Freethinker Citizenship
Citizenship of the Freethinker Commonwealth is applied for anyone born in the Commonwealth or can be claimed through parental descent. It is a prerequisite for many benefits and rights within the country, as well as to receive the protection of the Freethinker state. It is an earned status, generally acquired by completion of national service by native or naturalised persons. People who have actively chosen not to apply for citizenship who were born or reside in the Commonwealth and claim no expatriate nationality are considered subjects.
Full protection of the constitution is granted for both citizens and subjects, but the former group retains an elevated status both legally and socially. The acquisition of citizenship by foreign nationals is dependent on completion or satisfaction of a similar requirement.
Citizens, Subjects, Residents, and Minors
Status
Citizen is a title given to native or naturalised persons who have completed their service obligations and are entitled to the full array of rights and services by the Freethinker government. This includes a substantial number of positive as well as a much smaller number of negative liberties.
Freestian Vampires, as constituents of the Freestian Vampire Nation, technically hold citizenship from the age of majority under the respective treaties between the vampiric and central government. Obligations and duties for this group are ordained by the Council of Navarrok, the leading body for that nation. Vampires belonging to other polities fall under the Resident category until application otherwise.
Subjects is the official status of anyone over the age of majority, having declared the Oath of Representation, born in the Commonwealth or otherwise naturalised through formal immigration processes (such as becoming the spouse of a Freethinker citizen) or claims of ancestry, who has yet to complete national service obligations. It also applies to anyone over the age of majority who has not taken the Oath.
Refugees or unauthorised entrants who pledge service in exchange for citizenship of the Commonwealth also hold this status, with a statutory time limit, between the completion of the pledge and completion of national service or other commitments.
Residents refers to persons who reside in the Commonwealth (on either a visa or under a reciprocal residential treaty) and who have not applied for Freestian citizenship. Usually they have similar rights to Subjects (and in some cases these are more extensive), but said rights are derived from legislation rather than the constitution.
The Lost, unless they apply for directly apply for Freethinker citizenship, fall under this category, as do other citizens of the Greater Kingdom when in the Commonwealth. Although the Lost hold a 'non-territorial nation' designation, the relationship to the Freestian government is different to that of the Navarrok-centred vampiric one.
Minors refers to anyone under legal minority status, usually applied to those below age 16 but strictly speaking covering anyone up to the age of 18 who hasn't yet taken the Oath of Representation.
Background
Originally, the Commonwealth was a functioning colony and then Dominion of the Midlonian Empire and as such were considered subjects of the Midlonian Crown. Rights and responsibilities were assigned as per Midlonic conventions, legislation and royal edicts.
The colonies' unique mix of circumstances, such as the continual frontier, the arrival of a significant number of exiles and convicts, including a number of 'undesirable' political liberals, and the relative isolation of various communities meant that a community orientated idea of citizenship arose, reflecting specifically the idea that the rights expected to men under common law, required reciprocity in action to ensure those rights were enabled.
There emerged a very specific democratic tradition in the Commonwealth
Oath of Representation
"I, (full name under law), in my (years since birth) do hereby, Solemnly, completely and in good faith and honesty lest my character be abased*,
See Also: "Freethinker Constitution"
Commitments
When a person's citizenship is accepted, either by legal majority or through the settlement process, there a number of commitments to which new citizens are obligated for. Aside from the infamous 'National Service', duties such as voting, jury and magistrate obligations are also expected of citizens over the course of their lives.
National Service
National Service is the primary obligation of Freestian citizenship. At its most basic, this is comprised of completing several years of public service upon completion of compulsary schooling (at age 18) or after leaving university. The actual terms of completion generally require starting a 'service contract' or starting an eligiable role by the age of 26 (or equivelant for non-humans races), and completing the duties of the position until either de-mobilised (demobbed) or completing the necessary service period. Extensions are often granted where appropriate, however. Foreigners applying for citizenship will generally be assigned their role and complete it as part of their application process.
There are four main 'streams' of service, military, emergency services, public service and magisterial order. Each has different requirements and opportunities for prospective citizens, which are generally
The actual process of completion begins with the Oath of Representation
Military service
Military service can consist of either signing up for a two year 'service contract' with either the national or provincial armed forces, or signing up for a volunteer enlistment or commission, upon which after two years of service a certificate is granted automatically. Anyone who is honourably discharged due to injury or illness before demobilisation is automatically granted their completion certificate regardless of time served.
Military stream candidates make up around 70% of avaliable spaces for national service, and this type of service is seen as the 'standard' type, especially the candidates are generally drawn from the most diverse backgrounds. The two year service contracts are generally the most popular terms of service with many potential citizens simply as they represent the shortest acceptable service periods.
Emergency service
The Emergency Services stream (the blue certificate) is defined as completing three years as a member of what are referred to as the 'high intensity crisis and emergency response' professions, namely working in frontline law enforcement, fire and rescue service crews, or as medical response teams. Other roles such as mountain rescue, lifeboat crews and a number of other occupations are also included.
Unlike in the military or public streams, there are no set 'service contracts', candidates apply for standard vacancies and recieve certification upon completion of the three year time period. This is mostly due to oversupply, these roles being the most sought after for national service, in particular by candidates seeking careers in such professions. Most police officers, firefighters, and other such professionals generally start their careers by acquiring their service certificate serving in their choosen vocation. This has the benefit of streaming some of the most qualified candidates into these services, although many leave on completion of their contracts.
Anyone who is discharged from duty due to injury or illness before completion of three years in service is almost always granted their completion certificate regardless of time served, so long as conduct has been of an acceptable standard. This is done at a Magesterial hearing, similar to the process of acquiring a Magesterial certificate itself.
Public service
The Public service stream (the yellow/orange certificate) is similar to the Emergency service stream, in that service in some particular social functions is considered acceptable to demonstrate civil understanding. The usual examples given are teaching and medical (non-emergency) professionals in remote or unappealing locations. However, in this branch can be found a wide variety of opportunities, as both the national government and the various provincial and territorial authorities use public service contracts, with relevant requirements, to fill out various posts where there are skills shortages.
Magisterial order
A Magisterial order (the red certificate) is the last channel, and is the awarding of a certificate of completion on the order of a Magistrate in court. This is usually done in a number of circumstances;
Other Obligations
Jury service is generally
The militia commitment is technically an obscelescent responsibility, for people living in unincorporated environments. Before local defence volunteer forces and the various national and provincial emergency services became extant entities, any able bodied man (and later woman) was obliged to provide assistance to local authorities in defence of their home territory, similar to 'posses' and other private militias in other nations. However, informally most people living in such locations are expected, from a social reciprocity perspective, to provide assistance as needed if requested by a national or local agency or private citizen. This is related as well to older hospitality laws, the vast distances and dangerous nature of much of Freethinker territory means that old values of providing housing to guests and travellers still hold sway in many places.
Dual Nationality
The Freethinker Commonwealth allows it's citizens to hold dual nationality with another nation. Holding a dual nationality does not, however, remove the obligations a Freethinker has towards his or her country, including National Service. Failure to fulfil obligations after pledging commitment can lead to a suspension of rights and even imprisonment should the person return to the Commonwealth and not complete his or her required service. In turn, gaining dual nationality with the Commonwealth does not exempt a person from commitments they may have for their original citizenship.
It should be noted that several nations do not allow their citizens to obtain dual nationality and as such acquiring Freethinker citizenship may result in the loss of a person's original citizenship.