“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
– Carl Sagan
Preamble
Guided by the timeless values of freedom of expression, respect of conscience, and the ambition of harmonious existence, we pledge to uphold the dignity and inherent sovereign rights of all citizens. We, the inhabitants of this Solar System, acknowledge the vast expanse of our dominion, recognize the diverse beings who call it home, and so do hereby establish and ordain this Constitution of the Solar Commonwealth for ourselves and for posterity.
Article I: Foundations of Governance
Rule of Law: No organization may have the rights of a citizen and no citizen, organization, or official shall be above the law. All authority derives from the consent of the governed, and no power shall be exercised without accountability to the people. No free person shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of their rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of their standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against them, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of their equals or by the law of the solar system.
Right to Justice: Justice shall not be denied, delayed, or sold. Every inhabitant of the Solar Commonwealth is entitled to a fair and speedy hearing before an impartial tribunal, with due process preserved across all worlds and domiciles.
Sovereign Assembly: The governing body of the solar system shall be a Sovereign Assembly, elected freely by the citizens of every planet, moon, and station, to enact laws, oversee governance, and represent the will of the Commonwealth. No law shall bind the people without their voice.
Caucus of Experts: Upon completion of their preparatory education, each citizen shall achieve assigned civic roles in their Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Caucuses. The various Caucuses will execute the laws set forth by the Sovereign Assembly.
Energy Exchange: Conversion, maintenance, and transportation of matter and energy shall be consistent, fair, and compatible to all citizens.
Local Autonomy: Each inhabited celestial body shall retain the right to self-governance in matters of local concern, provided that such governance does not violate the principles of this Constitution.
Article II: Fundamental Rights and Liberties
Freedom of Expression and Inquiry: The pursuit of truth is the birthright of all sentient beings. The free expression of ideas, opinions, and knowledge shall be protected, without prior restraint or censorship, in all forms of communication. The flow of ideas and information shall not be suppressed, except where it directly threatens the safety and rights of others. Let truth and falsehood grapple; whoever knew truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?
Right to Knowledge: The Commonwealth shall foster learning, prepare citizens for their various Caucuses, and perpetuate the dissemination of knowledge across the solar system. No book, invention, or discovery shall be banned, save where it directly incites violence or tyranny.
Freedom of Conscience: Every individual shall enjoy liberty of thought and belief, free from coercion or penalty. No person shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in their body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of their religious opinions or belief; but that all persons shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. No orthodoxy shall be imposed, for the mind is sovereign unto itself.
Article III: Equality and Unity
Equality and Justice: We, the mutual sovereigns under this Constitution, believe the axiom that all beings are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights; that among these are expression, liberty, property, and privacy. All inhabitants of the Solar Commonwealth—whether born of Earth, Mars, the moons of Jupiter, or the stations of the void—shall be acknowledged for the content of their character, and not judged for their culture, creed, or condition
Religious and Ideological Liberty: No citizen shall be compelled to profess or support any religion, ideology, or public edict, nor shall any be persecuted for their faith, support, or lack thereof. The Commonwealth shall neither establish nor favor any creed, ensuring mutual dignity for all beliefs.
Separation of Church and State: Civil authority shall remain distinct from religious institutions, preserving the peace of the solar system and the autonomy of conscience.
Freedom from Oppression: No citizen shall be held in bondage, nor shall any form of servitude be tolerated. The Commonwealth stands as a refuge where all those willing may rise to the mountaintop of freedom.
Unity in Diversity: The peoples of the solar system, though varied in custom and world, shall strive as one family, bound by mutual respect and the shared dream of a just society. The Solar Commonwealth is dedicated to fostering an interplanetary society where individuals are recognized by their character and contributions, not by ancestry or circumstance. Barriers to opportunity, whether rooted in discrimination or systemic inequality, shall not be tolerated.
Peaceful Coexistence: The use of force against any sovereign or inhabited celestial body shall be prohibited, except in cases of self-defense. All disputes shall be resolved through peaceful diplomatic means. The inhabitants of the solar system shall strive for cooperation and mutual aid in all endeavors.
Article IV: Resource Management and Sustainability
Common Heritage: The resources of the solar system shall be considered the common heritage of all its inhabitants. Private property shall be respected and public projects shall be transparent and efficient.
Sustainable Development: Resource utilization shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the long-term sustainability of the solar system’s ecosystems.
Environmental Protection: The protection of the environment and the preservation of biodiversity shall be paramount.
Stewardship of Worlds: The Commonwealth shall preserve the habitability of its planets and moons, holding them in trust for future generations, that all may participate in the bounty of the solar system.
Article V: Duties and Protections
Defense of Sovereignty: The Commonwealth shall maintain a force to protect its citizens from external threats, and internal tyranny, but such power shall never infringe upon the rights herein enshrined.
Taxation with Consent: No tax, levy, or tariff shall be imposed without the approval of the Sovereign Assembly, ensuring that the burdens of governance reflect the will of the people.
Article VI: Amendments and Continuity
Amendment Process: This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Sovereign Assembly, followed by ratification by a majority of the Caucuses of Experts.
Periodic Review: This Constitution shall be reviewed and reaffirmed or revised every solar maximum to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.
Eternal Principles: The rights to justice, free thought, religious liberty, and equality shall not be diminished, for they are the bedrock of our civilization.
Closing Statement
Let this Constitution of the Solar Commonwealth serve as a testament to the enduring power of liberty, justice, and equality. May it guide us as we navigate the vastness of the Cosmos, and may it inspire us to create a future worthy of our dreams. Let this Constitution serve as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward an interstellar destiny defined by freedom and compassion.
From the burning Sun’s atomic core
to the heart of every nation
let every sovereign earn the chance
to thrive in their creation
Just as the printing press, telegraph, and satellite has expanded our capabilities to communicate, so too has 21st century computing.
Step one was to prompt several AI to create a constitution based upon only the Magna Carta, Aeropagitica, Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom, and King’s “I Have a Dream Speech.”
Step two was to use AI to synthesize the various drafts.
Step three was tweaking the synthesized draft with my own words or quotes from others.
Step four is asking anyone to join me.
Jeremy McShurley