Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa
| Combined Coopertives of Tir'qa | |
|---|---|
  | |
| General Info | |
| Official Name | Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa |
| Common Name | Tir'qa |
| Capital City | Vornak Core |
| Capital World | Kelth |
| Demonym | Tir or Tirqan |
| Anthem | A Galaxy of Equals |
| Politics | |
| Government | Communal Council Democracy |
| Ideology | Authoritarian Cooperatism |
| Head of State | Executive Director of Tir'qa |
| Head of Government | Alignment Executive |
| Legislature | Central Alignment Congress Cooperative Assembly (Upper) |
| Ruling Party | Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy |
| Official Language(s) | Tir'qan Standard |
| State Religion | Atheist |
| Currency | J'onn |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 37,541,770,904 |
| Species | Tirqi (Majority)
Drapnids |
| Major Religions | None |
| Assets | |
| Soldier Count | Approx. 15 million standing personnel. |
| Spacefleet | 381 Spacecrafts |
| Other Assets | Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network |
| Geography/Astrography | |
| Rim | Unknown Space |
| Quadrant | Delta |
| Galaxy | Milky Way |
| Historical Info | |
| Founded | 51 CE |
| Other | |
| Created by | HowTheAlf |
| Controlled by | HowTheAlf |
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, also simply known as the Combined Cooperatives, Tir'qa or CCT, is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the Milky Way Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 19 'cooperatives', wherein each cooperative effectively represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being Tir'qa. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Directorate. It is a one-party state controlled by the Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet Kelth, though much of the administration is performed from offices on Tir'qa.
Whilst the CCT was initially founded to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the Tirqi, but the state also houses significant numbers of other species such as the Kobuns (native to Phaal), Rhee (native to Yvel), and Drapnids (native to Ulqari). These four 'core species' (as designated by the government) have equal rights and citizenship. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its' known closest neighbour beings tens of thousands of lightyears away. Despite this distance, the CCT is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and short-range FTL travel. Although its' fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for CCT survival against Celestial Army attacks during the Skirmishes of Outer Tir'qa.
History
Government and Politics
The Tirqan Cooperative system is based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises the whole public and their local councils, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy.
Ascendant Layer Theory
Developed by the Council of Ten, the Ascendant Layer philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT is based upon. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:
- The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
- The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
- The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
- 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
- Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly, supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
- The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.
A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (as seen to the left of this page). This theory has been built upon across centuries, with the most recent change in legislation introducing Regional Governments to the power structure.
Executive Government
The Ascendent Layer Theory highlights the two highest bodies of government to be the DCA and the Central Alignment Congress. These two entities are responsible for the administration of law across the entire Cooperative, each with their own compositions, and powers.
Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy
The Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Combined Cooperatives. The head of the party, the Executive Director, becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the Director’s Cabinet, composed of ten ministers (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at Ascendancy Conventions, typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. The Director’s Cabinet also nominates candidates for the Cooperative Presidium, the Director General, and First Party Officer. As a result. the party is effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. The powers of both bodies within the party have evolved over time. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.
The DCA has maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system is that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the Thalos Wars and Skirmishes of Outer Tir'qa, alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, have largely suppressed any dissent. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems enter the Cooperative through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos-5), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.
Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the CCT under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition, and the centralists lack positions in power to oppose this.
Central Alignment Congress - ‘The Highest Layer’
The Central Alignment Congress is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the CCT (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the New Century Crisis, wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 19 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.
As of present day, the congress is composed of 206 representatives. Tir'qa has 17, the most of any cooperative, due to it holding the highest population. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, averaging around 9 members for most systems, whilst Thalos uniquely possesses 13 due to its greater autonomy in the CCT after the Thalos Wars. The significantly higher count of Tir representatives has been met with backlash from reformist wings of the DCA, who argue that the imbalance could increase divide under a political crisis.
The High Ministries
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent inflated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.
High Ministry of Economic Acceleration
The High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is the governing division responsible for the CCT's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITPDs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.
State Exchequer
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the CCT under the State Exchequer. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. Whilst it possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.
High Ministry of Citizen Welfare
The High Ministry of Citizen Welfare is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across planet. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils.
High Ministry of Cooperated Defence
High Ministry of Science and Technology
High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs
High Ministry of Justice and Order
Judicial System
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.
The highest judicial body in the nation is the Ascendant Tribunal, consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the Common Tribunal, hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.
Member Systems and Local Government
The CCT consists of 19 systems, each organised into a 'cooperative'. Each system has representatives in the Cooperative Assembly, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by Congress. Planets in these systems are overseen by Cooperative Councils, who are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare, and infrastructure. Councils act under the authority, and are budgeted by, the Assembly. Each is typically named after their largest inhabited celestial body.
| Cooperative | Inhabited Bodies | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Tir’qa | Tir’qa (Tir)
Atlei (C) |
10,671,855,412 |
| Kelth | Kelth Major (C)
Kelth Minor Xeta-3 (C, M) |
4,963,702,115 |
| Wa’ja | Wa’ja (C)
Pio (C) |
4,500,674,841 |
| Ithqor | Ithqor Alpha (M)
Ithqor Beta (C, M) Ithqor Omega (C, M) |
3,381,012,984 |
| Gun’ir | Gun’ir (C) | 718,451,718 |
| Vek | Vek (C)
Jaxx (C) |
1,470,704,500 |
| Phall | Phall (Kobun) | 346,578,945 |
| Faqare | Faqare (C)
Thanes (C, M) |
612,704,812 |
| Hiij | Hiij (C) | 202,761,145 |
| Ulqari | Ulqari (Drapnids)
New Tir’qa (C) |
1,245,169,212 |
| Vajax | Vajax (C) | 817,557,401 |
| Astir’a | Astir’a (C)
New Kelth (C) |
2,019,301,150 |
| Yvel | Vorax (Rhee) | 145,190,614 |
| Lomun | Lomun Lesser (C)
Lomun Greater (C) |
1,009,217,703 |
| Banthua | Banthua (C) | 361,902,466 |
| Kovaxi’i | Kovaxi’i (C)
Harmon’i (C) |
181,290,351 |
| Draxil Prime | Draxil Prime (C)
Draxil Lower (C) |
775,631,083 |
| Eelyn | Eelyn (C) | 291,915,821 |
| Thalos | Thalos-3 (Thalian, occupied)
Thalos-5 (controlled) |
4,835,369,334 |
Bodies marked with ‘C’ are those that have been immigrated onto rather than having a native, sentient member species. This does not mean there is no natural fauna or flora on these planets, it instead means that the present species have not met the classification to be deemed ‘intelligent’ by the CCT. Some critics argue that the term needs to be redefined, as scientists have classified a number of species as ‘near-intelligent’, which they argue means they deserve some rights or representation. So far, this reform has been met with little support in government. Most designated bodies in the cooperatives are naturally habitable, with Ithqor uniquely being the only system to exclusively possess habitable moons (represented by ‘M’) instead of planets. Terms in bold represent the native species of the planet (if applicable).
Second Constitution and Separation of Powers
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 51CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Ulqari as the tenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the General Strike of 271. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 220th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution would be published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:
- The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
- Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
- Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies and providing systems some autonomy
- Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
- Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
- Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).
Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress - now numbering at over 200 members - has retained effective control.
