I consider that article rightful if it's meant that way. It's good to know the four of us get the power to veto. However, I consider that the 75% is safer than simple majority.

(02-24-2015, 05:12 AM)VPRB Wrote: As for the definition of Socialism, the VPRB agree with the Marxist- Leninist view that socialism means the control of the political power and the owning the means of production and the means of their livelihood by the working class, to develop a classless social system with common ownership of the means of production and with full social equality of all members of society. 

However, we recognized that there can be different interpretations of how the socialist process should take place, also due to the different economic, cultural and historical conditions of each country. Thus, respecting national sovereignty and non-interference, for the purpose of the Charter we propose to define Socialism as every system faithful to the principle  "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need".

I agree with your point, so each can hold the concept they consider that works better for their nations without affecting the other members' sovereignty nor home affairs.

Nevertheless, I'd suggest then to list both concepts (also others if necessary) in a Glossary section at the end, so that future members will be able to identify themselves with the Union (through one or other concept) and adapt more easily.

Do we allow communists or other varieties of socialism in?

(02-24-2015, 08:28 AM)Darkstrait Wrote: Do we allow communists or other varieties of socialism in?

Communists consider themselves socialists. In the communist doctrine, socialism is the necessary intermediate phase from the capitalist to the ideal communist society. That is the reason why the Soviet Union defined itself as Socialist and not Communist in its full name.

(02-24-2015, 08:28 AM)Darkstrait Wrote: Do we allow communists or other varieties of socialism in?

Theoretically, every communist is due necessity a socialist. However, not every socialist is a communist. Hence the term "democratic socialist".

We just have to be careful not to have some extremist taking over the SSU.

(02-24-2015, 10:27 AM)Bonaugure Wrote:

(02-24-2015, 08:28 AM)Darkstrait Wrote: Do we allow communists or other varieties of socialism in?

Theoretically, every communist is due necessity a socialist. However, not every socialist is a communist. Hence the term "democratic socialist".

We just have to be careful not to have some extremist taking over the SSU.

Well, basically, as you probably all noticed, Bruuma is an Haitian version of North Korea, so we're on right track for that ;-)

Remnants of a bad idea. Sorry about that.

Ah, the wonders of technology. I'm on Tapatalk!

We can avoid allowing an extremist to take power by putting in the Reasonable Restrictions of Power clause (I'm officially calling it that starting now).

(02-24-2015, 05:29 PM)Henn Wrote: Socialist-leaning countries must also be given a chance, so long as we help them turn socialist. . .

I second Bruuma's intention of not interfering with each other's home affairs. What can work for one may not work for the other. However, I also agree with giving a chance to socialist-leaning countries to participate.

(02-24-2015, 07:09 PM)Darkstrait Wrote: We can avoid allowing an extremist to take power by putting in the Reasonable Restrictions of Power clause (I'm officially calling it that starting now).

That's a wonderful proposition.

Please find below an updated draft of the Charter, implemented with the Reasonable Restrictions of Power clause and the Glossary.

Charter of the Southern Socialist Union, March 2, 2015


The Contracting Parties - the Voodoo People’s Republic of Bruuma, the Socialist Democracy of Sporaltryus, the Federation of Darkstrait and The Democratic Republic of Bonaugure, representing also their Dependencies - reaffirming their desire for the establishment of an international body of Socialist collective security based on the participation of all socialist Southern Pacific states, which would make it possible to unite their efforts in safeguarding peace and socialism in the South Pacific; mindful, at the same time, of the situation created in the South Pacific by the existence of capitalist military alignments, which increased the danger of another war and constitutes a threat to the national security of the peaceable states; being persuaded that in these circumstances the socialist Southern Pacific states must take the necessary measures to safeguard their security and in the interests of preserving peace in the South Pacific; guided by the objects and principles of Socialism; being desirous of further promoting and developing friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance in accordance with the principles of respect for the independence and sovereignty of states and of noninterference in their internal affairs, have decided to form the Southern Socialist Union and have appointed as their plenipotentiaries for the drafting of the Charter:

The plenipotentiaries, having presented their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Contracting Parties agree to the constitution of the Southern Socialist Union, an intergovernmental socialist alliance for the purposes of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between them and to guard Peace and Socialism in the South Pacific.

