Unti Family/Gnaeus/Demo Draft
Kalmar Island Democracy - In the beginning...
Emperor;
This historic text was a joint project between Veber Klotz, Tomaas Darby and Gnaeus of House Unti. It outlines the method of governance for the Kalmar Island democracy during the start of Gnaeus' term as Chancillor. Since those days there were many changes made and are availible for viewing in the more updated sections of the library.
Your Humble Servant,
Omar
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.
Imperium:
The assembly can hand out Imperium if it feels that things need to be done quicker then usual. Imperium is: "the power vested by the state in a person to do what they consider to be in the best interests of the state". A person with imperium would have, in principle, absolute authority to apply the law within the scope of his field, but could be overruled by the assembly. The general would by definition have Imperium of the army, allowing them to command the details of military strategy and order troops around. Imperium is just supposed to be a sort of: "Okay he gets to tell us what to do in this case, but if he oversteps we can take it away." kind of thing. Imperium should always be specific; no Imperium of Everything, because that leads to tyranny.
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. Since they have, in theory, no actual power (compaired to other kingdoms) they will enjoy slightly increased tax shares and RP prestiege.
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 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 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 Avamarians, 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.
