State powers and privileges
1.1 Sovereignty
1.1.1
Each state is independent and sovereign.
1.1.2
It retains all such freedoms, powers, jurisdictions, rights and privileges not expressly delegated to the Confederation.
1.2 Defense
1.2.1
Each state has the right to maintain its own defense forces and the right to defend itself against actual invasion.
1.2.2
No state's military forces may enter another state without that state's consent.
1.3 Secession
Each state has the right to secede from the Confederation on the direct vote of its citizens.
1.4 Superior law
Subject to part one (the compact) of this constitution and each state's jurisdiction, state laws and treaties
are superior to confederate laws and treaties.
1.5 State assumption of a confederate service
1.5.1
Each
state has the right to take over or discontinue the provision of a confederate task or service within its jurisdiction.
1.5.2
The state
shall receive a financial compensation from the Confederation equal to the Confederation's realizable savings.
1.6 Treaty powers
1.6.1
Each
state retains the right to make treaties with any other state or foreign state, provided that such treaties either shall be
made for a fixed term shorter than 35 years or with a notice of termination shorter than 3 years.
1.6.2
Treaties
may not contain secret clauses.
1.7 Regional bodies
1.7.1
Two or more states may, by treaty, establish a regional body and grant it part of their powers and privileges according
to this constitution.
1.7.2
The founding treaty shall enumerate those regional powers and privileges to be enjoyed concurrently with the member states
and those powers and privileges exclusive to the regional body.
1.7.3
Each state may be a member of any number of regional bodies as long as their powers or privileges do not conflict, or can
be made not to conflict, with each other, or with those of each state.
1.7.4
Regional bodies may be non-contiguous
1.7.5
Regional bodies enjoy constitutional protection.
1.7.6
Regional bodies are bound by this constitution, concurrent with, and on the same terms as each state.
1.8 The constitutional tribunal
1.8.1
Conflicts between one or more states and the Confederation shall be referred to the constitutional tribunal for
final decision.
1.8.2
The tribunal shall, in each instance, consist of 9 judges drawn by lot from the candidates of the tribunal.
1.8.3
The candidates of the tribunal shall consist of 5 judges selected from the supreme court of each state by that state.
1.8.4
When selected they shall remain as candidates during good behavior.
1.8.5
They shall receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance
as a candidate.
1.8.6
The tribunal shall maintain no offices in the capital of the Confederation, neither must its proceedings take place
in the capital.
1.9 Amendments to part one (the compact)
1.9.1
The power to propose amendments to this constitution affecting the freedoms, powers, privileges, independence
or sovereignty of the individual states, including amendments to any section of part one (the compact), shall be the
exclusive privilege of each state.
1.9.2
To qualify for the ballot, such proposed amendment must be supported by at least one third of the states or by states that
together have at least one third of the total population of the Confederation.
1.9.3
Qualified proposals must be submitted to the citizens for decision within 465 days.
1.9.4
The proposed amendment shall be approved by a double majority of 60%, with each state's vote being equal.
1.9.5
Notwithstanding the previous subsection, no amendment to part one (the compact) becomes binding on or in relation to a
state whose citizens have not approved the amendment.
Taken from "Blueprint for a New Confederation".
Copyright © 1991-2003 John F. Knutsen
All rights reserved
