Look out, Ludwig Scotty
When the death of Pope John Paul II this weekend and then the death of Prince Rainier of Monaco yesterday, I don't know if I would want to be in the shoes of Ludwig Scotty, President of Nauru, the world's smallest democracy. The Vatican City (a.k.a., the Holy See) is the world's small country at 0.44 km2, Monaco is the second smallest with 1.95 km2, and then there's Nauru, an island in the middle of the Pacific, third smallest at 21 km2. (For reference, Manhattan is 58.8 km2.)
For a very entertaining history of Nauru, listen to the This American Life episode "The Middle of Nowhere" from December 5, 2003. There's offshore banking, political refugees in concentration camps, a failed American attempt to spy on China, and a failed London musical based on the life of Leonardo da Vinci.
President Scotty took office on October 26, 2004, have been elected by the 13,000 residents of the atoll, but he did run unopposed.
Next on the list is Prime Minister Maatia Toafa of Tuvalu, who took office on an interim basis in the fall of 2004 following the resignation of Saufatu Sopoanga, who had lost a no-confidence vote. Toafa then won the following election. Tuvalu is a collection of 8 inhabited atolls, totalling 11,000 people on 26 km2. Its principle export seems to be licensing its internet domain extension ".tv."
The Most Serene Republic of San Marino, the third smallest country in Europe and the world's oldest republic has an interesting form of government. Its two Captains Regent are coheads of state and are selected from the unicameral body the Grand and General Council to serve for six month periods. For the period October 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005, they were Captain Regent Giuseppe Arzilli and Captain Regent Roberto Raschi. For April 1, 2005, to Septmeber 30, 2005 they are Fausta Morganti and Cesare Gasperoni.
For a very entertaining history of Nauru, listen to the This American Life episode "The Middle of Nowhere" from December 5, 2003. There's offshore banking, political refugees in concentration camps, a failed American attempt to spy on China, and a failed London musical based on the life of Leonardo da Vinci.
President Scotty took office on October 26, 2004, have been elected by the 13,000 residents of the atoll, but he did run unopposed.
Next on the list is Prime Minister Maatia Toafa of Tuvalu, who took office on an interim basis in the fall of 2004 following the resignation of Saufatu Sopoanga, who had lost a no-confidence vote. Toafa then won the following election. Tuvalu is a collection of 8 inhabited atolls, totalling 11,000 people on 26 km2. Its principle export seems to be licensing its internet domain extension ".tv."
The Most Serene Republic of San Marino, the third smallest country in Europe and the world's oldest republic has an interesting form of government. Its two Captains Regent are coheads of state and are selected from the unicameral body the Grand and General Council to serve for six month periods. For the period October 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005, they were Captain Regent Giuseppe Arzilli and Captain Regent Roberto Raschi. For April 1, 2005, to Septmeber 30, 2005 they are Fausta Morganti and Cesare Gasperoni.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home