Governmental Structure Essay, Research Paper
Government must be created to serve the people in a just manner. James Madison can best explain this in his writings of The Federalist number 51 saying, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Witnessing and studying the island, its factions, social structure, and most importantly the population statistics the following description of a government will best suit the needs of the islanders. The structure of this government will solve the problems that many other nations already have; with switching from a monarchy to a modified democracy, the rising birth rate, the difficulties of factions, integration of women into the governmental processes, and bringing Santa Clarita to modernization. The foundation of the government is largely based on the United States Constitution. The main ideas borrowed from the United States are the separation of powers and a representative government.
Division of the Island
First and foremost the island of Santa Clarita shall be divided into two separate states: Mumdumia and Wokwokia. Mumdumia will consist of a large population of Mumdums, who already have segregated themselves. Wokwokia will consist of a large population of Wokwoks. The states will each encompass half of the island, Wokwokia in the east and Mumdumia in the west.
Elections and Branches of Government
From the two states representatives will be elected to fill positions in all three branches of government. The first branch will be the legislative, which will consist of two houses: the Senate and the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth will have thirty members, fifteen from each state, disregarding population. The representatives will be elected by popular vote. The representatives shall choose three Senators from their respective states. Every law shall be passed through a majority of both houses. This implies that a compromise must be reached to pass any law. In order to be a representative one must have reached the age of twenty. The executive branch shall be a single person. The powers of the executive shall be explained in a following section. Finally a Judicial branch will exist, consisting of five members. The executive, with the approval of the legislative, will choose the judges.
Legislative Powers
The legislative branch shall have the power to pass all laws, which shall be applied to both states. A state government will not exist. A separation into two states is only to ease tension between the factions. The legislature will create an army, a police force, a fire department, a public works department, and a national bank and currency. The legislative branch will pass laws of revenue, treaties, declarations of war, and handle all internal and external problems that should arise. The legislative branch shall also have the power to remove public officials with a two-thirds vote. Impeachment can be imposed on diplomats, senators, fellow representatives, the executive, and judges. The term shall be two years for the Commonwealth, and six years for the Senate.
Executive Powers
The executive branch shall preside over the legislature and help reach compromises that serve the common good. The second task of the executive shall be to pass or veto laws according to just reasoning. The legislature can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in each house. The third task of the executive is to pick all judges and diplomats, pending legislative approval. The term of the executive will be four years, and a person can only be elected to the executive twice.
Judicial Powers
The Judicial branch shall review all cases arising from internal disputes, foreign conflicts, and constitutional cases. The judiciary can nullify laws and shall be the supreme court of the island. The rule of law shall be enforced, with written judicial opinions and a record of all cases tried. The term of the judiciary shall be lifetime, except in cases of retirement, death, or forced removal.
Foreseeable Problems
Endorsement from the king of this new democracy is crucial. The king shall be the first member of the executive. He shall oversee the elections, dictating how they will operate. This will set precedence after the new government’s implementation. This will also ease the transition from the old monarchy. The king shall also choose the commander of the army, police, fire department, in which many Wokwoks will be utilized. This should help eliminate the large problem of lethargy present in the Wokwok way of life. The new government will inspire a majority of the Wokwoks to find work in a number of disciplines. Taxation and the zero-tolerance on harassment of Mumdums will leave the Wokwoks in a position to provide for themselves.
The statistics of the island show that at the current rate, the population will double in a few short years. The population boom can be seen as a blessing. The new youth can integrate into society, and most importantly, the outside world, with an open mind. The new generation can be taught to tolerate one another, learn from their parents’ mistakes, and a better union can be made. A recent survey of the island shows that the youth are taking an indifferent standing on religion. There is no real remedy. One answer is requiring religion to be taught in school. However, this action is not recommended. Historically societies flourish when religion is not imposed, and religious freedom is promoted.
The fact that the island has received little-to-no influence from Europe should be embraced. The culture of Santa Clarita is intact, and is a unique aspect of the island. This is a strong bond between the two factions. However, I recommend that integration into the larger world does take place for diversity can bring positive changes.
Historically, women, despite the fact that family structure is matriarchal, have been suppressed. This is a previous social problem that can unify the two factions. The problems between the Mumdums and Wokwoks do not extend to women. Electing women means that compromises can be easily reached, despite the constant quarreling of the men. The king should also encourage this by passing equal opportunity laws, campaigning for women, and appointing women to important positions.
The social problems will be large at first, but should soon be quelled under the direction of the king. The social changes will largely be in the Wokwok way of life, in which they will need to find other means to provide for themselves. This democracy will work because it protects the interest of the whole people, rather than that of the two factions. The democratic system proposed is compatible with all current customs. Much of the inner workings of their constitution have not been planned, but rather remain to be discovered. This government accommodates all cultural and social aspects of life.