[PASSED] Historical Region Act

[Xanthal]

If length is the only issue, I can almost certainly shorten it. What's the character limit on a resolution? I've never done this before.

[Fort Concord]

If length is the only issue, I can almost certainly shorten it. What's the character limit on a resolution? I've never done this before.

The character limit is 5,000. Do note that this includes any BB-code in it, the limit applies to the raw submitted text, not just the display result.

[Lenlyvit]

If length is the only issue, I can almost certainly shorten it. What's the character limit on a resolution? I've never done this before.

The character limit is 5,000. Do note that this includes any BB-code in it, the limit applies to the raw submitted text, not just the display result.

Yep. Hence the problem I ran into. When I substituted Xanthals clause for mine, and removed every piece of bbcode on top of that, I still ended up over the character limit by around 200 characters.

[Unibot III]

The character limit is 5,000. Do note that this includes any BB-code in it, the limit applies to the raw submitted text, not just the display result.

Yep. Hence the problem I ran into. When I substituted Xanthals clause for mine, and removed every piece of bbcode on top of that, I still ended up over the character limit by around 200 characters.

If you posted the revised draft here with Xanthal’s edits maybe some authors could help cut 200 characters out — that’s not too bad in terms of reductions. You’ll just have to tighten some language up.

[Lenlyvit]

Yep. Hence the problem I ran into. When I substituted Xanthals clause for mine, and removed every piece of bbcode on top of that, I still ended up over the character limit by around 200 characters.

If you posted the revised draft here with Xanthal’s edits maybe some authors could help cut 200 characters out — that’s not too bad in terms of reductions. You’ll just have to tighten some language up.

The most current draft is in the OP. All that needs to be done is to switch the last two clauses with Xanthals revision to figure out what needs to be cut. But those revisions include the removal of the bbcode for the region links on top of everything else. People are welcome to try and cut the characters any way they can.

[Unibot III]

For instance, these edits cut a hundred characters from the first two paragraphs:

Noting that throughout NationStates there are regions of truly ancient status founded in the time before founding nations held executive power amongst their peers, between November 2002 and April 2003;

Knowing that among these regions some had one nation take executive powers over the region through many various means, including elections and godly appointments, while a small minority did not;

You’d need more cuts, obviously, but it’s an example of how to do it.

[Lenlyvit]

Alright, I've whittled it down to 4,969 characters after incorporating Xanthal's suggestions. Since Xanthal had a significant contribution to the end of the proposal I'd like to add him as a coauthor if he wishes. I'd also like to request a legality check to make sure that my last part doesn't violate the no legislating rule.

[Sedgistan]

I'd also like to request a legality check to make sure that my last part doesn't violate the no legislating rule.

Noted - we'll get back to you on that. If anyone has views on that (presumably you're reffering to a hefty chunk of the proposal from "Sanctions the creation" onwards), share them here and they'll be taken into account.

[Unibot III]

I’ll throw my 2 cents in.

I believe the “Sanctions” language and all of its sub clauses are fine, because its sanction acts as an official recognition. The WA is ‘officially recognizing’ these administrations that meet a list of conditions. It doesn’t require any nations or regions to do anything, nations voluntarily choose to participate in these administrations and try to meet the WA’s conditions of approval.

The last clause, however, seems problematic to me (and unnecessary given the clause before it accomplishes everything that the last clause is doing), because it anticipates the WASC requiring nations to meet obligations that the WASC actually cannot set.

[Tinhampton]

I do not support the "must" language. Declarations express opinions about, not instructions to, third parties.

[Lenlyvit]

I’ll throw my 2 cents in.

I believe the “Sanctions” language and all of its sub clauses are fine, because its sanction acts as an official recognition. The WA is ‘officially recognizing’ these administrations that meet a list of conditions. It doesn’t require any nations or regions to do anything, nations voluntarily choose to participate in these administrations and try to meet the WA’s conditions of approval.

The last clause, however, seems problematic to me (and unnecessary given the clause before it accomplishes everything that the last clause is doing), because it anticipates the WASC requiring nations to meet obligations that the WASC actually cannot set.

After re-reading that last clause I agree, and I've removed it from the draft. I believe that would have violated the rules.

[Xanthal]

For what little it's worth, Unibot's interpretation is the intended reading.

I've made an attempt to improve the cohesion of the text, make it look nicer, streamline, remove redundancies, and alter some wording that I thought could be improved. Also applied the proper capitalization to SPACE :P
Hopefully it meets with Lenlyvit's approval.

