Celtic Confederation
Created | Updated Jun 18, 2003
<P><B>Introduction</B></P>
<P>The Celtic Policratic Confederation is mainly a cultural confederation for the Celtic Rim of Europe. However, economic cooperation and developments and international lobbies, mostly at the European (Union), are part of the tasks of the confederation together with education and science policy development. To prevent the embarrassment of the UK (England), Ireland shall sign a mutual defence treaty with the UK, which they can only cancel when both nations agree. With this treaty, the UK is assured that the confederation is no threat to its territorial integrity. For France another measure has to be taken to satisfy their anxieties. One is that Brittany shall be a partner region of the confederation and not a member. Although in practice, there will not be any difference effectively.</P>
<P><B>Policracy</B></P>
<P>Policracy is a state form in which the municipalities (Polis or in plural form Poleis in Greek) are independent from each other on political issues. Nevertheless, they are united in a loose confederation or a stronger federation for the benefit of all on economic, cultural, and military subjects. Therefore, every polis can choose its own form of government without the federal government being able to change it. The Celtic Policratic Confederation is quite different, the polis is not a village or city but the Clan is considered a Polis, so the level is larger. Clans are the strongest in Scotland, so this nation is best to implement the policracy internally. That is because every nation has the right to choose it is internal political system, within some limits. For example, Northern Ireland is partly under Direct Rule of London for the reason that the Protestants and Catholics are not able to rule together. Moreover, Brittany is under central authority of the French national government, but has a Conseil Regional, which is possibly transferable in a Policratic government. Following are the proposed structures of government for the five parts of the Confederation.</P>
<P><B>Ireland</B></P>
<P>The Irish can choose for a base level on municipal scale and then work like pyramidal to the top, via old county level to national level. This means that all villages work on county level together and from the counties representatives are sent to Dublin, the seat of the national government. Each county is free to choose between a direct or indirect democracy like is every municipality. The Counties also send the emissaries to the Confederation because this is not a national cause.</P>
<P><B>Northern Ireland</B></P>
<P>Since Catholics and Protestants live mainly separated it is very good possible to give them their own Poleis. These poleis directly elect the national authority, which gets a limited mandate. This gives as much freedom as possible to both parties. The national authority sends envoys to the confederation because if this is handed to the dispersed poleis, there is a change of internal fights within the parties. This is not beneficial for the peace process.</P>
<P><B>Wales</B></P>
<P>Wales is rewarded with an assembly by the devolution laws of the UK. This assembly remains the base of the Policratic system. Since a clan system is not viable anymore in Wales, the municipalities shall be the poleis. Independently they can choose for a regional authority as well but always remain the rights to elect the assembly members. The assembly sends it Representatives to the confederation.</P
<P><B>Scotland</B></P>
<P>In Scotland, the clan system is still alive so the clans are the poleis. In Scotland it is possible to implement a fully network of Policratic cooperation bodied. The clans can for example cooperate on regional level (for example the Highland Region), the regional bodies are elected by the clans. Scotland was also rewarded with a own parliament by the devolution of the UK, this parliament shall now not be elected by district elections but by clan elections. Every clan gets a number of seats depending on its population size. The clans send their representatives to the confederation and not the parliament. This makes Scotland the best example of policracy together with Ireland. Why is this not possible to Wales and Northern Ireland one could ask? That is because their political system is based on villages and cities, these are far more numerous than the limited clans and counties in Scotland and Ireland.</P>
<P><B>Brittany</B></P>
<P>This region is quite different from the two groups above (the most Policratic; Scotland and Ireland, the lesser Policratic; Wales and Northern Ireland) because it is French. The Celtic language is mainly extinct, but there remains a national feeling represented by a nationalist party. Further, the French constitution is very centralistic. This gives little power to regions. The most powerful entity after the central government is the department. The departments 22; Côtes-du-Nord, 29; Finistère, 35; Ille-et-Vilaine and 56: Morbihan form the Region of Brittany. This gives opportunities to networking policracy, the villages elect the department bodies and they elect the regional government. The departments give in some powers to the region but remain the right to send their representatives to the confederation. This is necessary there the lesser Celtic departments shall not hinder the Celtic department of Finistère.</P>
