How to participate in the Old Republic?

This guide should answer some potential questions you have
What do I need to know to monitor the decisions of the alliance? What can I do to participate in those decisions? What else can I do? How do I find a way through our forum? How do the procedures work? The structure of the guide is closely related to the forum.


You have to be a Member!
Before you get involved actively you have to become a full member (otherwise you are no formal member and are not allowed to participate). Whatever I write down here, do not forget: You are a sovereign member and can basically do whatever you desire (but must eventually face consequences).


How does the political system work?
It is very easy but might appear a bit tricky. Of particular importance are the Covenant (constitution), the Codex (a set of Codes/laws) and Executive Orders (which are executive decisions). In the forum, you will find separate folders for Executive Orders (of the Assembly and the Executive Council).

Any member of the Executive Council can propose an Executive Order (this happens by creating a post). By doing so, he/she must follow the rules of the Codex and the Covenant. In most cases there should be a poll. This happens so everybody can stay informed or eventually act against that decision. While the Executive Council can pass any Executive Order that fits to the Codex and Covenant, the Assembly can issue a limited number of Executive Orders (they must be defined in a Code or the Covenant, see below).

All full members are members of the Assembly and can make proposals for Codes and to change the Covenant. You can simply initiate votes (see voting guide for more information). Such decisions are binding to all members, including the Executive Council and the Magistrates. Magistrates act as Judges and you can call upon them, if you see a Code or the Covenant violated. In that case a Magistrate might issue a Verdict.


The Executive Council needs support!
If you wish to do something (e.g. get involved in foreign policy, train small players or whatever you can make up), the Executive Council will likely put you in the rank of a commissioner. You will not have to run for an official position but can support the Executive Council in your area of expertise. You could petition such a proposal to the Executive Council.


You are very welcome to found a Guild!
Join together (to do whatever you want to do) and found a Guild. Guilds can work as political parties, group of friends, merchant, warrior or mage guild, companies, non-for profit organizations, they could even be separate alliances. There is basically no restriction for what a guild can do or be.


Forum Guide
What happens where in the forum? Where should you do what? And where should you regularly check in to know what is going on?

• Public Forum
  You can post everything here that shall be visible to the outside world.
  
  
• Assembly of the Republic
  The Assembly is the parliament of the Republic. It is the most important section of the forum and you should occasionally check what is going on. If you are a full member you should vote on issues brought before the Assembly.
  
  The parent folder of the Assembly is the discussion forum for all members. You can post everything here (also “non-political” things) that shall be visible to the Republic only. Make suggestions or simply start debates and ask questions. If you are not sure where to do something, start in the parent folder of the Assembly. There are three Assembly folders to propose:
  
  
  • Changes of the Covenant
    Our Constitiution.
    
    
  • Codes for the Codex
    The laws we must obey.
    
    
  • Executive Orders
    Executive Orders of the Assembly may be: Veto an Executive Order of the Executive Council, Member Exile Order, Tax Rate Change, Budget Approval, State of Emergency and Mutual Defence Declaration/Termination.
    
    
  • And there is a section for elections
    As a member you can actively and passively participate in elections. There is one folder for candidates to present their offers and conduct debates as part of their campaigns. The other folder is for Voting & Results.
  
  
• Executive Council
  You should also have a regular look what the Executive Council is doing. The Executive Council is the government of the Republic. The parent folder serves as discussions forum for Executive Council members and to publish information. You can try to be elected to the Executive Council or be appointed as Praetor.
  
  
  • Executive Orders
    Executive Orders of the Executive Council can concern any issue necessary to be acted upon to govern the Republic, and must be consistent with the Covenant, the Codex and all verdicts.
    
    
  • Petitions & Interpellations
    If the Executive Council does not take a particular action, you think they should, you can start a petition . If you have a question you have the right of interpellation . This is basically the only political right the Associate Members have.
  
  
• Magistrates
  If you think a code or executive order or an action of a single player violates the rules of this Republic you can call upon a Magistrate to initiate a trail. A Common Trial can be initiated by any member of the Assembly against any individual action of another member. A Constitutional Trial can be initiated by any member of the Assembly against an Executive Order or Code.
  
  
• Guilds
  You are free to create your own Guild!
  
  
• Illyriad Trade Union
  You can become a member of the Illyriad Trade Union. The Illyriad Trade Union is an international trade organisation that is external to the Republic. I hope that it will be important in the future.

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