Imperial Constitution
Overview
The Constitution was produced at the dawn of the Empire, by the First Empress and her supporters. It is a set of axioms which dictate how the Empire can be governed and the rights of the nations of the Empire and their citizens. It is not legally possible to change the Constitution, although the Senate can pass law which change the way the Constitution is interpreted or applied.
Purpose
The point of the Constitution is to ensure that Empire remains an enjoyable game to play. Senators have wide ranging powers to change the laws of the Empire, but the Constitution exists to reduce the chance that they use these powers to make the game less enjoyable. It inhibits players from reducing the complexity of the political system (in the interest of making it more fair) and tries to prevent them using undue power in the Senate to victimize disenfranchised groups. The Constitution limits the powers of players in the interest of keeping the game fun.
Changes to Imperial Law
The Senate has the power to introduce new laws or to change existing laws. Any suggested changes are assessed by the Imperial Civil Service to see how they accord with the Imperial Constitution. A proposal may be consistent with the Constitution, inconsistent with the Constitution or it may require a a change to the way the Constitution is interpreted or applied (the motion is described as having constitutional implications).
- A motion that is consistent with the constitution can be passed by majority vote of the senators present.
- A vote that has constitutional implications requires the approval of two-thirds of all current senators in the Empire and must be ratified by The Throne.
- The Senate is not allowed to vote on any motion that is inconsistent with the Constitution.
Any character may discuss a proposed motion with the functionaries of the Senate to try to find a way to make it consistent, or stop it being inconsistent with the Constitution. They will offer advice as best they can. There is no right of appeal however, as the functionaries are NPCs. Their decisions are made in the interests of keeping the game enjoyable, they are not made so as to create plot when players disagree with them.
Additional information
The specific wording of the Constitution is still being written. We will add a full copy of the axioms of the Constitution to this page when the work is complete.