We are working on a brand new version of the game! If you want to stay informed, read our blog and register for our mailing list.
Bill: Political Reform Bill
Details
Submitted by[?]: National Democratic Union
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This bill asks for an amendement to the Constitution. It will require two-thirds of the legislature to vote in favor. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: August 4148
Description[?]:
| The political life of the nation requires an overhaul |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change Appointments and requirements for government employees.
Old value:: Government employees are selected and appointed in a political way.
Current: All government employees have to promise political independence.
Proposed: All government employees have to promise political independence.
Article 2
Proposal[?] to change The appointment of mayors.
Old value:: The Head of State oversees the appointment of all mayors.
Current: Citizens elect their mayor directly in a local election.
Proposed: Citizens elect their mayor directly in a local election.
Article 3
Proposal[?] to change The total number of seats in the legislative assembly. Should be between 75 and 750.
Old value:: 95
Current: 700
Proposed: 150
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 20:55:30, January 08, 2017 CET | From | National Democratic Union | To | Debating the Political Reform Bill |
| Message | We feel these reforms are justified by the following; - a politically motivated civil service can greatly hamper the actions and work of government to the degree that employees appointed by the previous government can block and sabotage policy implementation. This is massively detrimental to the people and to the nation. - His Most High Majesty seeks to keep out of politics, a move we in the NDU support. However, the selection of local mayors is a political decision, and should thus be left to the local polity. Furthermore, local citizens are a better judge that HMHM of who is best to run their local municipality as they are more accutely aware of the issues. - turnout in elections has declined significantly. We must shake up the political system to re-energise and engage the public and indeed politicians. The National Divan is perfect in size to advise the Shah, but it does not just perform that role. It represents the people and legislates on their behalf. Therefore, it should be larger to be more representative. |
| Date | 20:56:06, January 08, 2017 CET | From | Hezb-e Melli-ye Aldegār | To | Debating the Political Reform Bill |
| Message | We oppose all three articles in this bill. Court Minister Tutak Esfahani Aldegarian National Party |
| Date | 21:00:26, January 08, 2017 CET | From | National Democratic Union | To | Debating the Political Reform Bill |
| Message | May I enquire as to your reasoning? Salman bin-Hamad, NDU Leader |
| Date | 21:03:53, January 08, 2017 CET | From | Hezb-e Melli-ye Aldegār | To | Debating the Political Reform Bill |
| Message | OOC: Sorry, your comments hadn't posted when I sent that ;) IC: Indeed, Mr bin-Hamad, you may. We feel that a civil service which is not in line with the government is not as likely to perform, to the best of their abilities, its will. Further to that, any notion of a complete lack of bias is a fiction. Nobody can be truly independent. We believe the Shah should oversee the position of mayor to ensure traitors are not elected. We oppose a larger Divan because it would increase the government's expenses unnecessarily. Court Minister Tutak Esfahani Aldegarian National Party |
| Date | 21:10:50, January 08, 2017 CET | From | National Democratic Union | To | Debating the Political Reform Bill |
| Message | Reasonabely valid points, which I shall now counter. Your argument about the civil service would retain truth had we had the same party in power. However, the civil service is now populated by those appointed by the Hezb-e Melli-ye Aldegar and by the previous NDU government. They are therefore biased towards those parties. You are correct that bias is impossible to totally eradicate, but it is easier if you don't involve loyalty and patronage. Say, for example, you have a senior Civil Servant within the Treasury who was appointed by the NDU but now serves your government. His job is at the moment precarious, and relies on the return of the NDU to secure. So, he then sabotages your economic reforms to cause a crisis. This loses you the next election, the NDU return and he is safe. That's just harmful. Secondly, your point on treachery. The Shah, in his grace and wisdom, keeps out of politics. Your party vets its candidates and selects them, with your processes ensuring no traitors are put forward for election. The NDU does the same. We see it as a logical fallacy that HMHM would allow parties to pick who will be put forward as Court Minister, but not local mayors. The former is a more dangerous position to have an improperly vetted traitor in than the latter. Lasty, on government expenses. The tax increases and budget cuts achieved by the NDU means our nation's surplus is even healthier than ever. The increase of 55 members would not make a calculably massive difference to government expenses when you consider the economy is good and the surplus is healthy. |
| Date | 21:52:46, January 08, 2017 CET | From | Hezb-e Melli-ye Aldegār | To | Debating the Political Reform Bill |
| Message | The same situation you describe, in relation to the civil service, could arise just as easily if the individuals in question were 'neutral'. If a good working relationship was established with the NDU then they may feel similarly attached, we will just have to hope that our civil servants prioritise the good of the nation over the careers. The difference between a mayor and a Court Minister is that it is a lot easier to become a mayor and there are a great deal more of them. At any rate, if the Shah really opposed a Court Minister I don't imagine it would take much to see him dismissed. We would rather not spend extra money if we can avoid it. For us, whatever minimal benefits there may be are not worth it. Court Minister Tutak Esfahani Aldegarian National Party |
subscribe to this discussion - unsubscribe
Voting
| Vote | Seats | |
| yes | Total Seats: 31 | |
| no | Total Seats: 64 | |
| abstain | Total Seats: 0 |
| Random fact: In general, role-play requires the consent of all players. |
| Random quote: "A conservative is a man who believes that nothing should be done for the first time." - Alfred E. Wiggam |