The Cosmopolitan Template
Explore the Cosmopolitan Template, rooted in reciprocity and consent, ensuring fair governance, individual rights, and balanced power.
Test Your Knowledge
This Webpage and Video Have a Quiz you can take to test your knowledge and understanding of the content. This lesson is part of a larger education series.
Preamble
Government Legitimacy, its root in the Ethic of Reciprocity, and its derivation from the Consent of the Governed.
Individuals
Individual Rights and Freedoms including equality, autonomy, expression, religion, privacy, security, legal protections, and civic engagement.
Legislatures
Legislature Structure and function, including creation, elections, procedures, accountability, ethics, and emergency powers.
Governments
Government Organization, Responsibilities, Executive Authority, Executive Leadership, Administration, Labor Relations, and Public Corporations.
Judiciaries
Judicial Power, Judge Appointment/Election, Legal Dispute resolution, and Legislative Interaction.
Jurisdictions
Authority and Responsibilities, Relationships, Nested Jurisdictions, Joint and Reserved Powers, Cultural Respect.
Constitutional Order
Triggers and Procedures for Protecting the Constitutional Guarantee and if needed, re-establishing government.
Ratification
Adaptable Ratification Process that also entrenches Basic Structures necessary for Minimizing Consent Violation, Balancing Interests Uniformly, and Governing Effectively.
The underlying assumptions
This is an exercise in Political Philosophy intending to be implemented.
A consistent reality that can be studied scientifically
Self-aware entities with independent minds and choices exist
These entities have diverse thoughts, opinions, and interests
Conflicts arising from these differences can range from mild disagreements to large-scale violence
A Pragmatic Approach
Numerical Flexibility
Numbers in the constitutional text are specific but arbitrary. They will likely be adjusted during actual conventions.
Intentional Text
The text is intentional but not perfect. Constitutions are only as powerful as the people who believe in them.
Institutional Adaptability
Institutions presented are compatible with fair constitutions but may change based on geopolitical realities.
Building Blocks for Fair Society
The goal is to provide building blocks for creating a society considered "fair" by most people.
Communication over Precision
Some terms may be technically 'incorrect' in specific disciplines, but the purpose is to communicate and educate a broad audience.
The Realities of Power
Power attracts those who seek it
Dishonest methods are often used to gain advantages
Breaking rules to attain power works often
If one form of currency is removed, another will take its place
decision-makers will prioritize their own interests and those who keep them in power
The Necessity of Coexistence
The challenge of peace and coexistence persists until actively addressed
For so long as there are two (2) or mode individuals alive there will be disagreement
Multiple economic and geopolitical blocks perpetuate the struggle for resource control
The existence of multiple defense blocks poses a constant risk of catastrophic conflict
Our only choice: Strive for peaceful coexistence or face the consequences of inaction
The Quest for Optimal Coexistence
Our goal: Find the best way to distribute power fairly among all individuals.
Minimize Consent Violations
Minimize the concentration of power away from individuals.
Balance Interests Uniformly
Distribute control of power as proportionally as possible.
Govern Effectively
Create implementable institutions that function as intended.
Specific methods claiming to be optimal can be simulated and compared
Optimal Methods are discovered in nature, not invented
Preamble
Understand the foundation of government legitimacy, rooted in the Ethic of Reciprocity and derived from the consent of the governed, ensuring a fair and just society.
The Right to Rule
"The legitimacy of government is derived exclusively from the consent of the governed."
Legitamacy Tests
"Legitimate Governments are and ought to be designed in such a way as to minimize consent violations, balance interests uniformly, and govern effectively. "
Basic Structure Doctrine
"A Fair Constitution describes Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals and Governments that must exist for a Legitimate Government to exist."
Self-Evident Entrenchment
"It is observed to be entrenched in the laws of nature and is therefore immutable."
Individuals
Explore the rights and freedoms of Individuals. Learn about equality, autonomy, freedom of expression, religion, privacy, security, legal protections, and the importance of civic engagement.
Equal Treatment Under the Law
"Individuals are recognized everywhere and treated equally under the law, without distinction to any characteristic, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.'
