The Praetorian Empire

Introduction

The Praetorian Empire is a region founded on the ideals of the ancient Roman Empire, with an extra helping of democracy tossed in as well.

Our government consists of a Senate, which is made up of one senator for every ten nations in the region; and an Imperial Consul, which manages executive affairs, including (but not limited to) appointing Cabinet ministers, managing inter- and intraregional affairs, and gathering intelligence. All positions within the government are outlined in the regional constitution, as well as the rights and responsibilities of all member nations.

Constitution

The Constitution of the Region of The Praetorian Empire

We the sovereign nations of The Praetorian Empire, in order to create an efficient and long-lasting region, establish a safe haven for all, insure regional tranquility and equality, provide for those who seek opportunity, promote nations’ involvements in the region, and secure the benefits of having a clearly-defined and written shield to protect all nations, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Region of The Praetorian Empire.

Article I

Concerning Member Nations in General 1. All nations of any United Nations(UN) category from any region has the right to join the region of The Praetorian Empire. Although, every nation can lose the right to stay by a vote of the member nations, or executive decision by the consul. i) The process to eject a member nation from the region is contained in Article Three, Clause Two, Subclause i. 2. Every nation must create a hospitable environment for all nations by not using foul language in the message board, not making accusations or insults, and obeying the orders of the delegate or the founder of the region. 3. Upon entering the region, all UN nations must endorse the current regional UN delegate within one week of their arrival. Failure to do so will result in warning. Failure to endorse the delegate within two days of a warning will result in ejection from the region. No nation may hold a number of endorsements exceeding one half of the delegate's endorsements. i) The two nations that shall endorse the members of the region will be the regional delegate and the founder. ii) No nation will be allowed more than two endorsements, except the delegate, while residing in The Praetorian Empire region. Since only two endorsements are required to submit a UN proposal, and gaining the delegacy and submitting a UN proposal are the only purposes of having endorsements, any endorsements in excess of the two allowed endorsements will result in a warning, followed by ejection 24 hours later if the number of endorsements still exceeds two. 4. The failure to comply with any of these rules will result in a caucus of the Security Council, which could turn out a petition for the removal of the non-complying nation that would then proceed to be signed, or supported, by member nations, resulting in the ejection of non-complying nation.

Article II

Concerning the Position of United Nations Delegate 1. As defined by nationstates.net, the regional UN delegate is the nation in a region who has obtained the most endorsements from the other UN member nations in his region. The delegate has the ability to update the World Factbook for the region, vote for proposals in the United Nations, and possesses the power to access regional control (eject nations, etc.). 2. In accordance with Article I, Clause 3, of this constitution, every UN member nation of the region must endorse the current regional delegate within one week of entrance into the region. 3. The position of regional delegate is secured by the endorsement process, but this does not allow the delegate infinite reign. Members may bring up grievances by way of the regional message board, the regional forum, or a telegram to the founder. i) The regional UN delegacy rightly belongs to the Imperial Consul, who possesses it until s/he no longer wishes to hold it. However, the Senate may bring up a vote of "No Confidence" and impose restrictions on the Consul's powers. ii) The Consul holds the power to appoint Cabinet members, including Minister of War, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and any other ministry the Consul wishes to create. Each of these Ministers serve at the discretion of the Consul and may be dismissed at any time.

