Serene Beaconite Republic
Serene Beaconite Republic Our Serene Republic | |
|---|---|
 FlagFlag
 Coat of ArmsCoat of arms
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| Motto: Eternal greatness | |
| File:Great Britain | |
| Capital and largest city | Beacon City |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Beaconite |
| Government | Direct democracy |
• Rector | James Reginald Frisch |
• Chief Magistrate | James Reginald Frisch |
| Legislature | |
| Minor Council | |
| Grand Forum | |
| Establishment | 2018 |
| Population | |
• (registered citizens) census | 6 |
| Currency | Beaconite Moon |
| Time zone | GMT |
The Serene Beaconite Republic, often abbreviated as SBR, is a micronation located in Great Britain, with its territory surrounded entirely by the United Kingdom, apart from its border with the similarly enclaved Satirno. The Republic was founded in 2018 as the successor to the Principality of Beacon City.
The Serene Beaconite Republic was founded under the principles of direct democracy and stable, continuous government, both of which are written in the SBR's constitution. The founder and Rector, James Frisch, has said that his aims for the nation are to create a unique governmental structure and to be able to survive activity.
Etymology
The demonym "Beaconite" comes from the name of the capital of the nation, Beacon City. The nation has previously been known as the Beaconite Empire and the Principality of Beacon City, in recognition of this fact.
The term "Serene" in the name of the country originates in the style of the former Prince of Beacon City, His Serene Highness, as well as coming from the SBR's inspiration by the Italian maritime republics.
In Beaconite law, the country is known as Our Serene Republic, as a reflection of the directly democratic principles of the nation.
History
The Serene Beaconite Republic was founded by James Frisch in April, 2018, approximately 6 years and 3 months after the founding of New Winterdown, the original state from which the SBR evolved. The Constitution of the Serene Beaconite Republic was passed by the Beaconite Municipal Assembly by the two remaining Assemblymen in Beacon City, Prince James and Asm. von Uberquie, after nearly two years of nearly no meaningful activity in the Municipal Assembly, nor Beacon City in general.
The new constitution was written to avoid that sort of inactivity, principally by mandating an infrequent legislative process involving little effort to partake in. Additionally, like the Beaconite Municipal Assembly, membership of the new Grand Forum was made available to all Beaconite citizens. As Frisch took office as Rector, he was granted temporary decree powers by the Constitution, though all decrees would require confirmation at the first vote of the Grand Forum, and he used this power to pass the Ballot Act 2018, in order to establish voting procedures for the Grand Forum. Beginning on the 2nd of May, 2018, the Grand Forum held its first Ballot, confirming the Ballot Act and beginning the regular procedure of government.
Government and politics
The structure of the Serene Beaconite Republic is designed around the Grand Forum, a directly democratic institution, but other major branches of government exist to support it.
The Rector
The Rector is the Head of State of the SBR, and is responsible for the administration of the government. The Rector leads the Grand Forum, presides over meetings of the Minor Council, and sits in the College of Magistrates. The Rectorate is an office held for life, and requires multiple confirmations by the Grand Forum. The inaugural and current holder is, as given by the constitution, James Frisch.
The Grand Forum
The Grand Forum of All Citizens is the chief legislative body of the SBR. All citizens may join the Grand Forum. The Grand Forum does not meet or vote in person, but at the beginning of the month, the Rector will send out a Ballot to all members, known as Electors, with all legislative proposals. Business may be proposed by any member of the Grand Forum with the support of two other members. The Rector may reject certain proposals on the grounds of being "irrelevant, inactionable or unconstitutional", or being similar or in conflict with other proposals, but any dismissal may be appealed to the Justicial Councils. If two proposals are similar or conflicting, the Rector is to first attempt to mediate the two proposals to the satisfaction of the two proposing Electors.
The Minor Council
The Minor Council is an additional legislative body, elected to six-month terms by the Grand Forum. The Minor Council exists primarily to take any legislative actions that require a quicker response than the Grand Forum can reasonably provide. It also must approve elections to the Senior Justicial Council and for the Rectorate. Since the Minor Council has not yet needed to take action before the Grand Forum, it has only met twice, both times to confirm elections to the Senior Justicial Council.
The Magistracies
The Magistracies are the executive branches of the SBR, similar to Ministries or Departments in other nations. Each is led by a Magistrate, elected by the Grand Forum for 12 months, though offices may be left vacant, in which case either a deputy or the Rector carries out those duties. Each Magistrate sits on the College of Magistrates, a Cabinet-esque body which is responsible for maintaining a uniform executive policy. The College of Magistrates is led by a Chief Magistrate elected by its members.
There are currently four Magistracies in the SBR.
- Magistracy for Foreign Affairs: Responsible for the foreign policy of the SBR. Contains the Ambassadry, responsible for diplomatic missions.
- Magistracy for Local Communities: Responsible for naming the Local Executives, which may implement Ordinances in their Local Communities.
- Magistracy for the Treasury: Responsible for managing the money of the SBR. Contains the Treasury itself as well as the Inland Revenue Service.
- Magistracy for Culture: Responsible for promoting Beaconite culture, arts, and heritage.
The Justicial Councils
The Justicial Councils form the justicial branch of the SBR. The constitution grants them the power of judicial review, and mandates the principle of stare decisis. There are two Justicial Councils: the Council of First Instance and the Senior Justicial Council.
Foreign relations
The Diplomatic Code Act 2018 declares that the SBR recognises the members of the United Nations, and additionally the Vatican City State, but that the claims of any micronations or disputed nations that the SBR chooses to recognise, either unilaterally or bilaterally, shall take precedence.
The SBR has a treaty of mutual recognition with the Abeldane Empire and was a member of the Konmalehth until its dissolution.
A Treaty of Sovereign Co-operation between the SBR and the Landgraviate of Satirno gives the SBR responsibility for the foreign affairs of Satirno, and establishes freedom of movement between the two states.
The SBR sends a delegation to the Grand Unified Micronational.
Media
There is only one media outlet in the SBR: the Isambard Gazette, the government's official newspaper of record. The monthly newspaper only publishes official government decisions, with no opinions or editorial comments.