Been doing some pondering about some old ideas and projects that I've had that need to see the light of day once more. My ideas for a unique constitution have been dusted off, as well as some basic physics theories that don't work that will end up in the projects section later -- for historical reasons only.
Anyway, regarding my un-usual constitution, it was unusual in the sense that it's different from any system currently implemented in any country global (as far as I know). It draws on some very old ideas, such as some oriental philosophies regarding law, and some old european ideas such as sects/guilds and democracy. At the same time it happens to throw in a gigantic dose of communalism, and some modern practices of sustainable growth.
The target group of this system is for newly created settlements, and would not apply well to an existing system, and does not tie well into the idea of a 'global economy'. A good example target would be an island settlement (or like-minded freedom seekers), or settlements based on technology (such as sub-surface or extra-terran).
The single main difference, and this comes about due to technology, is the redefinition of what it means to be 'provincial'. With the advent of communication and transportation technologies, geographical virtual borders are no longer nearly as relevant. The redefinition thus, is that the role that provincialism played in old systems would be supplanted by sectorism, where the different sects would be different guilds or lines of work.
In such a system, you would be a citizen of the Transportation guild, for example, and a secondary citizen of a second guild as well.
The system would be broken down into an odd number of guilds, and each would have an elected governing body - the process for elections will be defined later.
Primary citizens of a given guild would be able to cast two votes (both in one spot, or split between two people -- totally up to them) and secondary citizens would only be able to cast one vote. Once the elected members are chosen, they would sort themselves out into various 'cabinet' positions, one per elected representative. One of these members would be designated to co-ordinate 'external affairs' and would deal with the other guilds' leaders.
Terms would be about five years, but optionally less, and members could only be elected once.
My early hypothesis for the guilds required to run society are as follows:
- Transportation
- Defence Forces
- Arts and Faiths
- Agriculture and Food Services
- Research and Development
- Public Servants (police, fire, garbage, etc)
- Construction and Mining
- Manufacturing and Textiles
- Communications and Technology
- Medicine and Health
- Child Care and Education
As far as wealth distribution is concerned, imagine half of a bell curve... the first half for example. Along the Y axis would be percentage of people and along the X axis would be wealth-status. And here's an explanation. Within your guild, they would evaluate the task that you are doing, and assign to you a 'contribution catagory' based on the determined relative value of what you are contributing to society as a whole. If you wanted to be a bum and lean on the system, the system won't support you. However, if you're contributing in a positive fashion, you would be evaluated further up the 'contribution catagory' line. The higher your contribution level, the more freedoms you will enjoy, and your standard of living will have more perks. Evaluations would be performed by work supervision committees as selected by the elected representatives, and final reviews would be done by the elected rep's. Members sitting on this committee would be granted a status of 4/5ths the max level and would only be able to serve one term on the committee. This committee would also serve as a project coordination committee to avoid unrequited work duplication.
There are a great many advantages to this method of wealth distribution, and a few disadvantages. There is no way for a single individual to hold more assets and freedoms than a grand majority of people. (IE, no upper class). There is no way for someone to work their way to the top, and then just sit there because they made it to the top already. The hardest working individuals -- the farmers, miners, and doctors will live the posh existance as a reward for their hard work. There is a ladder to climb, but not by sitting in a chair and making desicions. Managers, supervisers, etc. will be rewarded as well, but not nearly to the extent that the hard working individuals will. (Imagine a horde of individuals each contributing to their potential regularly in order to attain the perks of wealthy living, while the people who would be 'borne into wealth' wouldn't be able to simply sit back and do nothing, as their parents' wealth is non-transferrable.)
Anyway, more to follow on this system later as I find my original files -- if I can find them...
Hope that tickled the brain a little bit. Time to go dream of sheep. Be Safe.
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