South Arctica
06-12-2004, 01:43
Nations of the World:
Be it known that on this day, the Fifth of December in 2004, the Nation of South Arctica did ratify and move into effect its CONSTITUTION. Ambassadors from around the world are invited to join us in celebrating this great day for our nation, and to engage in spirited debate over the content of our Constitution.
WE THE PEOPLE of SOUTH ARCTICA do hereby establish this CONSTITUTION by which to guide our Nation and its Citizens in Perpetuity.
Our nation is founded upon the principles of HUMANISM, a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
DIVISION A: THE PEOPLE
Article I - Humanity
Humanity is an inherent quality possessed by all people and deniable by no entity.
In recognition of the inherent worth of all Humanity, it is held by the people of South Arctica that all the people of the World, no matter what physical, spiritual, intellectual, or personal qualities distinguish them as individuals, are possessing of certain inalienable rights and undeniable responsibilities by virtue of their status as human beings.
1 – All humans are born free and equal under the law.
2 – All humans have the right to life, liberty and privacy of mind, freedom of spirit, and security of person.
3 – All humans are irrevocably the sole owners of their own bodies and minds. No human may be held in slavery to another.
4 – All humans have the right to freely express their opinions, whether it be in the written or spoken word. No human may be obligated to provide medium to express the opinion of another. All humans have the right to petition the State.
4 – All humans have the right to equality under the law, under all circumstances.
5 – All humans are to be presumed innocent of crime until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, in a fair, impartial, and public manner, according to the rule of law and the principles of logic.
6 – All humans have the right to live free of arbitrary arrest, detention and/or exile; torture, cruel punishments, and/or brutality; violation of body and/or mind; and/or unwarranted persecution.
7 – All humans have the right to due process of law, and the right to maintain liberty and property in the absence of due process.
8 – All humans have the right to peaceful interaction with other humans.
9 – The enumeration of certain rights in this Constitution shall not imply the denial of rights not so enumerated.
It is the responsibility of all humans to respect and uphold these rights for themselves and for others.
Article II - Citizenship
The ultimate responsibility to safeguard, develop, and empower our nation resides solely in the Citizens of South Arctica.
While Humanity is an inherent quality possessed by all and deniable by none, Citizenship is a status bestowed by the State. A Citizen of South Arctica is recognized by the following characteristics:
1 – A Citizen must be a living human being.
2 – A Citizen must affirm his status as such, accepting the rights and responsibilities of Citizenship voluntarily.
3 – A Citizen must be natural-born within our nation’s borders, or legally naturalized as a foreign-born Citizen.
4 – Citizens must forswear all other national allegiances and affirm that their only allegiance is to the Nation of South Arctica.
5 – Citizens must have achieved and accepted the status of Adulthood, in recognition of the fact that human children must grow and learn in order to assume the responsibility of Citizenship. The status of Adulthood is bestowed upon one who is not less than the age of 16 years, and who has completed a State-approved primary education program.
6 - Citizens must be of sound mind, in recognition of the fact that only those possessing of rationality and an understanding of ethics are able to assume the responsibility of Citizenship.
7 – Citizenship may not be denied to anyone on the basis of gender, appearance, religion, political or other opinion, or any status of those in acquaintance.
The State may not revoke the status of Citizenship without due process of law, nor may the Citizen relinquish their status as a Citizen without duly informing the State.
Article III -Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
All Citizens of South Arctica hold certain civil rights and responsibilities.
1 - All Citizens shall have the right to enter into a legally binding contract, and the responsibility to honor that contract.
2 - All Citizens shall have the right to assume guardianship of a Noncitizen, and the responsibility to safeguard their human rights.
3 - All Citizens shall have the right to own property, and the responsibility to acknowledge that ownership.
4 - All Citizens shall have the right to freedom of movement and to leave the country, and the responsibility to heed the customs and laws of other lands.
5 - All Citizens shall have the right to possess a firearm, and the responsibility to be held accountable for its use.
6 - All Citizens shall have the right to give consent for sex, and the responsibility to bear the consequences thereof.
7 - All Citizens shall have the right and responsibility to assume public office.
8 - All Citizens shall have the right and responsibility to vote for candidates for public office.