Autonomy and Personal Decision-Making
"Individuals can make decisions regarding their own life, body, health, and well-being, without coercion or interference."
Freedom of Expression
"Individuals can freely express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas through any medium without fear of censorship, retribution, or suppression in public spaces nor subjection to community standards in their private spaces."
Freedom of Religion and Belief
"Individuals can choose, practice, and manifest their religion or beliefs, Individually or in community with others, without fear of persecution or discrimination, to the extent this does not infringe on the rights of others."
Fair Representation
"Individuals are represented fairly and justly in the governing bodies of the Jurisdictions they reside in."
Privacy and Security
"Individuals are secure in their bodies, homes, property, and communications from both Government and private interference, including trespass, theft, warrantless or unreasonable searches, seizures, or surveillance."
Freedom from Compelled Speech
"Individuals are never compelled to speak for any reason except to testify to the truth of events in a court of law."
Freedom from Self-Incrimination
"Individuals are never compelled to make self-incriminating statements under any circumstances."
Supremacy of Rights
"Individuals are free from any law, contract, or agreement that attempts to disempower A Fair Constitution or their rights."
Right to a Fair Trial
"Individuals are entitled to fair and public trials Judged by an impartial tribunal."
Right to Legal Representation
"Individuals are entitled to competent advocates representing them in a court of law, timely hearings, and a presumption of innocence until otherwise proven beyond reasonable doubt."
Freedom from Torture
"Individuals are not subject to torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment under the law."
Access to Information
"Individuals have access to news and information and can report news freely without fear of censorship or interference."
Right to Vote
"Individuals can vote in any election or referendum and can participate in all other public decision-making processes regardless of any characteristic except jurisdictional association."
Right to Stand for Office
"Individuals can stand for any elected office or civil appointment, as well as participate in any other electoral process regardless of any characteristic except jurisdictional association."
Freedom of Assembly and Association
"Individuals can peacefully assemble and associate with any other individual without fear of warrantless or unreasonable intervention or repression."
Economic Freedom
"Individuals can engage in enterprise, commerce, and other economic activities freely, without warrantless or unreasonable restrictions.”
Freedom of Movement
"Individuals can move within and between Jurisdictions, subject only to reasonable, justifiable, and temporary limitations that respect public safety and security."
Free Movement of Capital and Goods
"Individuals can move capital, goods, and services within and between Jurisdictions, subject only to reasonable regulations that promote economic cooperation and fairness."
Access to Common Good Services
"Individuals have equal access to goods and services of the Common Good regardless of any characteristic except jurisdictional association."
Right to Reside
"Individuals can reside in any Jurisdiction of their choosing, and are subject to the laws of the Jurisdiction they choose to reside in."
Freedom to Contract
"Individuals can freely form contracts and agreements with others to protect their rights and interests."
Right to Petition and Protest
"Individuals can create, petition, and protest Governments for redress of grievances."
Right to Secure Rights
"Individuals can do what is necessary and the laws of nature allow to secure their rights."
Legislatures
Explore the rights and freedoms of Individuals. Learn about equality, autonomy, freedom of expression, religion, privacy, security, legal protections, and the importance of civic engagement.
Created through Consent
Legislatures are established to represent the will of the people in their jurisdiction while protecting individual rights and maintaining constitutional order. Their power is derived directly from the consent of the governed.
Basic Duties
Legislatures are tasked with adopting rules and codes of ethics, ensuring the right to vote and stand for election, securing election integrity, and maintaining accurate population records. They also set terms of office, establish proportional voting systems, and ensure transparency through regular meetings and public records.
Speaker of the Legislature
The Speaker is a neutral officer elected by the legislature to preside over meetings and ensure smooth operation. They vote only to break ties and manage committee assignments, including serving as a judge in impeachment cases.
Committees
Legislatures create committees through a supermajority vote, reflecting the proportional makeup of the whole legislature. Committee assignments are based on members' preferences and election results, and committee leadership is chosen through ranked choice voting.
