“If there was a reason why he preferred the liberal tendency to the conservative one (also held to by many of his circle),
it was not because he found the liberal tendency more sensible, but it more closely suited his manner of life.”
it was not because he found the liberal tendency more sensible, but it more closely suited his manner of life.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
a.)The History of the Covenant of Nations
b.)The Rules of the Progressive Action Congress
c.)The Members and Observer States of CONPAC
d.)Application Process for Admission to CONPAC
e.)Out of Character Information
The Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress [French: Alliance des Nations du Congrès d'Action Progressiste | Spanish: Convenio de Naciones del Congreso de Acción Progresista], also known by the acronym CONPAC is a multinational association of leftist states convened in 2021 CE for the fostering of progressive ideals and socioeconomic equality around the world, including the shared responsibility of the mutual defense of leftist member-states from unprovoked attack from the enemies of progressivism. According to the Protocols of the Progressive Action Congress, leftist states are defined as any national entity that seeks to reduce economic inequality and the corruption of unchecked capitalism with government regulation, wealth redistribution and other mechanisms deigned to promote social egalitarianism and the belief that instruments of society like clean water, clothing, education, foodstuffs, healthcare and shelter are not commodities to be economically exploited, but basic human rights. Under this paradigm, the definition of a leftist state includes, but is not necessarily limited to, nations adhering to the following political and socioeconomic ideologies: Apotheosism, Green Democracy, Marxist-Leninism and other forms of Communist thought, Progressive Democracy, Social Democracy, Socialism (including Democratic Socialism), and Syndicalism.
The conceptualization of CONPAC dates back a number of years, largely stemming from the political activism of a long-time Magister of the Novan Exemplarstate's Supreme Magisterium, Dr. August Boisvert Fredericks (1921-2018). Fredericks argued that the cause of progressivism and socioeconomic equality was too big for any one state to contend with on a macroscale, necessitating a convention of like-minded, ideologically compatible allies in the fight against economic corruption and unchecked capitalism. As one of the senior legislative representatives of an apotheocratic neo-syndicalist state, he felt that Exemplarii Politics were too insular, negating the potential benefits Novan intervention in the political and socioeconomic affairs of the international community could engender. Though his message was contested loudly by the Magisterium's more conservative members, over time Fredericks won more and more support for his cause, leading to an unprecedented Tractate by Praeceptor Matthew Hadrianus in 2014 that announced the Novan Exemplarstate's intention to explore participating in a multinational coalition designed to foster the growth, protection, and sustainability of leftist ideologies among the international community of states. It was the first time a Praeceptor had announced his intention to work with outside parties in more than a century, leading to a seismic shift in Novan politics. His successor, Malachi Caecilius reaffirmed the Novan government's intention to organize a multinational coalition of states before the end of the fiscal year 2022. This mandate was accomplished a year ahead of schedule with the birth of the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress, CONPAC.
The Progressive Action Congress is an international forum designed to provide a voice for leftist states, providing for the free exchange of ideas between ideologies of shared common values, if not shared common instruments or precepts. Within the halls of the Congress, representatives of the various member and observer-states will have within their power the ability to speak on behalf of their states and institutions, calling out the hypocrisy of corporate greed and wealth and presenting their ideas and visions for a world where progressive change is no longer feared, but celebrated. The Congress will act as a collective whole, debating and discussing ideas for the betterment of the organization and lobbying for financial assistance for those organizations and states in need of our help combatting socioeconomic inequality. Furthermore, the Covenant of Nations as a political institution guarantees the mutual defense of its member-states from unprovoked military incursions made against a member-state's political sovereignty or legally-claimed territory. Just as the international community of nations recognizes the right of sovereign nations to exist without interference from outside powers, so too will the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress guarantee the sovereignty and stability of each individual member-state, standing in defense of the fraternity of universal brotherhood.
The Progressive Action Congress is an international forum designed to provide a voice for leftist states, providing for the free exchange of ideas between ideologies of shared common values, if not shared common instruments or precepts. Within the halls of the Congress, representatives of the various member and observer-states will have within their power the ability to speak on behalf of their states and institutions, calling out the hypocrisy of corporate greed and wealth and presenting their ideas and visions for a world where progressive change is no longer feared, but celebrated. The Congress will act as a collective whole, debating and discussing ideas for the betterment of the organization and lobbying for financial assistance for those organizations and states in need of our help combatting socioeconomic inequality. Furthermore, the Covenant of Nations as a political institution guarantees the mutual defense of its member-states from unprovoked military incursions made against a member-state's political sovereignty or legally-claimed territory. Just as the international community of nations recognizes the right of sovereign nations to exist without interference from outside powers, so too will the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress guarantee the sovereignty and stability of each individual member-state, standing in defense of the fraternity of universal brotherhood.