9 - All Citizens shall have the right to waive any rights as a Citizen, and in so doing to abdicate any corresponding responsibilities.
DIVISION B: THE STATE
Article I - Composition of the Legislature
1 – The Legislature shall consist of an elected body of 100 Senators, chosen from each of the ten Districts of South Arctica. Each Senator shall have one vote.
2 – The number of Senators from each District shall be two plus a number to be based upon the relative number of Citizens residing in each District, not less than one and not more than eighteen. Census shall be taken every ten years. Senators shall be elected by popular vote of the people of each district, serve terms of two years, and may not serve more than four consecutive terms. Senators must reside in the District which they represent for the duration of their term.
3 – The Second Citizen of South Arctica shall preside over the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.
4 – No Senator may be appointed or elected to any other Civil Office during the duration of their term.
Article II - Powers of the Legislature
1 – The Legislature shall have the power to collect taxes in order to pay the debts and provide for the defense and welfare of South Arctica; and to borrow money for similar purposes.
2 – The Legislature shall have the power to regulate commerce with other nations.
3 – The Legislature shall have the power and responsibility to bestow Citizenship.
4 – The Legislature shall have the power and responsibility to mint currency, the unit of currency defined as the AUNCE, one ounce of pure gold.
5 – The Legislature shall have the power and responsibility to establish a Patent and Copyright Office, and to promote scientific research and the arts.
6 – The Legislature shall have the power to declare war, and to establish armed forces.
7 – The Legislature shall have the power to approve laws in the interests of the people and the state of South Arctica. Laws which are passed by simple majority must thereafter be approved by the Council and signed by the First Citizen. Laws which are passed by a 75% majority may override the Council and First Citizen’s veto.
Article III – Composition of the Administration
1 – The Administration shall consist of a First and Second Citizen, to be chosen by popular vote among all the Citizens of South Arctica, in addition to a Council, comprising ten members to be appointed by the First Citizen. Potential Appointments to the Council must be made public prior to the election of the First Citizen and Second Citizen. The Administration as a whole will serve a term of four years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
2 – In the event that the First Citizen may not carry out the duties of office, the Second Citizen shall assume said duties, followed by the members of Council in a predetermined order.
3 – In the even that any Council member is unable to complete the term of office, a new Council member shall be chosen by the remaining members of the Council.
4 – No more than two Council members from any one district shall serve on the Council.
5 – The Council shall be comprised of the following officials:
Ambassador to the World
Director of Education and Research
Head of Internal Security
Chief Economist
Attorney General
Environmental Director
Manager of Transportation
Secretary of Defense
Superintendent of Public Services
Officer of Child Welfare
6 – The Council is presided over by the First Citizen, who shall not vote unless the Council should be equally divided.
7 – No member of Council shall be appointed or elected to any other public office for the duration of their term.
Article IV – Powers of the Administration
1 – The First Citizen shall be Commander in Chief of all the armed forces of South Arctica.
2 – The First Citizen may require official statements of opinion by any Council member.
3 – The First Citizen may have the power to grant Pardon for criminal offenses, except in cases of Impeachment.
4 – The First Citizen, with the majority approval of the Council and the Senate, shall have the power to make treaties with other nations.
5 – The Council shall have the power and responsibility to vote on any law which does not pass the Senate with a 75% majority. The First Citizen may have the power to veto any law which does not pass the Senate with a 75% majority.
6 – The Council may override any decision made by the First Citizen with an 80% majority vote.
7 – The First Citizen, with the majority approval of the Council, shall have the power to appoint Justices to the Supreme Court.
8 – The First Citizen, with the majority approval of the Council, shall have the power to appoint Senators to fill any permanent vacancies that occur while the Senate is in session.
9 – The First Citizen, on an annual basis, shall address the Senate, Council, and Judiciary regarding the State of the Union, and shall make recommendations concerning matters of State.
Article V – Composition of the Judiciary
1 – The Judiciary shall be comprised of a Supreme Court, consisting of nine Justices who shall each be appointed for a term of eighteen years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Appointment of justices shall take place once every two years, such that each two years a new appointment is made.
