Let's Write a Constitution for a Hypothetical Nation

Rather than use the rather unique Baja California, I'd prefer we just be something equivalent to alt-history France.

Maybe we could call our country Cydonia and have it be on Mars? (But we'd have to be feudalist then, just so we could have knights.)

I like Mars, but let's change Fuedalist to Ultra-Futuristic.

It was a joke, secretist.

Ever heard of a band called Muse?

Is the theoretical state landlocked or an archipelago?

Neither, I assume.

Again, let's go with something like France's geography. Or maybe something like Texas' or Virginia's. Something nice and neutral.

Hey, I know: Atlantis.

Yes.

So, we use the location (mostly) equilateral to Africa and the Iberian peninsula?

Would exlain Spanish as one of the primary languages.

Are you seriously going to have conscription?

No.

You know, I dont think it matters. A really good constitution should be based on universal principles that would translate pretty much anywhere.

Draft or volunteer armed forces is a minor detail, but one that should be resolved at the start of the nation. Changing it can be a painful process.

Volunteer armies tend to be more professional, better trained, but can cost more.

Conscript armies are cheaper to run, but not as good in quality or discipline (except those that choose to make a career of it).

But that's a mere detail. We have bigger things to figure out before we worry about protecting our borders.

Unfortunately, right now the council/representation vote is stagnant.

...how many total votes will we stop it at?

Hm. What about using councils of some kind as a local government legislative solution, but only in areas where the people have chosen to have a local legislature (As per my representation proposal), and also for the national level, but working alongside an elected Parliament that would deal with most day-to-day business, the councils being required to pass laws within a specific scope and being able to introduce legislation?

That is to say, a hybrid solution.

edited 2nd Oct '10 12:17:11 AM by BonSequitur

I'm open to that, although we probably shouldn't have made that a voting option. So lets set a specific deadline for the voting process, and get ready to move on.

I'm not for it, because it's a hybrid of both of your ideas but not of mine.

Besides that, the council democracy idea was already a hybrid of my idea and Bon's idea.

I would posit that it would most likely be beneficial for at least one post to be a lifetime service, but not all. Also, it may or may not work that well, but it would be interesting if the government's make-up form, and general shape could be easily changed. Flor example, if throughout the year, the government could switch from a two part to a three part, or if periodically it was possible to create a new constitution. It may or may not work, but it would be a fascinating idea.

And a bad one, because such a government would quickly coalesce into a form which could no longer be changed, likely at the behest of the government itself. Which of course would then go all nutsy and start eating lunch among the corpses of their enemies.

edited 2nd Oct '10 9:50:31 AM by BlackHumor

But such a government would be easily improved. Any corruption in the system could be swiftly undone. Eventually, the ideas will form a sort of natural selection, a survival-of-the-fittest if you will. Eventually, I believe that the ideal form for a government will appear. Humans are naturally inclined towards progression and improvement.

Besides, times change, and government, I say, should be able to adapt.

Well, unfortunately, Black, your proposal is losing. Bon's and mine are tied. Your best bet at this time is to back my idea, since many of your ideas are contained within it. Just sayin'.

..kay, so we can only vote once, yes? Or can we only vote up or down once per idea...? I'm a little fuzzy on that.

Oh, wait, how do we define Country, Nation, State and their relation to each other? Should we exclude the term Nation and N Ational, Nationality etc. and only keep "Citizenry"?.

• There is the State, which is ruled by this constitution.
• The Country/Territory is that which is under the jursidiction, auhtority and protection of the State. It may be expanded, reduced, or divided, if and only if consensus within the populations resident in the territories abandoned and reclaimed is reached in this direction.

The remaining problem is with nations/ethniane, and double allegiance. We must accept that there be many nations in the State, and even nations that have part of their demographics in this State and part of their demographics in another. The problem that worries me is that of double-nationality/double-allegiance. This is especially important for nomadic people such as the Rom or the Jews  ^*

I voted my own proposal up, but I didnt vote anyone else's down .

I have started writing a draft of article I. Legislation. Is it too soon to share it? Should I wait for the voting a little longer?

At what point do I get to filibuster?