I've made a couple of these types of threads before, but I think it's an interesting topic and I've never really developed them as much as I would have liked so... here goes.
Chances are, most of us here have at least some yearning for power. Let's face it, this is a site about nation-building and politics, so the odds are pretty good that quite a few of us NS'ers have delusions of grandeur. At the very least, I know that I do.
So that being said, since we've all probably thought about it at least once, what would you do if you became the Head-of-State of your country? I could be wrong, but I imagine that this is something most people here on NSG would want. Maybe I'm the only crazy one here, but I think that the prospect of leading a country is something that more than a handful of us would find appealing. So all jokes aside, if you became the Head-of-State of your country, what would you do? In your response, please state which country you'd be ruling over (in doesn't have to be the country you're currently residing in, the choice is really up to you).
I guess I'll go first.
If, somehow, I became the Head-of-State of Canada, one of the first things I'd do is, well, consolidate power. I'm a bit of an oligarch, so I guess one of the first agendas on my list as Prime Minister (the de facto Canadian Head-of-State) would be subverting democracy. It's not that I dislike liberty, but I'm just not a fan of the concept of millions of people with little to no understanding of politics casting a vote every several years to decide on who gets to run the country. It's too idealistic and is lacking in efficiency. So, out the door it goes. With the backing of the military, I'd either seize temporary dictatorial powers or get ousted trying. The positions of Governor General and Monarch (the de jure Heads-of-State of Canada) would be abolished. This would probably cause some international tension, but I think it would be manageable. Canada would continue seeking close ties with the UK, but it would be as a fully sovereign nation.
Domestically, things would change somewhat radically. Economically speaking, I'm not opposed to privatization, but I think that some things are just better off being placed in the hands of the State. Energy, Natural Ressource and Utility companies would gradually be brought under government control through a process of buying them out and, if necessary, seizing them and offering their owners and shareholders severance packages. Income and commercial taxes nationwide would be removed (since with control over ressources I wouldn't see a need in keeping them in place), but property taxes would remain. Presumably, this would work out for everyone in a sustainable way. The government would have a continuous supply of funds, citizens' lives would improve and although there would be a few upset CEO's, they'd be compensated for their losses so it's not like they'd be completely screwed over.
As for the government itself, significant changes would be made. The party system would be abolished. Politicians should be loyal to their country, not their political party. Since democracy would be gone (which would turn a few heads, so political unrest could be an issue down the road), rather than an election-based system it would be switched to an appointment-based one. The Senate and House of Commons would be merged into a single entity, which in essence would run the country. Senators and MP's (members of parliament) would be reviewed. If deemed sufficiently capable, they would continue to serve in this new entity (let's call it a Senate, not to be confused with the previous one). If deemed incapable, they'd be offered severances packages and sent on their way. These new Senators wouldn't have term-limits (since if a politician's good at their job I see no reason to replace them), but they could be dismissed for things like corruption or inadequate performance of duties (the former resulting in imprisonment, the latter in retirement). Provincially and municipally, things would operate on a similar level. MLP's (members of the legislative assembly) would be appointed by senators, and they in turn would appoint politicians on a municipal, town-council level. Positions such as governor and mayor would be abolished, much like my own position after getting everything under control.
Judicially, several things would change. The death sentence would be reinstated, but only for cases of first-degree murder wherein there was undeniable evidence pertaining to the accused's guilt. If even a shred of doubt existed, the death penalty would not be applied. Judges would also be given more discretion in terms of deciding upon sentencing, and we'd gradually move away from judicial precedents and case-law. Quebec would also have to adopt the rest of the country's legal system, instead of following it's own.
Speaking of which, on the subject of Quebec, independence would not be an option. Ever. They'd be more than welcome to keep the Parti Québécois and Bloc Québécois, but neither would be recognized as political parties and Quebec would never be granted independence, even if popular opinion grew in favour of it. Additionally, all provincial autonomy and special rights would be taken away. They're part of Canada, whether they like it or not. If they want to publish material in French-only or engage in cultural activities then that's A-Okay, more power to them, but they would not be allowed to keep special language-protection rights.
Diplomatically Canada would seek closer ties with the United States, simply because they're our neighbours and we're pretty much each other's closest allies anyway, so it's a logical choice. Saint Pierre-and-Miquelon would be incorporated into Newfoundland. France would put up a major fuss, but it's sucking up too much of our Exclusive Economic Zone in the Grand Banks and I want it. They'd be compensated financially for their loss, but regardless whether they do or do not want to give it up peacefully, Canada would be taking it either way. Yes, I'd be a bit of an expansionist, and yes I'd be setting my eyes on Greenland too, but it's there, full of ressources and I'm sure America wouldn't mind too much if their Northern neighbour became slightly more militaristic. Denmark would just have to endure the loss. We'd probably help out with a couple more NATO coalition campaigns, just to preserve international relations.
So yeah, there's a lot of other things I'd do, but that pretty much sums up the main bulk of it. Sorry if it looks a bit blog'ish, but I'm sure many of you have your own ideas you'd like to write down, and I look forward to reading them. Have at it, if you will.
