Our Troubles:
Many years ago, the star Ketsucal exploded, killing billions of sapients both immidiatly and during the years after. The Empires of the past, grand as they seemed, could not handle the damage the Calamity caused. This was due to corruption, poor planning, and negligence. Indeed, one Imperial Ruler even knew of the star's impending explosion, but chose not to warn anyone.
Now interstellar space, once a lively place of trade where many species could meet and exchange cultures, has become lawless, filled with pirates and gangs. And everyone has become separated, retreating to one system or even one planet, and living in constant fear of attack.
We wish, with the advent of this Confederation, and the signing of this document, that the dark days of the past are behind us. With this document, we wish to form a government that ensures the safety and freedom of its people. We will not repeat the mistakes of the Empires. We will not fail.
Communication:
Communication between systems has unfortunately broken down since the Empires fell. We wish to establish a city to house a government building where the members can meet twice a year. To provide for needs such as sustenance and shelter, we hope this city will grow naturally to a place where all members' citizens can meet and exchange cultures freely.
Cooperation:
For the betterment of all beings, it is imperative that all members cooperate and work in an orderly manner. To this end, meetings will be held twice a year to discuss relevant issues. In addition, every six standard years, elections will be held to appoint a Board of Overseers.
This Board will consist of:
- The High Minister, who will open and close the meetings, as well as making sure each member gets an equal chance to speak.
- The Secondary Minister, who will serve as an assistant to the High Minister, and fill the role if the High Minister is unavailable.
- The Secretary, who will record the events of the meetings.
- The Treasurer, who will keep track of the Confederacy's funds and keep ideas grounded in financial reality.
Freedom:
One of the many problems with the Empires of the past was their tendency towards rigid, draconian law systems that did not have any respect for the cultures they rules. To prevent the same mistake, we set out these guidelines to make irrevocable the Rights of Sapient Beings:
- The Right of Religion- The Confederation of United Planets and Kingdoms does not and will never have a state religion. Beings may follow whichever religion they choose (or none at all) as long at it does not interfere with the rights of other beings (or support organizations that would do so).
- The Right of Safety- The Confederation of United Planets will employ a standing army to protect its citizens from harm, which is the responsibility of any government. The Confederation will never use this army against its own members unless petitioned by the citizens. If beings within or without the Confederation petition for refuge, the Confederation will shelter them, for these rights are not restricted to Confederation members.
- The Right of Speech- Beings are allowed to debate and criticize the Confederation, for such criticisms may be warranted. The Confederation may thus be prevented from growing distant and aloof from its members, and making foolhardy and arrogant decisions at their expense. However, beings may not criticize or petition to take away these other rights. Doing so will lead to penalties according to the laws of the being's government. To allow this right to be exercised as fully as possible, citizens must receive an education that provides an understanding of galactic and local history, and develops the critical thinking skills required to understand the relevance of what they are taught.
- The Right of Plenty- Beings have a right to basic needs (including but not limited to sustenance, shelter, and health). If a planetary government cannot or will not provide this right, the Confederation will intervene at the request of its citizens.
We will not repeat the mistakes of the old Empires. We will not fail.
Pallas Avi, Ambassador of Heli
Plume Cahveh, Chancellor of the Chambre Republic
Daufine Asure, Prince of the Asure Line of Nimbus
Carmahina Neka, High Ambassador of Basetes
Saura-Rita, High Priest of Pentlis
I love reading a good Document article! It helps really flesh out a part of world-building that many people(myself included) overlook. This being the constitution of a new government is definitely interesting and says a lot about your universe. I am intrigued as it says that a supernova cleared the region and caused the writing of this document and that -one- emperor knew of it. But supernovas are massive things with lots of lead-up to some degree. If one person knew of it in a system of billions of sentients, then more knew this. It seems like it should be attributed to active collusion and conspiracy over... Negligence. Just doesn't fit in my opinion. I think that'd be a cool area to expand on. Thanks for sharing!
Well, there wasn't much in the system aside from a mining colony that was doing really well, so the guy didn't want to evacuate it because then no more mining. The reason it was a catastrophe was basically because there was going to be a big battle so there were a bunch of warships. Also there was some radioactive fallout from UV rays and such.
All that to say, it was kind of a cover up. They're calling it negligence because they didn't actively cover it up, they just kind of...deleted the memos. Which were then dug back up because anything digital can be recovered.