2 – The Judiciary shall oversee the creation of lower courts, which shall serve the public in the determination of justice.
3 – No Justice shall be appointed or elected to any other public office for the duration of their term.
Article VI – Powers of the Judiciary
1 – The Judiciary shall have the sole power to try all cases, controversies to which the Nation of South Arctica is a party, and controversies between districts, with the exception of Impeachment cases.
2 – The Judiciary shall have the power to declare the unconstitutionality of any law passed in the Senate and/or the Council.
Article VII – Impeachment of Public Officials
1 – Impeachment hearings may be called for any public official in the case of a high criminal offense, or a majority vote of “no confidence” by the Legislature, Council, and Judiciary.
2 – The Senate shall hear the evidence for and against the accused at a public Impeachment hearing, and shall vote for or against Impeachment at the conclusion of said hearing, a 75% majority being required for Impeachment.
3 – The Judiciary shall have the power to override Impeachment through unanimous vote.
4 – The First Citizen shall not have the power to grant Pardon to any Impeached public official for the offenses for which the official was Impeached.
Article VIII – Amendment of the Constitution
1 – Amendments may be proposed to the Constitution by the unanimous agreement of the Council, or not less than 25% of the Senate.
2 – Amendments to the Constitution must pass a 75% majority in the Senate.
3 – New Amendments to the Constitution must be presented for a second vote after a period of five years, whereupon the Senate may repeal the amendment given a 75% majority.
4 – The First Citizen shall have the power to call into question any amendment held to be in violation of inherent Human Rights, and may call for a special vote by the Senate to repeal the amendment given a 75% majority.
Article IX – Powers of the People
All powers not specifically attributed to the State shall reside with the People, to delegate as they see fit.
DIVISION C: AMENDMENTS
I. Definition of Life
The state of Life is hereby recognized as occurring not before the moment of birth.
Any being that exists in a state of complete physical dependency upon another shall not be recognized as an independent person under the law.
II. Civil Union
In recognition of the basic human need to socially, emotionally, and physically bond with another, the concept of Civil Union is hereby established.
1 – A Civil Union, or Merging, shall consist of two and only two Citizens as defined in Division A, Article II of this Constitution.
2 – The purpose of a Civil Union being to form a legally recognized Household or Family Unit, there shall be no pre-existing legally recognized familial relationship between the two parties of the Merging.
3 – No Citizen may enter into another Civil Union until the existing Union is Dissolved.
4 – The terms of a Civil Union are legally comparable to any other sort of binding contract.
5 – Parties to a Civil Union may enjoy certain benefits accorded to a Household, including reduced taxation, establishment of next-of-kin, power of attorney, joint holding of assets and property, joint custody of Noncitizens and/or children, and any benefits accorded by private institutions to a Household.
III. Capital Punishment
In recognition of the essential rights of all humans to Life, security of person, freedom from cruel punishments, and ownership over their own bodies, the use of state-sponsored Capital Punishment is hereby prohibited.
IV. Recognition of Nonhumans
All creatures possessing of intelligence, self-awareness, and consciousness shall enjoy the rights of Humanity and be eligible for Citizenship.
V. Addition of Districts
1 – The Legislature shall have the power to approve petitions for Districthood from any territory within the legal borders of South Arctica.
2 – For each new District defined within the borders of South Arctica, the size of the legislature shall be increased by ten for each district added therefore.
3 – No part of Outer Space may petition for Districthood.
VI. Election of Public Officials
1 – Election of all public officials to the Legislature, Administration, or Judiciary shall be decided based on a point system wherein candidates are numbered by voters in order of preference, the candidates with the highest preference to be awarded the most votes.
2 – The candidate with the highest vote count is to be determined the winner of the election.
3 – No public official, whether appointed or elected, may be granted a term of indefinite length.
VII. Office of the State Philosopher
It is the responsibility of the State Philosopher to see that the Nation of South Arctica should always be aware of the Principles of Humanism, the inherent Rights of All People, and the Logical and Ethical considerations in its actions and decisions.
1 - The State Philosopher shall be elected by popular vote of the people, who each shall choose no more than four potential candidates.
2 - No nominations for the State Philosopher shall be accepted; all votes must be for a write-in candidate.
