Commentaries on "Standard Articles"

[i.uomini 2552]

The following commentary is a series of considerations regarding various articles of agreement which may be included in diplomatic treaties. Some of which are overly common, while others have never before been explicated on the scale of international interaction.

 

Questions

[Significance (why include it?)]

[Benefits (What does it improve?)]

[Other Considerations]

 

Diplomatic Agreements:

 

Article : Sovereignty

a) Signatory States recognize the co-signatory’s right to rule over the territory within their domains, and recognize their legitimate successors according to the laws currently in place.

b) Signatory States will acknowledge no legitimacy to actions undermining the government of the co-signatory.

This is the first part of what is called the ‘default package’. Governments cannot do business together without first acknowledging that each signatory is in fact a legitimate political body.

Following from that, there is not much of an ‘improvement’ had by the inclusion of this article into a treaty. It is more to be considered the basis for diplomatic interaction as such. 

 

Article : Land & Claims

a) Signatory States acknowledge the current land and regional claims outlined by the attached map.

b) Signatory States understand the significance of territorial claims made by each other, and will endeavor to support the claim of legitimate ownership of the co-signatory in the boundaries of their claims as if they were de-facto districts of the signatory.

The above mentioned “significance of territorial claims” is important to clarify between partners of all degrees; particularly between neighboring civilizations. It is assumed that nations are not content with limiting themselves to their current borders; and even when this is the case, political expedience presents factors which encourage expansion. 

The most significant benefit of making these claims clear to signatory partners is the prevention of future misunderstanding, and consequently… conflicts. The secondary benefit of this article is the implicit support which is now publicly given by the government of each state. Challenges to claims of a particular signatory, by extension, would be resisted not just by the claimant themselves, but also by those governments which have given their ascent to it. 

As mentioned in the article, it may be expected for a graphic map to be included which specifies the claimed land in addition to that already acquired. This adds the incentive to refer back to the treaty as a point of reference, instead of the ‘release-and-forget’ style of mass-produced treaties in the sorry form of diplomacy which currently exists.

 

Article : Extradition

a) Signatory States agree that criminals fleeing from justice in the territory of the co-signatory will be returned to their custody, regardless of citizenship

b) Signatory States agree that citizens who commit crimes in the territory of the co-signatory will be held in local cells, while immediate contact is made between the respective sovereigns or their diplomatic council.

c) When visiting either signatories’ territories, citizens are expected to abide by the laws and customs of the co-signatory.

The significance of extradition is simple; individuals wanted for trial (or dead-or-alive) who are found within the territory of the co-signatory may be captured by agents, or have their capture requested of the local authorities. Either holding in local cells or immediate transfer back to the other territory will follow. 

This article serves the double purpose of making clear to criminals that crimes committed in either state can and will be pursued beyond those borders alone, and preventing any trouble which may ensue from agents confronting someone in a hostile way within the territories of the signatory partner, which invariably causes commotion and possibly disruption of the peace.

 

Article : Declaration of Friendship

a) Signatory States make it known that an official state of friendship now exists between the sovereignties, inspired by their shared devotion to virtue under God.

b) Signatory States agree to engage in the practice of Open Borders on land and waterways; not restricting access to the co-signatory for trade or travel.

c) Signatory States will endeavor to complete a statue or joint-festivity celebrating the cherished bond from population to population.

A very common article; elaboration is not necessary.

Public declarations of friendship benefit the peoples of both civilizations by the historical record of positive mutual opinions being announced and followed up with modifiers like those given as an example in sub articles (b) and (c). These declarations also assist as a foundation for further cross-governmental efforts of greater significance in the future.

 

Article : Joint Denunciation

a) These signatory governments collectively issue a public rebuke to the [individual/organization/government] for [(INSERT reason for denouncement)]

Sometimes what binds us is our common adversaries. Signatories to a pact may sometimes have good political reason to make public their grievances with other governments, individuals, or entities which present issues for them.

Primarily, this article exposes to the world (and the citizenry) reasons to distrust a particular entity which has done the partners wrong in the past. Actions deserving of a denunciation are potentially infinite, but the political statement in itself serves as a foundation for future efforts to right the offense. These may also be removed in exchange for apologies or other compensations on the part of the wrongdoer.

 

Military Agreements: 

 

Article : Non-Aggression

a) Signatory States will not enter (or having entered, will not sustain) pacts intent on martial aggression against the co-signatory, its borders, or its individuals. 

b) Should an issue or conflict arise which breaches this or any other article herein, co-signatories agree to handle the matter via diplomatic channels of either the respective sovereigns, or their diplomatic council.

The second of what is called the “default package”: signatories cannot engage in diplomacy except with the understanding that they mutually agree not to attack each other.

