Constitution of the Republic

Preamble

We, the people of the republic, in seeking to establish an entirely new system of self government and desiring a law which is fair, just, and honorable, recommend and uphold this constitution as the supreme law of this republic, its principles to forever guide the government of the people and the law.

General summary of the governmental system

NOTE: This summary is completely non-binding and shall not prevail when differing with a provision.

Rights: A number of rights are protected constitutionally in the First article, no governmental action is valid when it contradicts a right. Generally they include speech, privacy, protections from interference, due process and criminal protections, freedom of religion, property, and incorporation. These are justified and counterbalanced by a set of duties imposed on citizens.

Legislative process: Topic gets proposed, goes to a consensus committee, chosen by the Board of Selectors under a strict standard, where it's researched and discussed, they draft a law, and approve amendments by Parlaiment, whichever body didn't call it gets to vote on the law, the Council sets general policy regarding the laws, the ministers and the agencies they run, who can be overridden by the Council, work out the implementation details; meanwhile the law is reviewed by the courts for its constitutionality and interpretation, and continually reviewed and interpreted as cases come up, such review can be struck or affirmed by Parlaiment; eventually the law is no longer useful, and Parlaiment reconsiders it, this can be forced by the Council.

Sometimes the normal process doesn't apply, in those cases, a law is generally made by Parlaiment with the consent of the Council, except initiatives and referenda which are approved by the people.

Money: The Council imposes taxes and appropriates the money, with a partial-veto by Parlaiment or initiative. Parlaiment acts as the shareholders in governmental corporations.

War: Parlaiment provides for a military, which it controls through the commander-in-chief, the Prime Minister in peacetime, war and peace are declared by the Council, which also negotiates treaties through the Prime Minister.

Appointment/impeachment: The Council appoints everyone in the executive branch who isn't elected, and has the power to override appointees or subject them to referenda on their retention, non-executives are appointed by the Council in concert with Parlaiment. Every member of the government can be impeached for felony in the Council and tried in Parlaiment (normally, varies by office so that no one is impeached or tried by the body to which they belong.) and removed from office if convicted.

Law Enforcement: Laws are enforced by the police, which are run by a locally elected chief prosecutor who reports to the ministry of justice (Other ministries are similarly constructed). All cases are decided by the trial courts and reviewed by the appellate courts. Criminals may be pardoned by the Council. The Supreme Court interprets the constitution, though sometimes with the aid of a jury.

Lawmaking authority: Strictly limited to a specific list of powers and the common law, no law is valid which there was no power to make.

Amendment: The constitution can be amended by a process of referendum after approval by 2/3 of the Council and Parlaiment, but amendment is limited, with constitutional conventions required in some circumstances.


Copyright 2000 Jack Durst, Last modified 7/25/2000 10:35PM PDT