Harmark

“The Hárro are a people who have inhabited the icebound northern polar continent of Borelia for over twelve thousand years. They, and the other Borelian nations such as the Hirvi, had limited contact with the world outside their continent until the turn of the century. As the pressures of imperialism drove the world powers towards colonisation, many turned north to the pole and discovered a land rich in natural resources. As capitalism crept into the north it tore the traditional social relations of the Hárro apart, forcing the councils of elders and chiefs into the roles of a state body. In some instance these proto-state formations aided in fostering development and cooperation with the southern powers, while others reacted against the encroachment of modernity. After a period of civil violence the de facto state role of the Great Council of Elders was formalised and the Commonwealth was recognised by the southern powers...

...In the sixty years since it’s formation, Harmark has undergone a period of industrialisation and development, fed by capital from the south and its wealth in natural resources. The various industries the spring from the timber trade predominated, with small paper and furniture factories becoming common place. The mining and smelting, shipping and shipbuilding, and fisheries are also important economic sectors. Along with it’s economic modernisation came the destruction of the old tribal system of governance. Amidst a burgeoning indigenous capitalist class and an explosive and young workers’ movement the chiefs and elders were sidelined. An elected parliament was implemented in 1926, yet lacked any concrete legislative powers and was limited to making suggestions to the Great Council. The Revolution of 1928 removed the chiefs and elders, introduced universal suffrage and made the Chamber of Deputies the supreme legislative body...

...With the introduction of a parliamentary system came the basis for more intense class conflict and the beginnings of a social democratic movement in Harmark. Since the formation in 1934 of the Social Democratic Labour Party (Sosialdemokráhtalas Tonteki Bellodat, STB), the idea of the “álbmotruoktu” (People’s Home) and the socialisation of the economy has been a dream held in the hearts of many Hárro workers...”

- extracts from Rijá Nikkesen, People of the Ice: A Contemporary Sociology of the Borelian Nations (1981)

Three years ago the Popular Front (Bivnnut Gállu, BG) an electoral alliance comprised of the STB, KB, and IBV, won a parliamentary majority in the general election giving them full legislative and executive power. The implementation of a series of reforms aimed at increasing pensions, raising wages, and the beginnings of widespread nationalisations. Due to economic sabotage by the capitalist class and the printing of money to provide short term liquidity, a serious inflationary crisis has developed. The crisis has, rather than turned popular opinion away from the government, led to an explosion of labour militancy and industrial action. With fresh elections approaching the social polarisation between socialism and reaction is only deepening.