NationStates Jolt Archive

I don't know if this has been done before, so if it has I'd appreciate being pointed to that thread and having a mod close this one. If not, though, here it is. I think it will be interesting to see how most nations on NS are truly ruled.



Tannenmille
On Paper: Democratic Monarchy
In Practice: Hereditary Monarchy with partial democratic aspects.
How it Works:

Chain of Command: Sovereign Arbiter, Chancellory, Parliament, District Governments, Local Governments.

Chain of Command (Saharistan District): Sovereign Arbiter, Chancellory, Saharistan-based Armed Forces, Local Government.


An elected Parliament drafts laws, then Parliament passes select laws to the Chancellory for refinement. Refined laws passed back to Parliament for review, then are passed back to the Chancellory after revisions. After the Chancellory and Parliament agree on the law, it is passed to Sovereign Arbiter for final review and acceptance or denial.
The Sovereign Arbiter can legally declare war without consulting the Chancellory or Parliament, but a vote in Parliament can overrule his declaration, effectively ending the war from a Tannenmillian viewpoint. The Parliament cannot overrule a declaration of war if there are battles occuring on Tannenmillian soil.
While it is not required by law, the Sovereign Arbiter usually will consult with the High Chancellor and the Chancellory on important governmental decisions.
The Chancellory (specifically the High Chancellor) assumes the role of the Sovereign Arbiter in the case of his death or any other time during which he is unable to lead the nation.
The only elected officials serve for District and Local governments or the Parliament. The position of Sovereign Arbiter is a hereditary position of the Tannen family, and the Sovereign Arbiter personally selects the Chancellory upon ascension to the throne.
The Sovereign Arbiter and Chancellory have direct command of the Armed Forces. Parliament is forced to request to either the Chancellory or the Sovereign Arbiter to be able to issue orders.

[OOC: Sorry to nitpick on you Tannenmille, but it Appearance and Reality would be better off termed as "On-Paper" and "In-Practice". :p]

[OOC: Sorry to nitpick on you Tannenmille, but it Appearance and Reality would be better off termed as "On-Paper" and "In-Practice". :p]

What are you talking about? :D

[OOC: Sorry to nitpick on you Tannenmille, but it Appearance and Reality would be better off termed as "On-Paper" and "In-Practice". :p]
[OOC: I've never seen anyone do that before, ever.

Anyway, I wrote this ages ago and it's not hugely accurate anymore but it is still a fairly good portrait of the Praetonian government:

The Crown
Rex et Imperator Sarius Publius I

The Monarchy is the symbolic vestage of all power in Praetonia. The theoretical owner of all the land in the whole of Praetonia and Her Commonwealth, King Sarius I is also the most senior judge of the highest Court in the land, and the personal commander and owner of the armed forces of the Imperium. Nothing can pass into law without his signature, and legally he cannot be coerced into signing anything.

In practice, the Moanrchy has been abolished at least 3 times in the history of Praetonia, and the PWS Revolution (Parliamentary yaucht and only Imperial naval vessel allowed the dock in Praeton harbour) floats symbolicly in state with all 9 of her 11" guns directed at the palace in the Obsidian Tower. Over the centuries, most of the Monarchs powers have been whithered away and there is a silent understanding that the Monarch will act in accordance with Parliament's wishes in order to retain his comfortable position.

The Monarch does have a lot of influence, however. The current Monarch, Sarius I, is extremely popular and, as ever, is trusted implicitly by most of the population in contrast to politicians who are barely trusted by the cynical general populace. The Monarch can 'advise' Parliament (unlike in Britain, the Monarch is allowed into and can address the Commons) and his meetings with the Prime Minister (who he appoints) usually succeed in bending policy at least partially towards his view of the future.

The Monarch broadcasts every Sunday morning on PBGR (Praetonian Broadcasting General Radio) and so can have his (subtly partisan) views heard by pretty much the entire populace, either directly or indirectly. The Monarch can grant Royal Monopolies and Royal Charters, both of which have both actual legal force as well as a massive amount of influence behind them.

