Post by Attero Dominatus on Jan 30, 2012 11:33:57 GMT -5
This fictional guide to a floating city is designed to depict a fully sovereign nation, designed to be a safe haven from an increasingly totalitarian world. Since it will be a long document, I will add new material in stages to this post, as time allows.
[glow=green,2,300]Welcome to Freedom City![/glow]
Thank you for being a part of our effort to preserve freedom and the human spirit.
Introduction
Freedom City is the result of multiple private partnerships, twenty five billion dollars, and sixteen years of development. While many hardships have been endured, many sacrifices have been made to achieve this vision, the structure around you represents humanity's first step toward rebirth of the human rights we all hold dear.
Government
The management of our city is the result of several years of examining the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of parliamentary governments worldwide. We hope to set a new standard in self rule, but it will not be possible without you.
A Transparent and Participatory Political Process
Our city's political system is designed to minimize inefficiency and maximize everyone's say in the decisions of the nation. To meet these demands, the Coordinator answers to the Board of Representatives and the Board of Liasons. The Board of Representatives consists of two representatives for each district, who answer directly to the people that elect them. The Board of Liasons represent the elected leaders of each district. By law, all debates and actions are made available, and decisions that are contrary to the rights of the people can be recalled, either through representatives or by referendum.
The Bill of Rights
While our city is democratic in nature, it is not a true democracy. Democracy in its purest form is a form of collectivism, favoring the majority at the expense of the minority. By separating and stratifying the powers that be, and by giving people the ability to protect the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, we minimize the chance that abuses and usurpations can occur
1: The right to keep and bear arms. Restrictions on weapon ownership ("reasonable" gun laws) are outlawed, by the force of this right. Conscription may only occur when the Coordinator declares Defense Condition Two (see Military for more information).
2: The right to express and believe freely. No political, religious or philosophical speech, art or other manner of ideological expression may be outlawed. All belief systems are permitted as long as they do not involve coercing other people to convert to said belief system.
3: The right to be safe and secure on one's property. No arm of the government may enter a citizen's property without a warrant or consent of the citizen. No arm of the government may invade a citizen's privacy without a warrant or consent of the citizen. The Municipal Defense Force is prohibited from engaging in law enforcement activities.
4: The right to remain silent. No citizen may be coerced to implicate themselves in accused crimes.
5: The right to own and trade property. All citizens may buy and sell goods and services without government interference as long as it does not involve the buying and selling of humans, or involve their abuse, and as long as contracts are upheld (for details, see Law Enforcement below).
6: The right to choose one's own destiny. No citizen may be forced to work without compensation or consent. Conscription to the Municipal Defense Force shall include pay and other appropriate compensation.
Departments
The day to day functioning of our government would be impossible without efficient management. The government is divided into seven fully independent departments to expedite this process.
Department of Defense. The DOD is responsible for maintaining and waging external conflicts.
Department of Law. The DOC is responsible for law enforcement. See Law Enforcement below.
Department of the Economy. The DOE acts as our city's central bank, and is responsible for the manufacture and issuance of MADS (metal-alloy denomination sheets).
[/color]
Law Enforcement
overview
Civilization would never be possible without rules. No great society in history has existed without measures to discourage uncivilized behavior. Unfortunately, a law enforcement apparatus is a double-edged sword, just as capable of being used as a form of tyranny. For this reason, all possible measures are taken to ensure that the Department of Law and its Constabulary shaped into a reactive force, rather than the pro-active forces found shoreside.
The Legal System
On Freedom City, there there only two types of crimes. Crimes against life and crimes against property: both are discussed below. In both cases, evidence is obtained and the suspect or suspects is arrested and tried before a panel of nine selected jurors, a judge, a prosecutor, and when applicable, witnesses. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty, and have the right to legal representation.
The Constabulary
Everyday law enforcement is carried out by the Constables. Constables work in enforcement teams of two, which act independently in their own area of operations but are grouped into an enforcement squad, which in turn are grouped into an enforcement platoons that oversees a single sector. Attached to each platoon is a specialist (see below) and a paramedic to heal wounded Constables or civilians. Each constable is issued a pistol, a taser, and a tear gas grenade, allowing the team to defend themselves and respond to a wide variety of threats without having the capability to overpower the citizenry.
Specialists are personnel that are cross trained in hostage negotiation, diplomacy (to resolve standoffs peacefully) and emergency medicine.
Crimes against life
Crimes against life are crimes that result in bodily harm to the innocent, and so are the most severely punished. Below is a list of all possible crimes and sentences.
