AN: To clarify to all, credit for this work goes to Keith Adams. My own contribution is solely on formatting assistance to accommodate FFN's system and typo/misspelling corrections. The original work as-is can still be found on Icybrian's website while it remains in existence. Original posting of this work is March 20, 1998 as per Icybrian - the original site, and all of its notes of when it was posted is on a long defunct website.
An Overview Of Guardia's Political System
This is my first attempt at a serialized fan-fiction. I have most of the plot worked out for the first 20 Chapters. I have taken some liberties with a few nations: Guardia is a Britain like Empire now, although the power of the king is stronger than the irrelevant royal families in modern day constitutional monarchies.
Guardia
Government
Guardia is a constitutional monarchy. The King has power to write and enforce laws, but everyone is bound by them. The Chancellor is elected by the High Council every 4 years to advise the King, and is in charge of the High Council. While the King may declare laws, the High Council controls funds. Without the High Councils support, the King may not fund anything.
The High Council consists of representatives from Guardia, Truce, Dorino, Choras, and Porre. The Chancellor has a vote as well, and the King breaks ties. A measure needs 4 votes to pass. An election of the Chancellor is held by the Chancellors department selecting a candidate. Only representatives may vote, and the Chancellor needs 4 votes to be accepted.
The Current Representatives on the High Council are:
Seat: Chancellor
Name: Chancellor
War Stance: Anti
Political Stance: Government
Seat: Guardia
Name: Knight Captain
War Stance: Pro
Political Stance: Military
Seat: Truce
Name: Blacksmith
War Stance: Pro
Political Stance: Industry
Seat: Dorino
Name: Elder Alchemist
War Stance: Anti
Political Stance: R&D
Seat: Choras
Name: Toma
War Stance: Pro
Political Stance: Exploration
Seat: Porre
Name: Mayor
War Stance: Pro
Political Stance: Trade
The High Council controls all funds, and decides which laws are acceptable. Elections within territory for a High Councilor are held every 6 years and are chosen democratically.
The Chancellor is head of the Civil Service. He is the equivalent of the Cabinet Secretary, and tends towards taking hints from Machiavelli
Each territory has a Mayor and a Council. There are 21 councilors, and they serve a 6 month term - there are 3 elections a month. The Mayor is like a Governor, and the Councilors control all funding and regional bills.
The Civil Service has the following departments:
- Defense
- State
- Internal Affairs
- Administrative Affairs
- Trade
- Intelligence
- Revenue
- Economy
- Prime Department
Every 3 years, elections are held. The Winner gains control of the Ministerial section of each office. The PM is in charge overall, and he is chosen by as vote of no less than 6 Ministers. Once in place, PMs stay for 3 years.
Finally, there is the Parliament. They are the ones that may propose laws other than the King, and have various committees. They also investigate Department Misconduct. They are 100 in number, and are elected yearly based on a parties percent of the vote. If a party has 34% of the national vote, they have 34 seats. If they get 37% next time, they get 3 new seats, and may reissue them. Once the General election is over, a party convention is held. Any wishing to may go, and the candidates are voted on. If the Party has 34 seats then the top 34 go to Parliament, and each member may vote (34/3 = 11/33) 11 times. Parliament gets first dibs on any bill save spending measures: Those go to the High Council. Parliament has no control over foreign policy.
Currently the Parliament Breakdown is as follows:
- 24% Defenders of Guardia (Conservative)
- 16% Liberty Guarders (Anti-Civil Service)
- 17% Compromisers (Moderate)
- 13% Restorers (Favor Fiona)
- 11% Returners (Anti-Mystic)
- 09% Foundation (Pro-Industry)
- 05% Scientists (Pro-Tech)
- 03% Corporatists (Anti-Government)
- 02% Fnord (Paranoids)