The Kazmrian Manifesto

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The Kazmrian Manifesto; Principles for a Balanced Sinker Democracy
Tweet Topic Started: Apr 22 2015, 08:59 PM (397 Views)
Kazmr	Apr 22 2015, 08:59 PM Post #1
Lazarene Posts: 987 Group: Members Member #85 Joined: Apr 22, 2015 Alignment Lawful Good Military Stance Neutral	Let me just state that this is a set of ideas, principles, and proposals. I do not want anyone to think that this essay is in any way something I am going to force on people now that I'm delegate This is basically just something that I wrote up to keep me sane in the early days while I was undercover, masquerading as an agent of the NLO. I am posting this now on one hand because I am free to, and on the other because we are preparing to draft our constitution. I fully expect people to disagree with many parts of it, and that's okay! That's democracy! I will, though, be preparing my own draft of the current constitutional proposal modified to incorporate my ideas so that you all can see what they would look like in practice. Please give and comments and criticisms you may have! Edit: Apologies for the repost Accidentally used the admin account. The Kazmrian Manifesto Principles for a Balanced Sinker Democracy Preface Lazarus finds itself in unique place. While the short lived coup which rent our region apart has fallen, there are few who now find themselves enthusiastic supporters of the regime which it ended. That government, the People’s Republic of Lazarus, was certainly better on the face of it than The Pacific’s puppet Lazarene government. The power structure of the PRL, however, provided the foundation and the mechanism for The Pacific to enter. It was its own worst enemy. Having witnessed both the rise and the fall of socialism in Lazarus, and having played a major role in the shadowy halls of power that pulled the strings of the region, I am in a unique position to say that the PRL must not return. I once believed that near-absolute authority for the executive provided stability and safety. I now see I was wrong. What Lazarus needs is a democracy. Because the region now finds itself with no entrenched powers, there exists a special opportunity to build something new, something not yet seen in NationStates. A democracy which balances forum and game. Which promotes transparency and communication with all parts of the region. Which promotes activity and involvement in its very structure. With this new democracy, Lazarus will rise from the ashes like the phoenix it is. Unity of the Two Lazarus’ Anyone who has made a career in a feeder or sinker knows that historically there have been two ‘regions’: forum and game. Although some philosophies have set gameside over the other in principle, never has the game been given a legitimate stake in government beyond a vague claim that its endorsements are the true ‘legitimacy’. With modern features in the game, however, including dispatches, mass telegrams, and polls, it is possible to truly integrate the two. Of course, why should this be done at all? Regional governments have survived the entirety of the site’s history largely on offsite forums, while numerous attempts at outreach have failed or made only modest gains. That may be true, but the spoils to be won from full harmony between the ‘regions’, a vibrant community never seen in a game created region, make it worth attempting for several reasons. Unlike feeders, a sinker does not receive ‘new blood’. Those nations reviving in Lazarus often have a previous home to return to. Thus, it is vital that in order to promote a true native community those who have chosen to make the region their home, even simply the regional message board, should have their views matter. Furthermore, the support and engagement of the region as a whole would make Lazarus far less susceptible to manipulation from a handful of executives, perhaps preventing a future New Lazarene Order or making it far easier to combat. Proposals The political structure of Lazarus needs direct representation from the forum. The clearest expression of this would come in the legislature. A substantial chunk of the legislative body should be elected from the game itself, utilizing polls. In order to ensure true representation, the gameside vote should exclude those who have voted for legislatures on the forum. Participation should be limited those who have a World Assembly nation in the region for some length of time, perhaps two weeks, prior to the election. Discussions could be had on whether or not an elected legislator should be required to join the forum for the duration of their term. Direct representation of the gameside community should manifest in the executive as well. A cabinet level position, available to those who do not even have a forum account, should be responsible for promoting activity on the regional message board and being an appointed voice of the gameside region. The forum region must also maintain constant contact with the game. Rather than a shoutbox on the forum, forum members should be encouraged to participate on the RMB. All news articles and announcement