Keep decisions as local as practical
A self-supporting world or similarly isolated community should normally govern its own local affairs. Founding a settlement does not give its founders permanent authority, a permanent right to tax it or an arbitrary power to stop it gaining full civic status.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI
Use the same broad design across worlds
The same broad design can operate across worlds. A House represents people and places; a Senate represents self-governing worlds; a shared executive needs wider support. Splitting a world into sham units must not manufacture extra voting power.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI
Limit what higher government controls
Higher government handles shared rights, slavery, weapons capable of catastrophe, common defense, disputes between worlds and threats to continued existence. Local civil and criminal law, culture, family life, education and the economy stay local unless shared rights or serious harm across worlds are at stake.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI
Distance makes autonomy more important
Long communication delays strengthen the case for local decisions. Seat allocation, additional species, leaving a federation, conflicting laws and funding remain deliberately unresolved. This gives a direction for government across worlds, not a finished galactic rulebook.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI