NationStates

Vienna Eliot wrote:We're now debating and voting on Zjuam's proposal. If it fails, then tomorrow we'll debate and vote on Kazarogkai's proposal. This is because the latter proposal contradicts Zjuam's, so we can't pass them both. But if anyone proposes something that doesn't contradict something that's been passed (or might be passed), then it will get debate and a vote.

Hopefully this makes sense. Let me know if you're at all confused by anything.

Vienna Eliot wrote:I assumed Zjaum's proposal was meant to be part of the charter, but not the full thing. Perhaps he can clarify his intention.

Spaceania wrote:This looks interesting. Can someone link the IC so i can read it a bit since for some reason i cant find it .

Alozia wrote:I have to ask - are we running a city state or a town inside a larger country?

I'm having a hard time believing that, let's say, the US government would be fine with one of their towns having these laws as the bedrock of it's very existence.

Alozia wrote:I have to ask - are we running a city state or a town inside a larger country?

I'm having a hard time believing that, let's say, the US government would be fine with one of their towns having these laws as the bedrock of it's very existence.

Zjaum wrote:

Alozia wrote:I have to ask - are we running a city state or a town inside a larger country?

I'm having a hard time believing that, let's say, the US government would be fine with one of their towns having these laws as the bedrock of it's very existence.

The OP essentially stated that external or overarching government is nonexistent, meaning that we do, in fact, make rules in a vacuum. As for the location, there was an IC post placing the city in the American South, but it has since been retconned; our location could be anywhere on Earth.

Alozia wrote:I have to ask - are we running a city state or a town inside a larger country?

I'm having a hard time believing that, let's say, the US government would be fine with one of their towns having these laws as the bedrock of it's very existence.

Alozia wrote:I have to ask - are we running a city state or a town inside a larger country?

I'm having a hard time believing that, let's say, the US government would be fine with one of their towns having these laws as the bedrock of it's very existence.

Vienna Eliot wrote:OP has been updated, everyone accepted.

Alozia wrote:I have to ask - are we running a city state or a town inside a larger country?

I'm having a hard time believing that, let's say, the US government would be fine with one of their towns having these laws as the bedrock of it's very existence.

I think it's North America? Could be Europe. The weather sometimes has me thinking we're in Australia or South America, though.

Whatever the case, our city itself will never have to interact with an outside world. So foreign affairs and a military are of no concern to us. Nor are higher governmental authorities really relevant.

I will say this — at some point we will probably like to have deeper backgrounds for our characters, maybe have multiple characters or change who we play. This will matter more for the general, slice-of-life IC, which will open after we have a charter. But anyway, I think it's reasonable for those characters' political backgrounds (if they have them) to have to do with neighborhood politics or higher up stuff. The same goes for if you want to retire a character. So I might say, my character Vienna used to be the County Recorder. And then when I want a new character, I can say Vienna decided to run for the State House.

Kazarogkai wrote:
"And so I present to the assembled body before the proposal drawn up by me and mine prior to are trek to here. Though yes it is not perfect and yes I do understand that it is a bit incomplete still the overall basics are there. My proposal overall for the Charter of this Unified City is more or less a mirror of that of the New Jersey plan that was put forward during the creation of the United States Constitution. In general the structure is that of a confederation of are United Neighborhoods bound in oaths of defense, common foreign policy and trade with this bodies primary duty being that of coordinating body whose purpose is to unite us in times of need when necessary. My people have generally speaking done well on are own for the most part and as such generally speaking lack much interest in that of a stronger union with the likes of others outside are bounds being able to impose upon us at will. As such that will be a primary directive behind this charter. The maintaining of the Independence of the individual neighborhoods. Unto Structure:

The legislative, which shall henceforth be called the Senate, and by far the most important of the branches shall overall function in a manner reminiscent of that of a parliament minus a king of course. The Senate will be a unicameral body from where representation is based on dwelling whose powers will consist of: the ability to make laws related towards a foreign nature, draft domestic laws, settle disputes and coordinate resources between individual neighborhoods, enforce the law via the executive Small Council, call for national referendums to change the constitution, and finally those that are delegated to it by the individual neighborhoods. Neighborhoods shall have a delegation of representatives whose size is and selection is up to their discretion but who at the minimum must number approximately 2. Each neighborhood regardless of size shall receive 1 vote with the members of their delegation voting en block rather than as individuals similar to the Iroquois confederacy of old. Heading this body will be what will be known as the Speaker who shall in a sense function doubly in the role of Prime Minister of the executive. This will be an office chosen via appointment from the aforementioned body by all members and will be responsible to them as a whole being aloud to rule so long as they maintain the confidence of the Senate which shall be regularly tested every 6 months. In terms of law making when it comes to those of a foreign nature they require only a simple majority in order to bring it fourth. In contrast for domestic laws they may only raft them, with a simple majority, in order to bring it about though they require ratification from the neighborhoods themselves. The way it will work is when a domestic law has been drafted the draft will go before the individual neighborhoods who shall have the power to ratify the law within their own legislative bodies. When a neighborhood decides to ratify it becomes a law within their lands and from that point onward they are required to enforce via their courts. Once a strong majority of 3/4 of all neighborhoods decide to ratify said draft it becomes apart of what will be termed the All Law which all neighborhoods must follow at that point it is the duty of the Senate to enforce said law with all persons required to follow. In such way a the 51% will not be able to railroad and potentially enslave the remaining 49% and with it maintaining of the Independence of all.

In terms of executive power, that shall rest within what will be termed the Small Council consisting of the Speaker as mentioned before alongside various executive directors heading individual offices charged with handling different aspects of the legislative agenda like say Defense, or Foreign Trade, etc. They shall be chosen individually again via appointment by the Senate and responsible to said body being required to face confidence votes every 6 months. This is done in such a way as to prevent the creation of any sort of imperial presidency or other autocratic central offices and with it the corruption and tyranny that follows. As seen time and time again in the world before, the executive is by far the most prone to corruption and tyranny and hence must be kept in check at all times.

Finally The Judicial branch shall consist of various Supreme Courts alongside smaller courts handling and heading individual aspects of the law which shall be set forth via the creation of various law codes by the legislative and having the power to interpret the law in their manner. They shall consist of the following: Criminal, Civil, Military, and finally a Constitutional Court at the minimum. The first 3 shall shall in their role function as courts of last resort for those violating the laws of the land in contrast the final will function as a check on the legislative branch and have the power to interpret the constitution as needed and having the power to when needed to engage in a review and veto laws created by said legislative. They shall as such consist of 12 members each chosen via sortition from qualified applicants so as to prevent the politicization and corruption of this branch of government and to hopefully maintain their independence. Any decision they make as such is required to be unanimous."

The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism wrote:Was genuinely confused about the punctuation remark. Was it the possessive apostrophe? For some reason no matter how hard I try I always screw that up.

The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism wrote:Was genuinely confused about the punctuation remark. Was it the possessive apostrophe? For some reason no matter how hard I try I always screw that up.

Vienna Eliot wrote:If there's still interest here, we'll do elections Saturday and Sunday (18th and 19th). So tomorrow (Friday the 17th) is the last day to declare your candidacy for Mayor if you're running. Please include the name of the character running as well, and maybe a brief bio.