Naturally, this is a base-level security preventing fear of danger coming from the government and territories of the partner-signatory. As said in sub-article (b), accidental or misunderstood acts of hostility are expected to be resolved diplomatically instead of being met in kind.

 

Article : Joint-Training

a) Signatory States agree to host and be hosted among the martial trainings (pvp/crp) of one another on a regular basis.

b) Let this article be considered fulfilled, if in the space of 5 years, at least 3 joint-training sessions have taken place between the military forces of the co-signatories.

This article is fairly common and uniquely self-explanatory. 

Joint training with other militaries allows for greater variety in drills, and is a fun way to bond with fellow militants in friendly civilizations.

 

Article : Mutual Defense

a) Signatory States will act with force to defend the sovereignty and territory of the co-signatory, if such is aggressed upon.

b) Signatory States will act with force to suppress rebellions and coups formed against the legitimate government of the co-signatory.

c) Obligation to the sending of military support toward the co-signatory shall extend only to developed lands (cored). Defense of a sovereignty’s claims shall be only at the discretion of the answering faction.

Another common article among strong friends, or a politically expedient measure among trusted civilizations. In it’s simple form, declarations of war upon any part of a signatory’s government or population shall be considered hostility against both signatory partners. In a more complex form (such as the example), this military mutual defense of civilizations will extend to coups and rebellions from within the populations - and possibly extend to defense against claimants to the throne.

Naturally, this is an advanced security measure against foreign (and domestic) attacks on the government. Augmentation of military power for smaller nations, or a reason for other civilizations to avoid war with a people they otherwise would test their luck with.

 

Article : Total Military Alliance 

a) The military forces and logistical capacities of both nations together shall be levied in wartime whenever it is encountered by either signatory.

b) Declarations of war made by either signatory shall be considered a joint-declaration.

This would serve as the most clear and concise form of military alliance; a de-facto combination of military powers between the signatories, with declarations of war being shared between them as well. Mutual defense may or may not be implied in the action, but there is always space for the written addition of it if deemed necessary.

Adding onto the benefits of Mutual Defense, it is the best security to know that whatever military action must be done, will be done with a collective effort beyond just the borders and citizens of the government considering them. This is among the most empowering articles which can be diplomatically achieved. 

It generally does not need to be said, but is put here for clarification and consideration; that in general, methods for integration of militaries, command structures, and what military targets ought to be pursued by the military alliance will be either discussed beforehand, or will be the subject of ongoing discussion between the sovereigns and their councillors

 

Economic Agreements:

 

Article : Free Trade

a) Signatory States will provide a trade stall, to be managed by the economic council of the co-signatory, free of tax for the duration of the Treaty.

This is an example of an article which is adjacent to the “default package”, but not necessarily to be included with them, because it only accompanies 80-90% of treaties instead of the 100% that the default package covers. Much more does not need to be said, since the article itself is excessively simple.

The mutual exchange of an un-used stall is useful for the sale of high quality merchandise of a nation’s industry, or culturally relevant items made by choice craftsmen selected by the economic councillors of the state. They may also be used as locations from which caravans and special merchants can operate if the nation sees fit to send them.

Because of the fact that diplomatic agreements of this kind may take place after prime-location stalls have been occupied, it is possible that more may be built, or that a signatory must settle for a non-ideal location, size, etc.

 

Article : Resource Access

a) Mines of resources in the territories of each Signatory State shall have access provided to chosen citizens of the co-signatory.

b) In the case of armed conflict relevant to the co-signatory, the other State may request special access to the formerly public institution; if indeed it was public before.

Resources, being as valuable as they are, serve as a useful leverage in diplomatic procedures. They can also be exchanged mutually in cases where the relative density of certain valuable minerals is of a benefit to the signatories.

Very simply, access to the mines and resource collection locations of partner-signatories allows for expansion of production networks for all manners of purposes including military, industrial, and artisanal.

Access through restricted locations like doors or gates would best be restricted to a specific number of people from the signatory state, in order that an excessive load is not placed upon those in charge of keeping the access monitored and maintained.

 

Article : Embargo

a) Signatory States act in concert to suspend or hinder the economic assets owned or operated by the [EMBARGOED individual/group/civilization]

b) Shops stalls belonging to [EMBARGO TARGET] shall, effective immediately, be re-appropriated by the States hosting them, or subjected to annual tax at an increased rate of tariff, as determined by the discretion of the Sovereign.

This low-level reprisal for some slight against one or both of the signatories involves either the seizure of economic assets (shops, tradeships, special contracts, etc.) of the embargo target, or the preventing of their most efficient/effective use by whatever means necessary. In the case of seizure, what happens to them will be subsequently decided by the sovereign signatories.

This action is not an act of hostility toward the embargoed party, but instead a retaliation for some negative outcome which that party caused. It may be used as leverage for a further political purpose or as added weight to a denunciation.

