The Lazarene Gazette October 2020

[Eldarion]

The Official Newspaper of Lazarus

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RETURN OF THE GAZETTE

SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN LAZARUS, MCCHIMP WINS
By @"New Rogernomics"

NEW REGIONAL APPOINTMENTS
By @"New Rogernomics"

LAZARUS ADOPTS NEW REGIONAL MAP
By @"New Rogernomics"

SMOKE, MIRRORS, AND JOURNALISM IN LAZARUS

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Given my position in Lazarus, it is difficult to make my opinion heard without it being interpreted a criticism of the government by the Vice-Delegate, and I certainly do not want to undermine an administration for a disagreement with policy as a private citizen, as the separation of powers will be important for Lazarus in the future.

Essentially in a functional or vibrant democracy, you need to fulfill three conditions: a free press, a political system with checks on power, and free and fair elections. Though the unsaid and necessary addition to this is an active voting public that is well-informed and participating in their government. Lazarus would certainly meet some of these criteria, with free and fair elections, and some checks on power, though government participation is still fairly low.

When looking through the mirror, as a citizen that has lived through several iterations of Lazarus, government participation is more extensive with the current one, though how much of this is down to the advent of discord is difficult to say. The Humane Republic was not exactly that active in inter-regional events, and the same with the Celestial Union, though it does have something that the current government lacks - a large community of lawmakers, an active judiciary, and a forum community that was always contributing.

As for how Lazarus might go about a long-term fix or a quick fix, that is more of a debate with no entirely straightforward answer. It could elect the Delegate, though that might risk a coup by a political opportunist, who the moment elected turns Lazarus into an outright autocracy. It could also elect Ministers directly, or set up an Upper House or Senate, which in turn could lead to accusations of elitism and old-guard-ism, should those elected and appointed continue to be the same old faces.

Not to mention the risk of change is ending up with worse than what you started with, which is the mistake of switching out a stable system for something might make things more active - as certainly the Celestial Union made Lazarus active, though not the right sort of activity many would have to agree with hindsight. Though, having defeated attempts to return to the People's Republic of Lazarus, it would have been all but impossible without the likes of Milograd and a dedicated team committed to making it work - and Lazarus never had those up to the task. So, the past is really not the solution to Lazarus' activity woes as nostalgic as many may be for the 'good old days', as those past regimes had players that made those systems function - that have either left the region or moved on to greater things.

Lazarus will need to cultivate journalism if it is to thrive politically, and culturally, as constant re-examination, is how a region discovers that direction the system needs to go in, and what path is most beneficial. Whereas a region that just settles for the status quo is not going to grow, it is going to decline, or stay where it is. Whether that is through state media, private citizens spreading the word, or general public debate.

Disclaimer:

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