Imperial Senate

Latest revision as of 15:43, 15 October 2024

Overview

The Imperial Senate is the primary legislative body for the Empire. It is an elective chamber; with one senator appointed by each territory of the Empire to represent their interests. The chamber has access to a wide range of political powers which makes senators some of the most powerful political individuals in the Empire. They alone have the ability to change Imperial law, as well as enjoying access to the Imperial treasury. They are also responsible for appointing The Throne.

Role within the Empire

The purpose of the Senate is to govern the Empire. This control extends to all areas of Imperial life not already covered by the other houses of government; the Synod, Bourse, Military Council, and the Conclave.

Any major commission, whether military or economic in purposes requires the approval of the Senate. They cannot order the Bourse to provide the materials required, but they control the Imperial treasury and can disburse funds from it to purchase the materials needed.

The Senate are forbidden by the Imperial Constitution from intervening in the business of the Military Council, but members of the Senate appoint each general and only the Senate can declare war on another nation - or end it. When a territory is conquered by the Imperial armies, it is the Senate who decides which nation the territory will be assigned to.

The Senate are also responsible for Imperial law. Any changes to Imperial law must be raised and approved by members of the Senate; changes which have constitutional implications also require authorization by The Throne and approval by the of the Constitutional Court. The Senate also has the power to create new offices of state, individuals with powers and responsibilities, who operate as part of any of the great houses of government.

Because of their great power, the Senate is closely watched over by the Synod who have the power to veto decisions made by the Senate.

History

The Senate was created at the dawn of the Empire to ensure that the power to govern remained in the hands of the citizens. The Senate is a development of the Witan which existed in Wintermark to help the monarch run the nation, in the time before the Empire.

The design of the Senate is a direct consequence of the unique way the Empire was formed, not by conquest, but by a union of nations. All agreed that the Senate should limit the power of The Throne - the first Empress was a popular figure - but not that popular. But every nation had their own dogmatic views on how the new Empire should be run. Nations with strong military traditions, like Dawn and The Marches sought to enhance the power of the military, while nations like The League were openly contemptuous of the idea that politicians should control the Empire's economy. Highguard as the driving force behind the creation of the Empire was determined to secure the power and authority of the Imperial Synod.

Compromises were made to ensure unity; for example the constitutionally protected roles of the Imperial Bourse and the Imperial Military Council were expressly created to thwart the desire of senators to control these areas of the Empire. As a result, while the Senate is the most powerful of the five political houses, it has defined limits to its power set down by the Constitution, and it is forever watched over by the Synod.

Sessions

The Senate typically sits twice in each full day of an Imperial summit, and once in each part day. Sessions are conducted in the Senate chamber, a grand stone building at the heart of Anvil. To keep order each Senate session is chaired by the Speaker for the Senate, a civil servant responsible for ordering motions during a sitting, allowing time for motions to be considered, for maintaining civil debate, counting votes and ensuring due procedure within the chamber.

The agenda consists of motion, announcements, and addresses. Motions are raised by members of the Senate and considered and voted upon by all present. By historical tradition, motions are nailed to the walls of the Senate so that all citizens can be aware of them. It is common for the civil service to take a copy of the motion and make it available through the hub.

Announcements are made by any holder of an Imperial title who wishes to use Senate powers that have been delegated to that office. They can be considered and discussed like a motion, but are not subject to a vote. Addresses are made by those whose title grants them the power to address the Senate. Like an announcement, they may be considered and discussed, but no vote is taken.

It takes great strength of character
to be in favour of something you hate.

Lady Clarice Novarion

Participation

Only a member of the Senate or civil servant is entitled to enter the Senate chamber for a session. Members must arrive promptly, entry is prohibited to any member of the senate once a session has begun. Anyone who has the right to enter, has the right to speak during the debates. To do so they must catch the eye of the Speaker and wait until invited to speak. To cast a vote, eligible members who are present will be called upon by the Speaker to take a stance on each motion brought before the Senate.

The right of witness ensures that every member of the Synod is entitled to observe all aspects of the Senate. To facilitate this, the Senate building has a large viewing gallery that runs alongside the main chamber. When it was originally constructed the gallery was only available to members of the Synod, but it was easier to open the gallery to all, and now all citizens with an interest in the proceedings are encouraged to attend. Any Imperial Citizen can ask the Speaker or the Captain of the Senate Guard to remove a non-citizen from the viewing gallery.

