[mild edits have been made]
The king has been approached by various people, both directly and indirectly, in recent weeks asking to discuss the nascent idea of 'neoreaction'. The king has been aware of this small movement for some time and was even a correspondent with one of the founders many years ago.The recent discussions have centered around the idea of a 'free market of governments' where many small governments compete for citizens allowing the free market to decide which is 'best'.
Edan rejects the vary notion as flawed. First, free market economics are an inherently Liberal idea; free market Capitalism is focused on individual freedom, the lack of loyalty, and rejects the notion that ethics should or even can be involved in economics; if free markets produce a moral or ethical "winner" this is entirely accidental; such a 'market' largely exists now and is not producing very solid results.
Yes, Democracy is a system which is proven too flawed to continue very long; yes, the Westphalian conceptualization of a nation-state is too flawed to withstand close scrutiny. The king is a supporter of people rejecting what is for what should be.
But that decision is not an economic one!
There is a famous American quote,
"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"
The first part directly addresses the neoreaction concept - a nation is not a provider of products or services. To view the government of your nation as if it were a roofer or concierge is to view the world solely as a mass of economic transactions. This idea is Modernist, Liberal, and wrong.
But the second part is wrong - citizens are not servants. Nor are they employees, nor shareholders, nor co-owners. This idea is Liberal, Modernist, and wrong.
Just as governments are not manufacturers or service providers, citizens are not employees or consumers!
Families do not exist to support the government, the government exists to support families. And under the concepts core to Edan [solidarity, subsidiarity, and justice] the government is in a real way an extension of the family. There are real bonds of honor, duty, and of caritas between and amongst the citizens, nobles, and king of Edan.
Honor, duty, loyalty, family, king, country - these things cannot be bought and sold.
Leaving the faltering secular humanist Democracies of the world is something the king encourages all people to do. But do not choose Edan in hopes that it will give you good financial returns, nor for its low taxes, nor for its longevity and success. Join us because you will be treated with honor, with loyalty, and with caritas. Join us because our goals are just. Join us because you believe in Edan.
Showing posts with label commentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commentary. Show all posts
Jun 5, 2014
Mar 13, 2014
Reflections on Lent, Politics, Life, and the Kingdom
Once upon a time there was a question asked by a newspaper. It was "What's wrong with the world?"
The modern world is a busy, noisy place. People carry phones with them at all times allowing themselves to bombard themselves with multiple forms of messages from around the world as well as music, news, videos, and games. This is so they can focus on what is important to them because the world around them bombards them with music, games, ads, and messages not of their own choosing.
People are filled with frenetic energy; children study long hours and fill stacks of notebooks with repetitive work, yet knowledge and even their own test scores decline. There are more and more sources of news and information yet each new development is a surprise since no one expected it.
The election cycle never ends, a constant parade of new names, new faces, new scandals, new "critical" issues, new voices, new experts. yet each election has 'surprises'. And after each election things always get worse, not better.
Men rush through school with sports and clubs. They rush through their workdays with projects and lunches and travel. Women do the same. They get home to hobbies and entertaining, travel and art, music and decorating. Mothers take their children to art, soccer, math, enrichment, games, dances, and so on in an endless cacophony of activity for themselves and their husbands and their children. Homeschooling mothers take on even more with conferences, plans, meetings, tests and - of course - education.
Their husbands do the same with hobbies and meetings and day trading and the lawn, lawn, lawn. Friends at the pub, sport, and discussion of politics.
Why? Why all this energy? At the end of the day everyone is exhausted, yet as much as they complain no appointments are dropped. Why?
Fear. Fear of reality. The busy, the make-work, the frenetic activity is to escape. Escape from ourselves and the world around us.
The children are unhappy? You can't blame the mother, she gave them every advantage. The father slaved day and night! It isn't their fault, they worked so hard. The father doesn't get super-rich? The day trading was just a hobby and the small business just couldn't compete because of competition. The wife is cold and distant? well, she just doesn't understand her husband. The wife feels neglected? Maybe if her husband vacuumed more often....
