Government

__**Set Up:**__

 * The Island will have a small democratic Government made up of 12 people (3 people elected from each settlement)
 * They will regulate a monetary system and formulate the laws
 * The Government will formulate foreign policy
 * One member (elect) will be the head of government through which all final decisions will be passed
 * The other 11 members will be responsible for various services on The Island
 * The role of the Government is to represent the values and opinions of the people and to enforce laws and policies to protect, benefit and sustain The Island and it's citizens

__**Democracy:**__
We have chosen to have democracy on The Island, as we believe that this is the fairest and most effective form of government, as it is 'a form of government in which all eligible people have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives' (//Wikipedia, 2011).// History demonstrates that democracy uniquely possesses a number of features that most people, whatever their basic political beliefs, would consider desirable //(Britannica Encyclopedia, 2011).// For example, democracy helps to prevent rule by cruel and vicious autocrats, modern representative democracies do not fight wars with one another, and countries with democratic governments tend to be more prosperous than countries with nondemocratic governments. Societies in domocracies believe in equality and 'fair go' for all. They value human dignity, racial equality and value their responsibility to make the country as equal as possible.Tolerance, acceptance of cultural diversity, respect for others and the law, freedom of speech and religion are some other values that may exist in a democratic society //(Skwirk, 2011)//. People in a democratic society expect to be involved in decision-making and need to feel that the government is being held accountable for its actions. Citizens also value civility, truth-telling, realise the value of individual and collective initiative and have concern for the welfare, rights and dignity of all people.

__**Citizenship:**__
Due to the strong Government policy to sustain The Island through natural resources, laws will be put in place in regard to obtaining citizenship to ensure this is not compromised and to avoid pollution and overcrowding. Citizenship will be awarded if:
 * A person is born on The Island
 * A person has resided on The Island for a minimum of 5 years
 * An individual has been married to a citizen of The Island for a minimum of 3 years

A person who has obtained citizenship of The Island has the following rights and responsibilities:
 * The right to be treated fairly and equally
 * The right to safety and security on The Island
 * Freedom of speech
 * The freedom to vote and have a say in the decisions and laws put in place by the Government
 * Responsibility to live in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to The Island's economy
 * The right to free education up to the age of 16
 * Responsibility to uphold all laws and regulations put in place by the Government
 * The right to free health care up to 16 years of age

__**Values:**__

 * Equal rights
 * Sustaining The Island through natural resources
 * Education
 * Health
 * Safety and security

__**Services and Infrastructure:**__
The Government will initially establish all services.

With the money provided by the UN, they will first set up the following infrastructure:
 * Hospitals
 * Schools
 * Water and Sewerage
 * Power
 * Police/Law enforcement
 * Transport (roads and wharfs)
 * Communications
 * Airports
 * boarder patrol/managment of imports

This will be sustained by taxation and export earnings.

**__Hospitals and Health Care:__**

 * Health Care will be heavily subsidised but dependent on income
 * Main hospital in central location with small medical practices in each of the settlements
 * Free health care up to 16 years of age
 * Extra benefits for senior citizens (65+)

**__Schools and Education:__**

 * All education will be free and compulsory up to 16 years old
 * Teachers must be qualified and will receive high income
 * The Island will support the qualification of teachers with funding

**__Law Enforcement:__**

 * Building regulations (sustainability)
 * Equal rights
 * Child protection
 * Land and resource regulations

**__REFERENCES:__**

 * //Democracy.// Retrieved 17th August, 2011 from [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrac]


 * //Values and Democratic Society//. Retrieved 17th August, 2011 from []


 * //Democracy//. Retrieved 17th August, 2011 from []