History of Democratic Socialist Alliance

[Neo Nibu]

Breif History of Democratic Socialist Alliance


My region originally got off to a slow start and I did all the recruiting for the region. Eventually I delegated the recruiting duties to other nations since it was too time consuming for me. My region has overcome a lot of conflict and adversity. In the past we had a lot of trouble with spammers and griefers. There was once a group of nations that broke away from our region and created other regions like "Social Democrats" and "The Real DSA" that tried to sabotage our region by defaming our region. Their campaign failed to discredit our region and those breakaway nations and the regions they created now cease to exist. For a long time we had no system of government. However in the last several months we created a system of governance called direct democracy. We created a charter and all legislation and resolutions must be approved by majority vote. As the founder I have a veto power to prevent tyranny of the majority although so far I haven't needed to use my veto very often. Both the founder and WA Delegate are responsible for enforcing the rules and laws of the region. There is also an impeachment process in which elected officials can be removed from office for misconduct, abusing their authority, and failing to perform their duties. Since creating a charter and government our region has had high population growth.

By, Cynthia McKinney 9/26/10

[Neo Nibu]

Democratic Socialist Alliance Charter


Preamble

'We, the sovereign nations of the Democratic Socialist Alliance, reaffirming our commitment to the values of equality, justice, and freedom, standing together in opposition to the forces of fascism, tyranny, and oppression, do hereby establish this region and adopt this Charter to promote the values of democratic socialism'.


Definable terms used herein and throughout the region:

DSA principles or regional principles – Those pertaining to the membership requirements of the DSA cited herein.
Founder's powers – The specifically legislated powers of the Founder cited herein.
in good standing – Any nation that is currently with good relations and in favour of the Congress established herein.
the Alliance – The Democratic Socialist Alliance.

Acronyms used herein and throughout the region:

Art. – Article
Cl. – Clause
DSA – Democratic Socialist Alliance
GMT – Greenwich Mean Time
NS – NationStates
RMB – Regional Message Board
Sec. – Section
WA – World Assembly
WA Delegate – World Assembly Delegate
WFE – World Factbook Entry



Charter of the Democratic Socialist Alliance

Article I: Establishment


Section I - Membership

Clause I. Membership shall be open to all nations that subscribe to its principles. Nations whose Civil Rights or Political Freedoms are less than 'Some' or that fall into the following WA categories shall be considered as espousing principles incompatible with those of the DSA:

Authoritarian Democracy
Benevolent Dictatorship
Compulsory Consumerist State
Conservative Democracy
Corporate Police State
Corrupt Dictatorship
Father Knows Best State
Free Market Paradise
Iron Fist Consumerists
Iron Fist Socialists
Libertarian Police State
Moralistic Democracy
Psychotic Dictatorship
Right-Wing Utopia
Tyranny By Majority

Clause II. Membership shall be closed to nations out of compliance with DSA principles until such time as the nation brings itself into compliance. A member nation out of compliance with DSA principles shall be granted five days in which to bring its actions into conformity in accordance with Art. III, Sec. III, Cl. I.

Clause III. The purpose of the DSA shall be to establish solidarity and unity between sovereign nations in pursuit of our common goals. The DSA shall also seek to extend relations between itself and other compatible nations and/or regions not in membership that desire relations with the DSA.

Clause IV. Except for the specific enumerated powers cited herein, it is understood that the Founder shall have the sames rights, duties, and obligations as other nations in regard to this Charter.



Article II: Organs of the Democratic Socialist Alliance


Section I - The Congress

Clause I. The Congress is the supreme policy and decision-making body of the DSA. All Charter members shall be entitled to participate in its deliberations and vote in matters affecting the DSA. Voting shall occur in accordance with Art. III, Sec. I.

Clause II. The Congress shall elect the Council by a majority of charter members voting. Written notice of such elections shall be provided to all Charter members prior to elections. Elections shall be held every 90 days.

Clause III. Recognising that resolutions of the WA are effective only with respect to nations having membership in that body, elections for WA Delegate shall be limited to Charter members also having membership in that body. Elections shall be held every 90 days.

