arose there that they were always several steps ahead of everyone else. There are many ideas as to why it is so unique in that regard but the result is indisputable. The modern era has brought many changes to it but the most obvious to most Europeans is the loss of advantage that came with colonial empires that now only exist in economic and natural resource monopolies. This is not to say Europe as a whole is still not incredibly influential and powerul, yet the modern age has had a balancing effect as economic power quickly starts to catch up in places like Asia and the Americas. Many European countries are politically and culturally having to adapt to that shift in balance. Some try to adapt to the modern world and cooperate as equals while many more try to retain their old power. The United States is still a very close friend and ally of Europe but their power may soon wane. 2000 is a turning point not just in years but in power and possibility.
Organizations:
Roleplay is about going further than the tools you have at your disposal. There are many organizations taht exist within Europe during this time period and I will attempt to give very rough overviews of them. reading is of course optional as is further research.
The European Union:
There has never been anything like the European Union before. Once the United States stood as the great governmental experiment that would rally many people and nations into looking past the systems of old into something new. A great republic, and experiment to enfranchise the people of the country to make collective decisions. The truth is of course much different then the ideal, but ideals are what inspire change, reform, and progress, As the aging giant in the west continues to struggle with its outdated constitution and systems the mantle it once had is in new hands. Europe after the second world war was a continent in ruins. War which had defined and perhaps even strengthened the region for its long and complex history proved far too disastrous and encompassing in its modern form to be anything more than ruinous. The United States underook the great rebuilding of the Western nations while the Soviet Union did something similar in the East. During these dark days there was a collective shift in how Europe viewed itself and others. Competition does not mean hostility, cooperation does not mean weakness, cultural differences do not need to lead to conflict. As NATO and a strong US pushed Europe together the beginnings of a broader European system started to emmerge. European Coal and Steel Community was the first test of the potential of economic cooperation on a deeper level and it would prove very successful. The European Economic Area, and later the EU itself would slowly coalesce as Europe started to build together. The European Union is an experiment, it represents the furthest we have come in intergovernmental cooperation and centralized federations in Human history. Division and hostility is easy, building system together is hard. In 2000 the EU is not where it is today. It has not faced the trials and tribulations of the debt crisis, the migration crisis, a dangerous and far right Russia seeking territorial ambitions in Eastern Europe. It is still an infant that is being guided by a Europe that is full of hope for the future.
This scenario is of course centered around the European Union. In the beginning the future of the EU will be the biggest item on everyones agenda. Centralization, Decentralization, Collapse, or Success. There is no guarantee. As part of this scenario we will RP out the European Union in a simplified form. If the EU is dissolved this will obviously become irrelevant but since there will be no active UN system it will provide structure an opportunity for good RP
The European Council
The Council represents more of an upper house system in terms of EU decision-making. I will warn you, this is all going to be simplified for ease of play and access, it will not be entirely accurate. The Council broadly speaking cover the budget, economic policy, and is foreign policy power in the EU. It is composed of the heads of state of EU countries and has veto power over any proposal. Therefore everything must be 100% agree upon.
The European Parliament
The European Parliament
The parliament is the more legislation based part of the EU and involves unified political policymaking through elected respresentatives from different groups throughout the EU. It functions as a more lower house organ in the EU and shares most of the jobs of the Council but cannot propose anything that does not come from the comission
How will this be played out?
The EU is complicated and a governmental monstrosity. We cannot realistically roleplay out the whole system. Thefore the way this will work in this scenario is the the players of EU countries will rp the Council members, approving and disaprooving measures done in the in game decision menu for the EU. A yearly meeting will be held to discuss foreign policy, economic actions, and anything else wanted on January 1st. The head of the Council will be the Game controller to make sure things run smoothly.
Endings:
I will be trying something new for our scenarios in this game. Ck3 implemented a great mechanic called struggles seen in the Iberia DLC. This involves the complex setting of the reconquesting being resolved through war, peaceful coexistance, or simple tolerance. You move towards them based on your actions. I will be using a similar idea for the EU in this scenario.