Although only a handful of citizens have the right to raise motions and vote on them in the Senate, the Senators who form the mainstay of the Senate are chosen by the people of their nation. Most senators work hard to make themselves available to the citizens who elect them. A senator who does not adequately represent the interests, views, and goals of the people of their nation and territory can quickly find themselves removed from office.

Limitations

Veto

The decisions of the Senate, both motions and announcements are subject to veto by The Throne and the Imperial Synod. Any veto automatically cancels the motion or announcement, as if it had been a motion which was voted down. A motion that is vetoed cannot be raised again before the start of the next summit.

The Imperial Synod, either the Assembly of Nine or the General Assembly may veto any motion with constitutional implications. In addition, the General Assembly of the Synod may veto any one Senate decision during any summit, using its veto. A veto by the Synod must be submitted before the start of the next session (as discussed on the veto page).

The Throne may veto any vote that occurs as part of a Senate session while they are present.

Constitution

The power of the Senate is limited by the Imperial Constitution. The magistrates may declare a motion to be unconstitutional, if they believe it violates the principles of the Constitution. Where possible the magistrates will always do this before a motion is considered if they are given due time. If a motion is declared unconstitutional, the magistrates are required to provide complete guidance for why it was ruled unconstitutional. The senate may then consider a new motion on the issue at any time.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ==Overview==
-The Imperial Senate is the legislative body for the Empire. The Senate has a wide range of political powers which makes senators some of the most powerful political individuals in the Empire. Senators represent the interests of the territories of the Empire. The Senate spends the Imperial budget, passes laws and elects citizens to the Military Council and the Throne.
+The Imperial Senate is the primary legislative body for the Empire. It is an elective chamber; with one [[senator]] appointed by each territory of the Empire to represent their interests. The chamber has access to a wide range of political powers which makes senators some of the most powerful political individuals in the Empire. They alone have the ability to change Imperial law, as well as enjoying access to the Imperial treasury. They are also responsible for appointing [[The Throne]].
 ==Role within the Empire==
-The Imperial Senate consider and vote on procedural motions, vital policy decisions required for the administration of the Empire which may involve the expenditure of Imperial funds. Any changes to [[Imperial Law]] must be raised and approved by the Senate; changes which have constitutional implications also require authorization by The Throne and approval by the magistrates. The Senate is responsible for appointing individuals to positions within the Imperial Military Council and election to the [[The Throne]]. It is the also the responsibility of the Senate to pass declarations of war and to end a state of warfare.
+The purpose of the Senate is to govern the Empire. This control extends to all areas of Imperial life not already covered by the other houses of government; the [[Imperial Synod|Synod]], [[Imperial Bourse|Bourse]], [[Imperial Military Council|Military Council]], and the [[Imperial Conclave|Conclave]].
-Decisions made by the Senate may be vetoed by the Synod under some circumstances, and by the Throne.
+Any major [[commission]], whether military or economic in purposes requires the approval of the Senate. They cannot order the Bourse to provide the materials required, but they control the Imperial treasury and can disburse funds from it to purchase the materials needed.
-==Entry requirements==
+The Senate are forbidden by the [[Imperial Constitution]] from intervening in the business of the Military Council, but members of the Senate appoint each [[general]] and only the Senate can declare war on another nation - or end it. When a territory is conquered by the Imperial armies, it is the Senate who decides which nation the territory will be assigned to.
-===Senators===
+The Senate are also responsible for [[Imperial law]]. Any changes to Imperial law must be raised and approved by members of the Senate; changes which have constitutional implications also require authorization by The Throne and approval by the of the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]]. The Senate also has the power to create new offices of state, individuals with powers and responsibilities, who operate as part of any of the great houses of government.
-The Senate is a representative chamber; each territory in the Empire selects a single senator according to the customs of that nation. To be eligible to return a senator, at least half of the territory must be under Imperial control. If more than half of a territory is controlled by barbarians or foreign powers, then it cannot be represented in the Senate. A territory must be part of one of the nine nations that hold territory within the Empire. When new territories are captured, they are allocated to a nation by majority vote of the Senate. A territory may only return a senator who is recognized as a member of that nation by the nation's egregore.