The Security Council,

Noting that extant within the NationStates multiverse there are a dwindling number of regions created between November 2002 and early April 2003, before founding nations held executive power, and that among them, those not made immortal by the gods to serve as their machinery are uniquely vulnerable;

Defines these as historical regions.

Enumerates the last remaining historical regions that never acquired an executive founder: Belgium, Bucketheadland, Carioch, Eutopia, EWU, Hattrick, Haven, Lake ilopango, Liberal Paradise, Secularia, Seven Eleven, South Pacific, The AGS Commonwealth, The Proletariat Coalition, The West, User Friendlia, NationStates, Canada, Middle Earth, St Abbaddon, Stargate, Yorkshire, SPACE, and LUE;

Recognizes those historical regions that have since had a founder nation appointed to lead them, including: Europe, 10000 Islands, Texas, The Heartland, Wysteria, Nasicournia, Space Sector RPRA, Hell, ISAF2, Subreality, Germany, Kattar, Katasia, USSR, Anarchy, and Axis of Absurdity; and

Remembers the many regions from this period, too many to list, that have ceased to exist.

Believing that historical regions are worthy of preservation;

Encourages the interregional community to protect these historical regions, whether they are founderless now or lose their founders in the future, against subversion or aggression by:
• The writing of interregional protection treaties which can be adopted by those of defender, independent, imperialist and non-aligned ideologies alike to protect historical regions from external military forces.
• The enactment of measures by governments of historical regions to preempt attack and malicious refounding.
• The passage or rejection of Liberation resolutions and their repeals based on native support.
• The establishment of policies by all regional governments to support the native population and governance of historical regions, including political and military intervention where appropriate.

Affirming the doctrine of this Assembly to be that the expressed will of the native population and its recognized representatives are the supreme authority in deciding a region's policy and its future, including whether and how to implement access controls;

Acknowledges that with the passage of time, native populations and governments may become silent, indifferent, inactive, or cease to exist entirely; therefore

Sanctions the creation by concerned nations of Caretaker Conservation Administrations (CCAs) to govern historical regions where no legitimate native leaders exist, or where such leaders request them, subject to the following conditions:
• CCAs may include nations not native to the region they govern, but these must move to the region for the duration of their participation in the CCA.
• CCAs are required to operate independently and membership cannot be limited or denied based on affiliations outside the region.
• Members of a CCA are expected to prioritize the best interest of the region over that of themselves and other organizations when acting in that capacity.
• CCAs must make a good faith effort to honor the history of the region and the preferences of pre-established natives.
• CCAs are obliged to recruit for and promote active participation in the region to establish new native stakeholders.
• The express goal of a CCA is to establish a healthy, independent region with independent native leadership.
• Once native leaders are established, the CCA must dissolve or subordinate itself to the native administration.
• CCA members cannot serve concurrently in the native administration, nor use proxies to do so.

Establishes this Historical Region Act and authorizes the passage of additional resolutions to expand native rights and regional conservation.

[Lenlyvit]

For what little it's worth, Unibot's interpretation is the intended reading.

I've made an attempt to improve the cohesion of the text, make it look nicer, streamline, remove redundancies, and alter some wording that I thought could be improved. Also applied the proper capitalization to SPACE
Hopefully it meets with Lenlyvit's approval.

The Security Council,

Noting that extant within the NationStates multiverse there are a dwindling number of player-created historical regions with ancient origin, created between November 2002 and early April 2003, before founding nations held executive power;

Names the remaining regions of this group that never acquired an executive founder: Belgium, Bucketheadland, Carioch, Eutopia, EWU, Hattrick, Haven, Lake ilopango, Liberal Paradise, Secularia, Seven Eleven, South Pacific, The AGS Commonwealth, The Proletariat Coalition, The West, User Friendlia, NationStates, Canada, Middle Earth, St Abbaddon, Stargate, Yorkshire, SPACE, and LUE;

Recognizes those that have since had a founder nation appointed to lead them, including: Europe, 10000 Islands, Texas, The Heartland, Wysteria, Nasicournia, Space Sector RPRA, Hell, ISAF2, Subreality, Germany, Kattar, Katasia, USSR, Anarchy, and Axis of Absurdity; and

Honors the many other regions, too many to list, from this period that have ceased to exist.

Believing that these regions have historical importance, and those that still exist are worthy of preservation;

Encourages the interregional community to protect these historical regions, whether they are founderless now or lose their founders in the future, against subversion or aggression by:
• The writing of interregional protection treaties which can be adopted by those of defender, independent, imperialist and non-aligned ideologies alike to protect historical regions from external military forces.
• The enactment of measures by governments of historical regions to preempt attack and malicious refounding.
• The passage or rejection of Liberation resolutions and their repeals based on native support.
• The establishment of policies by all regional governments to support the native population and governance of historical regions, including political and military intervention where appropriate.

