Liberland is on the brink of a historic moment with the forthcoming adoption of its Constitution, currently available in a draft state. This Constitution will establish Liberland as a meritocratic republic, where Citizens hold the political power. If you're a Citizen, your participation is not only welcomed but also crucial to the nation's governance.
Liberland is on the brink of a historic moment with the forthcoming adoption of its Constitution, currently available in a draft state. This Constitution will establish Liberland as a meritocratic republic, where Citizens hold the political power. If you're a Citizen, your participation is not only welcomed but also crucial to the nation's governance.
The Meritocratic Republic of Liberland
In Liberland, Citizens who demonstrate their commitment to the nation wield political power. This Proof of Commitment involves "PolitiPooling" at least 5000 Liberland Merits (LLM). This requirement ensures that voters have a vested interest in the country's well-being and future.
Liberland's political system is a balanced interplay between the classical separation of powers as proposed by Montesquieu — the Judiciary, Legislative, and Executive—and the Senate, the republic's guardian. The Senate is integral to Liberland, but operates independently from the Government.
The Judiciary: Protector of Rights and Justice
The Judiciary is pivotal in safeguarding your rights and ensuring justice. As a Citizen or e-resident, you can engage with the Judiciary via the Liberland Blockchain at blockchain.liberland.org:
- Contract: Establish a contract with a counterparty.
- Dispute: If a dispute arises, click on "Dispute".
The Judiciary makes decisions based on the Constitution of Liberland. However, for legal certainty and normalcy in international relations, decisions are also based on the law.
The Legislative Power
The Legislative Power works on an intermediary between direct political power of the Citizens and representation. This representation is strictly voluntary. This means that whatever organs of representation exist (namely Congress), will be only facilitating and streamlining the democratic process, and the final say rests on the Citizens through the Referendum.
The Referendum System
Laws in Liberland are adopted exclusively through referendums. There are two types of referendums: the Meritocratic Referendum and the Democratic Public Veto.
Meritocratic Referendum
Purpose
A Meritocratic Referendum is used to adopt, reject, or modify any law, regulation, or government decision.
Voting Process
- Citizen Onboarding: Ensure you are an onboarded Citizen.
- Access Voting Platform: Visit http://blockchain.liberland.org.
- Navigate to Voting: Go to the Voting/Referenda section.
- Select Referendum: Choose the referendum you wish to vote on.
- Cast Vote
- Ignore Voting Weight Prompt: The system will prompt about voting weight, which can be ignored.
- Vote Update: If you change your mind, you can update your vote for the cost of a transaction (a few cents).
Duration
- Each referendum lasts for 7 days
- After voting concludes, there is an additional 7-day period to prepare for enactment.
Vote Counting
- Votes are tallied based on politically pooled LLM, not headcount.
- The tally method depends on whether the Referendum was proposed by a Citizen or by Congress.
- Citizen referenda require a variable threshold for acceptance depending on how many LLM have been cast. Where all would be cast, the threshold would be 50 percent plus one LLM.
- Congress referenda all require exactly 50 percent plus one LLM cast to be adopted.
- Unpooling LLM takes time, indicating a commitment to Liberland.
Proposing a Meritocratic Referendum
- Any Citizen can propose a referendum.
- Higher acceptance thresholds prevent ad hoc populist measures.
- For a smoother process, ask a Member of Congress to propose on your behalf.
Democratic Veto
Purpose
A Democratic Veto removes legislative measures or officials from office, showcasing a "headcount" democracy with free and equal elections.
Types of Democratic Veto
- Public Veto: Removes any legislative measure (laws, regulations, etc.) enacted by the Government.
- Dismissal: Removes any official or agent (employee) from office.
Voting Process
- Access Voting Platform: Visit http://blockchain.liberland.org.
- Navigate to Legislation: Choose a type (e.g., Law, International Treaty) from the top menu.
- Show Section: Find the section you wish to veto.
- Cast Veto: Click "Cast Veto".
Vote Counting
- The referendum remains active indefinitely.
- The AYE (repeal, dismiss) side wins only when 50 percent plus one voter (not LLM) votes for it.
- Until the threshold is reached, the referendum remains in force.
Congress
In Liberland, representative democracy finds its center in the Congress. This vital organ of voluntary representation plays a crucial role in shaping the legislative landscape and ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard and respected. Here’s an in-depth look at the powers and functions of Congress, and how you can actively participate in this dynamic political system.
Powers of the Congress
Legislative Proposals
Congress is empowered to make legislative proposals, providing a streamlined path for these proposals through the referendum process. Proposals from Congress have a higher chance of passing, requiring just 50 percent plus one vote (LLM) cast for AYE.
Special Legislative Proposals
Certain legislative actions, such as Constitutional Amendments and specific International Treaty Ratifications, must originate from Congress. Individual citizens cannot propose these changes, highlighting the unique responsibilities and powers vested in Congress.
Delegation of Referendum Votes
Citizens who prefer not to vote on every issue or who trust their Member of Congress can voluntarily delegate their referendum votes to their chosen representative. This delegation underscores the trust and responsibility placed in Congress members.
Budget Management
Congress handles the critical task of dealing with budgets, ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to support the nation’s needs and goals.
Executive Appointments
Congress appoints the Cabinet, the supreme executive organ of Liberland. Until the Cabinet is appointed, Congress uses its decision-making powers to fulfill executive functions.
Congress Elections
Congress elections take place every three months. The point is to keep Congress up to date with popular preferences. Elections take place on the blockchain. Where one does not vote but has voted before, their past vote carries through to the next election.
Participating in the voting process is straightforward and essential for maintaining a vibrant democracy. Here’s how you can cast your vote:
- Onboard: Ensure you are onboarded as a citizen.
