The Grand Commonwealth

Home - History and Archive

2009-05-22T15:49:00.031Z

Welcome to the archived Grand Commonwealth website
(for the original homepage click on Home)

About this Archive:

This site is the original Grand Commonwealth website, published with Blogger, and originally hosted at the now defunct MN Centre, but now relocated to Blogspot. All internal and external links have been restored or updated where possible, and all essential images have been either restored or replaced. The original message board is no longer available, although remnants of it may be found at the Internet Archive (see the index on the left).

The History of the Grand Commonwealth:

Genesis

The concept of a new large micronational union was first thought of in October 2004 when the then leaders of the Republic of Aerlig and the Sovereign Order of Treesia (respectively Lachlan Powers and Sir Iain de Vembria) considered the state of the MCS micronational world, realised that it had been a long time since the last great micronational union, and looked at the possibility of trying something new and doing some proper empire-building of their own.

Treesia had also recently been restored to the MCS map following the earlier swift and controversial removal of the Apollo Foundation territories (of most of the former Apollo nations), so it was also considered an opportunity to try and restore as many of those territories as possible as part of a functioning micronation.

More details of this period can be read here: Beginnings of the Grand Commonwealth

Evolution

Aerlig and Treesia soon invited the Empire of Lemuria to join them, the latter being the latest in a long line of micronations founded by Sander Dieleman, which led to one suggestion (later discarded) of creating most of the new empire out of all the former "Sandernations". A secret forum was provided by Lemuria in which to hold the discussions.

Extinction

A citizen of Aerlig, Joe Sendler, stated that he would support it joining this new union if two other micronations could be persuaded to join, so after some research Antica and Arminy were approached and invited. However, by the end of the year, both had decided against the move, and the project was looking extremely dead. Ironically, Arminy later spent an unsuccessful few months as part of the Republic of Shireroth before fading away forever, while its leader, Johanns von Klosso, had already written the Articles that became the basis of the eventual Charter of the Grand Commonwealth.

Resurrection

In January 2005 inspiration struck Treesia, and the surprisingly moribund Kingdom of Babkha was invited to join. The initial response was enthusiastic, as the proposal was seen as a means of much-needed domestic revival, as well as an interesting new direction to head in. It led to a federal Babkhan-style government being used for the Grand Commonwealth, as it was the most complete system available of all the members' governments at the time. Babkha's Persian theme was also the inspiration for the Persepolis theme adopted for the forum and this site, as well as the later introduction of the Sol Invictus cult.

Ascension

At around this time the Empire of Lemuria's forum experienced a fatal database failure, which led to a loss of most data, so a new secret forum was used, Failte House in Treesia. In March 2005, a close friend of Treesia, Alteria, agreed to join the union. The target number of five nations was thus finally achieved and preparations went ahead for the eventual launch of the Grand Commonwealth on 28th April 2005.

Incredibly, although the intelligence services of other potential micronational competitors had been aware of the initial involvement of Arminy and Antica, they were completely unaware of any later developments until less than a fortnight before the final launch, and only then thanks to the careless talk of an errant Babkhan.

Revelations

The first few weeks and months of the new Grand Commonwealth were, to say the least, interesting. The new supermicronation was seen as a great enemy of most neighbouring established micronations, thanks mostly to an inspired propaganda campaign that was masterminded by Emperor Diga of Attera, and enthusiastically implemented by Scott of Hyperborea, a former Treesian and Apollonian, keenly followed by other old Apollonians such as Bill Dusch. This swiftly resulted in the Grand Commonwealth being called "The Great Satan".

Over the next year or so, the Grand Commonwealth gained new members and protectorates in the form of Calundy, Hurmu, Istvanistan, Karnali, Interland, Novaya Zemlya, Oscland and Treithar, while Lemuria left and Treesia and Aerlig merged, reviving the United Baronies name used by Treesia between 2001 and 2004, the new full name being the United Baronies of Aerlig and Treesia (or UBAT).

The arbitary reduction of some of the Grand Commonwealth's territories on the MCS map as part of its infamous Atkins Plan in 2006 was the final catalyst in the sequence of events that led to the controversial establishment of the rival Geographical Standards Organisation.

For the most significant news stories about the Grand Commonwealth up to its second anniversary in April 2007, please read the Apollo Fireball V's Grand Commonwealth Archives.