-Each nation has a traditional mechanism to return a senator for a territory. Usually, but not always, the ability to directly influence the choice is limited to those who dwell in the territory. The Imperial Civil Service are responsible for overseeing the appointment processes for senators and do their utmost to ensure due process is followed. When a new territory is assigned to a nation, the Imperial Civil Service consults the egregore of that nation to determine how the senator for the territory will be selected.
+Because of their great power, the Senate is closely watched over by the Synod who have the power to veto decisions made by the Senate.
-===Conscience of the Senate===
-The [[Conscience of the Senate]] is an Imperial title  granted certain powers within the Senate and appointed by the Cardinal of the [[Imperial_Synod#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly of The Way]]. They may speak, vote and raise motions as a Senator does. Furthermore, they have responsibility for announcing the Synod's vetoes and may abstain from voting should they believe that is the Virtuous action to take.
-===Master of the Mint===
-The office of [[Imperial_Bourse#The_Master_of_The_Imperial_Mint|Master of the Mint]] is a position within the Bourse which grants its holder the right to speak in the Senate.
-===The Throne===
-The [[Throne]] may may speak, vote and raise motion as a senator does, may abstain from voting, and has a [[The Throne#Powers_and_functions|variety of powers]] which modify the functions of the Senate.
 ==History==
-The Senate was created at the dawn of the Empire to ensure that the power to govern remained in the hands of the citizens. The Senate is a development of the witan which existed in Wintermark to help the monarch run the nation in the time before the Empire.
+The Senate was created at the dawn of the Empire to ensure that the power to govern remained in the hands of the citizens. The Senate is a development of the Witan which existed in [[Wintermark]] to help the monarch run the nation, in the time before the Empire.
-==Powers and functions==
-===Handling procedural motions===
-The day to day running of the Empire is handled by the functionaries of the Civil Service, but all the significant decisions that need to be taken are put before the Imperial Senate. The civil service ensure that these matters are presented with all available information on the consequences for the decision. The issue is then decided by majority vote of the assembled senators. An example of a procedural measure might be the allocation of senate funds to raise a new army or construct a dam across the river Couros in Highguard. If a procedural measure requires expenditure of money by the Empire, the budget is allocated by vote by the assembled senators.
-===Changing Imperial Law===
-The Senate has the power to introduce new laws or to change existing laws. Any suggested changes to [[Imperial Law]] are assessed by the Imperial Civil Service to see how they accord with the [[Imperial Constitution]].
-Changes to the law which are not deemed to have constitutional implications may be passed by majority vote of the Senate.
-Laws which would change the constitution or change the way the constitution is understood or applied require a two-thirds majority to pass. They may be vetoed by the Synod, and require authorisation by the Throne as well as approval by the magistrates.
-The Throne is assumed to be independent of the political affiliations of the Senators. Any change to the law that has constitutional implications requires the approval of the Throne to ensure that the Senate is acting in the interests of the Empire as a whole.
-The magistrates are assumed to be the highest authority on the principles and application of the constitution. Their oversight and assent ensures that laws are sensible, consistent and in accordance with the principles of the constitution. Historically, the magistrates have always acted to ensure that the rights and powers of the other bodies of state such as the Bourse, Military Council or Conclave and the Nations and citizens of the Empire receive the protection they are guaranteed by the constitution.
-===Appointing generals to the Military Council===
-The Senate are responsible for appointing generals to the Imperial Military Council. The Council are the strategic commanders of the Imperial armies and are responsible for the defence of the Empire and prosecuting wars against the Empire's enemies.
-The senators for a nation unanimously select one candidate for each vacant position on the Military Council that is assigned to that nation. If the senators for a nation are not able to agree unanimously on the appointment of a general then any citizen of that nation may present themselves before the Senate for consideration for that role. The result is determined by a majority vote of the senate.
-===Declaring states of war and peace===
-The Senate can declare war on any foreign power by majority vote. Any foreign powers, nations or tribes that the Empire is at war with are considered to be barbarians. Barbarians are not protected by Imperial Law and are considered enemies of the Empire, so it is illegal to trade with them. The Senate can also declare an end to a state of war. External powers that the Empire is not at war with are classed as foreigners; it is legal to trade with them and their rights are protected by Imperial Law.
-===Electing a citizen to the Throne===
-The Senate may elect any citizen of the Empire to the Throne. Election to the [[Throne]] require a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate.
-==Structure and dynamics==
-The Senate typically sits twice in each full day of an Imperial summit, and once in each part day.
-The Speakers of the Senate are civil servants responsible for ordering motions during a sitting, allowing time for motions to be considered, for maintaining civil debate, counting votes and ensuring due procedure within the chamber.
