NationStates Jolt Archive

This is something of a crossover from roleplay to General, although, obviously, it involves no roleplay.

However, after just reading some of a thread devoted to a debate surrounding socialism, I had a thought.

"Does anyone really think the governmental/social system in my roleplayed nation is workable?"

Let's ignore tech, for the purpose of this, because it really is irrelevant to the system anyway. Imagine that the nation for which the below constitution is made was your nation: the very country you live in right this instant. You are a citizen.

What would you despise? Love? Hate? Assuming your nation is capitalist now, and had made the transition to this style of government and economy, what would your feelings be?

Debate! :)

And the Iluvauromeni Constitution may be found here (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Iluvauromeni_Constitution).

5.1.1 Freedom of movement and assembly.

5.1.2 Religous freedom.

5.1.3 Freedom of speech.

5.1.4 Right to vote in all elections not to be abridged.

5.1.5 Right to legal counsel, timely trial, and habeas corpus.

5.1.6 Freedom from unreasonable search or seizure, double jepardy, or self-incrimination of any variety excepting explicitly voluntary and regulated psychic probing.

5.1.7 Freedom from cruel or unreasonable punishments.

5.1.8 Right to choice of employment.

5.1.9 Right to the majority of the economic benefits of one's own labour, as calculated by the now inactive Commission for Sustainable Working Benefits (the Commission is to be re-activated in 05 D.E.), but never less than 50 per cent in any case.

5.1.10 Right to a meaningful part in the management of one's work.

5.1.11 Right to a minimum living wage for life.

5.1.12 Right to excellent health care.

5.1.13 Right to a minimum food budget.

5.1.14 Right to a safe working environment.

5.1.15 Right to an optimally healthy environment in the Commonality.

5.1.16 Right to be safe from lethal arms, and to be protected from criminal actions.

5.1.17 Right to (at least) adequate and safe housing.

5.1.18 Right to a politically and ideologically impartial education of a high and exacting standard in as many disciplines as possible.

5.1.19 Right to property for the use of political or ideological debate.

5.1.20 Right to freedom from partisan politics.
All the bold ones I don't think could work. They're ill-defined and in many cases not things a government can provide. You can't write a constitution against the conditions of reality.

All the bold ones I don't think could work. They're ill-defined and in many cases not things a government can provide. You can't write a constitution against the conditions of reality.

Hrm. For housing matters, also see the Home Exchange Program (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Home_Exchange_Program). The rest is managed via the complex '100%' tax system. You give all your money to the government (virtually, not literally, which would take alot more explaining), then it gives it back. Average tax ends up at about 32% (as a 'current' figure only - it need not be 32%).

Right to a food budget is easily attained in a modern state, and, indeed, is already managed in many European states via a welfare system, as well as having historical basis for success.

Right to at least 50% of one's capital produce is not an alien concept, and has been achieved in the past. The greed of individuals tends to overbalance it, tipping towards a more feudal, capitalist system, which is why the Economic Court is also mandated in the Constitution.

Meaningful living wage for life obviously refers to the individual's commitment to ensure their own fiscal support either by provision of shared tax responsibility or by working. Working, in the situation described whereby 50% or more of one's capital produce is passed onto the worker, provides this.

The excellent health care clause is notably vague. It is intentionally thus. This could be achieved by a government by either public healthcare or by actively regulating, subsidising, and supporting cheap private care - or encouraging it's citizens do likewise through special donation programs.

I fail to see why partisan politics would be difficult to eradicate. No more parties: all members of all councils and all administrative bodies that are elected are independents. Whether this works in practice or not as far as the formation of voting blocs is irrelevant; the idea is to weight the political system towards diversity rather than convergence.

The right to housing is fairly basic. I don't think anyone can dispute that this should be a basic human right, and, if not practically, it is.

I note that at least two of those you have bolded are on the UN Human Rights Charter.

*prods thread* No other interest?