The modern world fears silence and still. If the reporters and pundits were to shut up for a week or so people would realize that no one really learns anything from them. The bloggers would be forced to admit that they are the fan-dancers of politics - busy fluttering with great energy but, in the end, there is nothing to be seen. Politicians would be forced to admit that they almost never utter a word worth listening to. People would start to realize that the government of, by, and for the people doesn't like the people very much at all.
Modernism fears silence and still mainly because of one simple truth; in the silence and still we must all admit that we are our own fault.
When the Times of London ran the article that asked "What's Wrong with the World" G.K. Chesterton replied, simply, "I am."
That is part of the Church's goal during Lent. To have us all add a little silence and still to our world so we can remember what is wrong with the world. So if you are adding a ton of activities to your Lenten practices I urge you - don't. Take things out; put in silence and still.
And every day remind yourself - you are your own fault. We are, indeed, responsible for ourselves. And our children. And our marriage. This is easy to forget when a text interrupts candy crush, hard to escape after 20 minutes alone with your thoughts.
So we should all stop and be silent. Sit, and be still. Unless we are contemplatives, this is more of a leavening to our lives, a depth to our waters. Like the pauses in the Latin Mass; beauty, chant, bells, and song made more beautiful and more profound by stillness and bouts of silence.
Yes, this matters to the Kingdom, too. Few elections, and all minor ones; important positions are for life; authority is as small, direct, and local as possible; government is as limited and small as possible. The Kingdom of Edan is meant to be as silent and still as possible, like the pauses in the Mass. Love and duty, honor and care all leavened with silence and stillness.
So sit, and be silent. Take your children to fewer things. Do less and spend more time together in the quiet and the calm. Realize that you are the real you and that you are more in control when you do less.
The modern world is a busy, noisy place. People carry phones with them at all times allowing themselves to bombard themselves with multiple forms of messages from around the world as well as music, news, videos, and games. This is so they can focus on what is important to them because the world around them bombards them with music, games, ads, and messages not of their own choosing.
People are filled with frenetic energy; children study long hours and fill stacks of notebooks with repetitive work, yet knowledge and even their own test scores decline. There are more and more sources of news and information yet each new development is a surprise since no one expected it.
The election cycle never ends, a constant parade of new names, new faces, new scandals, new "critical" issues, new voices, new experts. yet each election has 'surprises'. And after each election things always get worse, not better.
Men rush through school with sports and clubs. They rush through their workdays with projects and lunches and travel. Women do the same. They get home to hobbies and entertaining, travel and art, music and decorating. Mothers take their children to art, soccer, math, enrichment, games, dances, and so on in an endless cacophony of activity for themselves and their husbands and their children. Homeschooling mothers take on even more with conferences, plans, meetings, tests and - of course - education.
Their husbands do the same with hobbies and meetings and day trading and the lawn, lawn, lawn. Friends at the pub, sport, and discussion of politics.
Why? Why all this energy? At the end of the day everyone is exhausted, yet as much as they complain no appointments are dropped. Why?
Fear. Fear of reality. The busy, the make-work, the frenetic activity is to escape. Escape from ourselves and the world around us.
The children are unhappy? You can't blame the mother, she gave them every advantage. The father slaved day and night! It isn't their fault, they worked so hard. The father doesn't get super-rich? The day trading was just a hobby and the small business just couldn't compete because of competition. The wife is cold and distant? well, she just doesn't understand her husband. The wife feels neglected? Maybe if her husband vacuumed more often....
The modern world fears silence and still. If the reporters and pundits were to shut up for a week or so people would realize that no one really learns anything from them. The bloggers would be forced to admit that they are the fan-dancers of politics - busy fluttering with great energy but, in the end, there is nothing to be seen. Politicians would be forced to admit that they almost never utter a word worth listening to. People would start to realize that the government of, by, and for the people doesn't like the people very much at all.
