Ah... this is awkward.
Ertex: The Enlightened Bureaucracy
Here at Ertex we’ve long since abandoned the more primitive ways of our relatives on Earth.
The enlightened bureaucracy, a way of referring to our new form of governance, is surprisingly not particularly bureaucratic. It’s simply a process in which we find the best individuals to operate our government. A process designed to ensure a smoothly running government best representing its citizens while being able to respond to any crisis. The process was first implemented SY 10, when the colonial charter's mandated leader "voluntarily" stepped down. After the very peaceful rebellion discussion, a stop-gap measure was put into place to choose a small group of people to lead Ertex. Little did they know that this method would be refined over the years to eventually become the pride of Ertex.
Ertex is essentially ruled by Consuls. The Consul of Military, the Consul of Civics, and the Consul of Innovation. Together, they rule Ertex in a fashion Quillus can’t hope to imitate.
Beneath the Consuls lie Magistrates. Individuals advised by the Consuls with significant control over different aspects of their branch. For example, the Magistrate of Fleet Operations under the Consul of Military handles the bulk of operations of Ertex’s fleet.
The populace actively participates via routine and extensive option polls securely and digitally delivered to every citizen. While the government isn’t required to heed these polls and is encouraged to take the path its leaders see as the best possible, it provides valuable data for how to best run the government and for the choosing of new officials. However, they only elect local and planetary governors, which have a relatively minor role in Ertexian governance.
Consuls aren’t elected or chosen. Complex procedures and systems decide the next Consul, based on their activity, personality, the current poll regarding public opinion (though this isn't the biggest factor), and more. Consuls are also selected to be compatible with each other while different enough to encourage more efficient and intelligent operation of the government - they'll be different enough to encourage debate and thought over different approaches, but ideally similar enough to allow for a cohesive single administration. Magistrates are selected in similar ways, though the current Consul that the magistrate would be under has a significant - not absolute - say in the process. Of course, there are many below the Magistrates and below those below the Magistrates - the same process applies but yields further to higher-up input as it goes down, eventually resulting in straightforward appointments at the lower levels. Governors of cities and other small areas are directly elected by the people (though the candidates are chosen by a less-intense form of the system choosing Consuls), and planetary governors are chosen through cooperation with the Consuls and local governors on the particular planet. There's an absolute term limit of 10 years for any one administration, but it can be automatically judged that public opinion has notably shifted from the view of the current administration, causing the process to be started again.
This ensures the Consuls represent public opinion, yet don’t succumb to the tyranny of the majority and are chosen for their ability to enact the public opinion. Though after a minor armed uprising intense public petition, it is possible for a very large majority of the population to force a new administration to be put into place via a very publicized and scheduled vote.
The Consul of Innovation covers technology, utilities, technological infrastructure, and much more. Civics cover public essentials and guaranteed services, regular infrastructure, general citizen services, and most of the immediately civilian-facing responsibilities. The Military role is obvious. Criticisms do arise that the responsibilities of these different Consuls can be confusing as they're organically grown according to demand and that supposedly disputes regarding responsibilities between Consuls can occur, but Ertex would never be disrupted by such trivial flaws!
The Consuls rule from the Spire, a relatively recent project - construction on it had first started on the 50th anniversary of our landing on Ertex. The Spire actually only officially finished construction 10 years ago (though it was functional as the capitol of Ertex long before official completion) and is perhaps the largest single project undertaken by Ertex to this day. But it's been here long enough to become a symbol.
Typically, citizens use the term "Spire" to refer to the general overall administration at the time. The Spire is a large building in the center of the capital city. A tall, well, spire with many skywalks to other parts of the city at many levels, and a well-kept (small - it’s in a city) lawn decorated by the most well-known artists of Ertex commemorating events and persons in Ertex's history as well as fountains, amenities, pavement, and grass. The “lawn” is intended as a gathering place for the people of Ertex as well as a community center for the city. Just last year, for the centennial anniversary of Ertex's founding, a grand new sculpture was unveiled in a public ceremony.
The spire is gleaming white, covered with glass windows. As it rises and grows thinner, instead of simply sloping up, greenery dots the walls above larger levels, making the Spire appear lush and vibrant. The Consuls inhabit the ground floor, to represent their equality with the people. At night it seems to subtly shine, representing the everlasting brightness of Ertex. Every level is accessible to the people - no one is too lowly for society!
The majority of the government of Ertex is centralized at the Spire, with regional governors (other than those for the capital and Ertex) located in smaller capitals wherever they govern. Extensive computer systems and connections to the rest of Ertex allow for our government to be constantly informed and ready to act. The already well-known Design Bureau, largely responsible for the overseeing of civilian infrastructure prior to the war, is located in the Spire. Consuls largely govern from their office using the communications network to instantly communicate their decisions and policies with the rest of Ertex, and while they do make occasional public appearances, they largely leave PR and communications to subordinates; this ensures that they spend most of their time ensuring Ertex remains prosperous.
Remember that these should be posted in the Core thread, so we should probably do some coordination on what to post there beforehand.
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Topic: Ertex Design Bureau - Battle for Aljadid - Strategy SY108 (Read 48504 times)