Clause IV. Nations on probation shall not be allowed to vote in the Congress, but may continue to debate. Non-Charter nations may similarly engage in debate, but shall not have voting rights.

Clause V. The Congress may impeach any member of the Council for good cause by a two-thirds vote of all Charter members in good standing. Articles of impeachment may be presented to the Congress provided that at least five charter members have endorsed said articles of impeachment. The Council members shall be provided an opportunity to contest the articles of impeachment before any vote.


Section II - The Council

Clause I. The Council shall carry out the administrative functions of the DSA and present proposals or recommendations to the Congress.

Clause II. The Council shall consist of the Secretary-General and the Foreign Ministry, which shall include the WA Delegate and at least three other ambassadors.

Clause III. The Congress shall elect ambassadors by a majority vote from among Charter members in good standing. Ambassadors shall serve 90-day terms. Nominations for ambassador shall be open to all Charter members in good standing. The Council shall seek the advice and consent of the Congress regarding the appointment of such lesser officers as may be needed to carry out the functions of the DSA.

Clause IV. The Council shall establish embassies in foreign regions and accept foreign embassies and ambassadors from among those regions desiring diplomatic relations with the DSA. The Congress, by a majority vote, may disapprove of the Council's establishment of an embassy in a foreign region or extension of diplomatic recognition to foreign embassies or ambassadors.

Clause V. The Foreign Ministry shall coordinate the DSA's diplomatic activities before the WA and represent the DSA in other regions. The Foreign Ministry shall be composed of the WA Delegate and the ambassador corps.

Clause VI. The WA Delegate shall put forth to the Congress his or her recommendation as to whether specific resolutions before the WA should be adopted. The Congress shall determine whether to accept, reject, or modify the delegate's recommendation by a majority of charter members voting. Voting shall be limited to Charter members also having membership in the WA, but all nations may participate in debate. The WA Delegate shall faithfully execute the wishes of the Congress.

Clause VII. Recognising the special relationship of the Founder to the region, the Founder shall also enjoy a veto right with respect to the establishment of embassies in undemocratic or imperialist foreign regions.


Section III - The Secretary-General

Clause I. The Secretary-General shall carry out the administrative functions of the DSA and serve as the head of the Council. The Secretary-General shall keep an archive of all decisions of the Congress.

Clause II. The Secretary-General shall maintain a roster of Charter nations with posts in the government and of foreign ambassadors or embassies accorded diplomatic recognition within the DSA. The Secretary-General shall from time to time also advise the Congress on the status of alliances and diplomatic relations with foreign regions.

Clause III. The Secretary-General shall be elected by a majority vote of the Congress.



Article III: Special Regulations


Section I - Voting, office holding, recalls and roster of Charter nations

Clause I. Any member nation accepting and agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Charter shall have the right to vote in the Congress, provided that the nation is in compliance with Art. I, Sec. I, Cl. I. Non-Charter nations may debate and present recommendations to the Congress, but shall not have voting rights. The Congress shall have a one-cast/one-vote policy for all Charter members.

Clause II. Any member nation accepting and agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Charter shall have the right to hold office, provided that the nation is in compliance with Art. I, Sec. I, Cl. I. Non-charter nations may not hold office.

Clause III. Any nation of the Congress that has been inactive for twenty-eight days and therefore removed from NationStates shall also be removed from the Congress. However, any nation that has informed the Congress of an absence or vacation lasting longer than twenty-eight days shall be exempt from expulsion.

Clause IV. Any official that has been inactive in their duties for more than fourteen days shall be removed from office and another nation elected in a special run-off election for that position, to be held within seven days of the departure. However, any official that has informed the Congress of an absence or vacation lasting longer than fourteen days shall remain in their position and have a representative appointed by the Secretary-General (or Founder / WA Delegate in the case of absence of the Secretary-General) for the duration of their absence. Should the majority of the Congress disapprove of the Secretary-General's (or Founder's / WA Delegate's as appropriate) selection, the Secretary-General (or Founder / WA Delegate as appropriate) shall select another candidate who commands the support of the majority of the Congress.