Affirming the doctrine of this Assembly to be that the expressed will of the native population and its recognized representative(s) are the supreme authority in deciding a region's policy and its future, including whether and how to implement access controls;

Acknowledges that with the passage of time, native populations and governments may become silent, indifferent, inactive, or cease to exist entirely; therefore

Sanctions the creation by concerned nations of Caretaker Conservation Administrations (CCAs) to govern historical regions where no legitimate native leaders exist, or where such leaders request them, subject to the following conditions:
• CCAs may include nations not native to the region they govern, but these must move to the region for the duration of their participation in the CCA.
• CCAs are required to operate independently and membership cannot be limited or denied based on affiliations outside the region.
• Members of a CCA are expected to prioritize the best interest of the region over that of themselves and other organizations when acting in that capacity.
• CCAs must make a good faith effort to honor the history of the region and the preferences of pre-established natives.
• CCAs are obliged to recruit for and promote active participation in the region to establish new native stakeholders.
• The express goal of a CCA is to establish a healthy, independent region with independent native leadership.
• Once native leaders are established, the CCA must dissolve or subordinate itself to the native administration.
• CCA members cannot serve concurrently in the native administration, nor use proxies to do so.

Establishes this Historical Region Act and authorizes the passage of additional resolutions to advance native rights and regional conservation.

I do like it! It cuts it down to around 4,400 characters, the only thing though is that in your first clause "player-created" is a rules violation. I might change it to "nation-created" seeing as the Feeders and Sinkers are game created. Although, some of those were actually founded by Testlandia.

[Xanthal]

...in your first clause "player-created" is a rules violation. I might change it to "nation-created" seeing as the Feeders and Sinkers are game created. Although, some of those were actually founded by Testlandia.

I wasn't sure since there are Commendations and Condemnations that mention players. SC rules confuse me; feels like you're always half in and half out of character. I've made an effort to fix this and included it in my latest draft, copied below.

The Security Council,

Noting that extant within the NationStates multiverse there are a dwindling number of regions created between November 2002 and early April 2003, before founding nations held executive power, and that among them, those not made immortal by the gods to serve as their machinery are uniquely vulnerable;

Defines these as historical regions.

Enumerates the last remaining historical regions that never acquired an executive founder: Belgium, Bucketheadland, Carioch, Eutopia, EWU, Hattrick, Haven, Lake ilopango, Liberal Paradise, Secularia, Seven Eleven, South Pacific, The AGS Commonwealth, The Proletariat Coalition, The West, User Friendlia, NationStates, Canada, Middle Earth, St Abbaddon, Stargate, Yorkshire, SPACE, and LUE;

Recognizes those historical regions that have since had a founder nation appointed to lead them, including: Europe, 10000 Islands, Texas, The Heartland, Wysteria, Nasicournia, Space Sector RPRA, Hell, ISAF2, Subreality, Germany, Kattar, Katasia, USSR, Anarchy, and Axis of Absurdity; and

Remembers the many regions from this period that have ceased to exist.

Believing that historical regions are worthy of preservation;

Encourages the interregional community to safeguard these historical regions, whether they are founderless now or lose their founders in the future, against subversion or aggression by:
• The writing of interregional treaties which can be adopted by those of defender, independent, imperialist and non-aligned ideologies alike to protect historical regions from external military forces.
• The enactment of measures by governments of historical regions to preempt attack and malicious refounding.
• The passage or rejection of Liberation resolutions and their repeals based on native support.
• The establishment of policies by all regional governments to support the native population and governance of historical regions, including political and military intervention where appropriate.

Affirming the doctrine of this Assembly to be that the expressed will of the native population and its recognized representatives are the supreme authority in deciding a region's policy and its future, including whether and how to implement access controls;

Acknowledges that with the passage of time, native populations and governments may become silent, indifferent, inactive, or cease to exist entirely; therefore

Sanctions the creation by concerned nations of Caretaker Conservation Administrations (CCAs) to govern historical regions where no legitimate native leaders exist, or where such leaders request them, subject to the following conditions:
• CCAs may include nations not native to the region they govern, but these must move to the region for the duration of their participation in the CCA.
• CCAs are required to operate independently and membership cannot be limited or denied based on affiliations outside the region.
• Members of a CCA are expected to prioritize the best interest of the region over that of themselves and other organizations when acting in that capacity.
• CCAs must make a good faith effort to honor the history of the region and the preferences of pre-established natives.
• CCAs are obliged to recruit for and promote active participation in the region to establish new native stakeholders.
• The express goal of a CCA is to establish a healthy, independent region with independent native leadership.
• Once native leaders are established, the CCA must dissolve or subordinate itself to the native administration.
• CCA members cannot serve concurrently in the native administration, nor use proxies to do so.