Cabinet
His Majesty's Right Honourable Ministers of State

Cabinet, along with the Monarch, form what could be described as an Executive in an American-style Government. Cabinet have direct control over the actions of Government Departments and Ministries, and are all appointed by the Prime Minister. Any selection can, however, be vetoed by Parliament if it so chooses.

In practice, the Cabinet holds most of the real power in Praetonia, and even a relatively junior Minister can have an effect on the course of the nation, and therefore indirectly the world. Ministries are often used as both a carrot and a stick in order to keep Government MPs in line. Lords can also be made Ministers, but as they cannot be removed, they are far harder to influence, and so are rarer.

The Ministries can do a great deal of extremely influencial things without Parliament having any recourse to prevent them. They can distribute spending, direct the police and declare war without any input whatsoever from the rest of Parliament, or even the Monarch (the Monarch can only remove the Prime Minister, not individual Ministers).

The House of Lords
Their Lordships and Ladyships, sitting in Grace

The House of Lords, unlike in RL Britain, has a great deal of power. The Lords as a whole can veto any bill passed by the Commons, and with a 2/3s supermajority can force any relevant ammendment through even in contravention of the wishes of the Commons. The Commons can force a bill through the Lords only with a 3/4 supermajority - something that is practically never achieved.

The Lords are also the highest Court in Praetonia, and although officially chaired by His Majesty, in reality the King himself never acts as judge. The Court can, therefore, have its voice heard even in the Commons forces something past them. The Lords themselves, by nature of being Lords, often have a great deal of power and influence outside of the politican arena. Many are celebrated soldiers, sailors and airmen, or own large and influencial businesses. Some are even Cabinet Ministers.

The Lords is, however, ultimately appointed by the Prime Minister and so the Government of the day can greatly influence the Lords both indirectly by threatening to make lots of pro-Government Lords, or directly by actually doing it. It's generally seen as rather dubious practice to appoint large numbers of "cronies" to the Lords, but it can be done if the issue is important enough.

The House of Commons
Representatives of the Voice of the People, unopposed in all the Land

The House of Commons, during the periods that the Monarchy was abolished, has often operated as the Executive in place of the Monarch. Indeed, Praetonia has never had an elected single-person Executive, and does not intend to. The Commons has, therefore, become the primary vestige of power in the eyes of many Praetonians. This is not necessarily true, but the Commons is the only body capable of making laws (although plenty can veto them) and the Commons can effectively remove the Government.

It is (relatively) easy to become an MP, and so individual MPs do not have much power. As a group they are both powerful and extremely influencial, as most Praetonian MPs have connections with newspapers, business and the military, or are / were involved in those sectors themselves. Almost all MPs are at least Middle Class, and most are rich relative to the average Praetonian. Only a very unwise or unusually strong Government attempts to take on the Commons.

The Civil Service
Humbly keeping the cogs of Government turning

Although the Cabinet sets official Ministerial policy, it would be ludicrous to suggest that a Minister, or even a team of Ministers, could actually write or implement policies to the minute detail required. The Civil Service is, therefore, required to do these things. Theoretically completely independent and non-partisan, the Civil Service interprets the meaning of Government policy as it would best fit the reality.

In practise the Civil Service is, therefore, an extremely influencial organisation, if not directly powerful. The Civil Service never directly changes Government policies to fit their own views, but it does (by nature of having to interpret and implement it) put its own particular spin on Government proposals and policies. The Civil Service is made up generally of the Middle Classes of Praetonian society, and is generally Liberal-leaning (in the Classic Liberal-Capitalist sense, not the moden sense).

The Civil Service promotes and recruits internally, and is the only truely independent body in Praetonian politics, immune to the checks and balances that constrain the legitimate political bodies such as the Commons, the Lords, Cabinet and the Crown.]