Exodus

Finally, in the summer of 2007, the new leaders of the United Baronies, Lachlan Powers and Liam Sinclair, decided that the Grand Commonwealth had served its purpose and withdrew, though not without a struggle, as the Grand-Commonwealth government tried to ensure that the United Baronies left in accordance with the terms of the federal charter. In parallel, a growing independence movement in Babkha, supported by Oscland, generated absurd levels of activity, and generally prospered through the simple expedient of mostly ignoring the federal government.

In September 2007, Powers and Sinclair, who still administered the federal forums, are believed to have taken advantage of the vacation period and closed the forum when no-one was looking, thus conveniently and immediately ending all realistic functioning of the Grand Commonwealth. The forum remained in that locked-down state until Powers closed the MN Centre hosting account about a year later, which also resulted in the loss of the by then neglected United Baronies forums and the sudden closure of the long-standing and popular Micronations.Net forums, which later reappeared as an archive hosted by Sinclair.

Coda

The only known surviving former members of the Grand Commonwealth are Babkha, Istvanistan and the United Baronies of Aerlig and Treesia (as Imperium Incognita).

Babkha's hyperactivity after it sabotaged the Grand Commonwealth inevitably waned over the next year. At the beginning of 2009 the Kingdom reinvented itself somewhat differently, as a non-micronational members' club of dubious repute and doubtful provenance, known as the Villainous Order of Babkhan Blackfriars, the mainstay of which was forum-based pub banter and occasional visits to pubs in London. While this strategy met with limited success, nostalgia for the old days and old ways eventually started making itself felt, and the inevitable return to being a micronational kingdom occurred in August 2010.

Istvanistan continues in much the same way as it had before, namely the intermittant and somewhat surreal conversations in its famed Off Topic forum.

United Baronies of Aerlig and Treesia: following its succession from the Grand Commonwealth in the summer of 2007, the interest of the remaining government comprising Powers, Sinclair and Ardashir Khan gradually reduced. At some point, instead of formally closing down the nation, a series of fake technical problems was introduced to render its forum inaccessible and inoperable. A brief revival attempt by former Treesia Chancellor Sir Iain de Vembria in the Spring of 2008 was unexpectedly brought to a halt when these technical problems were reintroduced.

The nation remained moribund until October 2008, when it was caught up in the infamous incident where Powers and Sinclair, having secretly decided to retire from micronationary, one night immediately removed all the micronational sites that they hosted, including both UBAT and Micronations.Net. The latter returned as a website only within a week, thanks to the efforts of de Vembria. Meanwhile, reusing a nearly-new forum that was once intended to be used by a breakaway Treesia, UBAT was united with the almost defunct New-Empire to form Imperium Incognita (named after the Jasidog Terra Incognita SMF theme), which was formally launched at the beginning of 2009, thus regaining a foothold on the MCS map after an absence of almost three years.

While the complete UBAT forum is believed to remain in the private possession of Sinclair, the original forums and websites of its eleven constituent nations can be accessed via the Historical Index.

Afterthought

One has to wonder what might have been if the Grand Commonwealth had not been brought to its untimely demise by the sabotage from within of those who had benefited from it the most.

Home

2005-07-17T22:58:00.005Z

Welcome to the Grand Commonwealth

The Grand Commonwealth is a union of a number of micronations - internet-based model countries that simulate a variety of ancient and modern cultures and political systems, and which are generally active and vibrant communities in their own right.

The Grand Commonwealth's founding members are established micronations, some of which have been in existence since 2000, and some of which incorporate even older nations. The founding nations were the Republic of Aerlig, the Kingdom of Alteria, the Kingdom of Babkha, the Empire of Lemuria and the Sovereign Order of Treesia.

The Grand Commonwealth is a representative federal democracy with a constitutional monarch. All day-to-day business and activity takes place on its forums, while the Member Nations retain their internal autonomy and maintain their own websites and forums. Although it represents a vast wealth of micronational history and cultures, historical records remain the individual responsibility of the Member Nations. See their websites in the links on the left for more information.

The union reinforces the already strong and peaceful intermicronational relationships of its Members and intends to build on these in the future, while encouraging the continuing development of its own micronational cultures by means of transnational activities and events.

For further information please see the pages linked below. You can get involved straightaway by visiting our forums.

More Information:
What are micronations?
How does the Grand Commonwealth work?
Can I join the Grand Commonwealth?
Can my micronation join the Grand Commonwealth?
Can my micronation have formal relations with the Grand Commonwealth?
Can I do business with the Grand Commonwealth?
What is the legal status of the Grand Commonwealth?