<P><B>The Confederation</B></P>
<P>The topmost authority for these Celtic regions shall be a confederate one. Why a confederation and not a federation one could ask? That is since the Scottish, Welch and Northern Irish members are part of the UK and Brittany is part of France. This makes it impossible to form a stronger federation. The confederation shall not be named as such there the UK and France shall object to it. A possible solution to this is that the confederation is formed as a foundation in Ireland, the only independent Celtic nation. The choice for this organisation structure is because that the members (the poleis) can choose the board of governors (B.o.G.), which acts as the confederation parliament, and consist out of the representatives. Out of the B.o.G., a board of directors (B.o.D.) is elected. The B.o.D. is the actual government and the members are considered secretaries for every policy the confederation execute. These policy areas are: Celtic Culture and Heritage, Education, Economic Development and Cooperation and Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry and Environmental Conservation. These insist that the B.o.D. has at least six members, for every policy a secretary and a secretary-general, which acts as prime minister. So, what are the objectives for the specific secretaries and the secretary-general?</P>
<P><B>Secretary-General</B></P>
<P>This person is the chairperson of the B.o.D., he or she is setting the main outline of policy and acts as secretary of foreign affairs. He represents the Confederation at the European Union and is legitimate to send ambassadors to the EU offices within the policy areas of the confederation. Therefore, its task is to set the policy philosophy of the Confederation and encourage the other secretaries to work within this philosophy. In the international relations, the Confederation is able to use the Irish Embassies. On these Embassies, a Confederation office with representatives of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Brittany cooperate with the Irish Staff.<P>
<P><B>Secretary of Celtic Culture & Heritage</B></P>
<P>This person is after the Secretary the most important person in the B.o.D. Its tasks comprehend the encouragement of cultural events for Celts in the Confederation especially and all over the world. Further he or she is the guard of the Celtic heritage, this are historical sites and buildings. Some events organised by the Secretary of Celtic Culture and Heritage can become:</P>
<P><B>The International Celtic Games</B></P>
<P>Organised by the International Celtic-games Organisation (ICO), these are the Olympics for Celts all over the world. Therefore, not only the Irish, Northern Irish, Scotch, Welch and Bretons are sending their teams, but also teams of the USA (an Irish, Scottish, Welch and Bretons team), Australia, New Zealand and (South) Africa send their teams. At least 21 teams take part of the games. The ICO consists out of the national sports federations of the Confederation members. At this moment, only Ireland has an Olympic committee and perhaps a sport federation. The others shall erect one (although not Olympic because that is a national cause). The games consist mainly of typical Celtic games; Stone throwing, log throwing and hurling. Also regular athletics and typical British games are part of the games as rugby, football, hockey and cricket. Further, there are cultural games for bag piping, sword dancing, poetry, theatre and music. The games are held every two years, first in the summer, then in the winter. The games make a tour via Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Northern Ireland. The ICO also organises the International Highland Games, this is mainly the same as the International Celtic Games with two exceptions. It is only open for Confederation members and solely held in Scotland (the Highlands). The International Highland Games are held every year, in the summer, when there are no International Celtic Games.</P>
<P><B>The CBC</B></P>
<P>The CBC or Celtic Broadcasting Cooperation is the new pan-Celtic broadcaster. It is a merger between the Scottish BBC and the National Irish Broadcaster. It sends out regionally in the English dialect of the Nation or French and in the Celtic language. It shall implement therefore the new digital techniques so the people can choose the language of their preference. To the Celtic Diaspora it broadcast via the CBC World Service on TV and Radio.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Education and Sciences</B></P>
<P>Education is an important tool for creating a nation. Celts always have been important scientist and always have had a strong national feeling. The British Empire grew thanks to Celtic inventors and philosophers (the Scottish Adam Smith, James Watt). The Secretary of Education and Science has to encourage this scientific focus and in coordination with the nations, he has to design a new method of education, which is applicable in every language and Celtic sub-culture. Many of his tasks have to be coordinated with the Secretary of Celtic Culture and Heritage.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Economic Affairs</B></P>
