Josh Ranum

Dan Hennessy

POLS 455

12 February 2003

The Europa Union on Dacia

In order to protect peace and civil rights in Dacia, as well as to ease the potential transition into our organization, the Europa Union has decided to offer the following recommendations to the authors of the Dacian constitution:

Preamble: The people of Dacia declare themselves to be free, sovereign, and equal in status and the eyes of government. In order to fulfill our common ideals of equality, justice, and peace, we hereby ordain and establish this constitution for the People’s Federal Democratic Republic of the Sovereign Territory and Kingdom of Dacia.

Group Politics: It is the position of the Europa Union that all groups deserve equal protection and respect from the government. Constitutional provisions protecting such rights should be instituted. Dacia would undoubtedly face several major obstacles to potential EU membership if the rights of its minority citizens (particularly the Anarti) are not protected. Mandating group equality is not an easy proposition though. But, equality would benefit the ethnic Dacians as much as the Anarti. The Dacians would gain economic power, while the Anarti would not have to fear violence and discrimination. Erasing millennia of history is not an easy task, but equality for all people in Dacia is the strongest demand that our organization will make.

Official Language: The EU believes that there should be no official state language of Dacia. A universal language should not be imposed upon all of the citizens. They should remain free to speak whatever language they choose. Documents of the Dacian state could be written in Dacian or English, however there should be no provision as to an official language in the new constitution.

Official Religion: It would be unacceptable in the eyes of our organization to mandate an official state religion to which everyone must belong. Also, due to the substantial minority population in Dacia, we feel that state support of any religious affiliation would be unwise.

Form of State: The EU would like to see a federal system in place in Dacia. Due to the unique demographics of the Dacian population, there are a number of issues that would be best dealt with at a sub-national level. This can only be effective, however, if the national government remains within its realm of authority and treats each Dacian locale equally.

Dacian Government: The EU has no official position as to the structure of the Dacian government. We do offer some strong recommendations and words of caution, however. There is a potential for abuse within any system of government, but especially with a presidential system. If the Dacians feel that they desire a presidential system, the EU will attempt to ensure that it is well-designed in order to minimize the potential for abuse. Abuse of power could lead to devastating consequences for ethnic minorities and political dissidents in Dacia.

The Dacian legislature should be bicameral in nature. The two chambers do not necessarily have to possess an equal share of power, only an appropriate number of checks on the other house and the executive. Also, because of the unique makeup of Dacia, we believe that a legislature similar to the Confederation of Albany’s (U.S) would work best for Dacia. Representation from each territory should be included in one house. The makeup of the other house could be determined by proportional representation.

The Dacian executive should possess the ability to make quick, effective decisions when needed. But, there should be legislative and possibly judicial restraints on the executive’s power. The Dacians are free to design whatever system of government they desire, but the EU asks that no one branch be given the majority of power in order to protect this fragile democracy.

Elections: It is one of the tenets of the EU that each country must have regular, free, and fair elections. The election procedures should be left up to the Dacians. If our recommendations for the Dacian government are followed, voters in each territory could choose their territorial representative, and then vote for a certain party that would represent them in the other chamber.

We, the Europa Union, have no official power in these constitutional proceedings. However, by following many of these guidelines, Dacia can adopt a constitution that they can be proud of. A well-designed constitution can protect the rights of all its citizens, ensure Dacia its place at the world table, and ease any potential transition into the EU.

Josh Ranum

Dan Hennessy

The Europa Union’s Dacia Constitution

Group Politics: All groups in Dacia deserve and shall receive equal protection and respect from the government.

Official Language, Religion: There shall be no provision mandating an official Dacian language or religion. State support of any religious group is hereby prohibited. All Dacians shall be free to speak in whatever language and worship in any manner.

Form of State: A federal system will exist in Dacia. The local territories shall have the power to exercise any provisions not reserved for the national government. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of each territory to deal with many of the sub-national aspects of daily life.

Dacian Government: There shall be a bicameral legislature, independent president, and an independent judiciary. In the legislature, one house will be composed of an equal number of representatives from each territory. The makeup of the other house will be determined by proportional representation of the nationwide party vote.

Elections: Regular, free, and fair elections shall be held. All citizens of voting age shall not be denied franchise. Elections shall be held on the Monday following Super Bowl Sunday every odd-numbered year.