Establishes this Historical Region Act and authorizes the passage of additional resolutions to expand native rights and regional conservation.

[Lenlyvit]

...in your first clause "player-created" is a rules violation. I might change it to "nation-created" seeing as the Feeders and Sinkers are game created. Although, some of those were actually founded by Testlandia.

I wasn't sure since there are Commendations and Condemnations that mention players. SC rules confuse me; feels like you're always half in and half out of character. I've made an effort to fix this and included it in my latest draft, copied below.

The Security Council,

Noting that extant within the NationStates multiverse there are a dwindling number of regions created between November 2002 and early April 2003, before founding nations held executive power, and that among them, those not made immortal by the gods to serve as their machinery are uniquely vulnerable;

Defines these as historical regions.

Enumerates the last remaining historical regions that never acquired an executive founder: Belgium, Bucketheadland, Carioch, Eutopia, EWU, Hattrick, Haven, Lake ilopango, Liberal Paradise, Secularia, Seven Eleven, South Pacific, The AGS Commonwealth, The Proletariat Coalition, The West, User Friendlia, NationStates, Canada, Middle Earth, St Abbaddon, Stargate, Yorkshire, SPACE, and LUE;

Recognizes those historical regions that have since had a founder nation appointed to lead them, including: Europe, 10000 Islands, Texas, The Heartland, Wysteria, Nasicournia, Space Sector RPRA, Hell, ISAF2, Subreality, Germany, Kattar, Katasia, USSR, Anarchy, and Axis of Absurdity; and

Remembers the many regions from this period, too many to list, that have ceased to exist.

Believing that historical regions are worthy of preservation;

Encourages the interregional community to protect these historical regions, whether they are founderless now or lose their founders in the future, against subversion or aggression by:
• The writing of interregional protection treaties which can be adopted by those of defender, independent, imperialist and non-aligned ideologies alike to protect historical regions from external military forces.
• The enactment of measures by governments of historical regions to preempt attack and malicious refounding.
• The passage or rejection of Liberation resolutions and their repeals based on native support.
• The establishment of policies by all regional governments to support the native population and governance of historical regions, including political and military intervention where appropriate.

Affirming the doctrine of this Assembly to be that the expressed will of the native population and its recognized representatives are the supreme authority in deciding a region's policy and its future, including whether and how to implement access controls;

Acknowledges that with the passage of time, native populations and governments may become silent, indifferent, inactive, or cease to exist entirely; therefore

Sanctions the creation by concerned nations of Caretaker Conservation Administrations (CCAs) to govern historical regions where no legitimate native leaders exist, or where such leaders request them, subject to the following conditions:
• CCAs may include nations not native to the region they govern, but these must move to the region for the duration of their participation in the CCA.
• CCAs are required to operate independently and membership cannot be limited or denied based on affiliations outside the region.
• Members of a CCA are expected to prioritize the best interest of the region over that of themselves and other organizations when acting in that capacity.
• CCAs must make a good faith effort to honor the history of the region and the preferences of pre-established natives.
• CCAs are obliged to recruit for and promote active participation in the region to establish new native stakeholders.
• The express goal of a CCA is to establish a healthy, independent region with independent native leadership.
• Once native leaders are established, the CCA must dissolve or subordinate itself to the native administration.
• CCA members cannot serve concurrently in the native administration, nor use proxies to do so.

Establishes this Historical Region Act and authorizes the passage of additional resolutions to expand native rights and regional conservation.

It seems to flow pretty good, so I've added it to the OP and made you a coauthor.

[Unibot III]

I do not support the "must" language. Declarations express opinions about, not instructions to, third parties.

Just as a note to this: the “must” clause is a subclause to something that is ultimately voluntary. Sometimes something that can look obligatory is actually voluntary. That is to say, you must do x to do y, but you don’t have to do y, so don’t have to do x. Fun!

Those subclauses express how the WASC expect these administrations to behave, but nobody is obligated to participate in these administrations.

I’ll throw my 2 cents in.

I believe the “Sanctions” language and all of its sub clauses are fine, because its sanction acts as an official recognition. The WA is ‘officially recognizing’ these administrations that meet a list of conditions. It doesn’t require any nations or regions to do anything, nations voluntarily choose to participate in these administrations and try to meet the WA’s conditions of approval.