Vacancies
Vacancies in elected offices are filled using a "countback" procedure from previous election results. If this fails, a special election is held within a set timeframe.
Referendums
Legislatures can delegate authority to referendums by supermajority vote. Citizens can also create laws through petitions, which are placed on ballots unless deemed unconstitutional. Legislative acts via referendums can be modified or repealed through a supermajority vote.
Emergency Powers
Legislatures may invoke emergency powers during crises, such as natural disasters or invasions, by a supermajority vote. These powers are limited in duration and scope, cannot disrupt civic processes, and are subject to judicial review.
Forbidden Actions
Legislatures are prohibited from subdividing improperly, interfering with civic duties, enacting retroactive or punitive laws, making arrests without a warrant, and compelling individuals into servitude. Double jeopardy is forbidden, and individuals cannot be charged fees to exercise their rights.
Governments
Legislatures are responsible for creating various government departments such as executive, treasury, defense, state, and justice. These departments ensure the execution of laws and administration of the jurisdiction, with civil appointments typically lasting ten years.
Governments
Explore the structure and function of Legislatures. Learn about their creation, elections, procedural rules, accountability measures, ethical standards, and the use of emergency powers to maintain constitutional order.
Authority by Extension
Governments derive their authority from the consent of individuals in their jurisdiction. Their primary role is to execute the will of their constituents while upholding constitutional rights and order. Legislatures are responsible for establishing these governments to ensure faithful representation.
Executive Committees
Legislatures can delegate portions of their executive authority to Executive Committees through a supermajority vote. These committees mirror the factional composition of the legislature and are selected according to constitutional guidelines.
Elected Executives
Legislatures may also delegate executive authority to elected executive officers, who are chosen by the entire population in the same manner as legislators. These officers share the same rights, duties, and ethical obligations as legislative members. For jurisdictions composed of smaller units, changes to executive offices require supermajority approval from those units.
Boards of Governors
Executive representatives, with legislative approval, appoint expert boards to manage specific departments. These boards are politically neutral and responsible for executing departmental policies. Executive officers have full authority to oversee these departments and may propose changes or request the removal of board members for incompetence or unethical behavior.
Common Good Corporations
Legislatures can create Common Good Corporations to provide services to the public. These corporations are subject to the same regulations as private enterprises. Legislatures can acquire private monopolies or purchase enterprises for the public good, ensuring fair compensation to shareholders. Intellectual property from these corporations is placed in the public domain.
Work Councils
Work Councils ensure worker representation on the Boards of Governors for large enterprises. Worker-elected representatives increase in number proportionally with the workforce until they achieve equal representation with shareholder-elected members, ensuring fair governance within large organizations.
Judiciaries
Explore the powers and functions of Judiciaries. Learn about judge appointments and elections, legal dispute resolution, and the interaction between the judiciary and legislature to uphold justice and order.
Judicial Jurisdiction
Judiciaries are responsible for preserving individual rights and maintaining constitutional order. Their authority is derived from the individuals within their jurisdiction, and they are created by legislatures to independently and impartially handle all legal matters, especially constitutional law.
Appointed Judiciary
Legislatures can delegate judicial authority to an appointed, politically neutral judiciary. If a jurisdiction contains smaller, constituent jurisdictions, each nominates an equal number of judges. In jurisdictions without constituent jurisdictions, a judicial committee may nominate judges.
Elected Judiciary
Judicial authority may also be delegated to judges elected by the population of the jurisdiction. For jurisdictions with constituent jurisdictions, a supermajority of those must agree to create an elected judiciary. Judges serve terms that align with legislative terms and are elected in groups.
Composition
Judges share similar rights and duties with legislators, including the potential for removal by a supermajority vote. Cases must be heard by at least three judges, with the number scaling based on the case's severity. Serious constitutional questions are handled by the entire court, and individuals are entitled to a jury of their peers and competent legal representation.