Treaties of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-07-10T21:24:00.001Z

The Grand Commonwealth has treaties with a number of different micronations, as shown below.

If your nation is interested in entering into a treaty, we suggest that you check out this page, and then head to the Gate of All Nations to establish official diplomatic contact.

List of Nations and Treaties

Flanders (Vlaanderen-Grand Commonwealth Treaty Act) - passed September 12th 2005
Het Rijk (Het Rijk/Commonwealth Treaty Act 2005) - passed July 3rd 2005
Istvanistan (The Peace of Vladograd) - passed December 1st 2005
Novaya Zemlya (The Zhivagovsk II Treaty) - passed September 12th 2005
Stormark (Horus-Longships Treaty (Stormark) Act 2005) - passed July 3rd 2005
Talamthom (Tomannach/Commonwealth Treaty Act 2005) - passed July 3rd 2005

Legislation of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-06-09T21:22:00.000Z

Index of the Grand Commonwealth's Legislation

The legislation listed below has been passed by the Majlis-i-Shahan-Ri, in accordance with the Charter and relevant Legislation of the Grand Commonwealth.

Amending the Charter Motion - passed December 27th 2005
Amendments to the Charter: Interland - passed January 16th 2005
Amendments to the Charter Act of 2005 - passed June 9th 2005
Commonwealth Census Act of 2005 - passed May 29th 2005
Commonwealth Currency and Economic Management Act - passed January 23rd 2006
Protector of the Commonwealth Act - passed June 14th 2005
Recreational Warfare Act of 2005 - passed May 29th 2005
Standing Orders of the MiSR (2005) - passed May 22nd 2005
Strategic Planning Unit Act of 2005 - passed May 22nd 2005

Forum Presenters

2005-05-25T10:10:00.000Z

Yakketty Yak
The oldest and original Grand Commonwealth Forum Presenter. When things are calm, Yakketty Yak comes out and shares the news with us. He welcomed people to the Commonwealth at its official launch.

Nattering Gnu
Nattering Gnu shares with us important Commonwealth news when it occurs. He also often creates debate about the pronunciation of his name.

Predicamentory Penguin
Popping up whenever there's a problem, Predicamentory Penguin shares with us the problems occurring around the Commonwealth and the rest of Micras. When Shireroth's Kaiser disappeared and when the ezApocalypse was upon us, the Penguin broke the news.

Quack McDuck
Quack McDuck appears at the most annoying times, always willing to share useless facts and horrible jokes. Quack is yet to appear, but is sure to pop up soon annoying all.

Furry thing of Extreme's that could possibly be the Shahan Ri
The most confusing of the bunch, when something's amiss, FToEtCPbtSR is on hand to share the news with us. With a name pronounced 'photo-et-cet-peb-tsar', FToEtCPbtSR.

Interland - Maps

2005-04-28T22:58:00.000Z

The Kingdom of Interland lies to the north-east of the Capital Commonwealth Territory. Its capital is Munich.

Karnali - Maps

2005-04-28T22:49:00.000Z

Karnali is situated to the far north of the Capital Commonwealth Territory, but also includes the island of Pipphalivana which lies to the north-east of the continent of Lesser Eura, itself to the east of Babkha. It capital is Kaligandaki.

Commonwealth Capital Territory - Maps

2005-04-28T04:17:00.000Z

The Commonwealth Capital Territory (CCT) is an independent territory that is not administered by any of the member nations. It borders Aerlig and Treesia, and is close to Babkha.

Lemuria - Maps

2005-04-28T04:16:00.000Z

The Empire of Lemuria is made up of two areas, the Pacarian Islands and the Feianovan Islands. The former is located southwest of the Babkhan main continent, while the latter is on the eastern equator.

Babkha - Maps

2005-04-28T04:12:00.000Z

The Kingdom of Babkha is located on one main continent and five smaller territories. Other than the main continent, there are the territories of Minorca, Islas de Libertad, Skerryaiyya, East Caput and the Babkhan Sovereign Territory of Palastinia and the Islands.

Alteria - Maps

2005-04-28T04:10:00.000Z

The Kingdom of Alteria is located in the north near the main Treesian and the Shirerithian territories. The capital of Alteria is Southport City.