3 - The State Philosopher shall serve a term length of one year, and may be elected to any number of consecutive terms.
4 - The State Philosopher shall have the power to attend any and all conferences, meetings, and sessions of state, regardless of the level of Security.
5 – The State Philosopher shall have the power to interrupt any discussion of state matters for a period of not more than ten minutes, no more often than once per day, during which time the decision process for the matter under discussion must be halted for the duration of his statement.
6 – The State Philosopher shall give a public statement of one hour in length every seven days for the duration of his term.
7 – The State Philosopher may be dismissed at any time, for any reason, with consensus of the Legislature, Council, and Judiciary (to be determined by popular vote in each branch) and must be replaced within seven days by special election of the people, the resulting State Philosopher to serve the remaining term.
8 – The Office of State Philosopher is independent of any other branch of government, and has no vote other than his vote as a Citizen.
9 – The State Philosopher may appoint a staff, the members of which do not inherently share the powers of his office.
VIII. Membership in the United Nations
1 – The Nation of South Arctica is hereby made part of the United Nations, thereby adopting all resolutions of that body.
2 – The Nation of South Arctica reserves the power to dissolve this association through repeal of this amendment.
IX: Compensation of Public Officials
1 – Monetary compensation for the duties of public officials shall be determined by the Senate.
2 – No law affecting the compensation of public officials shall take effect until the next election has taken place.
THE HUMANIST MANIFESTO:
The Humanist Manifesto shall not constitute law; rather, it shall serve as guiding principle for the Nation of South Arctica.
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.
This document is part of an ongoing effort to manifest in clear and positive terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanism, not what we must believe but a consensus of what we do believe. It is in this sense that we affirm the following:
Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. Humanists find that science is the best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to analysis by critical intelligence.
Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known.
Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.
Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the lifestance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty.
Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all.
Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.
Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.
Thus engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.
(The Humanist Manifesto, © 2003 American Humanist Association)
SIGNED THIS DAY the FIFTH of DECEMBER, 2005, by all the 57 million people in the Nation of South Arctica
(signatures are inscribed below in really, really small text that you can't see in order to save space)
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Be it known that on this day, the Fifth of December in 2004, the Nation of South Arctica did ratify and move into effect its CONSTITUTION. Ambassadors from around the world are invited to join us in celebrating this great day for our nation, and to engage in spirited debate over the content of our Constitution.
WE THE PEOPLE of SOUTH ARCTICA do hereby establish this CONSTITUTION by which to guide our Nation and its Citizens in Perpetuity.
Our nation is founded upon the principles of HUMANISM, a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
DIVISION A: THE PEOPLE
Article I - Humanity
Humanity is an inherent quality possessed by all people and deniable by no entity.
In recognition of the inherent worth of all Humanity, it is held by the people of South Arctica that all the people of the World, no matter what physical, spiritual, intellectual, or personal qualities distinguish them as individuals, are possessing of certain inalienable rights and undeniable responsibilities by virtue of their status as human beings.
1 – All humans are born free and equal under the law.
2 – All humans have the right to life, liberty and privacy of mind, freedom of spirit, and security of person.
3 – All humans are irrevocably the sole owners of their own bodies and minds. No human may be held in slavery to another.
4 – All humans have the right to freely express their opinions, whether it be in the written or spoken word. No human may be obligated to provide medium to express the opinion of another. All humans have the right to petition the State.
4 – All humans have the right to equality under the law, under all circumstances.
5 – All humans are to be presumed innocent of crime until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, in a fair, impartial, and public manner, according to the rule of law and the principles of logic.
6 – All humans have the right to live free of arbitrary arrest, detention and/or exile; torture, cruel punishments, and/or brutality; violation of body and/or mind; and/or unwarranted persecution.
7 – All humans have the right to due process of law, and the right to maintain liberty and property in the absence of due process.
8 – All humans have the right to peaceful interaction with other humans.
9 – The enumeration of certain rights in this Constitution shall not imply the denial of rights not so enumerated.
It is the responsibility of all humans to respect and uphold these rights for themselves and for others.
Article II - Citizenship
The ultimate responsibility to safeguard, develop, and empower our nation resides solely in the Citizens of South Arctica.