OOC: I'm sure I can still post here, it's still July, after all, albeit about two weeks of silence :D

IC:

Federal Constitution

All branches of goverment must adhere to the Federal Constitution. It cannot go outside of Constitutional Law, and changing or adding onto the Federal Constitution takes an 80 percent YEA vote in Congress. Unanimous approval from the Supreme Council, President, and Vice-President, and a simple majority vote of the High Court.

Federal Law Review

If a petition of at least 100,000 citizens signatures (4 refugee signatures count as 1 citizen signature) is presented to the High Court, it may then hold a Federal Law Review, allowing the Federal government, Provincial governments, city governments, and the common man, to all discuss revisions to the Federal Constitution.

Once several revisions are agreed on, they are put up on referendum to the populace (again, 4 refugee votes count as 1 citizen vote). A 70 percent majority is needed to pass each revision, so far, the Federal Constitution has been edited by the former (Federal government only) way, 4 times. It has been edited via Federal Law Review about 16 times.

Congress

The Federational Congress is a bicameral legislature. Featuring both the Congressional Delegation and the Senate. There is a fixed number of 3 senators per province (one senator for the refugee divisions of North Osea and Daijima).

A province recieves one Delegate to the Congressional Delegation for every 10 Million citizens. (Any provinces under 10 million are not represented, and the refugee divisions of Daijima and North Osea, although having tens of millions of citizens, only hold a maximum of 2 delegates)

Congress holds the power to vote on new laws, vote on Federal Warrants for public officials (any Federal Government worker cannot be arrested or brought to trial without a warrant issued by Congress, and the High Court's approval of arrest). It controls funding for the different Councils, controls the tax rate, can declare war/surrender (the latter only being possible with approval from the Council of War), and approves referendums (when voting on specifically controversial issues).

Congressional Delegation

The Congressional Delegation is made up of over 360 Delegates from around the continent. It is the upper-division of Congress, and it needs a simple majority of votes to pass any law. It is headed by the Supreme Delegate (the Supreme Delegate can veto anything passed in the Delegation, a simple majority is needed to override the veto).

Senate

The Senate is made up of 44 Senators from across the continent. It is the lower division of the Congress, and it needs a 65 percent majority to pass any legislation or issue in the Senate. It is headed by the Supreme Senator (who can veto anything passed in the Senate, a 65 percent majority is needed to override the veto).

Presidency & Councils

President

The President is the Head of Government and Head of State for the nation. He/she is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Vuhifell's military. (The other CIC's are the Generals on the Military Council).

The President can use his/her veto power against Congressional legislation, the veto applied to both divisions, and in both divisions, there needs to be a 70 percent majority to override a Presidential Veto.

Presidential approval is also needed on most government documents. Also, the President is the only one, besides the High Court and the Supreme Council, who can approve the dismissal of high-ranking government officials (e.g. Supreme Councilors, High Court Judges, Supreme Delegate & Senator, etc.)

Supreme Council

The Supreme Council acts as the President's cabinet. It is headed by the Supreme Councilor of each council. The Supreme Council can carry out every Presidential duty, such as approve the dismissal of governmental officials, approve legislation, etc. However, to do this, the Supreme Council needs a unanimous vote from all its members, and a vote from the Vice-President.

Councils

Councils are the administrative divisions of the government, from the Council of War, to the Council of Health, to the Council of Education. There are five Councilors in every council. Four of which are High Councilors, the fifth, being the Supreme Councilor. The Council, after recieving funds from Congress, then votes on resolutions and budget measures, should a tie be declared in a vote, the Supreme Councilor's vote counts as two. A Supreme Councilor may only cast a YEA or NAY vote. (However they may also ABSTAIN in the Supreme Council)

High Court

The High Court consists of one Head Judge representing each province and district of Vuhifell. They are assigned by the Province Administrators and are approved by local legislatures. The Supreme Judge of the High Court is assigned by the President (alone, the Supreme Council may not assign Supreme Judges), the nomination is approved then by a simple majority of both Divisions of Congress.