Treesia - Maps

2005-04-28T04:09:00.000Z

Treesia's territories are spread across the Micras map. There are five main groupings of territories.

Treesia has a number of territories in the north of the map, including the Fifth Isle, the Far Reaches and New Bruges. The Skerry Isles are located in the Gulf area near Babkha, Aerlig and the CCT. New Audentior is a historical area located on a border with Shireroth. The final two territories, Augustus and Terra Firma, are in the further reaches of the globe.

Aerlig - Maps

2005-04-28T03:57:00.000Z

The Republic of Aerlig comprises four states- Auelrict, April Islands, Duras and West Overbrook. The Colony of Treynor is an additional territory of the nation, awaiting incorporation under law.

The Member Nations of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-04-27T11:10:00.004Z

There are seven Member Nations of the Grand Commonwealth.

Aerlig, Republic of
Theme: 'Western' Republic
Head of State: Protector Lachlan Powers MP
Head of Government: Prime Minister Carson Smith MP
Founded: August 23, 2001
Capital: Adelwin, Auelrict
States: April Islands, Auelrict, Duras, and West Overbrook.
Website: http://www.aerlig.net
Forum: http://www.aerlig.net/forum
Map: political map
Immigration: information and applications
Economy: dormant

Alteria, Kingdom of
Theme: Democratic Kingdom
Head of State: His Excellency the King of Alteria, Chas Jar'go.
Founded: 28 December, 1998
Capital: Southport City
Regions: Anterra, Corvilla, Southland, Tasman.
Website: http://www.alteria.tk
Forum: http://go.ezboard.com/balterianfederationforum
Map: political map
Immigration: applications
Economy: dormant

Babkha, Kingdom of
Theme: Persian Kingdom
Head of State: His Imperial Majesty the Shahanshah, Ardashir Khan Osmani
Head of Government: Grand Vizier Rashid Arsalani
Founded: October 12, 2000
Capital: Raspur
Regions: Alkhiva, Báatharz, Colorados, East Caput, Greater Zjandaria, Hatay, Islas de Libertad, Kapitalia, Kelestan, Kumarastan, Minorca, Molivadia, Norasht, Palastina, Razjania-Dehvaz, Shahzamin, Skerryaiyya, Terre Des Riches, Vipia, Zsharra.
Website: http://go.ezboard.com/bbabkha
Forum: http://www.babkha.com
Map: political map
Immigration: information and applications
Economy: dormant

Interland, Imperial Kingdom of
Theme: German Kingdom
Head of State: His Imperial Majesty the Kaiser, Daniel Dreesbach
Founded: TBC
Capital: Munich
Website: TBC
Forum: TBC
Map: political map
Immigration: TBC
Economy: none

Karnali, Republic of
Theme: Nepalese Republic
Heads of State and Government: Tribunes Creativeruser, Extreme007 and Mig29smt
Founded: February 28th, 2003
Joined the Grand Commonwealth on: June 22nd, 2005
Capital: Kaligandaki
Regions: Ajatasattu, Allakappa, Chitral, Kanishka, Kapilavastu, Kosala, Kusinara, Lesser Karnali, Magadha, Pava, Pipphalivana, Ramagama, Vamsas, Vesali, Vethadipa,
Website: http://www.karnali.co.nr/
Forum:
(Old) http://pub21.ezboard.com/bkarnali
(New) http://republickarnali.proboards41.com/
Map: political map
Immigration: TBC
Economy: dormant

Lemuria, Empire of
Theme: Atlantian Empire
Head of State: Ramu Taiçardainre I
Founded: 16 July, 2004.
Capital: Nista Ramure
Regions: Feianova, Mainland.
Website: N/A
Forum: http://www.mncentre.net/lemuria/forum/
Map: political map
Immigration: information and applications
Economy: not established

Treesia, Sovereign Order of
Theme: Anglo-Irish Mediaeval/Fantasy Sovereign Order
Head of State: Chairman Sir Iain de Vembria
Founded: October 17, 2000.
Capital: Halberd Lighthouse
Regions & Protectorates: Audentia Nova, Augustus, The Far Reaches, The Fifth Isle, New Bruges, The Skerry Isles, Terra Firma, Treynor.
Website: http://www.treesia.org
Forum: http://go.ezboard.com/bbaronyoftreesia
Map: political map
Immigration: information and applications
Economy: dormant

Maps of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-04-27T10:56:00.001Z

The Grand Commonwealth consists of territories distributed across many regions of the world map of the Micronational Cartography Society. The pages linked below show the maps of the individual Member Nations.

