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Three formal political bodies exist in
Merochas. The first is the Consejo Mercantio, which has jurisdiction over
all matters of trade and foreign policy, including military affairs and all tariffs.
The second is the Junta te Casas (Assembly of Houses), which is
technically the chief legislative body in the country, but in actuality has little real
power. The Junta does have nominal power over taxation, but because the Casas
Menoras are adamantly opposed to any significant amount of internal taxation, the Junta
rarely legislates any tax laws, preferring to let the civic government operate on the
proceeds of the tariffs imposed by the Consejo Mercantio. The Junta
has one other significant power, and that is the right to rule on issues of land
ownership. It is this power, more than any other, which has prevented the Casas
Crantas from completely owning the entire country. The Casas Menoras,
which outnumber the Casas Crantas in the Junta, have become very jealous
of this power, even to the point of preserving its principle in the face of obvious
economic disadvantage. |
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The third political body is the govierno
civico, the civic government which has the responsibility of carrying out and
enforcing the policies and laws enacted by the other two entities. Despite its name,
the civic government has authority over the entire country, not just the city of
Merochas. The head of the govierno civico is the Almirante
(Admiral), whose title is a relic of the days when the primary function of the civic
government was simply to protect the city of Merochas. These days, the Almirante
is still likely to have a maritime or military background, but his actual military duties
consist of a couple of parades and providing taxes and recruits to the Capitane-Cenerale
and the Comantante-Cenerale. The Almirante is selected by the Consejo
Mercantio for a period of five years. An Almirante who wishes to
retain his position must be capable of balancing the real needs of the city and country
against the trade and political interests of the Casas Crantas. This is a
delicate task, and few Almirantes in the history of Merochas have served over two
terms in office. Most have counted themselves fortunate to retire after a term or
two with their lives and wealth intact. Wealth is the primary motivation for
becoming an Almirante, because the Tepartmento tel Atuanas (customs
office) reports to the Almirante, and therefore the atuaneros (customs
officers) must forward a small portion of all the bribes and proceeds from the
confiscation of "smuggled" cargoes to the Almirante. These many
small portions add up to a very great amount over the course of even one term in office. |
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The Almirante controls the Cuartia
Civil (City Watch, which is located in all major towns in Merochas as well as the
city) and the Tepartmento te Malecones (Department of Dikes or Quays - the public
works deparment), as well as the Tepartmento tel Atuanas, as noted. The Almirante
also has nominal control over the Armata (Navy) and Ejercito (Army), but in actuality the military takes its
orders directly from the Consejo Mercantio. This practice prevents the Almirante
from becoming a governor in fact as well as in name. In addition, the most likely
successor to the present Almirante is one of the two military chiefs - the Capitane-Cenerale
tel Armata or the Comantante-Cenerale tel Ejercito. |
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Holders of high civic office are most
frequently drawn from the ranks of the Casas Menoras. This allows the Consejo
Mercantio to reward members of the Casas Menoras who have supported the Consejo,
and avoids placing any member of the Casas Crantas in too central a position in
government. There is an unspoken custom in Merochas that members of the Casas
Crantas rule from behind the scenes, not out in front. Occasionally a minor
member of one of the great Casas will serve in some fairly harmless civic
capacity, but that is as far as it goes in Merochas. |
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