<P>This person takes care of the economic development of the confederation members. There the internal development is a task for the national parliament or polis, the Confederation focus on the international institutions. It lobbies at the UK, France and EU for investments and subsidies. Further, it coordinates the cooperation between the members. A specific task of the secretary of economic affairs is the development of Celtic Handcrafts, small businesses, which make silverworks, gold works, etc… in typical Celtic styles. Another policy issue is to encourage tourism to the Celtic nations. These last two policies are done in cooperation with the Secretary of Celtic Culture and Heritage and the Secretary of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry and the Secretary of Environmental Conservation.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry</B></P>
<P>The Secretary of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry coordinates the national parliaments on these fields, especially the fishery in the Irish Sea is a task which needs coordination there Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland borders to it and make economic claims. Further the national agricultural staffs and forestry staffs works close with the Confederation Secretary on the development of new agricultural techniques and new ways of forestry, this in coordination with the Secretary of Environmental Conservation. They work together with the Secretary of Economic Affairs and the Secretary of Environmental Conservation on tourism development.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Environmental Conservation</B></P>
<P>This secretary not only preserves natural heritage, but also has to take care of a healthy city environment. Actually, it is to consider a combination between the classic secretary of environment and nature conservation, a secretary of housing and city planning and a secretary of health and hygiene. So with the poleis and nations it designs new planning for cities, to be healthier, new public transport initiatives and the classic nature conservation.</P>
<P><B>Security</B></P>
<P>There the UK parliament is able to withdraw the Scottish and Welch autonomy, both authorities have to create a security check or a lock. Their parliament or assembly can create associations and merge with them. Therewith, you get for example a Scottish Parliament Association and a Welch Assembly Association of which every Scotch and Welch is member. The Board of Governors are the actual Members of Parliament and the elect the Government or the Board of Directors. The specific departments or ministries are formed into Foundations; the secretary of culture for example thus becomes the director of the Cultural Foundation. Thus after a possible withdrawal of autonomy by the UK government the Scotch, Welch and Northern Irish can maintain their autonomy. The same system is usable for Brittany, when the French Government intends to bind in their autonomy</P>
<P>The Celtic Policratic Confederation is mainly a cultural confederation for the Celtic Rim of Europe. However, economic cooperation and developments and international lobbies, mostly at the European (Union), are part of the tasks of the confederation together with education and science policy development. To prevent the embarrassment of the UK (England), Ireland shall sign a mutual defence treaty with the UK, which they can only cancel when both nations agree. With this treaty, the UK is assured that the confederation is no threat to its territorial integrity. For France another measure has to be taken to satisfy their anxieties. One is that Brittany shall be a partner region of the confederation and not a member. Although in practice, there will not be any difference effectively.</P>
<P><B>Policracy</B></P>
<P>Policracy is a state form in which the municipalities (Polis or in plural form Poleis in Greek) are independent from each other on political issues. Nevertheless, they are united in a loose confederation or a stronger federation for the benefit of all on economic, cultural, and military subjects. Therefore, every polis can choose its own form of government without the federal government being able to change it. The Celtic Policratic Confederation is quite different, the polis is not a village or city but the Clan is considered a Polis, so the level is larger. Clans are the strongest in Scotland, so this nation is best to implement the policracy internally. That is because every nation has the right to choose it is internal political system, within some limits. For example, Northern Ireland is partly under Direct Rule of London for the reason that the Protestants and Catholics are not able to rule together. Moreover, Brittany is under central authority of the French national government, but has a Conseil Regional, which is possibly transferable in a Policratic government. Following are the proposed structures of government for the five parts of the Confederation.</P>
<P><B>Ireland</B></P>
<P>The Irish can choose for a base level on municipal scale and then work like pyramidal to the top, via old county level to national level. This means that all villages work on county level together and from the counties representatives are sent to Dublin, the seat of the national government. Each county is free to choose between a direct or indirect democracy like is every municipality. The Counties also send the emissaries to the Confederation because this is not a national cause.</P>
<P><B>Northern Ireland</B></P>