The individual member-states of the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress are independent entities and do not surrender national autonomy or sovereign political authority to join the organization. However, membership in CONPAC is governed by a set of principles, regulations and rules as outlined in the governing charter of the Congress, the Protocols of the Progressive Action Congress (sometimes referred to informally as the Treaty of Brigantium). "The Protocols" help establish decorum in the Congressional forum for the member-states, as well as helping to outline the policies and procedures that all member and observer states and institutions are expected to follow. Those states who pledge for membership to CONPAC are entering into a formal agreement to abide by the spirit of the letter of the Protocols as laid out below, under penalty of censure or possible expulsion from the Congress should they fail to abide by the rules. New policies, regulations and rules may be implemented after the first convening of the Progressive Action Congress by a majority vote of the seated Covenant of Nations at the time of a vote, with all member states expected to abide by new implementations regardless of the nature of their vote. All votes called for by the Congress must be first motioned by a member-state, then seconded before a vote can proceed to the floor before the congressional body.
- 01.)NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY
No act of the Progressive Action Congress or other resolution adopted by the Covenant of Nations may infringe upon the national sovereignty of a member-nation.–Policies, regulations and rules of the Progressive Action Congress may only affect the conduct of affairs relating to participation in the Congress itself. No nation shall be subjected to losing its autonomy or political sovereignty by an act of the Congress, or be forced to participate in every Congressional exercise against their will. This act is considered perpetually binding and cannot be altered or removed by the Congress for any reason. - 02.)LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY
Every vote cast by a member-state in the Congress must be cast publicly in order to ensure the transparency of the legislative process.–To administer a vote on the floor of the Progressive Action Congress, a member state must put forward the motion to bring a policy under discussion to a vote, with a second member state seconding the motion. At this point, all member states will be expected to publicly cast a vote either abstaining, in the affirmative, or in rejection of the motion. This policy is hereby established to allow for complete transparency in all policies that will affect the activities of member-states in the Progressive Action Congress. Votes to expel member states for a violation of the rules require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total number of nations seated at the time of the beginning of the voting period to be passed; all other votes require only a simple majority. The voting period for any policy measure or expulsion vote shall be set at seven (7) days unless otherwise prescribed by an Act of Congress. - 03.)PROHIBITION ON SLAVERY
No nation that possess the institution of human slavery may become a member state or an observer state to the Progressive Action Congress.–No state that endorses, practices or in likewise manner protects the institution of human slavery shall be granted admission as a member state of the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress. The Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress shall henceforth recognize the illegality of human slavery wheresoever it is practiced, and further condemns any company, nation-state or organization that engages in the practice. - 04.)MILITARY ASSISTANCE
All military aid provided by the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress must be defensive in nature.–While the Progressive Action Congress will not prohibit the cooperation of member-states in offensive military maneuvers taken outside the scope of Congressional authority, the Covenant of Nations shall only intervene militarily as a collective should the sovereign territory of a member state be placed under duress by a foreign power. The Covenant of Nations shall not assist as a collective in the acquisition of new territory or any unprovoked military action against a foreign power or powers, and no member state shall be penalized by the Congress for refusing to support such an action by another member state or states. - 05.)POLICY ON COLONIAL STATES
Unless provided an exemption through a special decree of the Congress, no colonies may enter the Covenant of Nations as a member state.–In accordance with the ideological and philosophical beliefs of the Progressive Action Congress, nations whose national sovereignty is controlled by a colonizing power may not be granted membership status in the Covenant of Nations. This policy extends to the colonies of current member states in order to preserve our general philosophical opposition to imperialist attitudes. An exemption may be granted to a colonial state in the event that said colonial state is attempting to gain legal recognition as an independent state, and possesses the political and socioeconomic qualifications expected of all member states in the Progressive Action Congress. An exemption must be granted via a simple majority vote of seated member states of Congress. - 06.)CONFLICT RESOLUTION
