Introduction
A dictator has just been overthrown in the United Hyperborean Republic (UHR), and a new government has been appointed to restore the economic, political, and social structures of the state. The UHR is located in Eastern Europe in an extremely unfriendly environment, as a neighboring state with a dictatorial regime supports terrorist attacks within it. This paper represents a successive plan to restore government structures and stability in the UHR. It describes the new form of government and governing principles, as well as the system of the branches of government. This paper also puts forward proposals for the development of two public good programs and economic and social initiatives. It also argues the feasibility of joining NATO and WTO and outlines ways to combat internal and external terrorist threats.
Domestic Concerns
Governing Style and Branches of Government
The UHR is a unitary state and a strong presidential republic, where the President holds most of the executive powers. However, according to Pavkovic and Radan (2016), “each nation needs to have separate state institutions which it controls and through which it can exercise its sovereignty” (p. 17). In addition to the President, the executive is represented by the Government, whose members are appointed by the President. The main governing principle for the executive is the principle of subordination, according to which the Government is accountable to the President in its activities. The principle of efficiency is also applied, making the activities of all executive bodies accountable for the performance of their objectives in various areas.
The legislative power is represented by the National Assembly, which consists of two chambers. The Upper House is called the Senate, and Senators are appointed by the Government on the proposal of the President. The Lower House of Representatives is composed through a direct national referendum. In creating legal acts, the National Assembly is guided by the principles of human rights and the primacy of international law.
The UHR has a unified judicial system based on a hierarchical division into the regional, city, and provincial courts, headed by the Supreme Court. The basic principle of judicial activity is the independence of the court from the other branches of government. Superior judges appoint judges, and the Supreme Court is composed through a direct national referendum. Judges, when resolving civil and criminal cases, follow the meaning rather than the letter of the law under the principle of interpretivism.
Social and Economic Sectors
The two main public good programs in the UHR’s transition period are Health Care Assistants (HCA) and Entrepreneurship Rise (ER). The HCA is aimed at public funding medical services for people affected by the recent dictatorship and terrorist attacks. Gil-Garcia, Zhang, and Puron-Cid (2016) state that “the economic component of a smart city and smart government” is associated with “a business-friendly or pro-business environment” (p. 528). Accordingly, the ER is focused on significant tax benefits and state infrastructure support for socially useful businesses. Through these programs, the UHR will be able both to prevent the adverse effects of military clashes on residents and to encourage citizens to take entrepreneurial initiatives to rebuild different infrastructures in the country.
The state will develop a market economy with administrative elements relating to socially vulnerable areas. A free economy is needed to develop a healthy system of competition and encourage civic initiatives. At the same time, areas such as health care, support for affected and poor people need state control. Gil-Garcia et al. (2016) note that “e-government initiatives are seen as promoting accountability and public participation” and emphasize the effectiveness of the “negotiated involvement of multiple public and private stakeholders” (p. 529). The UHR will create a unified digital platform that will maintain a national referendum and interaction between government representatives and citizens. Residents will be able to launch civic initiatives that will be discussed in the Government and the National Assembly, which will contribute to national unity and cooperation between government institutions and individuals.
Foreign Concerns
International Organizations
The UHR will consider the possibility of joining two international organizations – NATO and WTO. NATO is an international organization with the primary goal of ensuring collective security and protection from external aggressors (Rittberger, Zangl, Kruck, & Dijkstra, 2019). Over the past few decades, NATO has resolved many conflicts in Eastern Europe, including “in Bosnia and in Kosovo” (Rittberger et al., 2019, p. 35). The UHR’s entry into this organization is conditioned by the need to find allies in combating terrorist threats and the neighboring dictatorial regime. NATO membership requires a country’s location in Europe and the consent of all its members. The first step would thus be to express the will to join NATO, the second would be to obtain the consent of all its members, and the third would be to join the North Atlantic Treaty.
WTO is responsible for regulating the trade and political relations of member States and developing and implementing new trade agreements. The main objective of WTO is to establish “norms and rules aimed at the realization of liberal trade relations” (Rittberger et al., 2019, p. 35). By joining WTO, the State would receive the most favored nation treatment from other member States and several benefits for developing countries. The establishment of trade relations will stimulate the national economy. The first step in WTO accession will be the preparation of a memorandum on the UHR foreign trade regime, which will be discussed with member states at a later stage of negotiations. If all WTO requirements and norms are met, the state will be able to join the organization.
Combating Terrorism
It is the terrorist threats that require strong presidential power, at least in the early stages of the UHR development. According to Garnett (2019), the reorganization of government institutions requires healthy competition between political structures, which is only possible in relatively peaceful times. During the transition period, the priority objective will be to maintain the security of the population. To counteract a neighboring country’s terrorist threat and the domestic threat, the state will request NATO peacekeeping military forces to resolve an interstate conflict and will establish an anti-terrorist police division. This division will tighten control and safety measures in especially public places, transportation hubs, schools, hospitals, and other vulnerable facilities. Measures will also be taken to analyze the digital information space in order to intercept terrorist communication channels.
The introduction of NATO troops will make it possible to resolve the conflict between the UHR and a neighboring dictatorial state with the least casualties for the national army and police. The establishment of the anti-terrorist police division, strengthening of security and information measures will be effective in preventing terrorist attacks and also in revealing the organizational network of terrorists. It should be emphasized that these policies limit to some extent the citizens’ right to privacy, and therefore when terrorist threats are eliminated, they will cease to exist.
Conclusion
The UHR will be a strong presidential republic with a separation of powers, an elected House of Representatives, and an independent court. Social and economic measures will be aimed at supporting affected populations, encouraging civic initiatives, and strengthening national unity. The state will join WTO to stimulate economic development and NATO to ensure security from internal and external terrorist threats. Also, during the transition period, an anti-terrorist police division will be established to prevent domestic violence.
References
Garnett, J. L. (2019). Reorganizing state government: The executive branch. New York, NY: Routledge.
Gil-Garcia, J. R., Zhang, J., & Puron-Cid, G. (2016). Conceptualizing smartness in government: An integrative and multi-dimensional view. Government Information Quarterly, 33(3), 524-534.
Pavkovic, A., & Radan, P. (2016). Creating new states: theory and practice of secession. London, England: Routledge.
Rittberger, V., Zangl, B., Kruck, A., & Dijkstra, H. (2019). International organization. London, England: Red Globe Press.