Constitution of the United Federation
The Constitution of the United Federation is the supreme law of the United Federation of Iteria.
History
Prior to the Shaddanic Era, fundamental laws of the Tawilisi Empire were not codified. Under Astragonese rule, the empire's territory was divided between the Viceroyalties of Makopa and Dyanatsia. Shaddan II used the Viceroyalties as experimental grounds for reforms violently opposed in mainland Astragon. In those territories, Great Chief Mpande Kazinga (Makopa) and Prefect Thambo Na Bashadh (Dyanatsia) granted freedom of speech and religion, private property rights and protections, among other expansive rights. All compiled with retained Tawilisi caste rights in the 1703 Pacts of Bloodright or the Shaddanic Code. It reduced the power of the Tawilisi aristocracy and started the process of defeudalization in Makodya.
Mpande also took interest in the Uulyn bureaucracy and Northern meritocracies. Thambo was also sympathetic with his views. Mpande was quoted to say: "Heredity does preserve the blood but not the intellect. Grant them the liberties the radicals so desire and see if they finally shut up." Although some credit him too progressive for his time, most historians agree it was a means to control reformist movements. Except for the indigenous Tawilisi, the Shaddanic Code emancipated migrants to the new territories from all forms of caste. This attracted lower caste Astragonese mainlanders to Makopa and Dyanatsia.
As the Astragonese colonized the newly-conquered lands, unwanted political elements fled to the new territories. Known dissidents were usually re-settled there. Reports of conspiracy in the Viceroyalties got the worse of Shaddan II's paranoia. He arbitrarily executed both Mpande and Thambo. Since then, the Viceroyalties were ruled by members of the Astragonese Imperial Family. Prince Mamuwalde, Great Chief of Makopa, was part of a growing educated class in the late 18th Century influenced by progressive, liberal ideas. He was a prominent sympathizer of reformists and openly campaigned for the abolition of the Astragonese caste system.
In 1802, Prince Mamuwalde refused to ban political parties and was asked to step down. Instead, he declared the Viceroyalties' independence as the new nation of the Iterian Empire. After winning the War for Makodyan Independence, Emperor Mamuwalde I personally participated in the Constitutional Convention of 1803, as one of the authors, of the 1804 Constitution. It was inspired by the Goyanean constitution. The Bill of Rights in the Constitution was primarily based on the 1792 Santonian Declaration of Rights.
Mamuwalde I's position as head of state was a hybrid modelled after the Goyanean grand emperor and the Callisean president in the 1800 Callisean Constitution. Although Mamuwalde I remained a powerful figure, he described his position as "more republican than imperial" (reference to Callisean presidency). He, like most Makodyan leaders up until now, served in the roles of chief diplomat and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. In times of crisis, he was expected to use extraordinary powers such as dissolving parliament to assume full executive control. Mamuwalde I also recognized national agenda was only determined by the Supreme Batasan (Makodyan parliament) and respected the parliamentary right to nominate the elected government.
His son and successor, Mamuwalde II, wanted a more active role as emperor. To maintain the balance of constitutional monarchy while protecting the status quo, he empowered himself through cultivating relationships with favorite factions within the Batasan, usually from the opposition. This allowed him to pressure the government and influence decision-making without using any power.
Mamuwalde I and Mamuwalde II's precedents created most of the basic conventions that would later dictate the traditional, constitutional relationship of the Makodyan executive and the legislature. The term semi-presidentialism has been fondly monikered "Mamuwalde constitutionalism."
Constitution
Preamble
We, the Makodyan people, who fought for the cause of freedom, have won our emancipation and, thereby, righteously convened our duly-elected representatives in the Supreme Batasan, do renounce bondage to worship and fealty, and hereby proclaim, ourselves, now and forever, free. Lest we forget what it cost, this Constitution is founded on the highest principles of democracy that guarantee the full blessings of freedom: The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; to create a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; built on the spirit of common good; and hereby declare and ordain the promulgation of this CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF ITERIA.
Chapter 1: Fundamental Provisions
Article 1. The United Federation of Iteria, formed by the indissoluble union of the former states of the Iterian Empire, is a constitutional parliamentary democratic republic founded on:
- The principle of popular sovereignty: Power of the state is derived from the people of the United Federation of Iteria. Its use shall solely benefit and protect the rights and life of the people.
- Freedom and equality: People are born free and equal. Their place in society shall solely be founded in common good.
- The dignity of the human person: The force of state power shall serve the achievement of equality and the advancement of the rights of all. It shall promote the well-being of all, without prejudice as to nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, and any other forms of discrimination.
- The nobility of labour and free enterprise: The social values of human work shall be upheld for the prosperity of an equitable society.
- Political pluralism: The diversity of ideology and political association shall be equally represented. Universal adult suffrage, regular elections, and a multi-party system shall be instituted for this purpose.
Article 2. This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic. Laws and conventions inconsistent with it shall be void. Its provisions shall be fulfilled.