Treason: Death
Murder, premeditated: Death
Murder, aggravated: 75 years, no probation
Murder, attempted: 50 years
Involuntary Manslaughter, 10 or more fatalities: 20 years
Involuntary Manslaughter, less than 10 fatalities: 10 years
Arson without fatality: 75 years, no probation
Rape: 50 years, no probation
Statutory rape: 15 years, no probation
Child rape/Child pornography: life, no probation (possession of child pornography: 75 years, no probation)
Neglect with fatality: 15 years
Neglect with injury: 5 years
Neglect without injury: 1 year
Incitement with fatalities: Death
Incitement without fatalities: 15 years
Assault, aggravated: 5 years
Assault, premeditated: 15 years
Torture with fatality: Death
Torture without fatality: 75 years, no probation
Animal cruelty with fatality: 5 years
Animal cruelty without fatality: 1 year
Resisting arrest with fatality: See Murder, aggravated
Resisting arrest with injury: 5 years
Resisting arrest without injury: 1 year
Prostitution without license: 1 year (forced prostitution: 50 years)
Speeding: Fine, 100 credits for every 10kph over posted limit
Crimes against property
Crimes against property are crimes that effect the private property of citizens, and include not only physical property, but also intellectual property. Crimes that affect people but without bodily harm are included for simplicity of organization.
Theft, minor (object must not exceed 100 credits in value): Fine, 1,000 MADS
Theft, major (object must exceed 100 credits in value but not exceed 1,000 credits): Fine, 10,000 MADS
Theft, grand (object must exceed 1,000 credits in value): Fine, 50,000 MADS
Copyright infringement: 15 years + 10,000 MADS
Software piracy: value of software + 5,000 MADS
Libel: Varies (lawsuit based)
Fraud, monetary: 35 years
Fraud, voter: 75 years
Vandalism: cost of damage + 1 year
Disruption of essential city services that does not result in physical damage: Fine, 100,000 MADS
Disruption of essential city services that results in physical damage: Fine, 1,000,000 MADS
Incarceration
Criminals sentenced to incarceration are immediately transferred to one of five converted oil tankers, where they pay their debt to society by way of confinement and in the case of those convicted of crimes against property, prison labor. In the case of prison labor, each prisoner works 10 hours a day and is entitled to three meals to provide necessary nutrition.
All prison ships are required to meet minimum standards to ensure that punishment is neither necessarily cruel or pleasant, and are subject to regular inspection. Rape of prisoners is punishable by death, while other crimes are punished according to the crimes against life standard, but with times in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement consist of confinement in a cell for 23 hours a day, similar to Level 4 and 5 prisons in the United States.
Execution
We are loathe to inflict the death sentence, but execution is a necessary evil to deter violent crime. All executions are carried out as quickly and painlessly as possible, and always in the presence of witnesses. Firing squads of four people conduct the execution, but no one knows which gun fired the real bullet.[/color]
[glow=green,2,300]Welcome to Freedom City![/glow]
Thank you for being a part of our effort to preserve freedom and the human spirit.
Introduction
Freedom City is the result of multiple private partnerships, twenty five billion dollars, and sixteen years of development. While many hardships have been endured, many sacrifices have been made to achieve this vision, the structure around you represents humanity's first step toward rebirth of the human rights we all hold dear.
Government
The management of our city is the result of several years of examining the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of parliamentary governments worldwide. We hope to set a new standard in self rule, but it will not be possible without you.
A Transparent and Participatory Political Process
Our city's political system is designed to minimize inefficiency and maximize everyone's say in the decisions of the nation. To meet these demands, the Coordinator answers to the Board of Representatives and the Board of Liasons. The Board of Representatives consists of two representatives for each district, who answer directly to the people that elect them. The Board of Liasons represent the elected leaders of each district. By law, all debates and actions are made available, and decisions that are contrary to the rights of the people can be recalled, either through representatives or by referendum.
The Bill of Rights
While our city is democratic in nature, it is not a true democracy. Democracy in its purest form is a form of collectivism, favoring the majority at the expense of the minority. By separating and stratifying the powers that be, and by giving people the ability to protect the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, we minimize the chance that abuses and usurpations can occur
1: The right to keep and bear arms. Restrictions on weapon ownership ("reasonable" gun laws) are outlawed, by the force of this right. Conscription may only occur when the Coordinator declares Defense Condition Two (see Military for more information).
2: The right to express and believe freely. No political, religious or philosophical speech, art or other manner of ideological expression may be outlawed. All belief systems are permitted as long as they do not involve coercing other people to convert to said belief system.
3: The right to be safe and secure on one's property. No arm of the government may enter a citizen's property without a warrant or consent of the citizen. No arm of the government may invade a citizen's privacy without a warrant or consent of the citizen. The Municipal Defense Force is prohibited from engaging in law enforcement activities.
4: The right to remain silent. No citizen may be coerced to implicate themselves in accused crimes.
5: The right to own and trade property. All citizens may buy and sell goods and services without government interference as long as it does not involve the buying and selling of humans, or involve their abuse, and as long as contracts are upheld (for details, see Law Enforcement below).
