United Commonwealth of Nations

The United Commonwealth of Nations (UCN) is a white team alliance which was created from a merger of the Commonwealth (TCW) and the Commonwealth of Nations (CoN) in December 2007. The founders are commonly thought to be Minister of Silly Walks, Ernesto Che Guevara, O-Dog, Vielwerth, and JonnyGozy.

History
UCN was a merger between the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth of Nations. Although, before this merger, TCW (the larger of the two) was planning an attack on CoN. TCW sent in spies to CoN to find out their plans. Although, during these spy operations, the spies stopped the operation before it could happen. Then, relations between the two alliance were thrown open. They went from a protectorate to an MDP. Then, the two merged, forming the United Commonwealth of Nations. Although, it was not to last. 2 and a half years later, much internal trouble was happening in UCN. About 3/4ths of the government had resigned, along with more important members. The remaining government of UCN decided the only option left was disbandment. Many nations left of UCN decided to create Europa, which was the name of the to-be alliance that would have resulted from the would-be FEAR-UCN merger. Even despite the government's decision to disband, 2 members decided to reform the UCN, which has created much controversy.

Notable Figures (Past and Present)
Present:
 * Joamer
 * Lewiscowper
 * erikjsch
 * O-Dog

Past:
 * DarkFox
 * Sqkura
 * XWarrior
 * BorimirResurrected
 * Dionysus
 * Cashan
 * Popsumpot
 * Mustakrakish II
 * Vielwerth
 * JonnyGozy
 * Minister of Silly Walks
 * Ernesto Che Guevara

Notable Wars

 * Illuminati War - Nonnuclear
 * War of the Coalition - Nonnuclear
 * Karma War - Nuclear
 * Second Unjust War - Nuclear

Part 1: Introduction
Membership in The Commonwealth is rich, satisfying and rewarding. Members are encouraged to join one of many ministries that each handle one important aspect of The Commonwealth.

Part 2: Advancement in The Commonwealth
Member nations can apply for a position within any ministry, providing that they fulfill the requirements needed for that position, and can rise through the ranks, possibly even becoming Minister of that ministry. After a while of public service, members may decide to run for public office. (see Article III)

Part 3: Involvement and General Existence
There are rewards, and badges to recognize nations' achievements and rank in The Commonwealth. These can be worn in the signature.

Any member is welcome to suggest new bills for implementation. Member nations are actively encouraged to propose improvements to the alliance or the forum.

The more experienced members will educate the younger nations in the finer parts of nation management. And how to wield a katana like a butter knife.

Article II: Member Rights

 * 1) Members have the right to receive aid.
 * 2) Members have the right to be free from insults and derogatory remarks of any kind upon their person whilst on The Commonwealth forums.
 * 3) Members have the right to offer advice and ideas on any aspect of The Commonwealth.
 * 4) Members have the right to have their contributions (of a nature outlined in Right No. 4 above) fully considered by the leadership.
 * 5) Members have the right to suggest changes to any aspect of the alliance, and have those suggestions fully considered by the leadership.
 * 6) Members have the right and are encouraged to criticize any aspect of The Commonwealth of Nations.
 * 7) Members have the right to leave The Commonwealth for any reason, apart from those covered above.
 * 8) Members have the right to complete military protection from The Commonwealth.
 * 9) Members have the right call for the impeachment/removal of any other member, providing the reason given is reasonable.

Council

 * A body of 3 members, headed by the Prime Minister (council member with most votes).
 * Legislative Body of the UCN
 * Term: 2 Months, and elected with an "at large" system. Voters are presented with a single ballot containing all the candidates, where they vote for their top three choices. The top vote getter becomes Prime Minister, and places 2 and 3 round out the rest of the Council.
 * If necessary, council members may serve in a maximum of one of the appointed positions (included Ministerships)
 * Votes on general policies and laws for the UCN
 * All three have IRC founder
 * Impeachment Procedure:
 * 1) Any Council Member or the Minister can initiate impeachment procedures
 * 2) The entire Council begin a PUBLIC Q/A session with the impeached member
 * 3) Afterwhich, if the Council votes on impeachment, it passes with a 2/3rds vote.
 * 4) If impeached, the impeached member will return to Full Member status and the seat will be open until next election, unless there is a need for someone to hold the position, in which case the PM will appoint someone.