When two more more member states of the Progressive Action Congress are entered into a dispute with one another, it shall be the policy of the Covenant of Nations to adopt a policy of neutrality unless a formal petition is made to the Congress from all aggrieved parties requesting the Congress arbitrate or mediate the dispute.–Should two or more states holding membership in the Progressive Action Congress find themselves in a state of political dispute, it shall be the stated policy of the Congress not to intervene unless all pertinent parties request the Congress to arbitrate a settlement or mediate the dispute. In order for the Progressive Action Congress to intervene, all seated member states of the Congress not involved in the dispute must pass the resolution with a simple majority vote before the Covenant of Nations may enter into any act of arbitration or of mediation. - 07.)ATTACKING A MEMBER-STATE
Member-states that willfully attack or otherwise impede on the sovereignty of another member-state shall be unilaterally expelled from the Covenant of Nations.–A concerted attack on a member state or states by another member state or states of the Progressive Action Congress shall not be tolerated. An attack may be constituted as any direct military action including (but not limited to) blockades or quarantines, cyberattacks, invasion, manned or unmanned bombings, or the participation in or sponsorship of terrorist attacks on a member state or states. Any evidence presented to the Congress by a member state or states indicating that a member state or states have violated this rule, the parties in question shall be unilaterally expelled from the Covenant of Nations without need of a vote in the Congress. Expelled member states must wait six (6) months before reapplying. - 08.)PROTECTING THE CONGRESS
Member states are expected to refrain from any domestic legislation or policy that harms the Progressive Action Congress, its institutions or its member-states.–Member states must not pass laws that cause diplomatic or economic harm to the Progressive Action Congress or its member states, such as imposing special levies or tariffs upon member states of the Covenant of Nations not enforced upon other, non-member states or any internal legislation that absolves the member state from any of their responsibilities while participating in the functioning of the Progressive Action Congress. - 09.)CONTINUED PARTICIPATION
Member-states are expected to remain active in the general affairs of the Progressive Action Congress in order to retain their status as a Covenant nation.–While no member state shall be forced to participate in every single function of the Progressive Action Congress, it is expected that member states participate within the Congress at least once every month, unless their absence is otherwise-announced beforehand. Those states who remain inactive for more than a month may be held up for consideration of temporary suspension or expulsion from Congressional membership by the collective - 10.)ON THE RIGHTS OF OBSERVERS
While observer states and institutions are permitted to petition the Congress and discuss the affairs of the organization (including the potential ramifications of new policy being debated), only member states are legally allowed to cast a vote in the Congress.–In order to participate in the legislative process of the Progressive Action Congress, a state must be a member of the Covenant of Nations; observer organizations and states are not permitted to cast a vote. Observer organizations and states may participate in open forums and may address said forum from the floor, but these actions represent the limit of observer participation in the Progressive Action Congress unless a special dispensation is administered.
Pictured: The Socialis Progressus Turrim de August Boisvert Fredericks Monumentum, or the Dr. August Boisvert Fredericks Memorial
Social Progress Tower in Brigantium, Coria Province, the Novan Exemplarstate. Situated on Loewes Harbor beside the clear waters of
the Corieltauvorum Sea, the global headquarters and great Congressional Assembly Hall of the Progressive Action Congress is the most
expensive building ever constructed in the Novan Exemplarstate, with a 2021 price tag of over $24.2 Billion USD before it was finished.
In order to participate as a member state or an observer state or institution of the Covenant of Nations of the Progressive Action Congress, or CONPAC, an official application must be submitted herein to the Diplomatic Management Office of CONPAC. Observer nations and organizations who do not violate any of the stated rules listed herein shall be granted immediate automatic membership. The first ten states to apply for member state status shall have their applications judged by the diplomatic envoy of the Novan Exemplarstate; thereafter, each application shall be presented for a vote before the total number of seated members, who will have a week to publicly vote on each applicant, with a simple majority necessary for admission. Each application must be returned completed in full to be processed: applications missing important information shall be returned to the applicant state or organization for correction or rectification before the application is considered for acceptance by the Progressive Action Congress. Once an application has been formally processed and/or voted on by the collective body of the Covenant of Nations, a public announcement will be produced and the applicant nation contacted via telegram regarding the outcome of their application process. Nations who are rejected for membership must wait at least three (3) months before reapplying to join CONPAC.