While Humanity is an inherent quality possessed by all and deniable by none, Citizenship is a status bestowed by the State. A Citizen of South Arctica is recognized by the following characteristics:
1 – A Citizen must be a living human being.
2 – A Citizen must affirm his status as such, accepting the rights and responsibilities of Citizenship voluntarily.
3 – A Citizen must be natural-born within our nation’s borders, or legally naturalized as a foreign-born Citizen.
4 – Citizens must forswear all other national allegiances and affirm that their only allegiance is to the Nation of South Arctica.
5 – Citizens must have achieved and accepted the status of Adulthood, in recognition of the fact that human children must grow and learn in order to assume the responsibility of Citizenship. The status of Adulthood is bestowed upon one who is not less than the age of 16 years, and who has completed a State-approved primary education program.
6 - Citizens must be of sound mind, in recognition of the fact that only those possessing of rationality and an understanding of ethics are able to assume the responsibility of Citizenship.
7 – Citizenship may not be denied to anyone on the basis of gender, appearance, religion, political or other opinion, or any status of those in acquaintance.
The State may not revoke the status of Citizenship without due process of law, nor may the Citizen relinquish their status as a Citizen without duly informing the State.
Article III -Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
All Citizens of South Arctica hold certain civil rights and responsibilities.
1 - All Citizens shall have the right to enter into a legally binding contract, and the responsibility to honor that contract.
2 - All Citizens shall have the right to assume guardianship of a Noncitizen, and the responsibility to safeguard their human rights.
3 - All Citizens shall have the right to own property, and the responsibility to acknowledge that ownership.
4 - All Citizens shall have the right to freedom of movement and to leave the country, and the responsibility to heed the customs and laws of other lands.
5 - All Citizens shall have the right to possess a firearm, and the responsibility to be held accountable for its use.
6 - All Citizens shall have the right to give consent for sex, and the responsibility to bear the consequences thereof.
7 - All Citizens shall have the right and responsibility to assume public office.
8 - All Citizens shall have the right and responsibility to vote for candidates for public office.
9 - All Citizens shall have the right to waive any rights as a Citizen, and in so doing to abdicate any corresponding responsibilities.
DIVISION B: THE STATE
Article I - Composition of the Legislature
1 – The Legislature shall consist of an elected body of 100 Senators, chosen from each of the ten Districts of South Arctica. Each Senator shall have one vote.
2 – The number of Senators from each District shall be two plus a number to be based upon the relative number of Citizens residing in each District, not less than one and not more than eighteen. Census shall be taken every ten years. Senators shall be elected by popular vote of the people of each district, serve terms of two years, and may not serve more than four consecutive terms. Senators must reside in the District which they represent for the duration of their term.
3 – The Second Citizen of South Arctica shall preside over the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.
4 – No Senator may be appointed or elected to any other Civil Office during the duration of their term.
Article II - Powers of the Legislature
1 – The Legislature shall have the power to collect taxes in order to pay the debts and provide for the defense and welfare of South Arctica; and to borrow money for similar purposes.
2 – The Legislature shall have the power to regulate commerce with other nations.
3 – The Legislature shall have the power and responsibility to bestow Citizenship.
4 – The Legislature shall have the power and responsibility to mint currency, the unit of currency defined as the AUNCE, one ounce of pure gold.
5 – The Legislature shall have the power and responsibility to establish a Patent and Copyright Office, and to promote scientific research and the arts.
6 – The Legislature shall have the power to declare war, and to establish armed forces.
7 – The Legislature shall have the power to approve laws in the interests of the people and the state of South Arctica. Laws which are passed by simple majority must thereafter be approved by the Council and signed by the First Citizen. Laws which are passed by a 75% majority may override the Council and First Citizen’s veto.
Article III – Composition of the Administration
1 – The Administration shall consist of a First and Second Citizen, to be chosen by popular vote among all the Citizens of South Arctica, in addition to a Council, comprising ten members to be appointed by the First Citizen. Potential Appointments to the Council must be made public prior to the election of the First Citizen and Second Citizen. The Administration as a whole will serve a term of four years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
2 – In the event that the First Citizen may not carry out the duties of office, the Second Citizen shall assume said duties, followed by the members of Council in a predetermined order.