<P>Since Catholics and Protestants live mainly separated it is very good possible to give them their own Poleis. These poleis directly elect the national authority, which gets a limited mandate. This gives as much freedom as possible to both parties. The national authority sends envoys to the confederation because if this is handed to the dispersed poleis, there is a change of internal fights within the parties. This is not beneficial for the peace process.</P>
<P><B>Wales</B></P>
<P>Wales is rewarded with an assembly by the devolution laws of the UK. This assembly remains the base of the Policratic system. Since a clan system is not viable anymore in Wales, the municipalities shall be the poleis. Independently they can choose for a regional authority as well but always remain the rights to elect the assembly members. The assembly sends it Representatives to the confederation.</P
<P><B>Scotland</B></P>
<P>In Scotland, the clan system is still alive so the clans are the poleis. In Scotland it is possible to implement a fully network of Policratic cooperation bodied. The clans can for example cooperate on regional level (for example the Highland Region), the regional bodies are elected by the clans. Scotland was also rewarded with a own parliament by the devolution of the UK, this parliament shall now not be elected by district elections but by clan elections. Every clan gets a number of seats depending on its population size. The clans send their representatives to the confederation and not the parliament. This makes Scotland the best example of policracy together with Ireland. Why is this not possible to Wales and Northern Ireland one could ask? That is because their political system is based on villages and cities, these are far more numerous than the limited clans and counties in Scotland and Ireland.</P>
<P><B>Brittany</B></P>
<P>This region is quite different from the two groups above (the most Policratic; Scotland and Ireland, the lesser Policratic; Wales and Northern Ireland) because it is French. The Celtic language is mainly extinct, but there remains a national feeling represented by a nationalist party. Further, the French constitution is very centralistic. This gives little power to regions. The most powerful entity after the central government is the department. The departments 22; Côtes-du-Nord, 29; Finistère, 35; Ille-et-Vilaine and 56: Morbihan form the Region of Brittany. This gives opportunities to networking policracy, the villages elect the department bodies and they elect the regional government. The departments give in some powers to the region but remain the right to send their representatives to the confederation. This is necessary there the lesser Celtic departments shall not hinder the Celtic department of Finistère.</P>
<P><B>The Confederation</B></P>
<P>The topmost authority for these Celtic regions shall be a confederate one. Why a confederation and not a federation one could ask? That is since the Scottish, Welch and Northern Irish members are part of the UK and Brittany is part of France. This makes it impossible to form a stronger federation. The confederation shall not be named as such there the UK and France shall object to it. A possible solution to this is that the confederation is formed as a foundation in Ireland, the only independent Celtic nation. The choice for this organisation structure is because that the members (the poleis) can choose the board of governors (B.o.G.), which acts as the confederation parliament, and consist out of the representatives. Out of the B.o.G., a board of directors (B.o.D.) is elected. The B.o.D. is the actual government and the members are considered secretaries for every policy the confederation execute. These policy areas are: Celtic Culture and Heritage, Education, Economic Development and Cooperation and Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry and Environmental Conservation. These insist that the B.o.D. has at least six members, for every policy a secretary and a secretary-general, which acts as prime minister. So, what are the objectives for the specific secretaries and the secretary-general?</P>
<P><B>Secretary-General</B></P>
<P>This person is the chairperson of the B.o.D., he or she is setting the main outline of policy and acts as secretary of foreign affairs. He represents the Confederation at the European Union and is legitimate to send ambassadors to the EU offices within the policy areas of the confederation. Therefore, its task is to set the policy philosophy of the Confederation and encourage the other secretaries to work within this philosophy. In the international relations, the Confederation is able to use the Irish Embassies. On these Embassies, a Confederation office with representatives of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Brittany cooperate with the Irish Staff.<P>
<P><B>Secretary of Celtic Culture & Heritage</B></P>
<P>This person is after the Secretary the most important person in the B.o.D. Its tasks comprehend the encouragement of cultural events for Celts in the Confederation especially and all over the world. Further he or she is the guard of the Celtic heritage, this are historical sites and buildings. Some events organised by the Secretary of Celtic Culture and Heritage can become:</P>
<P><B>The International Celtic Games</B></P>
