Constitution of Polaris
The Constitution of Polaris is the supreme law of Polaris. This founding document delineates the frame of the government.
Original frame
The title of this document is The Constitution of Polaris and consists of a preamble, six articles, and a signed closing endorsement.
Preamble
The preamble clause of the constitution proclaims the right to sovereignty of the citizens of Polaris, while abdicating foreign policy powers to the greater Water Tribe, except for those to do with border rights. This clause is an important introduction to the constitution, as it sets the mood for the people-centric government laid out in the rest of the document.
Article I
Article I of the constitution establishes the powers of the people. Its symbolic meaning as the first article relates to the importance of the people to govern themselves for the benefit of all. In it, several powers are enumerated:
- Veto Power: The power of the citizenry to veto bills via a simple majority vote held upon invocation of the veto power by at least 25% of citizens.
- Executive Approval Power: The power to approve all executive cabinet members appointed by the Jarl via a simple majority vote of the citizenry.
- Impeachment Power: The power of the citizenry to impeach and remove, simultaneously via 3/5 majority vote of citizens, any executive, legislative, or judicial officer.
- Constitutional Amendment Power: The power to amend the constitution via a 2/3 majority vote of the citizenry.
- Referendum Power: The power of the citizenry to invoke a binding referendum vote on any matter, requiring a 3/5 majority vote to pass and become binding.
These mighty powers are given to the population at large in order to incentivize participation in the civil process and give the public an opportunity to respond, both proactively and retroactively, to the government's actions.
Also contained in this article are the non-enumeration and enumeration clauses. The non-enumeration clause is a clarified that the powers enumerated in Article I for the people are not to be construed as a limitation on the people, but rather the minimum amount of power that the people have as natural civil rights that cannot be infringed upon. The enumeration clause, in contrast, explicitly states that for the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, their powers are explicitly defined as enumerated and must not be construed to be any greater than that which is enumerated.
Article II
Article II of the constitution establishes the powers of the legislature.
Article III
Article III of the constitution establishes the powers of the executive.
Article IV
Article IV of the constitution establishes the powers of the judiciary.
Article V
Article V of the constitution establishes additional guaranteed natural rights of all people that cannot be infringed upon. It also defines what makes a citizen, and how one may become a citizen or revoke citizenship.
Article VI
Article VI of the constitution establishes certain other limitations on the government and delineates the separation of church and state, among other things.
Closing endorsement
The constitution was signed by all people present at the foundation of Polaris. It does not contain any functions or delegate any powers, and simply serves as authentication that the constitution is valid and law.
Ratified amendments
There are currently no ratified amendments.
Unratified amendments
There are currently no unratified amendments.
Judicial review
TODO