3 – In the even that any Council member is unable to complete the term of office, a new Council member shall be chosen by the remaining members of the Council.
4 – No more than two Council members from any one district shall serve on the Council.
5 – The Council shall be comprised of the following officials:
Ambassador to the World
Director of Education and Research
Head of Internal Security
Chief Economist
Attorney General
Environmental Director
Manager of Transportation
Secretary of Defense
Superintendent of Public Services
Officer of Child Welfare
6 – The Council is presided over by the First Citizen, who shall not vote unless the Council should be equally divided.
7 – No member of Council shall be appointed or elected to any other public office for the duration of their term.
Article IV – Powers of the Administration
1 – The First Citizen shall be Commander in Chief of all the armed forces of South Arctica.
2 – The First Citizen may require official statements of opinion by any Council member.
3 – The First Citizen may have the power to grant Pardon for criminal offenses, except in cases of Impeachment.
4 – The First Citizen, with the majority approval of the Council and the Senate, shall have the power to make treaties with other nations.
5 – The Council shall have the power and responsibility to vote on any law which does not pass the Senate with a 75% majority. The First Citizen may have the power to veto any law which does not pass the Senate with a 75% majority.
6 – The Council may override any decision made by the First Citizen with an 80% majority vote.
7 – The First Citizen, with the majority approval of the Council, shall have the power to appoint Justices to the Supreme Court.
8 – The First Citizen, with the majority approval of the Council, shall have the power to appoint Senators to fill any permanent vacancies that occur while the Senate is in session.
9 – The First Citizen, on an annual basis, shall address the Senate, Council, and Judiciary regarding the State of the Union, and shall make recommendations concerning matters of State.
Article V – Composition of the Judiciary
1 – The Judiciary shall be comprised of a Supreme Court, consisting of nine Justices who shall each be appointed for a term of eighteen years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Appointment of justices shall take place once every two years, such that each two years a new appointment is made.
2 – The Judiciary shall oversee the creation of lower courts, which shall serve the public in the determination of justice.
3 – No Justice shall be appointed or elected to any other public office for the duration of their term.
Article VI – Powers of the Judiciary
1 – The Judiciary shall have the sole power to try all cases, controversies to which the Nation of South Arctica is a party, and controversies between districts, with the exception of Impeachment cases.
2 – The Judiciary shall have the power to declare the unconstitutionality of any law passed in the Senate and/or the Council.
Article VII – Impeachment of Public Officials
1 – Impeachment hearings may be called for any public official in the case of a high criminal offense, or a majority vote of “no confidence” by the Legislature, Council, and Judiciary.
2 – The Senate shall hear the evidence for and against the accused at a public Impeachment hearing, and shall vote for or against Impeachment at the conclusion of said hearing, a 75% majority being required for Impeachment.
3 – The Judiciary shall have the power to override Impeachment through unanimous vote.
4 – The First Citizen shall not have the power to grant Pardon to any Impeached public official for the offenses for which the official was Impeached.
Article VIII – Amendment of the Constitution
1 – Amendments may be proposed to the Constitution by the unanimous agreement of the Council, or not less than 25% of the Senate.
2 – Amendments to the Constitution must pass a 75% majority in the Senate.
3 – New Amendments to the Constitution must be presented for a second vote after a period of five years, whereupon the Senate may repeal the amendment given a 75% majority.
4 – The First Citizen shall have the power to call into question any amendment held to be in violation of inherent Human Rights, and may call for a special vote by the Senate to repeal the amendment given a 75% majority.
Article IX – Powers of the People
All powers not specifically attributed to the State shall reside with the People, to delegate as they see fit.
DIVISION C: AMENDMENTS
I. Definition of Life
The state of Life is hereby recognized as occurring not before the moment of birth.
Any being that exists in a state of complete physical dependency upon another shall not be recognized as an independent person under the law.
II. Civil Union
In recognition of the basic human need to socially, emotionally, and physically bond with another, the concept of Civil Union is hereby established.
1 – A Civil Union, or Merging, shall consist of two and only two Citizens as defined in Division A, Article II of this Constitution.