A Head Judge's vote counts once, the Supreme Judge's vote counts twice. There are currently 16 Head Judges and 1 Supreme Judge (a second Supreme Judge may be nominated in times of war)

The High Court directly handles cases between provinces, cases involving high-ranking government officials, and they hear any case brought to them that is not resolved by a lesser court (The Court of Appeals has to approve a lesser-court case before it is presented to the High Court).

The High Court can declare Vuhifellian diplomatic immunity null and void (along with the President and Supreme Council), dismiss high-ranking government officials, can declare Federal or Provincial laws null and void if they conflict with the Federal Constitution (or if Provincial laws conflict with Federal laws, town laws conflict with Provincial laws, etc.), and the High Court is also the middle point of Martial Law. If the Military Council submits a request for martial law in a specific town, province, or the entire nation, the High Court must vote to approve the request. After this, either the President, or the Supreme Council must approve the request in order to declare Martial Law.

Executive Branch
The Emperor
According to the ITD constitution:
"II.A. All power shall be vested in the Emperor, whom shall retain control as head of state and head of military.

II.B. Power over the empire shall be passed by birth. The Emperor's first born son shall be given control over the empire, pending the death or disability of the Emperor already in power. If an Emperor has no male heir, the throne shall pass to his first born daughter until such time that she bears a male son. If no female heir is established then the throne shall be passed to the former Emperor's closest living male relative.

II.C. All laws passed by the ruling Emperor shall be treated as law throughout the empire, including all occupied nations."

and

"III.A. The Emperor shall have power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare. The Emperor also holds the power to wage war and establish a military.

III.B. The Emperor shall be expected to provide a sound yearly budget, regulate international commerce, establish currency and standards of measurement, establish roads and a postal system, establish a system of copyrights and trademarks, punish criminals local and abroad, provide for and govern a well trained military, and to establish a system by which naturalization to the nation may be possible.

III.C. The Emperor shall also be in control of the nations judicial system, which he may design and use at his leisure. "

Imperial Council
The Emperor is the sole seat of power and oversees all other sections of government. However, such responsibility can be tiring and exhausting, so he appoints ministers to watch over specific sections of the national government.

Secretary of Military: Darius Tinnell
Secretary of Education: [post has been disbanded indefinitely]
Secretary of Security: Mikael Romult
Secretary of Media: Kendrick Rinjos
Secretary of Science, Industry & Technology: Dane Landrus
Secretary of Intelligence: Thadeus Doom
Secretary of International Relations: Jeffery Kandel
Secretary of Economy, Trade & Finance: Jackson Blaydes
Secretary of Justice & Law: Martin Shilvey
Secretary of Internal Investigations: Nolan Kucharik
Secretary of Populace Control: Rob Coln
Secretary of Culture & Society: Javier Loud
Secretary of Labor: Nelson Fritze
Secretary of Agriculture & Interior: Son Bosman
Secretary of Research: Bryon Karpel

Three (3) additional seats on the council are awared to specially elected members from each legislative house.

Executive Organization

The following chart outlines the basic structure of the Imperial government, specifically the executive branch and how it relates to the national military and intelligence groups.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v462/ITDGov/ITDgovernment.gif

Special Executive Agencies

ESC - Empire Security Council
Primary responsibility is to keep the borders secure and the cities safe. (Equivalent to the USA's FBI)

EII - Empire Intelligence Initiative
Formed to conduct foreign intelligence collection, covert action, and counterintelligence operations abroad. Also responsible for providing finished intelligence to ITD policymakers. (Equivalent to the USA's CIA)

EDOIA - Empire Defense, Offense, Intelligence Admininistration
Formed to coordinate all government military forces at home and abroad. Consists of the Imperial Council and all of the Emperor's Generals and Admirals.