-===Attendance===
+The design of the Senate is a direct consequence of the unique way the Empire was formed, not by conquest, but by a union of nations. All agreed that the Senate should limit the power of The Throne - the first Empress was a popular figure - but not ''that'' popular. But every nation had their own dogmatic views on how the new Empire should be run. Nations with strong military traditions, like [[Dawn]] and [[The Marches]] sought to enhance the power of the military, while nations like [[The League]] were openly contemptuous of the idea that politicians should control the Empire's economy. [[Highguard]] as the driving force behind the creation of the Empire was determined to secure the power and authority of the [[Imperial Synod]].
-Any Imperial citizen is allowed to attend the Senate in the public gallery. They are not permitted to speak during debates.
-===Motions===
+Compromises were made to ensure unity; for example the constitutionally protected roles of the [[Imperial Bourse]] and the [[Imperial Military Council]] were expressly created to thwart the desire of senators to control these areas of the Empire. As a result, while the Senate is the most powerful of the five political houses, it has defined limits to its power set down by the Constitution, and it is forever watched over by the Synod.
-Each motion discussed by the Senate must be proposed and seconded. Those with the power to put motions before the senate may propose and second one motion each per weekend. Motions are raised with the Speakers, who are responsible for communicating any costs or constitutional implications of such motions to the Senate.
-A sitting lasts until either all the planned motions have been discussed, or until a senator calls from the floor for a Vote of Curtailment and gains the votes of more than half of those present, bringing the sitting to a premature end. Undebated motions are then pushed to the final sitting after all other business has been conducted.
+==Sessions==
+The Senate typically sits twice in each full day of an Imperial summit, and once in each part day. Sessions are conducted in the Senate chamber, a grand stone building at the heart of Anvil. To keep order each [[Senate session]] is chaired by the [[Speaker for the Senate]], a civil servant responsible for ordering motions during a sitting, allowing time for motions to be considered, for maintaining civil debate, counting votes and ensuring due procedure within the chamber.
-===Speaking===
+The agenda consists of [[Senate motion|motion]], [[Senate announcement|announcements]], and [[Senate address|addresses]]. Motions are raised by members of the Senate and considered and voted upon by all present. By historical tradition, motions are nailed to the walls of the Senate so that all citizens can be aware of them. It is common for the civil service to take a copy of the motion and make it available through the hub.
-Each motion is announced by the Speaker who invites the individual who proposed the motion to address the Senate on the matter. Once the opening address is complete, the Speaker allows time for a short
-debate followed by a vote.
-The Throne, the senators, the Conscience of the Senate, the Master of the Mint, and and members of the Civil Service may speak in these debates.
+Announcements are made by any holder of an [[Imperial title]] who wishes to use Senate powers that have been delegated to that office. They can be considered and discussed like a motion, but are not subject to a vote. Addresses are made by those whose title grants them the power to address the Senate. Like an announcement, they may be considered and discussed, but no vote is taken.
+<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Lady Clarice Novarion">It takes great strength of character<br/>to be in favour of something you hate.</quote></div>
-Citizens and others may be invited to speak in support of a specific motion by its proposer, and may speak if that invitation is deemed by the Speaker to be useful.
+==Participation==
+Only a [[Senate_session#Member_of_the_Senate|member of the Senate]] or civil servant is entitled to enter the Senate chamber for a session. Members must arrive promptly, entry is prohibited to any  member of the senate once a session has begun. Anyone who has the right to enter, has the right to speak during the debates. To do so they must catch the eye of the Speaker and wait until invited to speak. To cast a vote, eligible members who are present will be called upon by the Speaker to take a stance on each motion brought before the Senate.
-===Voting===
+The right of [[witness]] ensures that every member of the Synod is entitled to observe all aspects of the Senate. To facilitate this, the Senate building has a large viewing gallery that runs alongside the main chamber. When it was originally constructed the gallery was only available to members of the Synod, but it was easier to open the gallery to all, and now all citizens with an interest in the proceedings are encouraged to attend. Any Imperial Citizen can ask the Speaker or the [[Captain of the Senate Guard]] to remove a non-citizen from the viewing gallery.
-Each Senator has one vote. The Throne and the Conscience of the Senate may choose to vote, or may abstain.
-Votes are usually open. In open votes, the Speaker will invite all in favour of the motion to move to the Throne's left or right; "Ayes" to the left and "Noes" to the right. The functionaries of the Senate will then count the votes and the result is announced. If no-one present disputes the count, then it is recorded and the matter is complete.