Clause V. Any official who performs their duties without the support of the majority of the Congress shall be expelled from their position and have a special vote held to elect a successor for the reminder of the position's lifespan. Such a vote is to be held within seven days of a majority of Congress vote on support for that official.

Clause VI. The Secretary-General shall maintain a roster of those nations accepting and agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Charter. The Secretary-General shall also maintain a roster of those Charter nations having membership in the WA.


Section II - Honors

Clause I. Any nation or region regardless of membership or affiliation may be honored by the Council or Congress for special acts in defence of the DSA or that otherwise further the principles of the DSA.

Clause II. A nation may display recognition of such honor in the form of a medal or otherwise, however such display is not mandatory.


Section III - Expulsion

Clause I. The Founder or WA Delegate shall place member nations on probation if found to be out of compliance with Art. I, Sec. I, Cl. I. The member nation shall have five days in which to bring its actions into conformity. If after five days it has failed to do so it shall be expelled.

Clause II. Expulsion may be overturned and the member reinstated by a majority vote of the Congress. The member nation shall have the right to petition the Congress for reinstatement and explain the reasons why the expulsion was unjustified or how it has brought its actions into conformity. Written notice shall be provided to all member nations prior to the vote to reinstate the expelled member.

Clause III. The Founder or WA Delegate, in their discretion, may immediately expel member nations engaging is disruptive behavior as evidenced by spamming, griefing, posting of obscene content, libel, or defamation of character. It is the collective sentiment of the DSA that immediate expulsion should be reserved for egregious instances of disruptive behavior and that nations should ordinarily receive warnings and an opportunity to conform their conduct for breaches of forum decorum.

Clause IV. Expelled nations shall no longer have rights as a member of the DSA. In addition, the DSA forums shall not be open to expelled members.


Section IV - Ratification, amendments, and new members

Clause I. Member nations desiring to vote in regard to this Charter shall be required to register prior to voting. Voter registration shall be held open for five days. This Charter shall be ratified if a majority of member nations having previously registered affirmatively consent to its terms. Voting on ratification for this Charter shall be held open for ten days following the period of registration. Member nations failing to register or vote on ratification shall be considered as abstentions.

Clause II. In the event of ratification, member nations having registered a 'no' vote in regard to the Charter shall be considered as non-Charter members, but may subsequently agree to be bound by the charter by registering their assent with the Secretary-General.

Clause III. Any signatory of this Charter in good standing may propose an amendment to this Charter. Before going to a vote, the amendment shall be subjected to a period of scrutiny during which it is discussed and debated. The period of scrutiny shall be at least seven full days long, and may be lengthened as the amendment's author sees fit. The Secretary-General will announce the beginning and the ending of the period of scrutiny on the Regional Message Board as they occur. Once the period of scrutiny is over, the amendment shall be brought to a vote. The voting period shall be seven full days long, but it may be extended at the Secretary-General's discretion. The Secretary-General will announce the beginning and ending times of the vote on the Regional Message Board and the thread in which the amendment was scrutinized, and will also declare voting open and closed in the relevant forum thread.

Clause IV. After the adoption of this Charter, any nation that is in or joins the DSA may voluntarily agree to be bound by this Charter's terms.


Section V - Departments and specifications

Clause I. The motto of the DSA shall be 'Equality, Solidarity, Freedom'.

Clause II. The main flag of the DSA shall be this flag (hyperlinked missing), and this secondary flag (hyperlinked missing) shall exist to be used by the Congress as it sees fit.

Clause III. The forum of the DSA shall be this forum (hyperlinked missing). A secondary forum shall exist here (hyperlinked missing) and shall serve as an archive of pre-June 2010 activities. In the case of disruption to the main forum, the secondary forum shall take it's place until such time as the main forum is again operational.

Clause IV. The time zone of the DSA shall be Greenwich Mean Time. This shall be used in elections and votes on amendments.