EARTH EMPIRE
ANSWERS
EARTH EMPIRE
ANSWERS
The aim of this questionnaire is to tease out the internal differences between political systems. In terms of the current campaign the questions might be taken to reflect the implementation of national policies in a particular quadrant - so some variation between quadrants would be expected. The questions are aimed at senior government/Governor level policy makers.
To what extent can any member of your population move to any part of a planet, or any planet in the colonial quadrant; without reference to any form of authority (i.e. Customs, Police, or other authorities)?
A1: Most citizens can move around planetside on a colony world and between colony world and its orbital station. Permission is not required for routine travel between colony worlds, but all interstellar flights are registered, and the authorities know when a citizen moves between worlds. Movement between Earther Colony worlds and othwer colonial worlds requires an immigration process and passport controls. The Empire reserves the right to refuse entry of any non-Imperial Citizen to Earther space.
Are there any portions of your population precluded from particular jobs or activities? (Apart from those genetically unsuited to a task, obviously)
A2: The majority of jobs are open to all, including genetic naturals. In practice, genetic naturals are not suited to certain types of work - space crew, marines, or high political office to name a few examples. There are also a class of non-citzens, made up of recent immigrants not yet naturalised as imperial citizens. They have very slight differences in their legal rights. Nothing much though.
If an individual or group were extremely critical of your Government's actions or policies, to the extent that it might affect the popularity of the government, what steps would you take?
A3. Generally speaking, the Empire is tolerant of dissidents. It takes the step of outlawing organisations only infrequently and then only when mightily provoked. Generally speaking, too great an outburst of grass roots protest at policy in a colonial quadrant is as likely to incur a visit from the Imperial Audit Office (not a trivial threat) as anything else.
To what degree could you prevent the publication or transmission of information to the general public that you regard detrimental either to your government, or the welfare of the people?
A4: The Imperial Secrets Act gives governors powers to legally supress publication of material likely to threaten the security of the Empire. This is used fairly infrequently because most of the media respond to gentle pressure and responsibly self-censor when necessary.
Are there any parts of the media that you have no direct editorial control over?
A5: Most of the media are uncontrolled (directly). The state has a controlling share in the Imperial Information Service, which is a much respected source of news, information and entertainment.
What punishment is normal for:
| a. Mass murderers? | Major sociopathic illness like this are treated by compulsory hospital attendence. It the patient doesn't respond, then severe mindwipe and rehabilitation - probably relocation to a particularly demanding colony world. |
| b. Rapists? | See a above. |
| c. Great Train Robbers? | Major theft is punishable by forced labour or imprisonment out here in the colonies. |
| d. Traitors? | Depending on nature of treason. Exile is common for politically motivated crimes. |
| e. Petty theft? | Fined. Minor antisocial/psychotic behaviour is generally curable. |
| f. Common assault? | Fines, followed by a lot of compulsory counselling (see e above) |
| g. Indecent exposure? | Compulsory attendence at hospital for treatment. (see e above) |
| h. Illegal parking? | Personal transportation is not widely used, so parking isn't much of a problem in the colonies. |
| i. Illegal Drug abuse? | There are no illegal recreational drugs. |
How would a defendant charged with one of the above crimes appeal against their sentence, and to whom?
A7: Local courts uphold local versions of the Imperial Legal Code. The defendent may have leave to appeal to the High Court at the Quadrant Capital. In some cases, the appeal can go to the Quadrant Governor's Office, as the Emperor's Representative - but this is rare.
a. Privacy and civil rights: Is there anywhere that your police cannot go, and if there are limits, what are they?
A8a: There is nowhere they cannot go, provided they are acting within their legal powers - i.e. they have a good reason to, say, bust into someone's home.
b. Police powers vs Civil rights: Under what circumstances may the police arrest and detain?
A8b: Where they have good reason to suppose that a crime has been committed. And under the Imperial Secrets Act when treason or a serious breach of security has occured.
c. Complaints procedure: To whom are the police accountable, and by what means can the general public complain or object to their activities?
A8c The public can complain to an independent Police Complaints Board, which is answerable to the Govenror (ultimately). The PCB also has close links with the Imperial Audit Office, to cover the possibility of abusive Governors.
What sort of government activities are routinely kept secret from the general public?
A9: Why none at all. Apart, that is, from the ones they don't need to know, of course, as covered in the Imperial Secrets Act (Secret Provisions 34-71, 119-271 and 315-467)