Article III

Concerning the Imperial Senate 1. The Imperial Senate will consist of elected senators, and the Praetor. The Praetor is the Head of the Senate and is required to report honorably the Senate's decisions to the Imperial Consul, the Founder and any other body that its decisions affect. i) There is a single senator for every ten (10) nations in the region; additionally, each protectorate of the Praetorian Empire may elect one senator. Senators are required to be members of the United Nations to prevent a single person from occupying more than one senate seat. No member of the Senate may occupy another officially appointed or elected position. ii) The position of Senator is a generally permanent position; once a senator takes office, only the Praetor can remove him from power. A senator may only be removed from office for violating any part of this Constitution, or by losing a challenge. iii) Any UN member belonging to The Praetorian Empire who does not approve of the way a senator is handling the duties of his office and wishes to take over the duties of that position may issue a challenge. The challenge must be posted on the regional message board, as well as in a telegram sent to the Consul and the senator being challenged. The challenger must submit a petition stating the senator to be challenged and a list of the names of at least ten UN members in the region who agree that the challenge should take place to the Consul. Upon receipt of this list, the Consul will declare the challenge valid. One week from this declaration, the Founder will hold a vote by the previously described telegram system, which will last for three days. At the end of the voting, the Founder will declare who received the most votes and instate the challenger as the new senator, in the event that the challenger received more votes than the senator. In order for a challenger to win a challenge, s/he must receive at least two-thirds of all votes cast, and at least three-fourths of the UN member nations of the region must have cast a vote. iv) To elect a senator, every member of the General Assembly of the Praetorian Empire may send a telegram to the Founder with a list of two (2) nominees for the position to be filled (the Nomination Telegram System). The Founder will count the number of nominations for each nation, and the nations with the highest numbers of nominations will fill the available position. All positions must fill by number of nominations in descending order beginning with the nation with the most nominations. After three (3) days of voting, the regional delegate will reveal the elected officials on the regional forum and the regional message board. v) In the event that the number of nominees for the representative position is less than the number of positions available, the founder will appoint willing nations. 2. The Senate has the power to vote upon proposals including, but not limited to, amendments to the Constitution of the Region of The Praetorian Empire, ejection suggestion, and the removal from office of all position-holders. i) To eject a member nation from the region, the Senate must achieve a two-thirds majority vote in favor of ejection. ii) To amend the Constitution of the Praetorian Empire, the proposed amendment must pass with a two-thirds majority vote by the regional Senate.

Article IV

Concerning the Position of Founder 1. As defined by nationstates.net, the founder of a region is the nation who created that region. The founder can access the “regional control” page which gives him the power to update the World Factbook Entry, password-protect the region, and eject trouble-makers. 2. As stated by Article II, Clause Three, subclause i of this constitution, it is also the duty of founder to collect votes in the event that elections for a new regional delegate are held.

Article V

Concerning Lawmaking and Upkeep of the Region of the Praetorian Empire 1. Although this Constitution sets forth ground rules upon which the future of the region shall be placed, both the General Assembly and the Senate of the Praetorian Empire may submit proposals for laws to aid in the general upkeep of the region. 2. A proposal shall be submitted to the Praetor by way of a telegram, and the Head of Senate will proceed to present the issue to the Senate and collect votes on the matter. i) A two-thirds majority vote of the Senate will be required to pass any new proposal into law. ii) If any member of the General Assembly of the region requests that a certain law be repealed, then the Senate shall review the matter. Should a three-fourths majority of the Senate find fault in the law, then the law shall be considered null and void. iii) Any member of the General Assembly may also propose an amendment to the Constitution. A three-fourths approval by the Senate, plus approval of the Consul or the Founder is required to amend any article of the Constitution. 3. As previously stated in Article I, Clause Four, this Constitution shall be made law, and, therefore, binding. Any failure to comply with these laws so set forth will be subject to a review by the Consul and the Senate. 4. In accordance with the opportunity created by freedom, and the liberty created by democracy, this Constitution shall be rendered null and void if the majority of the region finds to be in need of a better governing document, binding law, or greater fairness in general.

Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

The Imperialistic Democracy of The Praetorian Empire hereby places these laws under the highest regard for all who dwell in this region.

1. Treason to the Consul, Praetor, or to any official of the Empire is punishable by ejection.

2. The freedom of speech is to be conducted in a way that does not conflict with the first law.

3. The Consul is appointed by the Founder for as long as he cares to hold that position. The Praetor can be impeached if he subverts the authority of the Consul, conducts foreign affairs without the permission of the Senate and the Consul, or if he violates any of the terms of the Constitution.

4. The people of the empire are free unless convicted by the senate, in which case they are on probation.

5.The Imperial Legions are held together by an oath of loyalty and service to the Praetorian Empire. If any Legionnaire within his/her term breaks his/her oath, s/he will be punished by ejection.

6. Only the Imperial Senate has the right to create laws for the Praetorian Empire.

7. No nation may disrespect any other nation of the region through racism or discrimination. Such acts will not be tolerated and will be punished.

8. Everybody in the Empire has a say in what should be done, but it should be conducted in an appropriate manner.

9. Every UN nation in the region or in any Protectorate must apply to serve in the Imperial Legions. From these applicants, the Minister of War shall choose which nations will actually serve in a Legion.

10. The rights of citizens in captured territories are determined by the Senate and Consul depending on their loyalty to the Consul.

11. Every UN nation in the region is guaranteed the right to vote and to run in a political election, unless under probation.