Modernism fears silence and still mainly because of one simple truth; in the silence and still we must all admit that we are our own fault.
When the Times of London ran the article that asked "What's Wrong with the World" G.K. Chesterton replied, simply, "I am."
That is part of the Church's goal during Lent. To have us all add a little silence and still to our world so we can remember what is wrong with the world. So if you are adding a ton of activities to your Lenten practices I urge you - don't. Take things out; put in silence and still.
And every day remind yourself - you are your own fault. We are, indeed, responsible for ourselves. And our children. And our marriage. This is easy to forget when a text interrupts candy crush, hard to escape after 20 minutes alone with your thoughts.
So we should all stop and be silent. Sit, and be still. Unless we are contemplatives, this is more of a leavening to our lives, a depth to our waters. Like the pauses in the Latin Mass; beauty, chant, bells, and song made more beautiful and more profound by stillness and bouts of silence.
Yes, this matters to the Kingdom, too. Few elections, and all minor ones; important positions are for life; authority is as small, direct, and local as possible; government is as limited and small as possible. The Kingdom of Edan is meant to be as silent and still as possible, like the pauses in the Mass. Love and duty, honor and care all leavened with silence and stillness.
So sit, and be silent. Take your children to fewer things. Do less and spend more time together in the quiet and the calm. Realize that you are the real you and that you are more in control when you do less.
Jul 18, 2013
Non-Territorial Nations - What is Edan Doing?!
As explained with admirable efficiency by geographer Matt Rosenberg;
"While the terms country, state, and nation are often used interchangeably, there is a difference. A State (note the capital "S") is a self-governing political entity. The term State can be used interchangeably with country. A nation, however, is a tightly-knit group of people which share a common culture. A nation-state is a nation which has the same borders as a State."
This is a bit more precise than common usage, actually. While we tend to use 'nation-state' as a shorthand this can be incorrect. Take Canada - there are at least two distinct Nations in Canada (one with a Protestant English culture and another with a Catholic French culture) so Canada is a State with multiple Nations within it. Great Britain is very similar - although Great Britain is obviously a state we all know who and what a Scotsman is, correct? Scotland, which has had no territorial control of its own for quite some time (and is thus not a State) is certainly a Nation. So obviously nations can exist without control of the territory they are in. But can a nation exist without any defined territory?
The Romani certainly think so. They announced a claim of being a Non-Territorial nation over a decade ago, a claim not just accepted by a number of academics, diplomats, and leaders but seen as a potential solution to a range of ethnic and minority issues. It can even be argued, as Elkins, Fischer, and a number of others have, that the Westphalian conceptualization of 'legitimate' States being strictly territorial has made ethnic and minority strife worse since land is a fixed asset - if you wish any sort of autonomy within the Westphalian model you must control and defend territory; all territory is already controlled and the closest to the oppressed group is most likely controlled by that group's oppressors; therefore the pressure towards violence is greatly increased. By rejecting the demand that 'legitimate' States control territory before they can engage in political, diplomatic, etc. activity you can reduce or even eliminate these pressures.
In his works the scholar Hassner argues that the Westphalian paradigm of the nation-state is obsolete because it cannot account for the tremendous impact of everything from transnational corporations to NGOs to Violent Non-State Actors such as Al-Qaeda. He also points to the ethnic strife of Africa as distinct Nations resort to large-scale violence to control territory rather than seeking non-territorial autonomy.
So Non-Territorial Nations are an existing fact, long predating modern concepts of nation-states; Non-Territorial Nations as well as Non-State Actors, NGO's, Transnational Corporations, etc. are all recognized as a major factor in world events; so Edan's status as a (so far) non-territorial sovereign nation is neither shocking nor even very remarkable. Considering that the most notable, recognizable Non-Territorial Nation is the Catholic Church (does anyone really believe Vatican City is truly in compliance with the various ideas of Westphalian territorial control?) and that the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is another key example of a Non-Territorial Nation with various forms of diplomatic recognition Edan's status as a Catholic Non-Territorial Nation is likewise unremarkable. Between the Roma, the Church, the SMOM, and dozens of other groups the idea of a sovereign non-territorial Catholic group is just not that shocking - except for a few things.