Aerlig, Republic of
Alteria, Kingdom of
Babkha, Kingdom of
Interland, Imperial Kingdom of
Karnali, Republic of
Lemuria, Empire of
Treesia, Sovereign Order of
Commonwealth Capital Territory

Gazetteer of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-04-27T10:54:00.000Z

gaz·et·teer (gz-tîr)
n.

A geographic dictionary or index.
Archaic. A writer for a gazette; a journalist.

Symbols of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-04-26T19:48:00.001Z

The flag of the Grand Commonwealth promotes its identity in an unmistakeable way. The flag consists of a bold tri-colour stylised sun in yellow, orange and red, ablaze on a white background with a thin defining silver border. In the centre of the sun, the Eye of Horus watches over the union.

Elections of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-04-26T14:18:00.000Z

Election results will be published here after results have been offcially declared.

At this point in time, no elections have taken place in the Commonwealth.

What Are Micronations?

2005-04-23T21:31:00.000Z

A micronation is literally a very small nation, a nation normally being a group of people who share the same culture.

Micronations have existed in one form or another for many years, and have usually arisen as artistic communities, secessionist movements or publicity-seeking means of local protest about political issues.

There is also a genre of micronations known as imaginary or model countries, which seem generally to be created by the young, but which some people pursue into adult life. Sometimes these might be based around one's home, bedroom or yard. Sometimes they might never progress beyond the creative writing stage.

However the increasingly widespread availability of the internet in recent years has given these model countries a new lease of life, and has ultimately resulted in the creation of some unique online communities.

Online model countries are easily the most common form of micronation today, as the basic structures are very easy to create - normally consisting of an informational website and a message board where day-to-day life takes place. The lack of actual land does not present any problems, as many micronations develop their own virtual territories on maps as part of greater virtual worlds.

Unlike the role-playing-game (RPG) communities, there are no fixed roles or rules, but social and political behaviour generally follows the accepted patterns for the cultures and government systems being simulated and developed. Needless to say, a reasonably mature approach to being a citizen or a politician is an advantage.

More Information:
Micronations.Net (micronational resources and portal)
Micronational News Network (micronational news headlines constantly updated)

How the Grand Commonwealth Works

2005-04-23T21:30:00.002Z

The Grand Commonwealth is a union of a number of existing micronations. The union was created by a Charter that was ratified by each of the founding Members.

The Charter grants a great deal of autonomy for each Member Nation, while permitting the central Grand Commonwealth government to operate as a representative democracy with a constitutional monarch.

The Grand Commonwealth government is responsible for foreign affairs and security, while Member Nations retain control over their own legal and economic systems, their local government and cultures. The Member Nations send Delegates to represent themselves and there is a comprehensive set of checks and balances in place between the Member Nations, the Grand Commonwealth government and the constitutional monarch.

More Information:
The full text of the Charter of the Grand Commonwealth
The Member Nations of the Grand Commonwealth
Elections of the Grand Commonwealth
Legislation of the Grand Commonwealth
Maps of the Grand Commonwealth
Symbols of the Grand Commonwealth
Treaties of the Grand Commonwealth

Can I Join the Grand Commonwealth?

2005-04-23T21:29:00.001Z

As an individual you cannot join the Grand Commonwealth directly.

However, you can join as a citizen of one of the individual Member Nations, as they retain their own autonomy with regards to matters of immigration.

Each Member Nation has its own particular culture and immigration rules, so to find out more about them, and how to apply for citizenship, please go to the Member Nations Page.

Can My Micronation Join the Grand Commonwealth?

2005-04-23T21:28:00.001Z

The Grand Commonwealth welcomes proposals from other nations to become Members.

Prospective applicants should first make themselves familiar with the terms of the Charter of the Grand Commonwealth and ensure that they have fulfilled the criteria to have their territories depicted on the world atlas of the Micronational Cartography Society.

Diplomatic representatives who wish to present proposals for membership should approach the Gate of All Nations.

More Information:
The full text of the Charter of the Grand Commonwealth
The Micronational Cartography Society

Can My Micronation Have Formal Relations With the Grand Commonwealth?

2005-04-23T21:27:00.001Z

The Grand Commonwealth welcomes proposals from other micronations to discuss the possibilities of establishing mutual recognition, treaties and potential alliances.