should also be made as a dispatch pinned to the world factbook entry. The delegate should also be responsible for disseminating regular telegrams on affairs both in and out of Lazarus to the entirety of the region. Power of the Legislature A strong legislative body is essential for a functioning democracy within NationStates. Power should be derived from the people in a strong sinker, not just in name but in fact, in order for the greatest number to become engaged. The People’s Congress in the PRL was, for much of its life, a sort of rubber stamp. Though various periods saw activist legislators work to make the Congress an important body, this was undermined by various decisions such as granting the Chairman unilateral authority to alter the constitution. If most power rests with the executive, it is inevitable that autocracy will arise that is, ultimately, to the detriment of the masses. Proposals The Legislature should have the sole power to amend the Constitution. This is not a revolutionary statement in and of itself but represents a vast turnaround from the PRL era. Legislators should have approval over offices vital to the security of the region. This includes endorsees and the heads of the Lazarene military and judiciary. Doing so prevents those tasked with maintaining order neither owe their office to or are sole agents of the executive. Congress cannot simultaneously serve as the head of an executive department. This proposal is actually derived from the PRL because it is legitimately a valuable one. The Legislature should have sole approval over declarations of war, as well as over major diplomatic decisions. A Balanced Executive While a legislature composed of both forum and game should be the stronger body, an executive branch is still necessary due to the nature of the in-game delegacy mechanic. One of the main principles of the PRL was that the Chairman was the vanguard of activity, security, and progress for the region. This has clearly failed, not only because a Chairman initiated the coup but because former leaders joined in. Instead, the executive should be seen as a balance to the legislature rather than the primary figure of the state. Proposals The delegate should be styled simply ‘delegate’. This is a common practice in many regions, but would serve well in Lazarus. Image is a powerful force, and titles such as ‘Chairman’ or ‘King’ project an absolutism that Lazarus would do well to avoid. Executive veto can be overridden and must provide a clear explanation in order to be valid. This ensures that the legislature is able to reason why the executive has blocked a bill and, if necessary, make reasonable changes. The delegate should be limited to two consecutive terms totaling up to six months, after which they may not be elected for at least one term. This helps avoid an extended concentration of high influence. Dynamic Security The main goal of security for a democratic sinker should be to maintain power largely in the hands of the people. Responsibility for ensuring this needs to be distributed rather than concentrated. When an individual or those directly appointed by them are responsible for ensuring a safe region it is not a stretch to imagine them turning their powers inward. Proposals Endorsees cannot be the sole purview of the delegate. The region should maintain multiple endorsees, all approved by the legislature, only one of whom at most should come from the delegate’s cabinet. It is preferable that at least one endorsee come from the game side of the region. Endorsees should be re-elected regularly at staggered intervals. The military should be a department independent from the executive. By having the chief of the military approved by the legislature and placing powers of war with that body, the military cannot be used to back up a coup. Grounded Foreign Affairs Treaties are paper, action is real. The most illuminating failure of the PRL’s foreign policy came during the Lazarus-Osiris War. Although the PRL held up The Pacific as a strong ally, the NPO failed to deliver. When asked about providing forces for either offensive or defensive deployment, Pacifica kicked the can down the road, citing various vague roadblocks. However, the moment the NLO came to power, those same endorsements arrived quickly. Allies are only useful when their words translate to action. Even past support means little if a present regime is far more hesitant. A region needs to anchor its foreign affairs in regions which consistently show it support, and who it is willing to support when the time comes. Proposals A new Lazarus should not enter treaties it is not prepared and able to leave should its principles fail. Though a formal treaty is often necessary to codify a relationship, it should not be thought of as the actual alliance. Instead, allies should be spoken of in terms of what they have done, rather than what a document says they should do. Lazarus should not hesitate from supporting the regions who have its back. Friendship is a two way street, and when an ally who has supported Lazarus is threatened, the Phoenix should be the first to enter the fray.