6: The right to choose one's own destiny. No citizen may be forced to work without compensation or consent. Conscription to the Municipal Defense Force shall include pay and other appropriate compensation.
Departments
The day to day functioning of our government would be impossible without efficient management. The government is divided into seven fully independent departments to expedite this process.
Department of Defense. The DOD is responsible for maintaining and waging external conflicts.
Department of Law. The DOC is responsible for law enforcement. See Law Enforcement below.
Department of the Economy. The DOE acts as our city's central bank, and is responsible for the manufacture and issuance of MADS (metal-alloy denomination sheets).
[/color]
Law Enforcement
overview
Civilization would never be possible without rules. No great society in history has existed without measures to discourage uncivilized behavior. Unfortunately, a law enforcement apparatus is a double-edged sword, just as capable of being used as a form of tyranny. For this reason, all possible measures are taken to ensure that the Department of Law and its Constabulary shaped into a reactive force, rather than the pro-active forces found shoreside.
The Legal System
On Freedom City, there there only two types of crimes. Crimes against life and crimes against property: both are discussed below. In both cases, evidence is obtained and the suspect or suspects is arrested and tried before a panel of nine selected jurors, a judge, a prosecutor, and when applicable, witnesses. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty, and have the right to legal representation.
The Constabulary
Everyday law enforcement is carried out by the Constables. Constables work in enforcement teams of two, which act independently in their own area of operations but are grouped into an enforcement squad, which in turn are grouped into an enforcement platoons that oversees a single sector. Attached to each platoon is a specialist (see below) and a paramedic to heal wounded Constables or civilians. Each constable is issued a pistol, a taser, and a tear gas grenade, allowing the team to defend themselves and respond to a wide variety of threats without having the capability to overpower the citizenry.
Specialists are personnel that are cross trained in hostage negotiation, diplomacy (to resolve standoffs peacefully) and emergency medicine.
Crimes against life
Crimes against life are crimes that result in bodily harm to the innocent, and so are the most severely punished. Below is a list of all possible crimes and sentences.
Treason: Death
Murder, premeditated: Death
Murder, aggravated: 75 years, no probation
Murder, attempted: 50 years
Involuntary Manslaughter, 10 or more fatalities: 20 years
Involuntary Manslaughter, less than 10 fatalities: 10 years
Arson without fatality: 75 years, no probation
Rape: 50 years, no probation
Statutory rape: 15 years, no probation
Child rape/Child pornography: life, no probation (possession of child pornography: 75 years, no probation)
Neglect with fatality: 15 years
Neglect with injury: 5 years
Neglect without injury: 1 year
Incitement with fatalities: Death
Incitement without fatalities: 15 years
Assault, aggravated: 5 years
Assault, premeditated: 15 years
Torture with fatality: Death
Torture without fatality: 75 years, no probation
Animal cruelty with fatality: 5 years
Animal cruelty without fatality: 1 year
Resisting arrest with fatality: See Murder, aggravated
Resisting arrest with injury: 5 years
Resisting arrest without injury: 1 year
Prostitution without license: 1 year (forced prostitution: 50 years)
Speeding: Fine, 100 credits for every 10kph over posted limit
Crimes against property
Crimes against property are crimes that effect the private property of citizens, and include not only physical property, but also intellectual property. Crimes that affect people but without bodily harm are included for simplicity of organization.
Theft, minor (object must not exceed 100 credits in value): Fine, 1,000 MADS
Theft, major (object must exceed 100 credits in value but not exceed 1,000 credits): Fine, 10,000 MADS
Theft, grand (object must exceed 1,000 credits in value): Fine, 50,000 MADS
Copyright infringement: 15 years + 10,000 MADS
Software piracy: value of software + 5,000 MADS
Libel: Varies (lawsuit based)
Fraud, monetary: 35 years
Fraud, voter: 75 years
Vandalism: cost of damage + 1 year
Disruption of essential city services that does not result in physical damage: Fine, 100,000 MADS
Disruption of essential city services that results in physical damage: Fine, 1,000,000 MADS
Incarceration
Criminals sentenced to incarceration are immediately transferred to one of five converted oil tankers, where they pay their debt to society by way of confinement and in the case of those convicted of crimes against property, prison labor. In the case of prison labor, each prisoner works 10 hours a day and is entitled to three meals to provide necessary nutrition.
All prison ships are required to meet minimum standards to ensure that punishment is neither necessarily cruel or pleasant, and are subject to regular inspection. Rape of prisoners is punishable by death, while other crimes are punished according to the crimes against life standard, but with times in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement consist of confinement in a cell for 23 hours a day, similar to Level 4 and 5 prisons in the United States.
Execution
We are loathe to inflict the death sentence, but execution is a necessary evil to deter violent crime. All executions are carried out as quickly and painlessly as possible, and always in the presence of witnesses. Firing squads of four people conduct the execution, but no one knows which gun fired the real bullet.[/color]