To qualify for formal relations, potential candidate micronations must have been in existence for a minimum of three calendar months as of the date of the initial approach. Documentary evidence of the date of foundation must be provided as proof.

Once an approach has been initiated, additional informal diplomatic and civilian contacts will be encouraged for a further month before any formal agreements can be approved.

Diplomatic representatives wishing to contact the Grand Commonwealth should approach the Gate of All Nations.

See Also:
Treaties of the Grand Commonwealth

Can I do Business with the Grand Commonwealth?

2005-04-23T21:26:00.001Z

Most Member Nations of the Grand Commonwealth participate in the Commonwealth-wide economic. However, some choose to opt out of this and either use their own economic simulation, or none at all. The economies of those that do may consist mostly of state activity, or they may include the participation of private companies.

To find out more information please see the Member Nations Page or visit the Chancellory of the Exchequer.

The Charter of the Grand Commonwealth

2005-04-23T21:25:00.000Z

This is the full text of the governing charter of the Grand Commonwealth.

Charter of the Grand Commonwealth

Preamble
We, the delegates of the Republic of Aerlig, the Kingdom of Alteria, the Kingdom of Babkha, the Imperial Kingdom of Interland, the Republic of Karnali, the Empire of Lemuria and the Sovereign Order of Treesia, do hereby ratify and confirm this Charter, and that

Article I
The name of this union shall be the Grand Commonwealth.

Article II
Each member of this Commonwealth retains every Part of its Sovereignty, Freedom, and Independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and Right not expressly delegated to the government of the Grand Commonwealth by this Charter. Member Nations shall, in turn, be expected to fulfil the obligations upon them expressed in this Charter of the Grand Commonwealth.

Article III
The said Member Nations hereby enter into a firm League of Friendship, for their common defence and mutual welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to or attacks made upon any member, irrespective of whatsoever might be their pretext.

Article IV
All Citizens of each Member Nation shall have the right to pass over state borders, without let or hindrance in any Member Nation they should enter.

Each individual Member Nation shall have the right to receive prospective immigrants to the Commonwealth as it sees fit, and shall grant their Citizens the Rights to Freedom of Assembly, Communication and Expression, except where such Rights would result in Acts of Force or Fraud being committed against other Citizens.

Article V
The central body of State in this Commonwealth shall be the Majlis-i-Dharma of the Grand Commonwealth.

Each Member Nation shall be represented in the Majlis-i-Dharma by a minimum of one Delegate, and a maximum of two Delegates. Delegates shall be chosen every three months in such a manner as each Member State shall individually determine.

They shall assemble on the first day of the month that begins their term; Delegates shall have been selected at least one (1) week before this, at most three (3). There shall be no restrictions on the number of term for which each Delegate may sit. Each Delegate shall have one vote in all proceedings.

Each Member Nation shall maintain its own Delegate in a meeting of the Majlis-i-Dharma, as well as when they act as Members of other Committees that may be established from time-to-time.

Member Nations also have the right to recall their Delegates at any time and replace them as they see fit.

Freedom of speech and debate in Majlis-i-Dharma shall not be abridged or otherwise threatened in any Court or Authority outside the Majlis-i-Dharma, and the Members of Majlis-i-Dharma shall be protected from arrest or imprisonment during their terms in Majlis-i-Dharma, except for cases of alleged treason, felony, or breaching of the peace.

The titular Head of the Commonwealth shall be the Shahan-Ri. The scope and duration of the position shall be reviewed from time-to-time by the Majlis-i-Dharma. The Shahan-Ri shall generally have ceremonial powers on behalf of the Commonwealth, and shall ensure the impartial and equitable operation of all parts of the Commonwealth. The first Shahan-Ri shall be the Shah of Babkha.

Article VI
The Commonwealth represents the United Sovereignties of each Member Nation, and therefore may, with the consent of the Majlis-i-Dharma, send an Embassy to, or receive an Embassy from, or enter into any Treaty or Alliance with, any foreign power or assembly. However, each Member Nation has the right to individually exclude itself from any such Treaty or Alliance.

Conversely, no Member Nation may, of its own accord, and without the consent of Majlis-i-Dharma, send an Embassy to, or receive an Embassy from, or enter into any Treaty or Alliance with, any foreign power or assembly. In the event that more than one Member Nation wishes to do so with the same foreign power or assembly, then it shall be proceeded with in the name of the Commonwealth as a whole instead.

