The+Government

__What is the role of government in representing the people?__
 * The Island's Government**

The government will represent its people by having government members elected from each settlement so that their ideas and issues my be represented. The government will also represent their people at world forums like the UN and sustainability conventions to ensure the Island is doing all it can to remain environmentally sustainable. The Government will be elected by using a secret ballet so that votes are fair and representative. The local councils will also be chosen in the same way. The 'central' (or federal) Government will be made up of members of each of the settlements council members.The Government will consist of an uneven number to ensure their are no tied votes. The Government is in charge of making laws, formulating policies that people must on the island must live and work by. Our Government will promote order on the island.

__What are its functions and what services does it provide (laws, public order, currency, defense, education, health, parks and libraries, protection of national borders, protections and management of natural environments)?__

The Government will:
 * Security for the Island including police to enforce laws as well as a border defense system to protect our Island and its natural resources from other islands.
 * Laws will be created in conjunction with the residents of the Island to ensure the laws reflect the believes of its people. This gives the people a voice in local laws.
 * Provide free health care and education to all citizens of the Island. This ensures that no individuals will miss out on primary health care. The Government will also be in charge of social organization to help individuals and families in need.
 * Maintain a strong economic system for the Island by maintaining good relationships with all trading partners and to ensure that all the resources of the Island are maintained and grow at a rate that maintains the resource so that they are not over used (sustainability). The government will also be constantly on the look out for new ways to create wealth and protect its citizens.
 * Ensure that money is made available for public services including parks, libraries, schools and hospitals.
 * Ensure that fair wages are received and work safety is enforced.
 * Protect the environment from human impact.

__Does the Island need more than one level of government?__

In order for the Island to 'run smoothly' it is important that there are multiple levels of government, local and central. This way all settlements can have a say in parliament and all needs are met. Therefore each settlement will have a local council formed from 9 people and from each settlement there will be 3 government representatives which take their settlements views, opinions and needs to the government.

__Is the island run as a democracy? What other forms of government might be considered?__ Our government is a democratic republic, we are run by the people with everyone's views in mind. Of the people, for the people, by the people.

__What are the values of democracy, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship?__ Democracy is a type of political institution — a form of group decision-making. Political institutions are needed in circumstances in which decisions are needed that affect all members of a group. Each member of a group has his or her own set of preferences about choices that affect the group; so there needs to be a process for arriving at a set of social preferences — a social choice function. Democracy requires designing a set of arrangements through which each person’s preferences will have equal weight in determining the ultimate decision. Values of democracy include the rule of law, the non-violent resolution of conflicts, and equality among citizens (Little, D. 2007).

__What are the key tasks of a member of parliament or councilor?__

Key Tasks for the government members include:
 * Health (providing the right health care for every individual through the provision of doctors, hospitals etc)
 * Education (ensuring that every child has access to a suitable level of education)
 * Security (border security and police)
 * Sustainable (making sure we are sustainable for the future)
 * Agriculture (monitoring farming and grazing)
 * Environment (making sure we are protecting our natural environment and our resources for the future)
 * Treasurer (over seeing the raising and allocation of expenditure)
 * Social security (pensions, student allowances etc.)

__How does parliament make laws? What laws does the Island need?__

The Island needs many laws like any society. Laws ensure that all citizens are on the same page when it comes to their rights and responsibilities. This means that no individual has an excuse for doing something that has already been established as a federal law.

Some of the laws that will be required are:
 * Traffic laws: how to correctly and safely ride the hovercrafts to avoid injury and confusion. Things such as speed, right of way and protection of the environment will be considered.
 * Hovercraft laws: Age allowed to ride hovercraft. There will be penalties if riding hovercraft incorrectly and putting others safety in danger.
 * Safety laws: To ensure citizen safety. Things such as maintaining law and order to keep the peace and protect the citizens.
 * Environmental laws: Sustainable practices, Renewable energy. Things such as not over exploiting resources, being respectful to the islands environment including all wildlife and plants.
 * Monetary Laws: These include laws regarding taxation, fees and tariffs and correct use of money.
 * Immigration laws: Who is allowed one the island and what do they have to do to become a citizen.
 * Boarder protection laws: manage the security of the Island.
 * Workplace laws: ensure safety in the workplace.
 * Human rights: people of the island are treated fairly- equal rights to health and education, the right to vote and freedom of speech.