The Cosmopolitan Template · Article VI
Safeguarding Constitutional Order
Learn about maintaining constitutional order and authority, the triggers, and the steps to restore governance under A Fair Constitution during disruptions.
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When Order Breaks
The Constitution’s Emergency Plan
Constitutions are tested in their worst moments — coups, occupations, catastrophes. Article VI defines exactly when its safeguard activates, and exactly who restores legitimate government, in what order.
Each tier steps in only if the one before it cannot act. The sections below define the triggers and the restoration duties in the constitution’s own words.
Embedding of A Fair Constitution
“A Fair Constitution is embedded in nature and is therefore embedded in The Constitutions of all Jurisdictions.”
A Fair Constitution isn’t granted by any government — it is treated as part of the natural order itself, and therefore already embedded in every jurisdiction’s constitution, whether written down or not. No regime can repeal it, because no regime is its source.
Activation Conditions
“This article becomes active when any of the following conditions are met:”
This article lies dormant in ordinary times. It switches on only when specific, recognizable emergencies occur — the three conditions that follow.
Countermanding A Fair Constitution
“A Government or occupying force, whether foreign or domestic, is countermanding A Fair Constitution.”
The first trigger: a government or an occupying force — homegrown or foreign — is actively overriding A Fair Constitution’s protections.
Capture or Disablement of Fair Government
“A Fair Government has been captured or disabled for an extended period.”
The second trigger: a fair government still exists on paper, but it has been captured or kept from functioning for an extended period.
Destruction of Fair Government
“A Fair Government has been destroyed by an act of war or natural disaster.”
The third trigger: the government has been physically destroyed — by war or by natural disaster — and simply no longer exists.
Election to Form New Legislature
“Constituent Jurisdictions hold elections to form a new Legislature as soon as they can, and the new Legislature musters the forces to restore order.”
The first responders are the constituent jurisdictions themselves: they hold elections as soon as they possibly can, seat a new legislature, and that legislature musters the forces needed to restore order.
Elections Called by Encompassing Jurisdiction
“If a Jurisdictions is not itself composed of Constituent Jurisdictions or an insufficient number of Constituent Jurisdictions are able to send members to The Legislature, then and encompassing Jurisdiction calls elections to replace the members as soon as they are able.”
If a jurisdiction has no constituents — or too few can send members — the next layer out steps in: the encompassing jurisdiction calls the elections to replace the missing members as soon as it is able.
Organization by Individuals
“If neither Constituent Jurisdictions nor encompassing Jurisdictions can restore Constitutional Order, then Individuals gather however they can. Individuals organize themselves into new Jurisdictions using the prescriptions outlined in A Fair Constitution to create a new Legitimate Government.”
And if no jurisdiction above or below can act, the constitution’s final answer is the people themselves: individuals gather however they can and use A Fair Constitution’s own prescriptions to organize new jurisdictions — building a new legitimate government from the ground up.
Protection by Defensive Forces
“Defensive forces protect all Individuals, their rights and the most Legitimate Government when there is a conflict. These entities can be identified by how well they uphold the principles of a Fair Constitution.”
Through every stage of a conflict, defensive forces have one loyalty: individuals, their rights, and whichever government is most legitimate — measured by how faithfully it upholds A Fair Constitution.
From Principle to Practice
Ways to Advocate for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Driving reform — in government or in organizations — takes dedication and perseverance. Start with simple actions and grow your engagement as your strategy evolves: thirteen methods, from the easiest to the most ambitious, for when gentler approaches fall short.
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Order Worth Defending
Article VI is the constitution’s promise that legitimate government can always be rebuilt — by jurisdictions, by their neighbors, or by the people themselves. Help us strengthen that promise.