Which we will get to.
But why start with a non-territorial monarchy? Why not start Edan as an NGO, or a lobbying firm, or a credit union, or a charity? After all, the king is very clear that Edan needs all those things. Why not pick up the 'low-hanging fruit' and start as an incorporated not-for-profit charity and work your way up from there?
There are many very good, very worthy NGO's in the world already. There are very good Catholic credit unions, charities, and lobbying firms. But there are two things you aren't going to find that readily.
This goes back to the goals of Edan; our goals are not to build a better bank, nor to be an efficient charity; Edan was not founded to lobby the US for more aid to Mali nor to provide emergency relief after earthquakes. While all of those activities are a legitimate and even noble way to spend your energy, they are not what Edan is for.
Edan exists to be truly just for both its own citizens and as an example to others of what a just nation is.
One of the things that does distinguish Edan from the Church and from the SMOM is that it is new. Edan is not an anomaly from history, as some argue about the SMOM. It is not a unique situation as some argue about the Church. Edan is living proof that the desire of people to be free, to gather together, and to determine their own destiny can be met; it demonstrates that the Westphalian model and the violence it spawns are both failed artifacts of the Enlightenment; it shows the fatal flaws of Democracy and how to remove them; it exposes the false sichotomy in current economic thought with clear alternatives.
Edan is also not a religious power but rather a secular power. The Church and the SMOM are often dismissed as being 'religious' as if this reduced their diplomatic or cultural relevance. Edan is a Nation, pure and simple, and cannot be dismissed similarly.
And Edan is not based upon ethnic or racial criteria. One is born a Romani or, perhaps, marries into a Romani family; people who are not born Navajo cannot become Navajo. Edan is not organized like this; while it has its own culture and identity, these are not based upon genetic heritage, making Edan universal, not racial.
We are, yes, building a better country both for ourselves and for others to see that it can be done.
Aug 2, 2009
Recommened Reading on Economics and Catholicism.
The Ministry of Information highly recommends the discussion of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's most recent encyclical found here.
Apr 21, 2008
The Most Controversial Change
There have been a few changes to the laws of citizenship since the first draft of the Constitution in October, 1999. For example, originally there was a push to allow voting by citizens as young as 16, although this never made it to a draft. There has been a rather persistent attempt to change the right to vote since the very beginning. Her Majesty, the Queen, has been the leading proponent of this alteration and, after 9 years, she has prevailed. Here is the new language on the right to vote;
"(4) The right to vote is not universal. In order to have the ability to vote, must;
"(4) The right to vote is not universal. In order to have the ability to vote, must;
(a) Have Edanian citizenship
(b) Be male
(c) Be at least 18 years old
(d) Not be barred from voting due to penalties imposed by the courts for a specific conviction
(e) Have valid census information on file with the Ministry of State no more than 5 years old
(f) Have met the minimum education standards of the Kingdom as defined in this constitution as demonstrated by formal test"
This means that women do not have suffrage within the Kingdom. Further, it imposes a minimum standard of reading and writing in one of the Kingdom's official languages.New Preamble
"In furtherance of the desire of all people to be free, to gather together, and to determine their own destiny, His Royal Majesty Richard has created this constitution for the Kingdom of Edan
This makes explicit that the source of the King's sovereignty is God.
This makes explicit that the source of the King's sovereignty is God.
Structural Changes to the Consitution
After some serious debate within the Royal Family and amongst the citizens on the discussion lists, there are some major changes in the structure of the seventh draft of the Constitution. The section on Nobles has been moved to make them explicitly part of the executive power of the Kingdom and to clarify their rights, privileges, and responsibilities. There are also changes to the preamble, clarifications to the laws of citizenship, and minor alteration to judges and courts, making them an outgrowth of executive power, not a separate branch. Further, a section on laws is being added. Excerpts will follow.
