User talk:POKEY53965

Preamble

To preserve the freedom and unity of our people, so do we lay forth this document to preserve our democratic principles now, and for generations to come. Vix Tiramora is a shining beacon of democracy, and ever shall it be. The codified principles within will ensure that all citizens are safeguarded in their inalienable rights to freedom, happiness, and to participate in the governance of our lands. Never again will we know the yoke of tyranny, nor will we allow our practices to be turned into one. The protection of the citizens is the only true responsibility of the government. A citizen is one of noble blood, and all shall be granted the protections and privileges of their station.

Article I: The Great Houses

I.I: The Great Houses of Vix Tiramora

a. Three Houses will constitute the most basic governing bodies of our great democracy.

b. The Head of each Great House will be granted a seat upon the Executive Council.

c. Each Great House is responsible for the safekeeping of the citizens and lesser Houses sworn to its service.

d. The Heads of each Great House will be the sole party responsible for voting upon any changes to this constitution. Each Great House will receive one vote.

I.II: Lesser Houses

a. Lesser Houses are bodies of like minded individuals who have agreed to form a recognized body. The formation of a Lesser House will require the approval of the Head of the Great House the lesser House is sworn to.

b. A Lesser House with more regions sworn to it than a Great House may petition the Executive Council to be elevated to a Great House. The Executive Council will then hold a vote where only government members (The Lord Vixir, the Prime Knight, the Executor and the Master Steward) may vote. In the event of a tie, the three Heads of House will caucus, and cast a single tie breaker vote as one. If the vote passes, the Lesser House will be elevated to a Great House and its head will become a Head of Household with a corresponding Duchy. The smallest Great House will be demoted to a Lesser House and its Duchy dissolved. If two or more Great Houses are tied for smallest Great House, the newly elevated Head of House chooses which House is dissolved to make way.

Article II: The Executive Council

II.I: Membership

The Executive Council will be composed of the following individuals:

a. The Lord Vixir

b. The Prime Knight

c. The Executor

d. The Master Steward

e. All three Heads of House

II.II: Responsibilities of the Executive Council

a. The Lord Vixir will be responsible for maintaining general order within the Executive Council and ensuring discussions and debates remain orderly. The Lord Vixir may only cast a vote within the Executive Council when deciding to elevate a Lesser House, or when the Executive Council's vote results in a tie. The Lord Vixir is the chief diplomat of the realm, responsible for foreign relations, and may elevate diplomats to ambassador. The Lord Vixir, without a vote may change relations to Neutral and Peace at his sole discretion. The Lord Vixir may also veto the passing of any referendum voted upon by the general public. This veto may be overridden by a qualified majority of the executive council.

b. The Prime Knight is responsible for the defense of the realm, and its armies. The Prime Knight may issue orders to the Marshals of the Armies, and is the sole authority to approve the formation or dissolution of armies. The Prime Knight, at his discretion may mobilize militia units and assign them to nobles only in times of war.

c. The Executor is responsible for law and order within the realm. As such, he serves to interpret and enforce the Constitution and Laws of Vix Tiramora. He is free to enforce the laws of Vix Tiramora as he sees fit, and also serves as an auxiliary to the Master Steward for maintenance of the realm, holding court when and where necessary. The Executor is solely responsible for the negotiation of prisoner treaties in times of war. The most important function of Executor is to safeguard the democracy of Vix Tiramora against the tyranny of the masses. As such, the Executor is responsible for determining the constitutionality of any law passed. Any citizen of the realm may challenge the constitutionality of a law, at which point the Executor will choose to overturn the law, or let it stand.

d. The Master Steward is responsible for the infrastructure, economy, and food of the realm. The Master Steward is solely responsible for the distribution of the food of the realm, and may appoint others to aid him. As such, the granaries of the realm will all be open to him. Gold to be used for the building of infrastructure will go through the Master Steward's office, and all payments to foreign entities will go through the Master Steward's office. Stewards are directly subordinate to the Master Steward, and as such, the Master Steward may instruct any Governor or Representative to appoint a Knight or Dame to the position of Steward.

e. The Executive council is responsible for voting on implementation of laws and policies passed by the realm as a whole. Minutia, sensitive matters, and other administrative details will be handled by the Executive council, so as to spare the realm the burden of the daily operations of governance. The Executive Council will also be responsible for ensuring that elections are run properly and fairly. The Executive Council is also responsible for raising lesser Houses to Great Houses, and is granted the power to override the veto power of the Lord Vixir.

Article III: Referendums

III.I: Proposing a Referendum

a. Any citizen of Vix Tiramora may propose a referendum. Prior to initiating the referendum however, the proposal will be submitted to the Elective Committee, a message group comprised of the Executive Council, the proposer of the referendum, and any individuals deemed necessary to consult on the issue. The proposal's content will not be the issue of discussion. The only issues discussed will be the scope, specifics, and formatting, so that any referendums are as specific and unbiased as possible. Once a draft has been approved, the individual responsible for the initial proposal may post the approved draft as a referendum. If the original proposer of the referendum no longer wishes to propose the referendum, any member of the Executive Council may sponsor the referendum instead, once it has been approved.

b. Any successful referendum passed by the realm that does not violate the constitution will become law. The Executor is the sole authority on whether or not a law is constitutional.

III.II: Referendums

a. Any citizen may vote on a referendum.

b. Binding referendums will last five days. Emergency referendums, which may be proposed by any member of the Executive Council for emergency situations without approval by the Election Committee, will last for three days, and only be binding for a period of thirty days. If anyone wishes to challenge the emergency referendum, it may be challenged by any member of the realm, and a referendum to repeal it will be immediately launched using a standard template, and last for three days.