2 – The purpose of a Civil Union being to form a legally recognized Household or Family Unit, there shall be no pre-existing legally recognized familial relationship between the two parties of the Merging.
3 – No Citizen may enter into another Civil Union until the existing Union is Dissolved.
4 – The terms of a Civil Union are legally comparable to any other sort of binding contract.
5 – Parties to a Civil Union may enjoy certain benefits accorded to a Household, including reduced taxation, establishment of next-of-kin, power of attorney, joint holding of assets and property, joint custody of Noncitizens and/or children, and any benefits accorded by private institutions to a Household.
III. Capital Punishment
In recognition of the essential rights of all humans to Life, security of person, freedom from cruel punishments, and ownership over their own bodies, the use of state-sponsored Capital Punishment is hereby prohibited.
IV. Recognition of Nonhumans
All creatures possessing of intelligence, self-awareness, and consciousness shall enjoy the rights of Humanity and be eligible for Citizenship.
V. Addition of Districts
1 – The Legislature shall have the power to approve petitions for Districthood from any territory within the legal borders of South Arctica.
2 – For each new District defined within the borders of South Arctica, the size of the legislature shall be increased by ten for each district added therefore.
3 – No part of Outer Space may petition for Districthood.
VI. Election of Public Officials
1 – Election of all public officials to the Legislature, Administration, or Judiciary shall be decided based on a point system wherein candidates are numbered by voters in order of preference, the candidates with the highest preference to be awarded the most votes.
2 – The candidate with the highest vote count is to be determined the winner of the election.
3 – No public official, whether appointed or elected, may be granted a term of indefinite length.
VII. Office of the State Philosopher
It is the responsibility of the State Philosopher to see that the Nation of South Arctica should always be aware of the Principles of Humanism, the inherent Rights of All People, and the Logical and Ethical considerations in its actions and decisions.
1 - The State Philosopher shall be elected by popular vote of the people, who each shall choose no more than four potential candidates.
2 - No nominations for the State Philosopher shall be accepted; all votes must be for a write-in candidate.
3 - The State Philosopher shall serve a term length of one year, and may be elected to any number of consecutive terms.
4 - The State Philosopher shall have the power to attend any and all conferences, meetings, and sessions of state, regardless of the level of Security.
5 – The State Philosopher shall have the power to interrupt any discussion of state matters for a period of not more than ten minutes, no more often than once per day, during which time the decision process for the matter under discussion must be halted for the duration of his statement.
6 – The State Philosopher shall give a public statement of one hour in length every seven days for the duration of his term.
7 – The State Philosopher may be dismissed at any time, for any reason, with consensus of the Legislature, Council, and Judiciary (to be determined by popular vote in each branch) and must be replaced within seven days by special election of the people, the resulting State Philosopher to serve the remaining term.
8 – The Office of State Philosopher is independent of any other branch of government, and has no vote other than his vote as a Citizen.
9 – The State Philosopher may appoint a staff, the members of which do not inherently share the powers of his office.
VIII. Membership in the United Nations
1 – The Nation of South Arctica is hereby made part of the United Nations, thereby adopting all resolutions of that body.
2 – The Nation of South Arctica reserves the power to dissolve this association through repeal of this amendment.
IX: Compensation of Public Officials
1 – Monetary compensation for the duties of public officials shall be determined by the Senate.
2 – No law affecting the compensation of public officials shall take effect until the next election has taken place.
THE HUMANIST MANIFESTO:
The Humanist Manifesto shall not constitute law; rather, it shall serve as guiding principle for the Nation of South Arctica.
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.
This document is part of an ongoing effort to manifest in clear and positive terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanism, not what we must believe but a consensus of what we do believe. It is in this sense that we affirm the following:
Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. Humanists find that science is the best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to analysis by critical intelligence.
Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known.
Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.
Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the lifestance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty.
Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all.
Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.
Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.
Thus engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.
(The Humanist Manifesto, © 2003 American Humanist Association)
SIGNED THIS DAY the FIFTH of DECEMBER, 2005, by all the 57 million people in the Nation of South Arctica
(signatures are inscribed below in really, really small text that you can't see in order to save space)
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