Jul 9, 2007
Changes in the Third Draft, with Comments
Here are the key changes in the third draft of the constitution, with comments on the reasons. Only changes will be listed here, with the full text posted soon.
Article 1 Citizenry and Language
(1) Citizens of the
(c) The natural child of at lat least one native Edanian parent.
Comment: This was added because of the number of questions I received about children born to Edanians where the spouse was not Edanian in a time before territoriality. I included ‘natural’ to avoid challenges concerning the adoption of someone who had been denied citizenship, but this is a very tentative step.
(2) All citizens must take an oath of fealty at the time of naturalization or within 1 month of their 18th birthday. Failure to do so may result in penalties up to the loss of citizenship.
Comment: As the theory concerning the personal nature of government and a return to a quasi-feudal structure developed, this was added as a condition of citizenship for legal adults.
(3) The official languages of the
Comment: French was dropped.
Article 4 General Constitutional Objectives
(e) The creation and maintenance of the
Comment: Once more, emphasis was placed upon the building of a social, personal, intimate community.
Article 6 Citizens
(5) Refusal to swear the oath of fealty as described in this constitution shall be considered to be a willful refusal of citizenship.
Comment: This is a development of the Oath of Fealty, showing it as a condition of citizenship.
Article 7 Nobility
(4) Peerages shall be inherited by a modified form of primogeniture as detailed by Royal Decree.
Comment: This was added to both avoid the Salic Law and to place some controls on inheritance of what is, in the end, political power.
(5) All nobles have a duty and responsibility to act as examples of the highest ideals of the Kingdom. The King can rescind the titles and duties of nobles and noble families for Treason, Sedition, moral turpitude, or being negligent in their responsibilities to the Kingdom.
Comment: The details of how the potential loss of titles is adjudicated was moved.
Article 8 Organizational Principles
(3) The Regent may never hold any other position.
Comment: Fairly straightforward in the attempt to prevent regents from becoming over-powerful.
Article 9 Powers of the Kingdom
(c) Economic regulations including banking, securities, stocks, bonds, commodities, and other financial instruments, markets, or institutions.
(d) Labor regulations, including terms, wages, hours, safety, and conditions of labor, corporate law, and the regulation of unions, guilds, and other such organizations.
(m) The regulation of waterways, seaways, airspace, and related transportation controls.
(n) The use of the electromagnetic spectrum for communications, other media, or any form or commercial or non-commercial use.
Comment: All added details of the scope of Royal power overall.
Article 10 The Sovereign
(6) The Heir Designate must be a practicing Catholic in communion with
11) The King must remain a practicing Catholic in communion with
(12) The Royal Spouse must be a practicing Catholic in communion with
Comment: The throne is explicitly for Catholic rulers.
Article 13 The Cabinet
(11) If a Ministerial position becomes vacant the King retains all of the rights and privledges of the position himself until a new member of the Cabinet is confirmed.
Comment: Disposed of the cumbersome and potentially problem-causing methods for the First Senator to nominate cabinet members.
Article 22 Elections
3) General Elections are scheduled every two years for the Senate. General Elections shall begin on March 1st at 00:01 GMT and shall last until March 2nd at 23:59 GMT. Votes not cast during the time of General Elections are not counted.
(4) Special Elections are held as required by law. Special Elections begin 1 week after they are announced and last 72 hours. Votes not cast during this period are not counted.
(5) The results of elections shall be determined after no less than 2 full counts of all votes cast. If more than 3 full counts are required the Ministry of Justice shall assist in the determination of vote totals. Results are to be posted openly and publicly.
Comment: Much more detail on the when of voting. Also, the requirements for reporting are relaxed.
Article 24 The Assembly; the Council
(1) The Council is composed of the Peerage of the Kingdom. Specifically the holder of Peerage titles within a family is eligible. If the Peer is under the age of 21 the King shall appoint a family member to represent them in the Council. If no such family member is available the King shall appoint a citizen to the council to represent them until they turn 21 years old. Likewise, if a member of the Council is unable to attend due to illness, military service, or other such circumstances their heir may fulfill their duties with the approval of the King.
