Subsidiarity
A self-sustaining world or comparably isolated polity is presumptively self-governing in local affairs. Founding a settlement does not create perpetual sovereignty, a permanent taxing claim, or an arbitrary veto over its civic maturity.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI
A recursive constitutional form
At an interplanetary level, the proposed House represents persons and geography, the Senate represents constituent self-governing worlds, and a shared executive carries broader legitimacy. Sham subdivision must not manufacture sovereign voting weight.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI
Limited higher authority
Shared jurisdiction focuses on personhood, anti-slavery, catastrophic weapons, common defense, cross-world disputes, and threats to continuity. Local civil, criminal, cultural, family, educational, and economic affairs remain local unless shared rights or material cross-world harms are involved.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI
Distance makes autonomy more important
Communication latency strengthens the presumption of local authority. Exact apportionment, additional species, secession, conflict of laws, and funding mechanisms remain deliberately deferred. This is a constitutional direction, not a finished specification for galactic government.
Interpretation of the proposal · Charter, Article XX Charter, Article XXI