+Although only a handful of citizens have the right to raise motions and vote on them in the Senate, the Senators who form the mainstay of the Senate are chosen by the people of their nation. Most senators work hard to make themselves available to the citizens who elect them. A senator who does not adequately represent the interests, views, and goals of the people of their nation and territory can quickly find themselves removed from office.
-Any senator may call for a secret ballot. To permit a secret ballot on a motion first requires the majority vote of all present. If that vote passes then one white and one black bead are distributed to everyone who can vote and they vote by placing a single bead into bags carried by the Senate functionaries.
-===Assigning Budgets===
-If a vote requires a budget to be allocated, the Speaker will ask every individual who voted in favour to remain standing where they are. The Speaker then suggests the minimum possible amount the individual who proposed the motion believes might be used to achieve the goal. If the majority of voters remain in favour then the Speaker announces a higher figure. They will keep announcing higher figures until there is no longer majority support for the motion at that level of expenditure, at which point the auction ends and the funds are allocated from the Imperial Treasury.
-If a procedural motion requires significant decisions to be made outside the Senate chamber, then these decisions are considered to be the responsibility of the senator who proposed the procedural motion. E.g. if the Senate passes a motion to construct a dam  across the Couros river in the territory of Bastion in Highguard, then any further decisions are the responsibility of the Senator who proposed that motion. The dam will require materials that must be purchased from the Imperial Bourse, so the Senate will vote a budget for this project. That money is then given to the senator who proposed  who can use it as they see fit to ensure that everything the Civil Service require the senator to achieve is carried out.
 ==Limitations==
-===Powers of veto===
+{{CaptionedImage|file=TheSpeakersSeat.jpg|title=The Speaker's seat|align=right|width=400|height=600}}
-The Throne may [[Throne#Power_of_veto|veto any motion]] that has been passed by the Imperial Senate. The Throne has until the end of a sitting to veto a decision taken during that sitting.
+===Veto===
+The decisions of the Senate, both motions and announcements are subject to veto by [[The Throne]] and the [[Imperial Synod]]. Any veto automatically cancels the motion or announcement, as if it had been a motion which was voted down. A motion that is vetoed cannot be raised again before the start of the next summit.
-The Synod is responsible for the Virtuous conduct of the Empire. Either the [[Assembly_of_Nine#Power_of_veto|Assembly of Nine]] or the [[General_Assembly#Power_of_veto|General Asssembly]] may veto any motion with constitutional implications. In addition, the General Assembly of the Synod may veto any one Senate decision during any summit, using its [[General_Assembly#Power_of_veto|power of veto]].
-Any veto by the Synod must be exercised at the beginning of the next sitting which follows the session where the decision was passed. It is the responsibility of the Conscience to deliver the veto of the Synod to the Senate.
+The [[Imperial Synod]], either the Assembly of Nine or the General Assembly may veto any motion with constitutional implications. In addition, the General Assembly of the Synod may veto any one Senate decision during any summit, using its [[veto]]. A veto by the Synod must be submitted before the start of the next session (as discussed on the [[Veto#Timing|veto]] page).
-===Sanctions===
+The Throne may [[The_Throne#Power_of_Veto|veto]] any vote that occurs as part of a Senate session while they are present.
-The Speaker for the Senate is charged with ensuring the smooth running of the Senate. To this end they have the power to apply three sanctions.
-The first sanction is Silence. The Speaker can silence a persistently rude or boorish senator for the duration of a single motion; they will not be allowed to speak on the floor or answer points made while silenced. They may still vote and once the vote has been cast, are free to speak once more.
+===Constitution===
+The power of the Senate is limited by the [[Imperial Constitution]]. The magistrates may declare a motion to be unconstitutional, if they believe it violates the principles of the Constitution. Where possible the magistrates will always do this before a motion is considered if they are given due time. If a motion is declared unconstitutional, the magistrates are required to provide complete guidance for why it was ruled unconstitutional. The senate may then consider a new motion on the issue at any time.
-Should this prove insufficient the second sanction is Exclusion - the offending senator is obliged to leave the Senate chamber until the end of the current motion. This denies them the right to vote on it so is a serious matter. They may re-enter the chamber following the vote.
+{{Senate Further Reading}}
-The third and final sanction is Expulsion - the senator is expelled from the Senate chamber for the entire sitting. They lose their chance to vote on all issues. This is an extreme sanction and historically is used only in response to grave misdemeanours such as threats of violence in the chamber.
+{{pdf}}
 [[Category:The Law]]
 [[Category:The Empire]]
-[[Category:The Senate]]
+[[Category:Senate]]

Imperial Senate

Latest revision as of 15:43, 15 October 2024

Contents

Overview

Role within the Empire

History

Sessions

Participation

Limitations

Veto

Constitution

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information

Profound Decisions[edit | | ]

Community[edit | | ]

Wiki Editors[edit | | ]