Comment: More ways for a Council member to pass along duties during tough times.
Article 33 State of
(6) A State of
(7) All laws, legal judgments, and other such Royal Decrees issued by the King during a State of
Comment: Much simplified.
Article 35 The High Tribunal
13) The King alone has the right of High Justice, which allows him to amend, modify, reduce, or nullify a ruling of the High Tribunal or to pardon persons condemned by the High Tribunal. High Justice does not permit the King to affect his own removal from the throne.
Comment: Some details on what High Justice actually is.
Article 39 The Right to Freedom
(3) While the official religion of the Kingdom is Catholicism only the King, the Royal Spouse, and the Designated Heir are required to be Catholic. All citizens have equal basic rights in the eyes of the law.
Comment: Again, the Throne is Catholic.
(4) The Kingdom shall limit laws that inhibit the freedom of the press, except in cases of public morals, public order, to protect the privacy of individuals, and during times of emergency.
Comment: A slight modification of exceptions.
Chapter VII The Provinces
Comment: Everything about Provinces was removed from the Constitution in the Third Draft.
Jun 26, 2007
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 14
Chapter VII The Provinces
This entire chapter divides the world into seven Provinces.
Article 40 Population of the Province
This section describes where the provinces are and who lives in them.
Article 41 Provincial Governors
How governors are appointed or elected, their duties, etc.
Article 42 Provincial Elections
The nuts and bolts of the election of governors
Article 43 Migration
How a citizen moves from one province to another
And that is it - the entirety of the first draft of the Edanian Constitution
This entire chapter divides the world into seven Provinces.
Article 40 Population of the Province
This section describes where the provinces are and who lives in them.
Article 41 Provincial Governors
How governors are appointed or elected, their duties, etc.
Article 42 Provincial Elections
The nuts and bolts of the election of governors
Article 43 Migration
How a citizen moves from one province to another
And that is it - the entirety of the first draft of the Edanian Constitution
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 13
Article 38 The Right to Dignity
Outlaws cruel and unusual punishments, torture, seizing of private property without recompense, double jeopardy, forced labor, secret trials, and discrimination. The language needs to be tightened up.
Article 39 Exclusion of Rights
These rights are not exclusive!
Outlaws cruel and unusual punishments, torture, seizing of private property without recompense, double jeopardy, forced labor, secret trials, and discrimination. The language needs to be tightened up.
Article 39 Exclusion of Rights
These rights are not exclusive!
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 12
Article 37 The Right to Freedom
Freedom of thought, belief, and speech. Also freedom of assembly freedom of the press, and freedom of association. Outlaws slavery and requires a warrant. Unfortunately, I did not place a requirement for habeas corpus here or in the Judiciary section!
Freedom of thought, belief, and speech. Also freedom of assembly freedom of the press, and freedom of association. Outlaws slavery and requires a warrant. Unfortunately, I did not place a requirement for habeas corpus here or in the Judiciary section!
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 11
Chapter VI The Statement of Rights
Part I General Provisions
Article 35 Basic Rights
This is the beginning of the section describing the rights of people. It starts by making all people equal in rights and making provision for the defense of the Kingdom.
Article 36 The Right to Life
This article forbids the death penalty, euthanasia except in the case of brain death, and limits abortion based on viability.
Part I General Provisions
Article 35 Basic Rights
This is the beginning of the section describing the rights of people. It starts by making all people equal in rights and making provision for the defense of the Kingdom.
Article 36 The Right to Life
This article forbids the death penalty, euthanasia except in the case of brain death, and limits abortion based on viability.
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 10
Chapter V Judicial Power
Article 32 The Courts
Brief and blunt
Article 33 The High Tribunal
This section discusses the highest court in the Kingdom, the High Tribunal. It explains how Tribunes are appointed and removed, tenure, scope, authority, and jurisdiction.