Article 2

The Contracting Parties undertake, in accordance with the principles of Socialism, to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force, and to settle their international disputes peacefully and in such manner as will not jeopardize international peace and security.

Article 3

The Contracting Parties declare their readiness to participate in a spirit of sincere cooperation in all international actions designed to safeguard international peace and security, and will fully devote their energies to the attainment of this end.
The Contracting Parties will furthermore jointly evaluate and coordinate the use of atomic, hydrogen and other weapons of mass destruction.

Article 4

The Contracting Parties shall consult with one another on all important international issues affecting their common interests, guided by the desire to strengthen international peace and security.
They shall immediately consult with one another whenever, in the opinion of any one of them, a threat of armed attack on one or more of the Parties to the Union  has arisen, in order to ensure joint defense and the maintenance of peace and security.

Article 5

In the event of armed attack on one or more of the Parties to the Union by any state or group of states, each of the Parties to the Union, in the exercise of its right to individual or collective self-defense, shall immediately, either individually or in agreement with other Parties to the Union, come to the assistance of the state or states attacked with all such means as it deems necessary, including armed force. The Parties to the Union shall immediately consult concerning the necessary measures to be taken by them jointly in order to restore and maintain international peace and security.
These measures shall be discontinued immediately in the attacked  Party or Parties’ territory if it or they reach an agreement with the attackers to restore and maintain peace and security.

Article 6

The Contracting Parties have agreed to establish a Joint Coordination Committee of the armed forces that will coordinates and promotes efforts to strengthen their defensive power, in order to protect the peaceful labors of their peoples, guarantee the inviolability of their frontiers and territories, and provide defense against possible aggression.

Article 7

For the purpose of the consultations among the Parties envisaged in the present Union, and also for the purpose of examining questions which may arise in the operation of the Union, a Political Consultative Committee shall be set up, in which each of the Parties to the Union shall be represented by a member of its Government or by another specifically appointed representative.
Reasonable Restrictions of Power clause:
Any decision of the Political Consultative Committee, including amendments to this Charter, can only be made by a 75% majority vote, and must not tilt the balance of power within the Union, giving one of the Parties more decisional power than the others.

Article 8

The Contracting Parties undertake not to participate in any coalitions or alliances and not to conclude any agreements whose objects conflict with the objects of the present Union.
The Contracting Parties declare that their commitments under existing international treaties do not conflict with the provisions of the present Union.

Article 9

The Contracting Parties declare that they will act in a spirit of friendship and cooperation with a view to further developing and fostering economic and cultural intercourse with one another, each adhering to the principle of respect for the independence and sovereignty of the others and non-interference in their internal affairs.

Article 10

The present Union is open to the accession of other socialist states, which express their readiness by participation in the present Union to assist in uniting the efforts of the peaceable states in safeguarding the peace and security of the peoples. Such accession shall enter into force with the agreement of the Parties to the Union after the declaration of accession has been deposited with the Voodoo People’s Republic Of Bruuma.

Article 11

The present Union is subject to ratification, and the instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Voodoo People’s Republic Of Bruuma.
The Union shall enter into force on the day the last instrument of ratification has been deposited. The Voodoo People’s Republic Of Bruuma shall notify the other Parties to the Union as each instrument of ratification is deposited.

Article 12

The present Union shall remain in force for ten years. For such Contracting Parties as do not at least one year before the expiration of this period present to the Government of the Voodoo People’s Republic Of Bruuma  a statement of denunciation of the Union, it shall remain in force for the next ten years.
Glossary
For the purposes of this Charter, we define Socialism as any system responding to one of the following definitions:
“A system that take from each according to his ability and give to each according to his need”
“An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits”

Done on March 2, 2015. Certified copies of the present Union shall be sent by the Voodoo People’s Republic Of Bruuma to all the Parties to the Union.

In witness whereof the plenipotentiaries have signed the present Union and affixed their seals.