NationStates Jolt Archive

Alright, I've finallydragged out the will to write up my nations constitution, and I have no idea where to begin.
Legal stuff is not my passion, so I've got no experiance in this.
I do, however, have a good idea of what I want in it, so I'm not completely unprepared.

So.. can anyone give me sugestions on where to start and proceed?

Read a few RL constitutions and copy-paste with modifications that you want.

Read a few RL constitutions and copy-paste with modifications that you want.


I don't even have a clue of where to find those.

List of links to constitutions of countries.
http://confinder.richmond.edu/

Check up the "International Constitutional Law" site through google. Very good and very in depth.

Alright, I've got like 50 windows open now, lol. I'm comming up with a basic Chapter 1 (I kinda like the outline of the Iraq 1990 constitution, so I'm copying it). I'll post it here for review if you guys don't mind. When done.

Ok, so here's what I have so far.
This is just the first part, I expect there to be quite a few of them.
Questions, comments, and suggestions are welecome.

------------------------------------------------


The Constitution of Sumer
Enacted: Year 10,004 (2005 CE)



Preamble:
We, the parents, children, and citizens of Sumer, bound together by history, by blood, and by faith, with the interests of peace and harmony among our lands in mind, do herby approve and recognise this document as the Constitution of the Dictorial Republic of Sumer.

Chapter I: The Dictorial Republic of Sumer

Article I: Constitutional Amendments
(1) With the exception of Chapter I, this Constitution may be amended by the will of the Citizens of Sumer, following a fair and just referendum, with a result in favour of the proposed amendment of seventy-five percent (75%) or greater.
(2) Chapter I of this Constitution may not, in any way, be altered by legislative process, or by the People or Government of Sumer.

Article II: National Identity
(1) The Dictorial Republic of Sumer shall be the official title, equivalent with the titles of “Sumer” and the “Republic of Sumer”.
(2) Sumerian is the Official Language.
(3) The Sumerian religion, as practised by authorized Priests in licensed Temples, is the Official state recognised religion.

Article III: Government Authority
(1) Government Authority shall be held by an appointed Dictator, and bound to this Constitution under punishment of National law.
(2) The Civil Senate shall be the representation of the people, for the people, to the government of Sumer.
(3) The Civil Senate, following a vote of eighty percent (80%) in favour, and a referendum of the people with an eighty percent (80%) in favour vote, may counteract the wishes of the Dictator, and/or install a new Dictator by popular vote or force.
(4) Government office may be held only by a citizen who has held a rank as Officer in the Armed Forces of Sumer, and is restricted to a wage equivalent to one-hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($120,000 USD) per year of service, and a pension equalling half pay for so long as the Government Official remains alive.
(5) The Dictator remains in authority for life, unless otherwise removed by force, the Civil Senate, or abdication. Civil Senators remain in Office for a period of no more then four (4) years.

Article IV: The State
(1) The sovereignty and territory of Sumer is an indivisible entity, of which no part may separate.
(2) The objective of the Dictorial Republic of Sumer is the continuation of the principals of its ancestors, and the realization of a peaceful, stable state for its citizens.
(3) The National Flag, Emblem, and all stipulations concerning the two are governed by National law.
(4) Uruk is the capital city of Sumer, and can be transferred by law.
(5) The Dictorial Republic of Sumer is divided into self-administrated Regions, and Municipalities, each self autonomous within the confines of National law.
(6) All Regions of Sumer shall be considered equal, and share an equal number of seats in the civil Senate.

Article V: Nationality and Citizenship
(1) Citizenship of the Dictorial Republic of Sumer shall be regulated by National law.
(2) Citizenship of the Dictorial Republic of Sumer may only be obtained by those practitioners of the State recognised religion.
(3) Citizenship of the Dictorial Republic of Sumer carries with it the privilege of voting in elections for the Civil Senate, and of running for those elections, no other benefits may be bestowed upon a Citizen.
(4) All people of Sumer who do not meet the requirement for Citizenship may be Legal Residents, carrying all rights and freedoms guaranteed to them by National Law, and bound by all such responsibilities.
(5) This Constitution recognises the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of age, race, religion, or political affiliation.

Good, simple, understandable, and very hard to twist to personal ends.

Good, simple, understandable, and very hard to twist to personal ends.

I was going for that actually. Trying to work in my idea that a Dictatorship can work, when regulated. And this is the regulation.