Article 34 Royal Courts
This shorter section explains how the courts below the High Tribunal are made and staffed.
Article 32 The Courts
Brief and blunt
Article 33 The High Tribunal
This section discusses the highest court in the Kingdom, the High Tribunal. It explains how Tribunes are appointed and removed, tenure, scope, authority, and jurisdiction.
Article 34 Royal Courts
This shorter section explains how the courts below the High Tribunal are made and staffed.
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 9
Article 30 Treaties
This is one of the clearest early expressions of a key idea - when the King performs certain actions (in this case, create a treaty) the Assembly isn't then to approve it, but rather is challenged to disapprove it. As mentioned earlier, this is designed to maintain a strong Royal presence within the government.
Article 31 Emergency Powers
In a similar vein, the King's ability to declare emergencies is automatic with the Assembly's approval only needed after.
This is one of the clearest early expressions of a key idea - when the King performs certain actions (in this case, create a treaty) the Assembly isn't then to approve it, but rather is challenged to disapprove it. As mentioned earlier, this is designed to maintain a strong Royal presence within the government.
Article 31 Emergency Powers
In a similar vein, the King's ability to declare emergencies is automatic with the Assembly's approval only needed after.
Jun 25, 2007
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 8
Article 28 Sessions and Conclaves
This explains when the Assembly works. 'Session' means 'period between elections' and 'Conclave' means 'periods when the Assembly actually works'. While this was meant to clearly delineate when Assemblymen worked and allow time for campaigning and meeting citizens, the result is that the Assembly can work as little as 4 months out of the year in 2 two month segments and there is no mechanism for emergency Conclaves!
Article 29 Votes of Confidence
If you thought the budget was a potential nightmare! The way that votes of confidence are formatted in the first draft means that each year there are as many as 9 chances to dissolve the Assembly - without any form of extraordinary review, no triggering events, and no repercussions! This might need review.
This explains when the Assembly works. 'Session' means 'period between elections' and 'Conclave' means 'periods when the Assembly actually works'. While this was meant to clearly delineate when Assemblymen worked and allow time for campaigning and meeting citizens, the result is that the Assembly can work as little as 4 months out of the year in 2 two month segments and there is no mechanism for emergency Conclaves!
Article 29 Votes of Confidence
If you thought the budget was a potential nightmare! The way that votes of confidence are formatted in the first draft means that each year there are as many as 9 chances to dissolve the Assembly - without any form of extraordinary review, no triggering events, and no repercussions! This might need review.
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 7
Article 25 Richts of the Members of the Assembly
This discusses the limited legal immunity of Senators and Councilors as well as how and when the Assembly can change its own pay.
Article 26 The Legislative Process
A general discussion of how to introduce legislation, how it is approved, the Sovereign's line-item veto, and the process of veto override.
Article 27 Expenditures
This description of how budgets are proposed and passed ended up being a nightmare. By both demanding that the budget be the First and Only Order of Business Until Passed and setting triggers that prolonged debate could A) last months and B) result in the dissolution of government and special elections, we soon realized that even a few disgruntled people could force the Kingdom to do nothing but debate the budget and hold special elections indefinately!
This discusses the limited legal immunity of Senators and Councilors as well as how and when the Assembly can change its own pay.
Article 26 The Legislative Process
A general discussion of how to introduce legislation, how it is approved, the Sovereign's line-item veto, and the process of veto override.
Article 27 Expenditures
This description of how budgets are proposed and passed ended up being a nightmare. By both demanding that the budget be the First and Only Order of Business Until Passed and setting triggers that prolonged debate could A) last months and B) result in the dissolution of government and special elections, we soon realized that even a few disgruntled people could force the Kingdom to do nothing but debate the budget and hold special elections indefinately!
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 6
Article 22 The Assembly; the Council
This establishes the Council as a counter-point to the Senate in the bicameral houses of the legislature. The Council is, here, based on Provinces. Councilors serve longer terms than Senators, there are fewer of them, and they are strictly regional. So they are in some ways much more like the British House of Lords. Although it is not mentioned, Councilors were meant to be elected by regional 'first past the post' voting.
