Notes
Historically Wales is a social democratic state with a strong ethos towards supporting communities To get a 'base' constitution that matched these values, various constitutions were looked at including Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada, etc. Initially Ireland would appear the most similar as it too was once part of the UK. However their constitution was written just after their civil war and has a very strong Catholic base whereas Wales has had no civil war and the chapel/Church in Wales today isn't as strong. A constitution that matched the values of Wales is Finland who's constitution is reasonably modern, progressive and social democratic based on the common good. Therefore it is also reasonable to use their constitution as a base in this website and develop it where required to suit Wales' situation.
Challenges
There are many challenges for a constitution. History shows they can provide a starting point for dramatic progress. For example, none of the group who wrote the US constitution in 1787 could have possibly imagined that what they were writing would help create a country which would be the first to land a man on the moon within 200 years. However they could also not have foreseen how their constitution, with all its checks and balances, would have been attacked and eroded by elites and business interests etc. so with the election of Donald Trump and a Senate/Congress controlled by big business interests it is clearly a constitution that's now a hollow shell of what it was originally meant to be. Arguably the US constitution has now failed because it was too revered and treated almost like a biblical text whereas it should always be open to continuous improvement and be able to adapt to modern times to ensure the basic principles, such as all people are equal, must never be eclipsed.
Of course there can be constitutions that are too open to corruption. Russia shows what happens when a disfunctional leader takes control then abuses a state's political system. Putin has been able to manipulate the state's constitution to suit his own agenda so any constitution need's checks and balances to ensure the likes of Putin are kept away from power.
Republic with President as Head of State or Constitutional Monarchy with Crown as Head of State?
A significant challenge would be whether Wales should be a republic or keep the monarchy as Head of State. As this would require a vote, in this draft constitution the two options are included (Chapter 6A and 6B). Where there's reference elsewhere in this draft to a head of state then both terms are used as 'President/Crown Representative'.
Another chllenge is how to combine the 'common good' with making Wales an attractive place both to invest in also to set up then develop a business.
On detail, there's a question of whether Wales should have a single chamber Parliament (unicameral) or two chamber Upper House and Lower House (bicameral) type.
Opportunities
The constitution covers a number of areas - the national frame of government, separation of powers - legislative, Presidential (if a Republic) or Crown Representative (if the Queen is kept as Head of State), judicial, people's rights, responsibilities of Parliament, procedures of Parliament, etc. It can also give direction to things like education and social values.
The Irish constitution embraces the term 'the common good' which, as this is a reasonable value for a country to have, has also been included in this draft version for Wales.
Lobbyists often have a tendency to develop too much power over voter's representatives and eventually undermine the democratic process. A written constitution is an opportunity to restrain the power of lobbyist's.
The group 'Peace in Cardiff' raise interesting points about not just having international peace but peace within society by addressing issues related to violence in society, such as poverty, beliefs, gangs/drugs, domestic violence and even lying in politics which is a type of violence. Is there a way to include articles in a constitution that could address some of these issues?
Challenges
There are many challenges for a constitution. History shows they can provide a starting point for dramatic progress. For example, none of the group who wrote the US constitution in 1787 could have possibly imagined that what they were writing would help create a country which would be the first to land a man on the moon within 200 years. However they could also not have foreseen how their constitution, with all its checks and balances, would have been attacked and eroded by elites and business interests etc. so with the election of Donald Trump and a Senate/Congress controlled by big business interests it is clearly a constitution that's now a hollow shell of what it was originally meant to be. Arguably the US constitution has now failed because it was too revered and treated almost like a biblical text whereas it should always be open to continuous improvement and be able to adapt to modern times to ensure the basic principles, such as all people are equal, must never be eclipsed.
Of course there can be constitutions that are too open to corruption. Russia shows what happens when a disfunctional leader takes control then abuses a state's political system. Putin has been able to manipulate the state's constitution to suit his own agenda so any constitution need's checks and balances to ensure the likes of Putin are kept away from power.
Republic with President as Head of State or Constitutional Monarchy with Crown as Head of State?
A significant challenge would be whether Wales should be a republic or keep the monarchy as Head of State. As this would require a vote, in this draft constitution the two options are included (Chapter 6A and 6B). Where there's reference elsewhere in this draft to a head of state then both terms are used as 'President/Crown Representative'.
Another chllenge is how to combine the 'common good' with making Wales an attractive place both to invest in also to set up then develop a business.
On detail, there's a question of whether Wales should have a single chamber Parliament (unicameral) or two chamber Upper House and Lower House (bicameral) type.
Opportunities
The constitution covers a number of areas - the national frame of government, separation of powers - legislative, Presidential (if a Republic) or Crown Representative (if the Queen is kept as Head of State), judicial, people's rights, responsibilities of Parliament, procedures of Parliament, etc. It can also give direction to things like education and social values.
The Irish constitution embraces the term 'the common good' which, as this is a reasonable value for a country to have, has also been included in this draft version for Wales.
Lobbyists often have a tendency to develop too much power over voter's representatives and eventually undermine the democratic process. A written constitution is an opportunity to restrain the power of lobbyist's.
The group 'Peace in Cardiff' raise interesting points about not just having international peace but peace within society by addressing issues related to violence in society, such as poverty, beliefs, gangs/drugs, domestic violence and even lying in politics which is a type of violence. Is there a way to include articles in a constitution that could address some of these issues?