United Commonwealth of Nations

Article I: Membership
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.

Article III: Government
Council

The Council is the legislative part of UCN. Members are voted in by the "pick your top (insert current number of council positions here)" method, with the candidate with the most votes becoming the Prime Minister (See Section II) The Council can vote on treaties, pass laws, discipline members of UCN and declare war, all with a simple majority. Elections are every two months. The size of the council shall be set by the council before each election as part of the laws of UCN.

Prime Minister

The PM is the president of the Council. His job is mostly symbolic of the fact that he got the most votes, but he does have the responsibility of organizing Council members if an emergency vote must be taken. The PM is acting Secretary Genral when the Secretary General is not availible.

Secretary General (SG)

The SG is the executive of UCN. He may pass legislation without the approval of the Council. However, he may not declare war or sign treaties on behalf of the alliance. Those powers lie with the Council. The SG is elected at the same time as the Council, but is elected in a seperate poll. The SG may veto the Council, and a 70% majority is needed to override the veto. A majority vote in the council can override an executive order.

Checks and Balances

The government of UCN is structured so that the various elected officials may not abuse their wide powers. The Council may veto any decision made by the SG with a simple majority. The SG may veto decisions made by the council. UCN members may impeach or veto any law treaty or order given by the government with a 2/3 vote of the people (with at least 1/4 of the alliance voting).

Ministries

The Ministries of UCN are the beauracracy of UCN. There may be as many Ministries as the current SG wishes, but there must always be minsitries of war, foreign affairs and internal affairs. Ministers are appointed by the SG, but Ministers may only leave there posts if they resign or the Council votes them out of their position. In other words, every time a new SG administration begins, that does not necesarily mean that there will be a completely new set of ministers. Ministers have free reign to develop their departments as they please, so they have admin powers.

Removal of Government Members

Directors - Can be removed by the Minister that oversees them or a simple majority vote of the council. If a Director is removed, the Minister that oversees them will appoint a new Director as soon as possible and will need confirmation of the council by simple majority vote.

Ministers - Can be removed by the SG or a simple majority vote of the council. If a Minister is removed, the SG will appoint a new Minister as soon as possible and will need confirmation of the council by simple majority vote.

Councilors, PM - Can be removed by a 2/3 vote of the people (all UCN members) with at least 1/5 of the alliance voting. If a Councilor is removed, the next highest vote-getter in the last election that is not a current Councilor (i.e. 6th place) will move into the vacated position. If the PM is removed, the next highest vote-getter that is a current Councilor (i.e. 2nd place) will become PM, and the next highest vote-getter that is not a current Councilor (i.e. 6th place) will become a Councilor.

SG - Can be removed by either a unanimous vote of the council or a 2/3 vote of the people (all UCN members) with at least 1/5 of the alliance voting. If the SG is removed, a special election will be held as soon as possible to vote for a new SG. The current PM will act as temporary SG until the election has taken place.

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 Secretary General. 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 and Directors 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.

Official Forum and Sign up-thread

 * United Commonwealth of Nations Forum
 * Sign up for UCN!
 * Diplomat Sign-up

Government

 * Government List

Treaties

 * Hall of Treaties