Article 23 The First Senator
This describes the First Senator's duties a bit and explains about the Secretary of the Senate, who keeps the official record of legislation and debate.
Article 24 The President of the Council
The President of the Council was originally planned to fulfill a role identicle to that of President in a parliamentary system - a symbol of the nation with neither the sovereignty of the King or positional power of the First Senator, but above the First Senator in precedence for such things as treaties and visits by Heads of State. This article also mentions the Secretary of the Council with suties similar to the Secretary of the Senate
This establishes the Council as a counter-point to the Senate in the bicameral houses of the legislature. The Council is, here, based on Provinces. Councilors serve longer terms than Senators, there are fewer of them, and they are strictly regional. So they are in some ways much more like the British House of Lords. Although it is not mentioned, Councilors were meant to be elected by regional 'first past the post' voting.
Article 23 The First Senator
This describes the First Senator's duties a bit and explains about the Secretary of the Senate, who keeps the official record of legislation and debate.
Article 24 The President of the Council
The President of the Council was originally planned to fulfill a role identicle to that of President in a parliamentary system - a symbol of the nation with neither the sovereignty of the King or positional power of the First Senator, but above the First Senator in precedence for such things as treaties and visits by Heads of State. This article also mentions the Secretary of the Council with suties similar to the Secretary of the Senate
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 5
Chapter IV Legislative Power
I originally saw this as the heart of the document, although I no longer hold that opinion.
Article 21: The Assembly; the Senate
Roughly analogous to the American Congress or the House of Commons. This section is the basics of how many senators, how they vote, terms, etc. Very long! It also discusses the First Senator; originally, the First Senator was conceived as analogous to a Prime Minister and largely in control of the day-to-day of the Government. This section, like all the others, totally fails to mention that Senators are all elected "at large" in a List Proportional election system. Of course, a List Proportional system also demands that the constitution address such issues as political parties, independent candidates, etc. - which it absolutely fails to do.
I originally saw this as the heart of the document, although I no longer hold that opinion.
Article 21: The Assembly; the Senate
Roughly analogous to the American Congress or the House of Commons. This section is the basics of how many senators, how they vote, terms, etc. Very long! It also discusses the First Senator; originally, the First Senator was conceived as analogous to a Prime Minister and largely in control of the day-to-day of the Government. This section, like all the others, totally fails to mention that Senators are all elected "at large" in a List Proportional election system. Of course, a List Proportional system also demands that the constitution address such issues as political parties, independent candidates, etc. - which it absolutely fails to do.
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 4
Article 13- Article 20
All a listing of the various ministers and ministries, as well as Royal Advisors and how to make new Ministers/Ministries.
All a listing of the various ministers and ministries, as well as Royal Advisors and how to make new Ministers/Ministries.
Discussion of the First Draft of the Constitution, part 3
Part II (now discussing the various posts within the Kingdom)
Article 9
This long section is about the King: titles, heirs, removal from the throne. The whole enchilada about what to call him, how to replace him, etc.
Part III (should have organized this better)
Article 10
This section is about the actual political power of the King. This is a pretty good list, but might need more detail. Also, Royal Decrees are sort of... tacked on and need more specifics.
Article 11
The specifics on removal of a sitting King
Article 12
Overview of the Cabinet and how ministers are appointed, requirements and restrictions on potential cabinet members, and how they may resign or be removed.
Article 9
This long section is about the King: titles, heirs, removal from the throne. The whole enchilada about what to call him, how to replace him, etc.
Part III (should have organized this better)
Article 10
This section is about the actual political power of the King. This is a pretty good list, but might need more detail. Also, Royal Decrees are sort of... tacked on and need more specifics.
Article 11
The specifics on removal of a sitting King
Article 12
Overview of the Cabinet and how ministers are appointed, requirements and restrictions on potential cabinet members, and how they may resign or be removed.
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