Organization of Sovereign Nations
The Organization of Sovereign Nations, or OSN, is an international organization of nations who have chosen to cooperate based on the principle that each nation is sovereign and is free to govern itself. The OSN was formally founded on June 1, 2004 in order to present an alternative to the typical regional politics of NationStates, and the region crashing, espionage, power plays, and in-fighting so common in the game. It is governed by the Treaty of the Organization of Sovereign Nations, and is hosted by the region OSN.
Contents
History
The OSN was formed as an offshoot of The Meritocracy. During March and April of 2004, the Meritocracy was going through great internal strife characterized by bickering, the filing of lawsuits and criminal charges, and resignations of important officials, including its Praetor and Tribune among others. This internal conflict led some Senators of the Meritocracy to desire a more stable environment in which to work.
On April 4, 2004, the same day Tekari resigned from the Meritocracy, Winnipeg founded the Organization of Sovereign Nations and invited several like minded Meritocrats, including some that had recently resigned, to join him. The Meritocracy had always had strong feelings about national sovereignty, but some believed it now fell short of its ideals and failed to fully protect nations. With the new impetus given to create the OSN, Winnipeg saw an opportunity to "embrace the ideals of protecting Sovereignty and providing a Neutral International Organization." And thus the OSN was invested with the principles of sovereignty and neutrality.
Many Meritocrats followed Winnipeg to the OSN, but few stayed on as active members. These nations did help to choose the exact structure the OSN should take, but most of the credit should go to the interim governing body. This body called itself the Upper Council, and consisted of representatives from the nations Winnipeg, Jasque, Argyes, Sogno, Tekari, and, later, Libertas Honestus. A debate on the future structure of the OSN ensued, and Sogno wrote up a rough draft of a governing Treaty. This Treaty was later edited and expanded upon by Jasque, with help from Libertas Honestus.
On June 1, 2004, the Treaty of the Organization of Sovereign Nations was ratified by President Jack McDonald of Jasque, Chancellor Arvani of Libertas Honestus, and Robert Isoeph of Winnipeg, thus formally creating the Organization of Sovereign Nations.
Membership
Any nation may join the OSN so long as it abides by the Treaty of the OSN. To become a member, a representative of the nation must apply to the OSN’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Once approved, as all nations so far have been, the representative is cleared to sign the Treaty. Upon signing the Treaty, the nation is a full member of the OSN.
All members of the OSN are recognized by the label “Ambasssador.” This is to emphasize that the OSN is an alliance, and that all nations are equal. By using the label Ambassador for all signatories of the Treaty, members will be reminded that the OSN is not a standing government, but an alliance of like-minded nations that have agreed to send representatives to foster cooperation and understanding between their respective national governments. National governments are always the priority, and in joining the OSN nations are not ceding their sovereignty; they are sending ambassadors to work alongside friendly nations.
Government
Essentially, the OSN is nothing more than a contractual agreement between individual nations, but because the arrangement is so complex, the Treaty of the OSN outlines many governmental functions as well.
Structures
The OSN is governed by three main bodies: The Assembly of Ambassadors (the Assembly), The Hall of Representatives (the Hall), and The Council of Governance (the Council). The Assembly overlaps with the other two bodies, which are meant to resemble a bicameral legislative body. These bodies possess the power to pass legislation, but are restricted in power by the Treaty.
The Assembly is made up of all Ambassadors (members) of the OSN. It is in the Assembly that all legislation is first introduced and debated. It is also from the Assembly that all members of the Ministries and Civil Departments (see below) come. Assembly Members may run for elections in the Hall.
The Hall is an elected body that is charged with passing legislation and running Ministries and Civil Departments. Elected members are titled “Representatives”, and they are responsible for much of the governing of the OSN.
The Council consists of permanent members, named Councilors, who have extensive powers, including the power to veto bills and to appoint Ministers and Directors (see below). The Council is not required to be proactive in the OSN. Its primary goal is to ensure that the founding principles are not abridged.
Ministries and Civil Departments
Ministries and Civil Departments make up the bureaucracy of the OSN. They are designed to carry out the OSN’s day-to-day affairs, but differ in their scope.
Ministries are fully empowered bodies of the OSN whose actions can potentially affect member nations. They carry out the normal activities of the OSN, and are headed by a Minister from either the Hall or the Council. Typical duties of Ministries are to keep track of passed legislation and to approve new nations to sign onto the Treaty.
Civil Departments are different from Ministries in that they do not have an impact on any OSN members who do not actively choose to participate. This allows OSN members to cooperate on projects that not all may approve of. Civil Departments are headed by a Director from either the Hall or the Council. The most well know Civil Department of the OSN is the Globally Unified Statistics and Trade Organization.
Limitations
The Treaty of the OSN specifically limits the OSN in several matters. The most noteworthy limitations are on defense and intelligence (espionage). The OSN is legally prohibited from engaging in any activities involving a military or intelligence organization. Members of the OSN may join military and intelligence operations elsewhere, but the OSN cannot engage in or support any such activities.
The City
The OSN’s facilities are located on the island of Astoniva off the coast of Libertas Honestus. This city is still under construction, and has not yet been named. (The name “Tekari” has been suggested for the city, in honor of the late nation by the same name.) It is here that Ambassadors convene to debate and set policy.
A few of the city’s landmarks are worth mentioning.
The World Fellowship Pavilion is located north of the Rotunda. This broad, stately square is encompassed on three sides by the governmental buildings of the OSN. The plaza itself is dominated by a monumental fountain in the center where diplomats have been known to convene.
The Daedalus Promenade is situated within the World Fellowship Pavilion. Assemblymen and visiting dignitaries may commence upon these grounds situated behind the Rotunda to converse at their leisure. These grounds are a tribute to Daedalus who was an inspiration to all who knew him.
