NationStates Jolt Archive


Draft of the Constitution of Canan (critiquing welcomed)

Canan
28-07-2004, 04:53
Occ: This is my first attempt and I kinda based it off the United States Constitution, because I could not think of how to start. Any CONSTRUCTIVE comments/ideas are more than welcome.

Draft of the Constitution of Canan


We the people of the Democratic Republic of Canan hereby certify that this document shall be the guidelines in establishing democracy, justice, a common defense, and the welfare of the nation.

Article I: Government

Section I: Legislative Branch
Sub-Section I: The Legislative branch shall be composed of one house, the Senate.

Sub-Section II: The Senate shall be composed of members chosen every two years from two political districts.

Sub-Section III: Each Senator shall serve no more than three four year terms.

Sub-Section IV: No member of the Senate shall be younger than thirty-five years, must be a ten year resident of the political district in which he/she is running in, and must be a twenty year resident of the nation of Canan.

Sub-Section V: The Senate shall have the power to submit and pass laws on the national level concerning any item they see fit. The Senate shall also have the sole power to try an impeachment case. When presiding over an impeachment, the entire Senate must be present. The Senate has the sole power to declare war on another sovereign nation.

Sub-Section VI: The Senate shall have the power to choose a Senate Head who shall preside over the Senate during his/her term. After the term is over, they do not automatically resume the position of Senate Head, but must be voted into power by the Senate.

Sub-Section VII: The Senate Head shall gain the power of the Prime Minister if the Prime Minister is unable to do his/her duties due to a sickness, injury or death.


Section II: Executive Branch:
Sub-Section I: The Executive branch shall be composed of a Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

Sub-Section II: The Prime Minister shall be elected every eight years by the people of Canan.

Sub-Section III: The time in the office of Prime Minister shall not exceed three terms of eight years.
Sub-Section IV: If the Prime Minister cannot perform his/her duties, the Senate Head shall assume power until the Prime Minister is able to perform his/her duties. If the Prime Minister dies while in office the Senate Head shall only finish his/her term.

Sub-Section V: The Prime Minister must not be under the age of thirty-five years, and must have been born a citizen of Canan.
Clause I: Any child born on a military base, embassy, etc. shall be considered a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Canan.

Sub-Section VI: The Prime Minister shall have the power to appoint his/her own cabinet. The Prime Minister shall have the power to veto any bill that has been passed by the Senate.

Sub-Section VII: The Cabinet shall be composed of the following offices: The Ministry of Defense, The Ministry of Internal Affairs, The Ministry of Agriculture, The Ministry of Industry, The Ministry of Transportation, The Surgeon General, The Attorney General, The Ministry of Science, and The Ministry of Religion. Each Cabinet Official shall remain in office for the duration of the Prime Minister’s term(s). The Senate must approve all cabinet level appointments.

Section III: Judicial Branch
Sub-Section I: The Judicial Branch shall be composed of three courts. The Court of Appeals, the Court of Internal Affairs, and the Court of International Affairs.

Sub-Section II: Each court shall be composed of three justices.

Sub-Section III: The Prime Minister has the power to appoint the all members of the Federal Court system. The Senate must approve all Federal Court appointments.

Sub-Section IV: The Court of Appeals shall hear any case that has been appealed from the lower District courts. The decision of the Federal Court of Appeals is final.

Sub-Section V: The Court of Internal Affairs shall hear any case concerning the welfare of the nation. Any case heard here can be appealed to the Federal Court of Appeals.

Sub-Section VI: The Court of International Affairs shall hear any case concerning any sovereign nation. The decision of the Court of International Affairs is final.

Sub-Section VII: All members of all Federal Courts shall maintain their position for life, or until retirement.
The Macabees
28-07-2004, 05:10
OOC: The US Constitution doesn't explain the branches of the government - it gives articles of nation wide law.
Canan
28-07-2004, 05:14
read it again. It does give descriptions of the government, as well as the amendments.
Heilpern
28-07-2004, 05:23
One of the remarkably genius points in th usc, is that it allows for amendments. I would insert this into the next draft as well as setting perameters for what the brancches can ad cannot do. In the USC this is provided for by listing the checks and balances between the branches
Canan
28-07-2004, 05:30
Yes, well I tried to do some checks and balances but I must not have made them clear enough or something. Also, the amendments will more than likely be figured out later, when I have enough time to think up a few.
East Verona
28-07-2004, 05:31
1 part bugged me.

For declaring war, there is no check on the Senate. So if the Senate hates one country for the hell of it, it can declare war on that country without an Executive veto, or even a court ruling. Sounds like a corporation to me. Try to work that out.
Canan
28-07-2004, 05:36
yeah, your right. forgot about that part. *fixes constituion*
Canan
28-07-2004, 06:03
a minor bump
Canan
28-07-2004, 06:42
last bump of the night