Praetorian Guard - Itinerate Tree Dweller Government Forces
Elite forces of the Empire. Formally reports to the Emperor's EDOIA, but truly reports directly to the Emperor. These forces are only allowed to be of Ninthian origin. Traditionally listed as part of the military, but they rarely operate with the standard military. Head Commander: Lt. General Daniel Reck

IMCC - Imperial Media Control Center
The government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications.

Legislative Branch

The legislative body of ITD consists of three separate houses, all with unique functions and powers.

Party Dominance

There are currently 3 parties that hold seats in the Imperial Senate.

Party: Imperial Party
Party Leader: Nicholas Savant
Party Description: The Imperial Party was formed under Emperor Titus and generally follows the will of the Emperor. This party has held continuous control of the Senate since its formation.
Percentage of Senate: 66%
Senate Seats (C,A,L): 594 (125,229,240)

Party: Conservative Party
Party Leader: Dr. Robert Forester
Party Description: The Conservative Party follows a centrist but very nationalistic political dogma, often focusing on a need for tighter immigration control and an increase in spending to private corporations instead of law and order.
Percentage of Senate: 21%
Senate Seats (C,A,L): 189 (76,58,55)

Party: Legionaire Party
Party Leader: Col. James Picket
Party Description: The Legionaire Party was formed in 1911 C.E. and currently focuses on issues relating to military officers and veterans. The majority of Legionaire Party seats are in the House of Commons.
Percentage of Senate: 13%
Senate Seats (C,A,L): 117 (99,13,5)

The House of Commons
The House of Commons is what the original Imperial Senate evolved into. With its members elected directly by the populace, this house remains the sole section of power that regular citizens hold in the Imperial government. The House of Commons can levy taxes and remains the only government venue where private citizens can address the government. This house checks the House of Lords by levying land taxes on estates. This house checks the House of Appointees by regulating how many representatives a Governor-General may appoint.

The House of Appointees
The House of Appointees consists of those representatives appointed by regional Governor-Generals, and is charged with maintaining trade and commerce between the various territories. All territorial disputes between regions are settled on the floor of the House of Appointees. This house checks the House of Lords by overseeing all land entitlements that members of the House of Lords may own. This house checks the House of Commons by regulating how many representatives the people may elect.

The House of Lords
The House of Lords consists of those representatives appointed directly by the Emperor, they usually come from the well off, or the historically noble families of the empire. This house can issue declaration of wars, and can regulate international trade with regards to the empire. This house also appoints ambassadors and maintains embassies. This house checks the House of Commons and the House of Appointees by regulating salaries for all three houses.

All three houses can issue laws falling under the "general" category, but all three houses still report to the Emperor, who must sign all laws before they can be enforced; in addition to this, the Emperor can remove representatives at will.

Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of ITD consists of ten Judges, all of whom are appointed by the Emperor every decade. Each Judge is given a term of one year as Supreme Court Chief Justice. During this time as Chief Justice, the Judge has the ability to overrule fellow Judges and may have one extra vote, but only in cases of a tie vote.

If a Judge were to die in their term, the Emperor may appoint a Judge from one of the lower courts to take their place, but this judge is not eligible for a term as Chief Justice. If a deceased Judge's term as Chief Justice approaches, the remaining Judges vote on which of the remaining eligible Judges will sit in as the Chief Justice. No Judge may serve more than two years in a row as Chief Justice.

The Court of Justice
In cases of capital crimes, a jury of randomly selected but carefully screened private citizens tries an individual or group in an open and public court.

The Court of Disputes
In cases of private disputes involving property, fiscal disputes and personal injury, this court is employed. Citizens present their claims to a Judge or Jury and receive their ruling from the same source. Juries are only appointed at the request of the plaintiff or defendant, but both must agree to a jury trial.

The Court of Military Justice
This court is employed in cases of military misconduct and is thus overseen by the Imperial Security Council and the Emperor's Praetorian Guard. Trials in this court are not public and are considered classified unless otherwise noted.

Reserved spot!

tagged.