Each Member Nation shall only be allowed to keep and maintain a military force for the use of the Commonwealth, and no Member Nation shall have the power to engage in war independently of, and without the consent of all of the Member Nations, as represented in Majlis-i-Dharma. In the event that Member Nation is actually invaded or assaulted by a foreign power, the whole of the Commonwealth shall be required to come to its defence.

The Majlis-i-Dharma shall alone hold the right to declare war, and this shall be accomplished through a unanimous vote of all Delegates.

Article VII
The Delegates of the Majlis-i-Dharma, shall, following their assembling on the first of the month, elect by a majority vote a Taoiseach from their numbers, who shall act as Speaker, and shall lose their vote in its affairs for the duration. If they be the only representative of any Member Nation, a replacement must be supplied, or else the Taoiseach must forfeit his post in favour of being his Nation's Delegate.

The Taoiseach shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all Defence Forces: army, navy, and air-force, of the Grand Commonwealth, and shall hold the power to appoint or remove all personnel thereto and therefrom.

The Majlis-i-Dharma shall furthermore have the sole power to determine the funding and departments of the military. The Taoiseach shall have the right to grant letters of marque on powers, which this Commonwealth is already at war with, and otherwise direct attacks.

The Majlis-i-Dharma shall reserve the right to remove the Taoiseach by a vote of No-Confidence, which must pass by a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority to take effect.

The Taoiseach shall direct all foreign relations, except those directly undertaken by the Member Nations and approved by Majlis-i-Dharma, and shall have the power to make and approve treaties, subject to Majlis-i-Dharma's approval before taking effect, as well as any department created by Majlis-i-Dharma which is not made a subcommittee of Majlis-i-Dharma.

The Taoiseach shall be required each month to answer the questions of the legislature, and inform them about the Commonwealth's affairs.

Every member nation shall abide by the determinations of the Majlis-i-Dharma and the Taoiseach in the areas from which they have ceded to their authority under this Charter.

Article VIII
The Majlis-i-Dharma shall have the power to request taxes from all the Member Nations with working economies as a whole for the purpose of the necessary funding all its functions and operations.

The Majlis-i-Dharma shall have the right to regulate the values of the Currencies of the individual Member Nations, and to establish a Commonwealth-wide economic and monetary system, from which individual Member Nations may choose to exclude themselves.

Article IX
The Majlis-i-Dharma shall be the final mediator in all Disputes between Member Nations concerning boundaries, jurisdictions, or any other case whatsoever. A Dispute shall be presented by a Delegate of one of the concerned Nations in the form of a Petition, and upon hearing from all sides in the said Dispute, the Majlis-i-Dharma shall address the said Petition, and its decision shall be final. The decision must receive a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority to pass, and shall come into effect on a date specified therein.

Article X
The Majlis-i-Dharma may issue laws which shall be binding throughout the Commonwealth. Any Member Nation may opt out of any law passed by the Majlis-i-Dharma except insofar as they regulate relations among Member Nations or between the Commonwealth and third parties.

If a Person is guilty of a Crime in one Member Nation, and flees to another Member of this Commonwealth, the State into which They have fled shall be required to return Them to the State wherein They has committed Their Crime. Full credit and faith shall be given to the Criminal Records and Acts of Court found in one State by all the others.

Article XI
The admission of additional Members to this Commonwealth shall be accomplished by a unanimous vote of a Committee of Nations.

Article XII
Secession from the Commonwealth, subject to the approval of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the Majlis-i-Dharma, may be accomplished by any Member Nation, provided a majority of its populace are in favour of it.

Article XIII
The Charter may be amended at any time by the Majlis-i-Dharma. Amendments to the Charter must be passed with a two-thirds majority and ratified by the Shahan-Ri. Once signed by the Shahan-Ri, any member nation has ten days in which to lodge a formal protest, by motion of their legislature and head of state, to the Shahan-Ri, which will see the amendment rejected. Should this time period passed, further changes will require a new amendment.

Legal Disclaimer

2005-04-23T09:36:00.000Z

The Grand Commonwealth is established as an internet-based model nation, which simulates the union of a variety of different cultures, civil and political institutions, and societies. The Grand Commonwealth is a legitimate, functioning, and non-territorial micronational union that possesses and reprsents the imminent, virtual global sovereignty of its Member Nations.

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