Council of Entities: Alternative Government

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

So..I have an idea for an alternative government.

The Arbiter would remain has always.
The Kaiser would retain his standard powers.
But the Landsraad would become a open democracy legislature. Everyone would get one vote, but it would be blatantly denied any power over local matters. It cannot pass any law the effects local government, laws or what have you. It cannot change borders, it cannot appoint officials.
However, a new body would be created. The Council of Entities, which would have one representative from each subdivision. This council would have all the powers of the Kaiser, and can explicitly meddle in internal politics, however, it must also pass everything by unanimous vote. The Kaiser would as as Chair of this body, though isn't necessarily allowed to vote. Each representative would be appointed by their respective subdivisions, based on local laws. I might even say let the CoE have the power to reject a decree by the Kaiser.
The CoE would be able to put forward amendments like the Kaiser, veto bills like the Kaiser, issue decrees like the Kaiser. The Kaiser would get no veto in the CoE.

This would create a one man ruler if we needed, allow for a small body to govern if need, and allow for Direct Democracy if we want it. Because the CoE would need to pass things unanimously, each subdivision could protect themselvse from internal meddling.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

Kaiser
-Propose Charter amendments with Praetor and Arbiter approval
-Make decrees on all matters.
-Appoint Steward/Arbiter
-Veto Landsraad votes.

Council of Entities
-Chaired by the Kaiser.
-One representative from each subdivision.
-Make decrees on all matters just as the Kaiser.
-Veto the Landsraad.
-Veto Imperial Decrees.
-Propose amendments to the Charter with backing of Praetor and Arbiter.
-All votes must be unanimous on all issues.

Landsraad
-Chaired by the Praetor
-Open to all citizens
-Only able to pass laws concerning national issues.
-Can elect Steward, Arbiter, Ministers if none is appointed.
-Can remove Kaiser by 3/4th majority.
-Can put forth Charter Amendments with Kaiser and Arbiter backing.

Arbiter
-Can revoke illegal decrees with Landsraad and Praetor backing.
-National judiciary.
-Disputes between subdivisions and across subdivisions.

[Jonas]

You mean like... two chambers?

And worse...
Two chambers of which one is a direct democracy?!

If we're going to make this in a democracy, why not using the Flemish and Batavian system: the more votes you get, the more seats.

I'm not very enthusiast about the direct democracy-idea. But the two chambers... why not? It's something... errr... new.

[Jacobus Loki]

I think the second chamber could be deferred until the population recovers.

[CJ Miller]

Jonas, from what I am reading, the CoE isn't a second chamber so much as a privy council.

Also

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

It would be a cross between the Landsraad and the Kaiser.

I feel that opening the Landsraad to DD would help encourage people to participate, give people a sense that they CAN make a different in the nation. Encourage newbies to get engaged.

The COE would be a check on both the Kaiser and the Landsraad, granting power to the subdivision, and creating a more traditional feeling body to call upon.

[Falkner van der Sluijs]

I am completely in favour of your proposal, Erik. Unanimous vote is kinda rough, but it's pretty much necessary to properly balance the system, unless we made it an 80% majority or something, so that unless there are 5 subdivisional representatives, unanimous vote is required.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

I don't see the CoE as getting much bigger then 4-5... so unanimous vote keeps it so one subdivision isn't rail roaded by the others.

[Jonas]

Just an idea: we were talking about rebellions (which are good ), which become irritating when there are too many (which is bad ). We could let the CoE veto any revolts with a simple majority.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

This is an option.

[Shyriath]

Interesting idea. I'm not opposed, except maybe to the name. It seems a little... generic, maybe? Maybe "Privy Council", as CJ mentioned... I don't know if we're going back to the "Duchy" nomenclature for subdivisions or not, but if so then "Ducal Council" or something along those lines might work...

Also, the existence of such a council means something else, which I don't know if anyone's noticed yet: it makes room for the possibility that having a Steward around would be less important. Since the Council would be able to do most of the things a Kaiser would do, if there was no Kaiser around, all the Council would be lacking in order to take up zir duties is someone to chair it. Would it be necessary to have both the CoE and the Steward around?

[Jacobus Loki]

Yes, the Steward would still be necessary, as even small councils can be hard to call together, and there are times when someone must make a decision immediately.

The other role I can see for the Steward is an ex-officio back-up to the various Ministries, many of whom are missing from time to time, as well as perhaps, an heir apparent.

[Ari Rahikkala]

I think the name is too interesting. Call it the Set of Objects instead?

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

Ari.. you're gonna like my new subdivions I'm trying to put together...

We could have the Steward head the council. Privy Council sounds like someplace you take a piss.

I stole Council of Entities from Exalted, it's the ruling body of Nexus, a major trade city (THE major trade city). It was just an idea. But we need to steal a new from somewhere.

[CJ Miller]

Maybe Överhuset (Swedish for House of Lords).

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

It feels like Upper House to me.

[Jonas]

Yes, the Steward would still be necessary, as even small councils can be hard to call together, and there are times when someone must make a decision immediately.

This being said, we could give the Steward the right to declare a kind of martial law in which he gets his full powers. In such a case, the council can still veto his decisions (including his decision of declaring martial law).
This was a system used during the early Roman Republic.

Maybe Överhuset (Swedish for House of Lords).

I could agree if it becomes Overhuset (I don't like ¨ on an 'o' ).

[Demon of Fides]

Well, any special character is going to be hard for those of us who don't know the shortcuts, and you have plenty of those around. I say we stick with the aesthetic " spelling and the slang term is written without them.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

Yeah. We already have € and æ in our local orthography. Let's not introduce anymore. And I kinda wanted something a bit ominous, yet slightly descriptive.

[Jacobus Loki]

The Dominix?

[Jonas]

Nice one, Jake. It sounds pretty nifty.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

I'm inclined toward it... *puts away his whips and leather restraints*

[Demon of Fides]

*takes out his*

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

Right. So, before we can implement this. Wee need to finish dealing with the fact our laws talk about Houses and titles and stuff.

[Jonas]

Right. So, before we can implement this. We need to finish dealing with the fact our laws talk about Houses and titles and stuff.

I will not stop you doing the paper work.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

I was pondering how best to deal with it. I think honestly, just ripping out the old useless stuff seeing what's left, and working from there might be best.

[Jacobus Loki]

Unless we want to start over fresh-

(ducks)

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

That's more or less what I'm talking about. Basicly removing all law about land, titles and subdivisions.

[Jonas]

So, we should get the Dominix working. If I had time I would edit and further develop the Lawbook proposal from Kaiser B'Caw, but time is something I currently don't have (at least, not enough to do this)... next month perhaps.

[Kaiser Fish XII]

Actually, I may look into this later on.