The last clause, however, seems problematic to me (and unnecessary given the clause before it accomplishes everything that the last clause is doing), because it anticipates the WASC requiring nations to meet obligations that the WASC actually cannot set.

After re-reading that last clause I agree, and I've removed it from the draft. I believe that would have violated the rules.

I think that’s for the best, yes.

I should add a disclaimer that this category’s rules are new and generally untested. I’m freewheeling without much precedent in my 2 cents here.

[Ceonyx]

How?

[Lenlyvit]

I'm still waiting on the legality ruling for sanctioning the creation of CCAs, and possibly getting one for the executive founders part? But, in the meantime, I was able to get in contact with Casl of Stargate and they're in favor of the proposal. That's only three Founderless regions in favor, but I still haven't heard from any of the other ones yet.

Edit: I'm also hoping to hear from Luna Amore as well at some point.

[Xyeox]

I'm still waiting on the legality ruling for sanctioning the creation of CCAs, and possibly getting one for the executive founders part? But, in the meantime, I was able to get in contact with Casl of Stargate and they're in favor of the proposal. That's only three Founderless regions in favor, but I still haven't heard from any of the other ones yet.

Edit: I'm also hoping to hear from Luna Amore as well at some point.

Right Foe

[Sedgistan]

The executive founders part is fine. The other aspect is still being discussed but likely to be that while sanctioning the creation of a committee is fine, setting out requirements for its operation in definite terms such as "must" and "are obliged to" goes beyond what a Declaration has the power to do.

[Xanthal]

The executive founders part is fine. The other aspect is still being discussed but likely to be that while sanctioning the creation of a committee is fine, setting out requirements for its operation in definite terms such as "must" and "are obliged to" goes beyond what a Declaration has the power to do.

It's just an umbrella to stand under. You can associate with whoever you want and do whatever you want and call yourselves anything you want, but the SC is saying "we're endorsing this type of action and if you'd like to participate within that framework, here's a suggestion how." No requirement to recognize one, no obligation to join one, no penalty for calling yourself one and not meeting the criteria.

What's an opinion if you can't indicate how one might abide by it?

[Lenlyvit]

The executive founders part is fine. The other aspect is still being discussed but likely to be that while sanctioning the creation of a committee is fine, setting out requirements for its operation in definite terms such as "must" and "are obliged to" goes beyond what a Declaration has the power to do.

Alright, thanks Sedge. I'll wait until your official ruling before changing anything in the draft though. I see Xanthals point though too.

[Xanthal]

Shouldn't be hard to rewrite if necessary, though it does seem weird to me if the WASC can create a wholly voluntary framework but can't define what that framework is in definite terms.

[Xanthal]

To clarify my position, moderators must consider whether they're ruling on actual effect or arbitrarily banning certain phrasing. For example, there is no functional difference in this case if those "definite terms" are removed. Compare to the existing text:
"• CCAs may include nations not native to the region they govern, if these move to the region for the duration of their participation in the CCA.
• CCAs operate independently and membership cannot be limited or denied based on affiliations outside the region.
• Members of a CCA prioritize the best interest of the region over that of themselves and other organizations when acting in that capacity.
• CCAs make a good faith effort to honor the history of the region and the preferences of pre-established natives.
• CCAs recruit for and promote active participation in the region to establish new native stakeholders.
• The express goal of a CCA is to establish a healthy, independent region with independent native leadership.
• Once native leaders are established, the CCA dissolves or subordinates itself to the native administration.
• CCA members not serve concurrently in the native administration, nor use proxies to do so."

When the Security Council expresses an opinion about anything, it is necessary to define that thing: "We approve of x." Similarly, if it can proactively express an opinion about certain ideas or actions, it must define them: "If you want our approval, do x." Endorsing the creation of a group follows the same principle: "We define the parameters of an organization that would meet with our approval as x."

I submit that the important distinction in this context for determining legality is not the content of x, but that the subject is an expression of opinion about x and not a requirement or prohibition to do x.

If "The Security Council disapproves of cats who wear hats" is legal, but "To have the approval of the Security Council, cats cannot wear hats" is not, the moderators should be clear about what distinction they're making between the two statements in order to establish a transferable precedent.

[Unibot III]

My impression from Sedge’s post is that the mods may establish a precedent that the resolution must avoid a perception of obligating member-nations.

New categories in the SC involve a lot of precedent-setting as the rules come to interact with the category. After the final ruling, it may only require some fine-tuning of the language.