Democratic Manifesto

The Tirisfal Voice--Volume 2, Issue 1

The Democratic Manifesto
Introduction
It has been observed, throughout our history, that certain democracies have failed. The Ancient Aelyrians, our best example, lost their democracy when the bickering within was the force that decided their defeat during a particular war. From then on out, Diana and the Rite of the Aethercrown has guided our empire along its present course. But the Aethergem is lost. How can the Rite of the Aethercrown continue to function? It is the personal belief of Ormand Tengear, and most other Democrats within the empire, that the Rite is now false. It's existence has negated itself, and the Crown serves the empire no longer.
This is not to say that we wish for revolution. Rather, the Democratic movement cries out for the reinstatement of the Senate, and a separation of powers between the Crown and the Senate. The Democratic movement cries out for reason rather than mandate. The Democratic movement cries out for a voice for the people. Nay, the Democratic movement is the voice for the people.
It is the purpose of this Manifesto to outline the beliefs, and demands, of the Democratic movement. We do not, in any way, support insurrection of the Crown. Anybody bold enough to perform such a Jorelite act deserves the Hell they are thrown to in death.

Part I, the Powers to be Given to the Senate
The Senate is a body that exists purely for the people. It is the Democratic movement's wish to also have this body exist as a function by the people. The Senate would be chosen through elections of every city. They would meet wherever is chosen to house the Senate. This is the creation.
The powers afforded the Senate would be purely legislative. The Crown would lose the ability to mandate a law. Instead, if the Crown wanted a law, it would send a bill to the Senate who would vote on it. If the vote would be majority in favor, then the bill would become law. If the vote would be majority against, then the bill would be dropped.
If the Senate wanted a law, the Senator who proposed the bill would write it up and present it. The Senate would vote. If the majority was in favor, it would be passed to the Crown for approval. If the majority was against, then it would be dropped.
In this way, both the Crown and the Senate function together to form the laws of the Empire.
The Emperor is not from every point in the empire, and does not know all the problems and issues of the empire. The Senate is from all points, and better serves the people.

Part II, the Question of Divine Right
The Rite of Aethercrown relies solely on Divine Right. That is, the right of the Emperor to rule by the Will of the Divine. Since the loss of the Aethergem, this Right, in the opinion of the Democrats, no longer exists. The Rite is falsified by its continuance, and a replacement must be made.
The simplest way is to create a dynastic structure. The eldest child of the current ruler rules after his/her death. This is simple, but presents problems. The ruling class becomes exclusive, and does not permit families to enter it.
The second way, most favored by Democrats, is to allow general elections of the Crown. From each province, one citizen would be chosen. Each province would choose in its own way. This citizen would be presented to the Senate, and the Senate would elect their favorite. This favorite would be crowned. In this way, the people would choose every position of the Imperial government in either a direct or indirect way. In this way, the spirit of Democracy would stretch clear to the Crown.

Part III, the Question of Emergency
In times of emergency, powers must be granted to the Crown. There is no question about it. But, these powers must be revoked once that emergency is passed. The Senate should choose wheather the emergency warrants such powers of rule before granting them. And then, if the Crown does not wish to give up those powers, it faces backlash from the people who chose the Senate. But the Ancient Aelyrians proved to us that such powers are required. Without them, the Ancients failed at their democracy. And so we make provisions to prevent such a failure.

Part IV, the Question of Parties
The Democratic movement has already been labeled a "party" by certain members of society. This is not correct, because it implies that other parties exist. In the eyes of the Democrat, you either favor Democracy or Monarchy, and a Monarchy has no parties. So, the Democrats recognize only one party - that of the Democrats.
This single-party structure is necessary to prevent a split of politics into rival factions which would surely lead to domestic war. Again, in making provisions, the one-party system is best as opposed to a multiple-party Democracy.
You are either with us, or against us.

Closing
I, Ormand Tengear, cannot be tried for my words. The Articles of Imperium do not ban this movement. Had it been so, I and my colleagues would be in prison or worse. The movement I have started does not sponsor or condone any revolutionary tactics or goals. We wish simply for the reform of a government that no longer functions. Some of my colleagues choose silence in this hour, but they will not be silent forever.
Let it be known that the Gods gave us the ability to think for ourselves and speak for ourselves for the reason that we should rule ourselves. If we were meant to be ruled as puppets of a Monarchial Lord, free will would not exist. It is our right and our freedom to rule as we see fit. The restriction of this freedom, or any freedom, is the restriction of all freedoms.