OUTCOMES:
This is not the major goal of the scenario but it will be a part of it. The EU will evolve through RP into one of these three and will act as a pillar for RP and focus. Based on the actions of players one of the three will be done and will suggest a part of the game being over when completed.
Centralization:
The EU stands strong and united regardless of size and has centralized into a truly Federation Of Europe
Decentralization:
The EU is a tool for cooperation and economic growth, nothing more. Our own nations and cultures reign supreme with a loose EU system in place to discuss issues.
Abolition:
The EU was a mistake and one we have done away with. Could also be replaced with something else RP wise.
Scandinavia is not European. This is a concept that has defined the relationship between the nordic nations and Europe. While the 80's and 90's defined a cooperative culture within much of Europe, this did not transition to Scandinavia. Although some of these nations are in the European economic area and integrated into the Shengren Area they still keep their indpendence economically and politically. The Nordic Council is the mechanism by which they exert a degree of solidarity and mutual decisionmaking as the Nodic nations have a long and interconnected history. During various periods of history they were united through monarchs, conquered through wars, or simply cooperated heavily. The council is never going to content the EU for power in this area of the world but it can be used either as a tool of cooperating with the EU through some manner of measured integration or as a rallying point by which to define a separate if not outright hostile identity.
Interpol:
Cooperation is driving Europe into a future few imagined a century before. Cooperation and building together makes for prosperity and progress which is the debate all of Europe in 2000. Interpol is the organization that attempts to provide policing and anti-crime action action at a global level. It is designed to help countries work together across national borders and provide a united response. Europe is heavily involved with Interpol due to the many borders within the continent and the many criminal elements who operate across nations. With the EU currently having no policing mechanism as their own Interpol takes full center stage in Europe for all criminal issues.
Nato:
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is at least something people understand abstractly most of the time. It is the military security system built by the allies after the end of world war 2 to creat a security guarantee of Europe. Although the Nazi's and Mussolini's Italy and their allies lie defeated the red giant in the East mad their intention to build a Communist Europe very clear. Allies quickly turned into enemies and the United States developed NATO as a means to protect their allies in Europe and offset the growing power and hostility of the Soviet Union. NATO was the center of the cold war when it was not b eing fought in proxy wars around the globe, yet with the fall of the wall and the collapse of the USSR it is still just as powerful and relevant today. In the modern era it acts as a military alliance of nations which through article 5 states its most powerful purpose. " The principle of collective defence is at the very heart of NATO’s founding treaty. It remains a unique and enduring principle that binds its members together, committing them to protect each other and setting a spirit of solidarity within the Alliance." If one are attacked all will fight, a simple but powerful dissuader of anyone seeking wars in Europe. This has created a peace that has not had a comparison in memory allowing Europe to rebuild after the 2nd world war and build together.
This is an organization which seeks to act as a safeguard to international monetary systems by creating a shared pool of capital which can be used to stimulate development, provide beneficial capital flow to developing markets, and stabilize market collapses when they arise to stop it from spreading. In the context of Asia they have been heavily involved in loaning governments capital for growth as well as providing a massive stabilization package during the recent 1997 Asia Crisis. For many of the developing countries in this region they are one of the few sources of foreign capital though this does come with a lot of heavy strings.
The United Nations is the world's primary international governmental organization and its prestige and legitimacy as acting as the world's forum for discussion and cooperation is without question. They oversee a number of organs which are involved in anything from health standards to famine relief. Their meetings include all of the recognized international states as well as the security council which has broad, centralized powers at least in the context of the UN. Asia only has two permanent members in Russia and China.
What's my role in this:
Roleplay of course is not about winning, or conquest, or anything else other than storytelling and roleplay. Europe in 2000 is a unique time to be at the head of a nation and gives you the opportunity to play out countries in any manner that you see fit. This could be a historical version of what really happened with a few tweaks and adapting to others. Or you could completely change the path of a nation and do something completely unexpected. As a player and roleplayer you are able to do whatever you want. Do keep in mind a touch of realism and not ruining other players games will limit you a little, but beyond that this is a political RP sandbox.