Kalmar Islands/Democracy/Law
The Kalmarian Law
The Kalmar Islands is a democratic realm that places a very high value on freedom and the individual's voice in government. Under the monarchy, there was discussion but ultimate power rested with the king. The King was elected only when the previous King was unable to rule. Hereditary rule was not in place.
The new system is far more complex. It is continually being refined and added to. Progress is being made to turn the government from a somewhat anarchic realm just freed of autocratic rule to an organized and effective democracy. Many ideas are being proposed and weekly assemblies are held. These assemblies are the realm's most talkative and productive times.
Major Concepts of the Kalmarian government are:
As voted by the People of Kalmar Islands after the establishement of the Democracy:
General approach to Assembly The Assembly gives orders to four executive officers who acts in the assembly's name. It sets what each officer is supposed to do, then audits their actions to ensure that they are in compliance with the will of the assembly.
Each executive officer reports whatever they do to the assembly for aditing, using their respective bulliten. The assembly has 3-4 turns to comment on his actions at the time.
Every weekend, the assembly holds a General Meeting. Thus it has 3-4 turns for auditing, as well as tabling and debating new motions. Basically, a weekend of running the country.
Durning the week emergency meetings can be called with only one emergency motion tabled and no audit until the general meeting. Voting closes in 1 or 2 turns depending on the time constraint. This should enable the executive officials to 'get stuff done', but they'd best be careful what they call emergency meetings about or they'll be asked to step down.
Removal from office can only happen at the general meeting. If the executive official is doing something really bad (like, say, betraying the kingdom) people can protest as normal. Otherwise, they should wait.
Assembly composition:The assembly is made of all members of the realm. When a new player to the game or just realm joins they are not part of the assembly, but instead are expected to talk with a mentor and have the rules and history explained. Once the mentor 'passes' them and says that they are ready the new player is placed in the assembly.
Executive Officials:Ruler, Judge, Banker, General, and to a lesser extent the local lords, are all considered executive officials. They enact the will of the assembly. They have, in theory, no actual power (compaired to other realms)as all their decisions must be justified by the people.
Voting: Voting in the assembly will use quorum. Quorum: absolute number of people who must vote in favor of a motion in order for it to pass. Quorum should be no more than 3 people for everything. ex: 3 people vote yes vs. 2 vote no => motion passes 2 vote yes vs. 1 vote no => no quorum and motion does not pass. Most measures require 51% agreement of voters to pass. Voting periods will be allocated a variable amount of time depending on whether it's an emergency meeting or a general meeting. The relevant executive officer decides on the outcome of a motion during a tie.
Counting Votes:Votes are sent to the entire assembly and are counted by the relevent executive official.
Modifications to general approach for different Executive Officials: Ruler: motions for major political changes, such as war, etc. require 60% agreement of voters to pass. Judge: may veto the assembly vote in favor of execution and torture, since they are the ones who actually have to carry it out. However, such action will be up for audit at the general meeting. Measures ordering execution and torture require 60% to pass. General: Acountable to the assembly, but has Imperium of the Army. Still audited each week. Banker: follows the standard method outlined above. Regional Lords: Are expected to maintain their region and provide the assembly with the daily region report. Exact method of region maitenence is up to them. Subject to assembly audit.
Elected to position by majority vote with a quorum of 3.
Marshals: Have Imperium like the general, but under him so he can veto their decisions.
Term in Office:In order to secure People's rights, protect the Republic and achieve an undisturbed rotation of power amongst Kalmarians, no position, either elected or appointed, can be held for more than 120 days. After 30 days out of office a person can re-run for an earlier held position. No family can hold simultaneously two competent positions (single Troop Leader or different characters belonging to the same family), except during positions-change where one position must be abandoned as soon as a suitable replacement is found (e.g the Banker is elected as Ruler/Judge as well)
Mentors: Are expected to say when a new player/member of the realm is ready for the assembly. If a student doesnt turn out to the assembly's liking (ie. mentor said his student is competent, but he is not), audit can retract the mentor's acreditation.