Be very aware that while this does not convey hostility toward the target, it may be in breach of contract with the embargoed party if a civilization is the target of it, and if that same state has active “Free Trade” articles in the current diplomatic pact with either of the signatories of the agreement in which the embargo is included.

 

Cultural Agreements: 

 

Article : Bibliography Exchange

a) The Signatory States shall arrange to share the tomes, scrolls, and manuscripts categorized in their public libraries. 

State libraries are showcases; not only of the knowledge which a nation can host for its citizens and tourists, but also storages for precious works so passionately written and developed over time. Some libraries are full, and some are near empty, this article is a solution to the latter - but also serves as a reason to copy and exchange the knowledge with those who may also benefit from it.

As said above, the main upside of exchanging texts is to share useful knowledge, in addition to filling empty or new libraries. It also allows for the frequent interaction of librarians and scholars across the signatory realms. Texts can range from official works to works-in-progress by the researchers currently conducting projects in either territory, and this article may even open opportunities for said scholars to interact themselves.

 

Article : Pilgrimage logistics 

a) In consideration of our canonist ancestry and desire for virtuous living, the signatories desire to make the arrangement of pilgrimages both simple and safe. 

b) Paths to churches, holy sites, and relics to be visited during pilgrimages through the territory will be open and displayed as close to primary roads as possible.

For followers of the singular, superior faith of Canonism, it often happens that; groups of children, dedicated followers, or others driven by circumstance, seek to travel the world, paying homage to every important Canonist structure or icon which is publicly available. Pilgrimages are a special form of RP which fulfills a great many purposes, but they are not always easy to do.

The benefit to making pilgrimage through co-signatory territories easier is two-fold; First, it displays to the wider world that the pilgrimages which they may want to initiate should visit your own holy sites, if they would not have previously been considered. Second, it creates an incentive to bring out for display some of the holy relics and special items which may give additional value to the visiting parties. 

 

Objective Agreements:

 

Article : Maritime Access 

a) Signatory States agree to not restrict the passing of ships belonging to the State of the signatory partner through their coastal waters and dockyards. Respective captains may present a copy of this document when coming to ports and harbors, if permission for access is put to question. 

For civilizations upon coastal tiles, the use of ships is soon to be something of higher consideration than ever before. Giving permission to signatory partners to dock their ships in friendly harbors, enables resupply and reconstruction measures. It also allows, if not mentioned in another article elsewhere, for Tradeships to be exchanged.

Similarly to a mutual or total alliance article, this action assists in any potential naval activity which the state may engage in. Whether offensive or defensive actions against pirates, or simple exploration expeditions, having allied ships in a friendly port increases the potential strength of every maritime maneuver. Depending on the distance between signatories, it may even be more useful to station certain ships in ports far across the map, enabling them to serve more purpose than if they were kept in home waters.

 

Article : Infrastructure Construction

a) Signatory States agree to contribute architects, designers, and workers to the construction of a major infrastructure project [(BRIDGE, CANAL, TUNNEL, ETC)], between two specified locations.

b) Upon completion of the project, the naming of it will be done by vote of the collective citizens of both civilizations.

This joint-construction action is something uncommon but nevertheless incredibly important. Minor roads, mountain-step-paths, and other such projects are excellent ways to combine the collective efforts of both peoples to produce something which the entire world will benefit from forever (or for as long as it stands). 

Experts in building, designing, etc. are able to exchange information and techniques with those of their counter-parts in the other State. Amateurs in these disciplines will also be incentivised to learn the basics of the craft alongside those appointed to lead these projects.

Further clarification of resource collection and funding can be included in sub-articles if necessary.

 

NOTES:

(1)

With the soon coming dissolution of the Empire, it is expected that the resulting splinter-states will add to the network of sovereign entities which decorate the tapestry of our shared world. Assuming those new governments will conduct their diplomacy in rp, these are to be regarded as potential methods and avenues for doing so.

(2)

These listed actions and processes are not merely side-quests to be fancily mentioned, but actual means of encouraging populations and governments to interact with one another in ways that are not common. These things dont always need diplomacy to initiate them, but those reading this document should endeavor to always seek to innovate the methods of cross-civilizational interaction that take place.

(3) 

The specific wording and clarifications of these articles are quite strictly examples, they can and should be modified to better fit the circumstances of the diplomatic discussion at the time. 

(4)

These articles are also individually listed and explained, but in many cases, it would be most effective to include some of these actions as sub-parts of another article, instead of separating them [for example, joint-trainings as an addition onto a mutual defense article].

 

i.uomini

 

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Absolute peak. You're amazing @i.uomini

[Spellblades 751]

Genuinely so peak keep it up :D

[Arianthe22 242]

This was lovely and very interesting to read <3