Resolving Questions of Law
Individuals have the right to challenge laws they believe infringe upon their constitutional rights. If the judiciary finds a law unconstitutional, it informs the legislature, which must then amend or repeal the law. If the legislature fails to act or does not override the judiciary's decision within a set timeframe, the judiciary may directly amend the law to align it with the constitution. Executive officers are responsible for enforcing these outcomes.
Jurisdictions
Explore the roles and duties of Jurisdictions. Learn about nested jurisdictions, shared and reserved powers, and the emphasis on cultural respect for better governance.
Authority by Consent
Jurisdictions are empowered by the consent of their populations, tasked with executing the will of their constituents while protecting individual rights and upholding constitutional order. Their authority is derived solely from the individuals within their boundaries.
Basic Duties
Jurisdictions are self-governing entities that manage the common good within their territories, maintain peace and prosperity, apply laws uniformly, and resolve disputes. They also control resources, maintain defensive forces, and respect the boundaries of other jurisdictions.
Bicameral Legislature
Jurisdictions with constituent jurisdictions have a bicameral legislature, with representatives apportioned by population and equally among jurisdictions. Legislative actions require independent agreement from both groups of representatives.
Joint Powers
Jurisdictions collectively establish uniform procedures, collect taxes, borrow funds, mobilize defense forces, and manage infrastructure. They can also enact laws, provide punishments, and promote progress in science and the arts.
Reserved Powers
The highest jurisdiction reserves powers such as currency regulation, oversight of international trade, management of military resources, and declaration of war. It also sets uniform standards like the age of consent and holds supremacy over conflicting constituent laws.
Cultural Institutions of State
Jurisdictions may recognize cultural institutions that represent their essence, but these institutions have no legislative, executive, or judicial powers. Recognition requires a supermajority vote.
Union
Independent jurisdictions can form or join a union by aligning their institutions with A Fair Constitution. Changes in union membership require supermajority consent from both the applicant jurisdiction's population and the union's constituent jurisdictions.
Disintermediation
If all constituent jurisdictions of an intermediary jurisdiction agree, along with their encompassing jurisdiction, the intermediary jurisdiction can be dissolved, with its powers and responsibilities absorbed by the former constituent jurisdictions.
Constitutional Order
Learn about the triggers and procedures for safeguarding the Constitutional Guarantee and the steps to re-establish government if necessary, ensuring stability and continuity.
Constitutional Guarantee
A Fair Constitution is fundamentally linked to the natural order and, therefore, is embedded within the constitutions of all jurisdictions. The principles of A Fair Constitution are universally applicable and inherently part of every governing body’s legal framework.
Authority by Condition
The provisions of A Fair Constitution become actively enforceable under specific conditions: if a government or occupying force undermines the Constitution, if a Fair Government is captured or disabled for an extended period, or if a Fair Government is destroyed due to war or natural disaster.
Restoring Order
In the event of disruption to constitutional order, elections are to be held to form a new Legislature, which will then work to restore order. If the jurisdiction lacks the necessary structure to hold these elections, an encompassing jurisdiction will step in. If no formal structure exists to restore order, individuals must organize themselves into new jurisdictions, following the prescriptions of A Fair Constitution. Defensive forces are tasked with protecting individuals, their rights, and the most legitimate government during such conflicts.
Ratification
Discover the adaptable ratification process that secures essential structures, minimizing consent violations, balancing interests uniformly, and ensuring effective governance.
Entrenchment and Amendment Conditions
“A Fair Constitution is fully entrenched and not subject to amendment except by that which can MINIMALLY VIOLATE CONSENT, UNIFORMLY BALANCE INTERESTS, and EFFECTIVILY GOVERN.”
Approval Requirement for Amending Additional Articles
“Amending additional Articles to The Constitution requires the approval of a Supermajority of Constituent Jurisdictions or a Supermajority of The Legislature if there are no Constituent Jurisdictions.”
Protection of Proportional Representation and Supermajority Definition
“The default voting method cannot be replaced with a voting method that decreases proportionality in representation regarding collective preferences. The definition of a Supermajority cannot be changed to be less than a majority and a majority cannot be less than half (1/2) plus one (1). Unless otherwise amended, A Supermajority is two thirds (2/3).”