National Consensus of Talahara

Constitution of Talahara ⵇⴰⵏⵓⵏⵀⵍⵓ Qanunhlu
Jurisdiction	Talahara
Created	May 9, 1841
Date effective	June 20, 1841
System	Directorial council republic
Branches	3
Chambers	Supreme Legislative Council Superior Legislative Councils (50) Local Legislative Councils (1,250)
Executive	Executive Council
Judiciary	Supreme Judicial Council Superior Judicial Councils (50) Local Judicial Councils (1,250)
First legislature	June 30, 1841
Amendments	5
Last amended	February 14, 2008
Commissioned by	Commune Council

The Constitution of Talahara (Takelat: ⵇⴰⵏⵓⵏⵀⵍⵓ; Qanunhlu) is the supreme law of the Communes of Talahara. Drafted over a period of three years between 1838 and 1841, the first two parts of the constitution enshrined the rights and freedoms of all persons in Talahara, in addition to democratic and property rights. Part three of the constitution was completed later in 1841 and codified the roles of the three branches of government and divisions of power between national, regional, and communal levels of government.

Both laws created by the Legislative Councils of Talahara and the executive functions of government must abide by the protections and limitations enshrined by the constitution. Constitutional principles are also used alongside Talaharan customary legal principles to interpret laws.

The constitution has been amended a total of five times. These amendments include the addition of the third part, electoral reform, and the addition of new rights and protections. Constitutional amendments require the passage of a provision by a two-thirds supermajority in the Supreme Legislative Council (34 of 50 members) and subsequent ratification by a two-thirds supermajority by the membership of the 1,250 Communal Legislative Councils in Talahara (8,334 of 12,500 members).

History of the Constitution

The drafting of the Constitution of Talahara represented the culmination of Talahara's legal history. The drafting committee drew inspiration from numerous sources, including traditional Talaharan laws and traditions, liberal constitutions, and socialist philosophy. The actual process of drafting the document was contentious, with major debates over the question of which influences were legitimate and functional for the new Communard society and to what degree of importance each source ought to have.

Sources and values

Prior to the Talaharan Civil War, Talaharan law was derived from two main sources. The first source was the customary law of the Kel Aman and Kel Hadar clans. These customs informed and regulated social conduct and property relationships. The second source of law was the notion of natural law, which was promoted by the monarchs, including the Assembly of Chiefs. Talaharan interpretations of natural law described law and society as expressions of the natural order, distinct from the cultural importance of customary laws.

Natural law encompassed royal edicts, laws that were effectively created or rescinded by a monarch. These proclamations were described as "discoveries" or "corrections", respectively. Modern sociologists have likened the distinctions between customary and natural law in Talahara as reflecting proto-symbolic interactionist and structural functionalist perspectives on the law.

Liberalism

Socialism

See also

• Executive Council
• Supreme Legislative Council