The Bureaucracy

 * All four Ministers, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Interior
 * Defence: In charge of all military matters, the defence of UCN, and official war policy.
 * Foreign Affairs: All diplomatic issues, treaties and relations with other alliances, including Ambassadors are handled here as well.
 * Finance: Provides the UCN Banking Program, War Aid Fund, and other loan and aid programs as well as Tech Deals.
 * Interior: Recruiting, Masking, Tracking, Mentoring Members.
 * Term : 2 Months
 * Appointed by the PM, with the Council confirming.
 * Each is the head of their own ministry
 * Has autonomy to run their own ministry in the best interests of the UCN, including making alliance-wide policies that concern their Ministry, with veto power from the PM.
 * Impeachment Procedure:
 * 1) Another Minister, Councilor or PM must initiate impeachment procedures
 * 2) Same procedures as the Council, but that Minister's Deputy will take over.
 * 3) If there is no Deputy, the PM will appoint someone with Council consent

Declarations of War and Treaty Procedure
 * Introduced to the Council by the Exterior Minister.
 * Voted upon by the Council, passed with a unanimous vote (DoW's) or a majority vote (Treaties)

The Commonwealth Security Division Director
 * Under the command of the MOI
 * Appointed by the MoM, can be vetoed or removed by the PM
 * Term: In office until removed by the MoI/PM or a new MoI is appointed

The Trade Director
 * Under the command of the MoF
 * Appointed by the MoF, can be vetoed or removed by the PM
 * Term: In office until removed by the MoF/PM or a new MoF is appointed

Crisis Chain of Command
In the event of absence of officials during a war, the chain of command is as follows:
 * Prime Minister
 * Minister of Defense
 * Minister of Foreign Affairs
 * Council Members
 * Minister of Finance
 * Minister of Interior
 * The Deputy Minister of Defense (If Applicable)

These officials may change alliance Defcon and issue Executive Orders if no one else is above them in the order.

Article IV: Amendments, Laws, Policies
To allow the smooth government of the UCN, a system of laws and policies shall be used.

Amendments
The Charter is a document that outlines to core principles of the alliance. The Charter is not a document that is easily modified. The Charter is a painting with broad strokes, and should not include many details.

Laws
Laws are motions, ordinances, and executive orders that come from either the Council or Prime Minister. They are more detailed than things in the Charter, and cover more stuff in general. All laws are controlled by a simple vote in the council. All laws are to be kept in a single document ordered by subject.

Policies
Policies are the official positions of the various Ministries on certain issues, such as tech raiding. Ministers should have their official policies published. It doesn't have to be detailed or lengthy, it just needs to be there.

Article V: Amendments
This charter may be amended in any of these two ways
 * A unanimous vote in the Council.
 * A General Referendum Poll. Any member may start an amendment poll (in the General Assembly please!), but for it to be a valid vote there must be at least 1/4 of the alliance voting, and the proposal must win by at least 2/3rds.
 * All amendments will be inserted into the text, with the removed items placed below in this document.

Badges and Awards
Self Awardable Badges:
 * All Strength Badges
 * All Membership Badges
 * Purple Heart Badge
 * Combat Action Badge
 * Rogue Killer
 * Nuclear Proliferation Badge
 * UCN Defense Badge
 * All Rank Badges
 * All Prime Minister/Council Badges

Badges requiring Screen-shot Proof:
 * Order of the Atom Badge
 * Infrastructure Destruction Expert
 * Infrastructure Destruction Specialist

Badges requiring PM/Ministerial Approval
 * War Finance Badge
 * Founder's Badge
 * Charter Badge
 * Amendment Badge
 * All Recruitment Badges
 * UCN Universalis Cross
 * UCN Order of Æsahættr