Iluvauromeni Democracy

Iluvauromeni Democracy

Democracy as practiced, and, indeed, defined by the Iluvauromeni is somewhat different to the traditional variety often associated with the word. The Iluvauromeni refer to the system as semi-direct democracy, or sometimes, in more learned circles, sociocracy. This is, in fact, something of a misnomer.

Iluvauromeni Democracy - Semi-Democratic?

In this case the term 'semi-democratic' does not, in fact, mean the obvious. It is an unfortunately ambiguous term, but is the most common term used in Iluvauromen itself (when translated, which, of course, has it's own problems).

Therefore an explanation is advisable in the interest of thoroughness. In this case, semi-democratic replies to two seperate definitions:

1. The definition as applied to the government as a whole. Slightly less than half of the Unified Commonality Government is elected in terms of power rather than numbers; the other half are selected through various means, ranging from random selection from a certain age range in the population varied by species to selection by existing members of the executive, legislative, and constitutional branches of government.

2. The definition as applied to the legislative and constitutional branches as one whole. The legislative branch election-heavy, with seventy-five percent of those present elected by the population; the remaining twenty-five percent are random selects from the population in defined age ranges varied by species.

Iluvauromen - Sociocratic?

The Commonality is almost certainly defined as a sociocratic state, but is not and cannot be entirely 'pigeon holed' into that category. Due to the manner of the development of the state through several phases (Kingdom of Nenya, Empire of the Eternal Flame, The Long Night, the Dawn Revolution, and the current so-called Era of the Dawn), Iluvauromeni Law is complicated and filled with various tradition-influenced laws. Many of these are related to governance. Iluvauromeni generally are intolerant of failure, and slow to change that which works (socially), and therefore many traditional aspects of the society remain intact even in the modern world. It is also important to note that European influence never reached Iluvauromen until [i]after[/i] the Colonial Era, thus European influence is severely limited there - much of the works of Greece and Egypt and the rest of the world, in fact, were only learned by the Iluvauromeni through other states, in relatively recent times. This is not to say that the Iluvauromeni have ever been technologically backward. The influence of the Noldor and Nenyans in particular has ensured constant technological evolution for the culture, which was in turn heightened by the fierce struggle for survival which marked Iluvauromen for close to two millenia (see: Two Thousand Year War).

As a result, there is a complex system of checks, measures, balances and countermeasures which largely erodes the overall tendency towards power struggle. There are no political parties, forcing individuals to rely on their own political acumen to gain power; a good example of a counterbalance in Iluvauromeni governance is the widespread policy of employing former randomly selected politicians as members of the Civil Service, which is responsible for training and advising new entrants into the political arena. Further, the high degree of individual social and political responsibility accorded to each citizen encourages patriotic duty - although this does not mean corruption and other problems faced by all governments are not present. Rather, corruption is fairly rife, with government corruption accounting for a significant proportion of national crime. However, it is widely agreed inside the country in question that - although corrupt - Iluvauromeni elected politicians tend to be more reliable than those of other states.

Considering patriotic tendencies of the state, this does not seem entirely likely. It is also worth noting that the ancient imperial culture still holds fast in the Commonality, despite efforts towards erosion; many traditions remain intact, and thus the system of government now in place is perhaps not expected or capable of currently attaining a 'peak of efficiency'.

However, it is almost certainly true that the environment does tend towards sociocracy. The consensus system is reinforced with complicated rank arrangements in each branch of government, with varied tiers called 'Echelons'. Each Echelon has a particular degree of responsibility, and each Member of one of the two Houses (legislative and constitutional) is assigned to a particular Ministry based on work/life experience.

Thus debates tend to be lengthy. Further lengthening the process is the requirement for a supermajority vote; but, considering the sociologic tendencies of the Iluvauromeni - who are swift to change what does not seem to be working - this is likely in itself yet another balance.

Application

In application, the system appears to flourish. Voter turnout is exceptional, with a high degree of pride and satisfaction reported to the United Nations with regards national politics. The patriotic public are not beyond protesting, suggesting a healthy level of political freedom socially, and debates in public are not uncommon - especially in the cultural and governmental capital, Nenya.

Further Information

For further information, see: Iluvauromeni Constitution.