Preamble and Purpose
The parties to this Commonwealth deeply desire a world free of tyranny, oppression, and evil, and filled with freedom and peace for all peoples. The parties are determined to protect and advance freedom, democracy, stability, prosperity, and the rule of law wherever and whenever possible, and resolve to do so with each other's mutual aid and support.
The parties to this Commonwealth have united in order to better advance their common purposes, goals, and ideals.
I. Military Articles
- Member states must maintain military forces.
- An attack upon one member state shall be considered an attack upon the entire Commonwealth.
- Member states will be obliged to assist any other member state in a defensive conflict. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the Commonwealth.
- Member states may assist other member states in offensive conflict.
- The Commonwealth shall maintain a standing military force of its own, made up of forces voluntarily contributed by member nations.
- Member states' military forces may be placed under a unified Commonwealth command if such organization is warranted.
- Land and air forces of the Commonwealth shall operate under the name COMFOR, and naval forces under the name COMFLEET.
- Member states shall endeavour to keep the high seas free of piracy.
- Member states shall seek the abolition of slavery, wherever it occurs.
- Any member state undertaking action against tyranny and oppression may petition the Commonwealth for the authorization to undertake the action under the banner and flag of the Commonwealth. Member states will vote on the action and either approve or deny the petition.
II. Political and Economics Articles
- The Commonwealth shall have a democratic body in the form of the Congress, made up of representatives from all member states. The Congress shall vote upon any and all issues and legislation pertaining to the Commonwealth. Two representatives to this Congress shall be democratically elected by each member state.
- Though the Commonwealth is supranational, its member states will remain sovereign. The Commonwealth shall not infringe the sovereign rights of its member states except for the authority laid out in this Constitution, which all member states shall have freely signed.
- Member states shall comply with other member states' requests for extradition.
- Disputes between member states shall be brought before the Congress for consideration.
- Member states shall practice free trade. Accordingly, it is expected that all member states shall abolish tariffs between themselves.
- The Congress may vote to embargo an enemy nation. If such action is taken, all member states of the Commonwealth shall be obliged to comply with the embargo.
- Member states shall contribute 0.5% of their national budget to the Treasury of the Commonwealth to support its activities.
- The Congress may allocate the Commonwealth's budget to Commonwealth institutions as it sees fit.
- The Commonwealth shall have the following Officer positions:
- Chancellor
- Vice Chancellor
- Director of Military and Defence Affairs
- Director of Public Affairs
- The Congress shall have the power to nominate, elect, and appoint Officers.
- The Commonwealth's headquarters, and the chambers of the Congress, shall be located in Canvatica, Akimonad. The Congress may vote on the location other institutions of the Commonwealth, and may vote to change the location of the headquarters.
- The Congress shall have the power to establish and disestablish institutions of the Commonwealth.
- The Congress shall have the power to amend and change this Constitution. Such an action requires a two-thirds majority for passage.
III. Membership Articles
- The Commonwealth endeavours to spread liberty and democracy. As a result, no nation of communist or fascist persuasion shall be admitted, nor shall any nation that supports, harbors, or encourages any forms of oppression, tyranny, or slavery.
- Membership in the Commonwealth is by invitation only.
- The Commonwealth may admit observers, as decided by the Congress on a case-by-case basis. Observers are not members and are not bound nor protected by this Constitution.
- Member states may leave the Commonwealth at any time, for any reason. However, notice of such an action must be given to the Commonwealth.
Member States
- Akimonad (Chancellor)
- Santheres
- Morieux
- Salzland
- Minnysota
- Lamoni
- Maltropia
Observers
OOC Stuff
Q: How do I join?
A: CFDS is invite-only. However, you may feel free to telegram any of the members to let them know you're interested. You may be considered.
Q: How do I become an observer?
A: Write up a little communique and post it here requesting just that.
Q: Are there offsite forums?
A: Not presently. We aren't busy enough to warrant having forums.
Q: Is there an IRC channel?
A: Try #cfds and/or #ns on irc.esper.net.