NationStates Jolt Archive


NSCL Manifesto

Vittos Ordination
04-10-2005, 21:48
Since the NS General Election fervor has been stirred up again I am going to make another attempt to complete the NSCL manifesto.

Constitutional Principles
Defining the nature of society and its duty to the citizen

1. The fundamental goal of a free society should be the preservation of the rights and responsibilities of the individual.

2. To insure the preservation of the individual's rights, the governments power shall be limited to the minimal that is necessary to prevent the encroachment of the individual's rights.

Implications:
a. The government shall not impose or allow any restrictions upon the individual's right to the free expression of ideas and beliefs.
b. The government shall not impose or allow any restrictions upon the individuals right to information.
c. The government shall not impose or allow any restrictions upon the individuals right to assemble peacefully.
d. Religion is a personal choice and of no concern to the government, therefore government will neither recognize nor restrict religious views.

3. The policies and actions of government shall be undertaken in a way that grants equal utility and equal freedom for all citizens of the society. If ever a conflict arises between these two concepts, priority is given to freedom.

4. All rights shall be allowed equally to all individuals dependent on the level of competency in understanding the responsibilities that are bound to these rights.

5. Economic regulations shall be maintained by the natural competitive forces of the free market.

6. The government shall protect the individual's property rights.

Implications:
a. Individuals shall retain allodial rights, in that they can convey property rights through inheritance.
b. Government shall have the power of eminent domain only to provide necessary universally-utilizable services to society.

7. Taxation shall fulfill the cost of necessary government services.

Implications:
a. All individuals shall be taxed an equal percentage of their consumption of the society's production.
b. All benefits or services financed through taxation shall be offered universally.
c. All services that are financed through taxation must be services that are unprofitable to the free market.
d. Government may provide any other legal service, but shall not finance these services through taxation.

8. The government shall maintain a monopoly on violence. All armed defense of the right shall remain the full and sole jurisdiction of the government.

Implications:
a.The government shall be responsible for a standing army for use to protect the citizen's rights from external forces. Military service is a profession, and the army’s ranks shall consist of professionals.
b. Under no circumstances will conscription be allowed.
c. No discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or sexuality shall be imposed within the ranks of the military.
d. The government shall be responsible for a police force to protect the citizen's rights from internal forces.
e. A national police coordinating body shall be formed, with representation from all areas, to direct the financing and operations of the police.
f. Local communities may institute its own policing as it so desires. In event of conflict between national and local police interests, national police recieves priority.

9. Government shall be at the most local level commensurate with the fulfillment of its duties towards the citizens.

Voting Process

1. The executive shall be directly elected by the entire adult suffrage.

2. The Legislative body shall be divided into two houses. The lower house shall have one representative per (n) citizens, such that there shall be (x) representatives. The upper house shall be made up of experts. These shall be elected by the limited educated suffrage, in the field in which they are qualified. There being three representatives for each field. The role of the upper house is to be consultative and advisory only. All law is to be created by the lower house.

3. The age of majority shall be set at 18 or upon the completion of a test of judgment capability. All individuals under the age of 18 shall have the inviolable right to take this assessment once per calendar year.

Contributions would be welcome.