<P>Organised by the International Celtic-games Organisation (ICO), these are the Olympics for Celts all over the world. Therefore, not only the Irish, Northern Irish, Scotch, Welch and Bretons are sending their teams, but also teams of the USA (an Irish, Scottish, Welch and Bretons team), Australia, New Zealand and (South) Africa send their teams. At least 21 teams take part of the games. The ICO consists out of the national sports federations of the Confederation members. At this moment, only Ireland has an Olympic committee and perhaps a sport federation. The others shall erect one (although not Olympic because that is a national cause). The games consist mainly of typical Celtic games; Stone throwing, log throwing and hurling. Also regular athletics and typical British games are part of the games as rugby, football, hockey and cricket. Further, there are cultural games for bag piping, sword dancing, poetry, theatre and music. The games are held every two years, first in the summer, then in the winter. The games make a tour via Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Northern Ireland. The ICO also organises the International Highland Games, this is mainly the same as the International Celtic Games with two exceptions. It is only open for Confederation members and solely held in Scotland (the Highlands). The International Highland Games are held every year, in the summer, when there are no International Celtic Games.</P>
<P><B>The CBC</B></P>
<P>The CBC or Celtic Broadcasting Cooperation is the new pan-Celtic broadcaster. It is a merger between the Scottish BBC and the National Irish Broadcaster. It sends out regionally in the English dialect of the Nation or French and in the Celtic language. It shall implement therefore the new digital techniques so the people can choose the language of their preference. To the Celtic Diaspora it broadcast via the CBC World Service on TV and Radio.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Education and Sciences</B></P>
<P>Education is an important tool for creating a nation. Celts always have been important scientist and always have had a strong national feeling. The British Empire grew thanks to Celtic inventors and philosophers (the Scottish Adam Smith, James Watt). The Secretary of Education and Science has to encourage this scientific focus and in coordination with the nations, he has to design a new method of education, which is applicable in every language and Celtic sub-culture. Many of his tasks have to be coordinated with the Secretary of Celtic Culture and Heritage.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Economic Affairs</B></P>
<P>This person takes care of the economic development of the confederation members. There the internal development is a task for the national parliament or polis, the Confederation focus on the international institutions. It lobbies at the UK, France and EU for investments and subsidies. Further, it coordinates the cooperation between the members. A specific task of the secretary of economic affairs is the development of Celtic Handcrafts, small businesses, which make silverworks, gold works, etc… in typical Celtic styles. Another policy issue is to encourage tourism to the Celtic nations. These last two policies are done in cooperation with the Secretary of Celtic Culture and Heritage and the Secretary of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry and the Secretary of Environmental Conservation.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry</B></P>
<P>The Secretary of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry coordinates the national parliaments on these fields, especially the fishery in the Irish Sea is a task which needs coordination there Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland borders to it and make economic claims. Further the national agricultural staffs and forestry staffs works close with the Confederation Secretary on the development of new agricultural techniques and new ways of forestry, this in coordination with the Secretary of Environmental Conservation. They work together with the Secretary of Economic Affairs and the Secretary of Environmental Conservation on tourism development.</P>
<P><B>Secretary of Environmental Conservation</B></P>
<P>This secretary not only preserves natural heritage, but also has to take care of a healthy city environment. Actually, it is to consider a combination between the classic secretary of environment and nature conservation, a secretary of housing and city planning and a secretary of health and hygiene. So with the poleis and nations it designs new planning for cities, to be healthier, new public transport initiatives and the classic nature conservation.</P>
<P><B>Security</B></P>
<P>There the UK parliament is able to withdraw the Scottish and Welch autonomy, both authorities have to create a security check or a lock. Their parliament or assembly can create associations and merge with them. Therewith, you get for example a Scottish Parliament Association and a Welch Assembly Association of which every Scotch and Welch is member. The Board of Governors are the actual Members of Parliament and the elect the Government or the Board of Directors. The specific departments or ministries are formed into Foundations; the secretary of culture for example thus becomes the director of the Cultural Foundation. Thus after a possible withdrawal of autonomy by the UK government the Scotch, Welch and Northern Irish can maintain their autonomy. The same system is usable for Brittany, when the French Government intends to bind in their autonomy</P>
