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Friday, December 23, 2016

FreeDemsCon: Speech by Ián Tamorán

Zoneu Auþorisat continues to cover the Second Annual Convention of Free Democrats of Talossa. Today, Ián Tamorán delivered the third speech of the event (read also: speech by S:reu Válcadác’h and speech by S:reu Marcianüs):

I speak here as an individual - myself, and not in any official capacity.

At base there is the prime question: “who chooses the monarch?”. 

If the monarch, once chosen, cannot ever legally deposed, then we have to consider extremely carefully the political and executive powers of the monarch. There is a fundamental principal in democracy – indeed, in all regimes widely recognised as democracies across the world – that no election means no power. If any immutable power is conferred upon any individual then that regime is de facto a dictatorship – perhaps a benevolent dictatorship, but a dictatorship none the less.

If, on the other hand, the monarch can be legally deposed, then what the fundamental constitution of the realm should cover is how that deposition should take place and how the subsequent monarch (if any) should be chosen. The fundamental constitution may not, of course, exist: in the case of Talossa we have layers of Laws, one layer of which (the Organic Law) overrides all others. If there is no detailed specification of this act of deposition in any of the laws, then it is up to those that have power to say how that should be done. And if, for example, the then monarch can veto any such change prior to its being effected (a political or executive power) then we are back to the condition of dictatorship (or tyranny).

There may be no legal way to depose a monarch – but if that, ultimately, is what the people, in bulk, want then by action legal or illegal the monarch will be deposed. This is revolution. Revolution cannot be fully prior planned, or else it would not be revolution. Subsequent to revolution the structure and content of the laws, the structure of the legislature and executive and all parts of governance might also be reconsidered – it might not, or be subject to only small alterations – in a revolution who can say what the consequences will be?

We have, in Talossa at the moment, a difficult series of questions to consider, and deep thoughts to make about the future structure of this realm. My personal opinion is not necessarily my legal opinion. My personal opinion here would be to consider the possibility for a Cort to declare:


  • firstly that Justice is prior to Law – those sitting are Justices not judges;
  • then that the Laws of Talossa are prior to all other laws;
  • then that the Anglo/American systems of justice are only advisory, not binding (Talossa may, at its pleasure, choose different processes);
  • then that the Constitution of the United States of America, whilst being an interesting, informative and very well-written document, is not part of the Law of Talossa (I stand to be corrected here);
  • furthermore that the techniques used in other realms for appointing monarchs are instructive and not, of themselves, in any way binding upon Talossa;
  • then that all political and executive powers must be granted by the people alone, and that such grants of power must be temporary, else there is no democracy;
  • then that all offices of state, including that of the monarch, are subject to the will of the people, expressed through the elected legislature or determined by referendum, else – again – there is no democracy;
  • and ultimately, that it is for the people to decide – with or without the Law on their side – to choose, and how to choose, the monarch. (This last point, that of suggesting the Law be surpassed, would be difficult for a Cort to make – but is a part of what we, as a nation, must consider).


Whatever any Cort declares, it is – finally – the people that choose. And the people will choose.

We have had a revolution before. We have appointed a new monarch before, using such Laws as were then at our disposal, and interpreting those Laws in a way that best fitted Justice at that time. We can do so again.

Looking at the mood of the realm, I suspect that we shall do so again.

At least two more speeches are expected; then the Convention will start dealing with it's business.


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