- Access the Voting Platform: Visit blockchain.liberland.org.
- Navigate to Voting: Select “Voting” from the menu on the left.
- Choose Your Candidates: Rank your candidates by preference (e.g., number 1, number 2, etc.).
- Update Your Vote: Click on “Update Vote” and sign the transaction with your wallet.
With Liberland's tiered voting system, your vote remains impactful even if your top choice doesn’t win. Your vote will automatically transfer to your next choice, ensuring that your preferences are always considered.
This is how it works in detail (using the Phragmen algorithm):
- Voting Process: Voters mark the candidates they approve of on their ballots.
- Initial Setup: Each ballot starts with zero votes. This we call “load”. Thus the initial load is zero.
- Determining the Winner:
- For each candidate, calculate the average (mean) load of the ballots that support them.
- The candidate with the lowest average load among their supporters wins the next available seat.
- Updating Ballot Loads:
- Calculate the number of ballots (n) that approved the winning candidate.
- Add 1/n to the load of each of these ballots.
- Ensure that the loads of all ballots supporting the winning candidate are equal by averaging them out.
- Repeat or End:
- If there are more seats to fill, repeat from step 3.
- If all seats are filled, the selection process ends.
Becoming a Candidate
Interested in taking a more active role in Liberland’s democracy? Becoming a candidate is simple:
- Visit the Platform: Go to blockchain.liberland.org.
- Select Congress: Choose the “Congress” section.
- Apply: Click the button to apply and sign the transaction.
Meet the Candidates!
To learn more about the individuals running for Congress, visit our official YouTube Channel. There, you can watch promotional videos of some of our most prominent candidates. While these clips are published by the official channel, it’s important to note that there is no official endorsement of any candidates—the decision is left to the popular vote.
Cabinet
In Liberland, the Cabinet plays a pivotal role in the governance of the nation, providing stable and consistent executive leadership. While Congress reflects popular preferences and adapts to changing public sentiments, the Cabinet is designed to ensure coherent and steadfast executive authority. Let's delve into the structure, roles, and powers of the Cabinet in Liberland.
The Structure of the Cabinet
The Prime Minister
At the helm of the Cabinet is the Prime Minister, the head of the Government. This role effectively replaces the President's position in the current Liberland Provisional Government system. As the primary executive authority, the Prime Minister oversees the entire Cabinet's functioning and ensures the smooth execution of governmental policies.
The Ministers
Supporting the Prime Minister are four key ministers, each responsible for a specific domain:
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Interior
- Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Minister of Justice
These ministries form the core executive branches of Liberland, essential for the nation's administration and governance. According to the current Constitution, these are the only ministries unless future constitutional amendments dictate otherwise.
The Role and Power of the Cabinet
Centralised Executive Power
All executive power in Liberland is centralised within the Cabinet, which holds the final say in all executive matters. This centralisation ensures that decisions are consistent and align with the nation's overall governance strategy.
Agencies and Their Governance
Apart from the ministries, various executive organs known as Agencies must be established by Law, ensuring Congress maintains oversight over the Executive branch. Each Agency falls under the jurisdiction of one of the four ministries, with the head of each Agency directly subordinate to the respective Minister.
Regulatory Authority
Internal Regulations
The Cabinet and its Agencies manage executive matters through regulations. Internal regulations apply only within the Agencies, streamlining operations and maintaining order within the executive branches.
Public Regulations
The Executive can also issue regulations affecting all Citizens and residents of Liberland. However, this authority is bound by the principle that only the Law can establish rights and obligations for those outside the service of an Agency. Therefore, any regulations impacting the general public must be within the scope of an existing law, explaining or implementing a specific article of that law. These regulations can never exceed the law's scope, ensuring executive power remains checked and balanced.
Senate
An Overview
In the unique political landscape of Liberland, the Senate stands out as a distinct and powerful entity. Unlike conventional governmental bodies, the Senate is not a part of the government but functions as an independent watchdog, serving as the supreme organ of oversight within the State of Liberland.
Composition and Role
The Senate is composed of shareholders of the Sovereign Fund of Liberland. These are typically individuals who have significantly contributed to the nation during its formative years, often investing their personal fortunes to support Liberland's development. This substantial commitment grants them extraordinary powers, akin to elements of corporate governance that balance the prevalent meritocratic, Swiss-like republicanism of Liberland.
Powers and Functions
Although the Senate does not possess legislative powers, its authority to veto legislative bills is a crucial check on the government. Additionally, the Senate can nullify any Decree, Edict, or Decision made by the Congress, including sub-legal regulations. This power ensures that the Senate can prevent or reverse decisions that may not align with the broader interests of Liberland.
Financial Oversight
One of the Senate's key responsibilities is overseeing the budget and financial transactions of the state. This oversight is conducted through the Liberland Blockchain, ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial matters. By maintaining strict control over the state’s finances, the Senate plays a vital role in safeguarding the economic stability of Liberland.
Electing the President
The Senate also holds the important task of electing the President of Liberland. The President, as the head of state, represents Liberland on the international stage and is the primary international representative. The President also bestows distinctions, such as the Order of Merit, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation.
Emergency Powers
In times of emergency, the President can assume extraordinary powers, acting as if they were the owner of the country, provided the government agrees through a special referendum. Furthermore, should the nation face danger, the President will lead the Territorial Defense Force, ensuring the safety and security of Liberland.
Get Involved
Are you a Citizen but not onboarded yet? Please onboard today! Not a Citizen yet but wishing to become one? Contact us at citizenship@liberland.org.
By engaging in these democratic processes, you can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Liberland and ensuring it thrives as a meritocratic republic. Your voice matters, and your participation is key to our collective success.