Harmoneia	Apr 22 2015, 09:05 PM Post #2
Mhysa Posts: 657 Group: Accused Member #42 Joined: Apr 11, 2015 Alignment Lawful Good Military Stance Neutral Political Views Independent Nation in Lazarus Harmoneia	I very much like the endorsees part, especially this one: "Endorsees should be re-elected regularly at staggered intervals." - or if not re-election then at least confidence votes. As is usual, high quality writing from Kazmr.



Ike	Apr 22 2015, 09:10 PM Post #3
Minnowite Socialist Posts: 458 Group: Accused Member #43 Joined: Apr 11, 2015 Alignment Neutral Good Military Stance Defender Political Views Social Democrat Nation in Lazarus Ikania	This is everything I've ever wanted for Lazarus, and the PRL's biggest problems was the lack of power balance. This should definitely be incorporated some way into the Constitution.



Funkadelia	Apr 22 2015, 09:12 PM Post #4
Posts: 2,155 Group: King of the Undead Member #86 Joined: Apr 22, 2015 Alignment Chaotic Neutral Military Stance Raider Political Views Socialist Nation in Lazarus Funkadelia	Electing endorsees is a bad idea, in my opinion. It would create a strange flux of influence with a lot of people holding middle amounts of infkuence, and not many with high amounts of it. Sort of like we saw with the last coup.



Benevolent Thomas	Apr 22 2015, 09:13 PM Post #5
Blessed of the Vale Posts: 1,532 Group: Members Member #63 Joined: Apr 14, 2015 Alignment Lawful Good Military Stance Neutral Nation in Lazarus Benevolent Thomas	I like most of these suggestions besides having regional votes being conducted by poll on the region page. We don't need idle players casually deciding who determines our regional policy.



Harmoneia	Apr 22 2015, 09:14 PM Post #6
Mhysa Posts: 657 Group: Accused Member #42 Joined: Apr 11, 2015 Alignment Lawful Good Military Stance Neutral Political Views Independent Nation in Lazarus Harmoneia	It's not as if endorsees would have term limits, though. It would simply ensure that still trust the endorsee. Perhaps a confidence vote is more fit, however.



Funkadelia	Apr 22 2015, 09:15 PM Post #7
Posts: 2,155 Group: King of the Undead Member #86 Joined: Apr 22, 2015 Alignment Chaotic Neutral Military Stance Raider Political Views Socialist Nation in Lazarus Funkadelia	I agree with both of the above posts.



Gulliver	Apr 22 2015, 09:18 PM Post #8
Lazarene Posts: 241 Group: Members Member #2 Joined: Apr 8, 2015	Quote: The political structure of Lazarus needs direct representation from the forum. The clearest expression of this would come in the legislature. A substantial chunk of the legislative body should be elected from the game itself, utilizing polls. In order to ensure true representation, the gameside vote should exclude those who have voted for legislatures on the forum. Participation should be limited those who have a World Assembly nation in the region for some length of time, perhaps two weeks, prior to the election. Discussions could be had on whether or not an elected legislator should be required to join the forum for the duration of their term. The idea of a representative democracy, open to all members of the region who meet some standard, is actually an idea I've toyed with in my head before. The main challenge I see with it is that it requires a degree of technical plumbing to do truly correctly. Eluvatar did something like this with his Cabinet in The North Pacific, electing a group of 5 members through a region wide vote. That said, I've often found that inclusive, rather than elected legislatures, provide new comers a more direct, real and substantial way to get involved in regional government, so I am wary of having an elected legislature. One option would be a bicameral legislature, I suppose, one of direct participation by registered citizens and another by representatives of the in-game folk of the region, but I don't have much experience with whether those work well or not in an NS setting. EDIT: Instead of having designated endorsees, I'd prefer if instead any sufficiently endorsed or influential citizen could volunteer to be a one, subject to approval by the legislature. Edited by Gulliver, Apr 22 2015, 09:20 PM.



Wintermoot	Apr 22 2015, 09:24 PM Post #9
Like Love At First Sight <3 Posts: 632 Group: Accused Member #11 Joined: Apr 8, 2015 Alignment Lawful Good Military Stance Neutral Political Views Independent Nation in Lazarus Wintermoot III	I have a question. I have nearly 100 puppets in the region at the moment, and I'm the only person that know what nations they are. Does this mean I'd get 100 votes in an in-game election? Not saying I would do that, but it's a reason to be weary of using in-game polls for official business, unless there's a solution I'm not aware of.



Benevolent Thomas	Apr 22 2015, 09:26 PM Post #10
Blessed of the Vale Posts: 1,532 Group: Members Member #63 Joined: Apr 14, 2015 Alignment Lawful Good Military Stance Neutral Nation in Lazarus Benevolent Thomas	A unicameral legislature of all citizens is preferable to me.



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