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 Republic |
| 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 Tir, 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 Outer Tir'qa Campaigns.
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, often informally referred to as the Combined 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 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 cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.
High Ministry of Coordinated Defence
See Armed Forces of The CCT and Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network
Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence holds power over the military doctrine of the CCT. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy, those being:
- Surface Division (land forces)
- Support Division (air and sea forces)
- Naval Division (space forces)
An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.
High Ministry of Applied Innovation
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the CCT tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the CCT. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the Citadel, a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.
High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs
Now the smallest of the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments, including actions such as negotiating treaties of cooperation and trade agreements. However, as the CCT has increased in size over the centuries, the department has decreased in capability, now existing almost entirely symbolically at the Cooperatives have effectively absorbed every neighbouring species they once had. Its most recent achievement was negotiating the Treaty of Eelyn, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and bringing the system under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Critics have argued that this department should be reformed, with the purpose of maintaining good inter-state relations between cooperatives. This is currently an ongoing process.
High Ministry of Justice and Order
See Law in the Combined Cooperatives
Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.
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 of, 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.
Military
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.
Surface Division
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The 'Infantry Unit' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the 'Specialist Unit' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the 'Mechanised Unit' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the 'Logistics Unit' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the CCT's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.
Support Division
The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The 'Air Unit' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the 'Sea Unit', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the CCT's space fleet in like with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the 'Naval Units' are held highly is Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experience rapid growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.
Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the CCT. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the CCT has come against.
Economy
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the CCT, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.
Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation is significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the CCTs borders. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories. The Tir'qa Cooperative has the highest average net spend out of the other 18, whilst Ithqor has the highest resource output.
