Mahran
The Community of Mahran, a foundng canton of the Volenaran League, was established through the efforts of the members of the Volenaran Open Hand lodge. They were all former members of Red Rock Commune who settled with their families to farm in the Mahran colonial district in southwestern Volenar. During the troubles before and during the War of Sovereignty, they led in the defense of the region's people and organized the militia to join the fight for independence from Kalmasa.
As events progressed, the people of Mahran wanted to make the most senior of the Volenaran Open Hands, Ayotl bas Naharem, to be their leader. Ayotl told the people of Mahran that they needed no leaders, just faith in each other and hard work. He and others of his lodge developed the system of egalitarian, communal government in Mahran based on principles learned while living in Red Rock Commune.
Mahran is a commune where all property is owned by all citizens. There are no formal representatives, and every issue is determined by direct democracy. When there is need due to responsibilities or infirmity, citizens have the ability to empower any other citizen with their voting ability. Residency provides access to communal resources, such as land rights, starting seed, animals and equipment, or if a tradesman, a stipend to provide tools of the trade. Each city also has a communal house or houses that residents may stay in until they establish themselves in the community, usually with the goal of becoming a citizen.
Resident status can be granted immediately by the recorded and witnessed votes of 30 citizens from the local district in which they live. Citizenship is gained on the votes of 30 local citizens after achieving residency, after the resident has resided in Mahran on the testimony of 3 witnesses for 5 years.
Citizenship bestows the right to vote and empower. Citizenship is not granted upon birth within Mahran. Children born into Mahran, like all residents and citizens must, upon their 16th birthday, agree to the rules of the commune and be voted into citizenship. If they do not agree, they are given a standard provision and are treated as non-residents without access to the communal rights. If and when they chose to leave, they are given a standard provision sufficient to give them a start in the wider world.
Banishment and other laws and orders are enforced as locally as possible and communally. There are no enforcement officers. Any citizen or resident who receives more than 100 formal complaints from at least 10 citizens must stand public trial to remain in Mahran. At the end of the trial, a majority vote of the citizenry decides to banish or order suspended banishment if the defendant agrees to follow certain terms in order to rehabilitate.
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