Laudean/Government/History

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Laudeans
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The Laudean history of politics is as varied and interesting as any other world's. The modern aristocracy was a fairly unique find for the Federation, as few worlds tend to move into the warp development age with such a strong monarchical and aristocratic system.

Pre-Revolution

Prior to the Great Revolution, the Laudean legislature consisted of three distinct bodies.

House of Electors

The House of Electors was comprised of seven members.

  • The Kings of the six non-Emperor kingdoms.
  • The Feldleser.

Powers

Mainly, the Electors dealt with matters concerning the Emperor and his position. They held the power to do the following:

  • elect the emperor and to establish the oath with him;
  • depose the emperor;
  • to hold one of the High Offices ("cabinet" members);
  • to propose legislation and to be consulted on all important affairs by the emperor;

Upper House

The Upper House of the Legislature comprised of two councils with a total of 45 members.

  • The Noble Council: The nobles of the Grand Duchies - 27 members.
  • The Layman Council: Special members of society, including Fielding League leaders, (etc.) - 18 members.

(Note: Before transportation became easily available, the Upper House was often comprised of representatives for the nobles.)

Powers

The Upper House had the greatest power of creating legislation in the government. It dealt with all issues of federal mandate, and had the following powers:

  • to propose and approve legislation (which must also be approved by the Emperor);
  • to overrule the decisions of the House of Electors with a 9/10th vote;
  • to overrule the Lower House with a 3/4 vote;
  • to call for the deposition of the emperor;
  • to appoint members of the Lower House.

Lower House

The Lower Parliament of the Legislature included 300 members, which were appointed by the House of Electors from the population of their Duchies. These were the closest to "representatives" of the population as there was. The Lower House dealt with many issues concerning civil liberties and human rights, but had the mandate to discuss all issues.

Powers

  • to propose and approve legislation (which must also be approved by the Emperor);
  • overrule the Upper House with a 4/5th vote;

Overrule Power

For legislation to pass, it must be approved by both the Upper and Lower houses. The "overrule" power allows either the Upper or Lower house to pass a legislation regardless if the other house did not pass it, as long as the specific overrule vote majority was passed. After legislation has been approved by both houses (or overruled by one or the other), the Emperor must then also approve the legislation before it goes into effect.

The Emperor can also forcibly "ascend" legislation, if he so desires, to approve it without either legislature's approval. In this situation, any of the three houses can call for an Emperor Overrule (EO). In an EO, all three houses must vote and pass an overrule with 4/5 majority in each house. This, generally, is the beginning of an emperial deposition.

Post-Revolution

Main article: Post-Revolution Laudean Government

Post-Revolution, the interim government was lead by a group of military leaders with a small civilian population assisting. (Further summary welcomed...)

Modern Aristocracy

Main article: Modern Aristocratic Laudean Government

Kingdoms

An interactive map of the Kingdoms can be found here.

Ancient History

Prior to the Great Revolution, there were seven separate Kingdoms which together made up "The Union" of Laudean's pre-civil war government. The provinical governing system was actually more important to the population of Til'ahn than the federal government while in existance. While the federal government held the ultimate power over the planet, provincial kindoms held more sway over the day-to-day life of the Laudeans. As almost all those who participated as decision-makers in the federal government actually held their office "first" within their kingdom, it is important to understand the power hierarchy.

Kingdoms

Seven kingdoms divide approximately 98% of the Til'ahn landmasses. The remaining 2% exists as unclaimed or uninhabitable lands, such as the northernmost tundra.

Monarchy

Til'ahn is unique in that the power structure of all the seven major kingdoms was almost identical, while on other planets (such as Earth), nobility tended to vary across territories. It appears to historians that all Laudean nobility originates from one family line. Over 1500 years before first contact with alien races, the planet was split into 12 distinct kingdoms among the sons and daughters of one King. Throughout history, these 12 kingdoms merged to become 7.

The highest title held by any person within a kingdom was "King" or "Queen." The monarch had almost complete control over the lands -- restrained only by a council of Dukes, which had the power to depose the King, should he become too tyrannical.

"Duke" or "Duchess" was the next lower title, which controlled a "Duchy." Duchies were "owned" by the presiding Duke, and were bestowed by the King. There were 27 duchies when the Civil War began.

"Count" or "Countess" was the next lower title, which controlled a "County." As Counts were peers, and not nobles, they did not automatically own the county they controlled, although they may have owned personal property within a county. There were 108 duchies when the Civil War began.

"Baron" or "Baroness" was the next lower title, which controlled a "Barony." As Barons were peers, and not nobles, they did not automatically own the barony they controlled, although they may have own personal property within a barony. There were 729 baronies when the Civil War began.

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