Arcerion: Difference between revisions

== Government and Politics ==

The government of Arcerion has consistently evolved since its founding as an Ardmori colony in 1790, shifting from a Crown-controlled settlement to a semi-governed entity, and following the [[Ardmori Civil War]] and the dissolution of the Crown Regent and the Royal Family of Ardmore as a sovereign, independent nation. Arcerion's government can best be described as a republic, although the inner workings and governmental authority exercised by the executive often can be compared to the power of the Ardmori Crown.  

=== Constitution ===

''Main Article: [[Constitution of Arcerion]]''

==== Ardmori Crown in Absentia ====

The Arcer government since the dissolution of the Ardmori Royal Family at the end of the Ardmori Civil War has acted as the Ardmori Crown in Absentia. In this role, Arcer Senate, with a super majority vote, retains the vested power of the Crown Regent and are able to make constitutional changes or enact Royal Decrees that affect the Arcer government and the State. This is not used often - since 2000 it has only been exercised twice, both times during states of national emergency to give the Prime Minister's Office extra powers and authority to ensure the survival of the Arco state. The physical Ardmori Crown worn by generations of Kings and Queens of Ardmore is held in the Arco National Archives, where it was recovered during the Civil War by members of the [[Royal Arcerion Regiment]].  

=== Confederate Parliament ===

The [[Government of Arcerion|Confederate Parliament]] is the Lower House and main legislative body of Arcerion. It is elected during regular federal elections every 4-5 years, and one Member of Parliament is elected from each federal electoral riding, usually based around counties, districts of major cities, or geographical areas. The Confederate Parliament was named as it amalgamated the Parliament of Norham with the Parliament of Moorden, at the time the two governing legislatures of the Arco governorates. They both ratified to confederate into a singular legislative house in Kurst, creating the genesis for the Confederate Parliament. Successive Governorates have each ratified to become part of Arcerion, with Foxhey, Northlea, and Howland Governorates following.  

==== Prime Minister ====

The Prime Minister of Arcerion is an official selected from the party of the majority, or the party with the most elected seats in the Confederate Parliament. The Prime Minister serves as the Head of Government, as the Head of State is still a vested power within the Crown-in-Absentia. The Prime Minister governs Arcerion as its federal executive, outlining national foreign policy strategies, military deployments, budgetary limits, and working with Lieutenant-Governors on domestic policy for each of Arcerion's Governorates.

==== Cabinet ====

The Arcer Cabinet is made up of elected Members of Parliament who serve in their positions as federal Ministers, overseeing portfolios that include different ministries, departments, and offices. The Cabinet members serve an indefinite term that does not exceed their term limit (4-5 years), and it is not unusual for Prime Ministers to make substitutions or changes to Cabinet personnel during their tenure. Politically, the most important positions are the Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Foreign Secretary, Minister of the Interior, and the the Deputy Ministers.  

=== Administrative divisions ===

Arcerion is separated into five Governorates, which are rough equivalent to the provinces or internal states of other sovereign nations. Governorates were created to assist with the administration of the new Arcer colony in the early 1800s, and as each gained a level of autonomy, a larger population, and a growing economy, they ratified the articles of the Acer constitution and joined Arcerion. Each Governorate has a Lieutenant-Governor as its head of government, and is responsible for its internal affairs, taxes, security, and policy. Governorates of Arcerion (by date of ratification) include [[Moorden Governorate]], [[Norham Governorate]], [[Foxhey Governorate]], [[Northlea Governorate]], and [[Howland Governorate]].

Arcerion also has several special administration zones for large metropolis or other areas where it deems additional federal oversight is required. These include the [[Kurst Capital Region]], which encompasses the city of Kurst as well as adjacent municipalities within the sphere of the nation's capital, the Chester Economic Zone, which includes Chester-on-Moore and its large dock facilities, and finally the Northwestern Border Security Zone (NWBSZ) which is slated to be discontinued as a special administration zone with the cessation of insurgent and terrorist activity by 2030.  

Governorates are chiefly methods to oversee non-federal affairs, so while federal programs such as healthcare, defense, and trade are centrally controlled by bureaucrats and politicians in Kurst, the governorates maintain a fairly large level of autonomy in their own areas.  

Subordinate to each governorate are Counties, which are municipal subdivisions of their respective Governorate and are responsible for local policing, waste removal, road works and repair, schooling as dictated by federal and gubernatorial law, and public programs.  

=== Judiciary ===

Arcerion has multiple level of courts that regulate crime, punishment, and regulatory functions as mandated by legislation. The first of these is the individual county courts, both civil and criminal. These are superseded by larger courts, usually the Governorate's individual Supreme Courts. The Supreme Court of Arcerion is the third branch of the federal government (along with the Executive and Legislative), and is composed of 12 Justices, each of whom is nominated by the Prime Minister when there is a vacancy, and confirmed via the Senate's Crown-in-Absentia powers.  

=== Foreign Relations ===

''Main Article:'' ''[[Diplomatic Missions of Arcerion]]''

Arcerion's Foreign Office, also called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, manages a number of embassies and consulates that assist Arcer citizens and business abroad, and also represents Arcer interests with foreign governments. Arcer embassies began as consulates and attache offices before Arcer sovereignty, and with the 1890 grant by the Ardmori Crown to Crown Governor Sir William Walter James with semi-sovereignty that Arcerion began formalizing its embassies with Ambassadors and full diplomatic staff.  

Arcerion maintains embassies with the three global superpowers Urcea, Caphiria, and Kiravia, as well as its significant partners and allies such as Burgundie, Stenza, and Alstin. Notably, Arcerion only maintains a small consular presence with its Indigenous neighbours, and due to constant tensions throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century has no foreign mission to the Cape.  

[[Category: Countries]]

[[Category: Arcerion]]

[[Category: Crona]]