The Interstellar Organization of United Imperial Worlds (IOUIW) is a multiracial empire of planets and their colonies.  It is a parliamentary democracy controlled by an Emperor, the Parliament of Planets, and the Imperial High Court of Justice.

History:  The IOUIW has roots in both the old Solar Alliance and Tauria-Crylix Alliance.  The two organizations first contacted one another when a delegation of Taurians arrived at Earth in 2198.  After exchanging information regarding the PLISM, Union of Independent Planets, and Southern Alliance, it was agreed by treaty that the two alliances would act in support of one another in times of war, create common trade principles, and exchange mutually beneficial technologies.  In 2264, the Allied Advisory Congress met at Pryll and unveiled a plan to further bind the two alliances as a single state.  Several standards were put in place to ensure a certain level of continuity of administration among the candidate worlds.  These included the construction of regional or planetary capitals, spacedock/spaceport facilities, currency standards, and legal reforms.  The insistence of Earth upon a fully democratic government was at first held as the sole model for the Imperial government, but Beta-Tauri 4 remained steadfast in their allegiance to a traditional Emperor.  The 2275 Convention of Planets, again at Pryll, made a final review of the candidate worlds and began to establish the features of government.    In 2277, the IOUIW was chartered with roughly 60% of its present member-worlds.

Government:  The IOUIW is structured as a three-branch government.  The branches are designed to check one another and balance the power within the Empire.  Each has certain duties and powers which tend to define their role as legal institutions.

Executive Branch:  The Executive branch is composed of the Emperor, the Imperial Council, and the Prime Minister.  The Emperor is the head of the armed forces, although he may not declare war or sign treaties.  Any bill submitted to the Parliament of Planets by the Emperor must be voted upon- it may not be pigeonholed.  The Emperor exerts his check on the Judicial Branch by designating candidates for the Seats of the High Court.

The Prime Minister is appointed by the Emperor for an indefinite period of time.  The role of the Prime Minister is not defined, as the Emperor may delegate as many or as few powers to the Prime Minister as he wishes.  The Imperial Council functions as the Emperor’s personal advisory committee.  It is composed of the Ministers of State, Culture, Education, Health Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, Education, Finance, Trade, the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister.

Legislative Branch:  The Legislative branch is composed of the Parliament of Planets and its committees.  Two forms of representation exist in the Parliament of Planets.  Each planet claims at least one seat, based on population.  The seats are then apportioned by party percentage.  The Parliament of Planets exercises its check over the Executive branch through its creation and maintenance of oversight committees, designed to watch the various ministries under the control of the Emperor.  The Parliament can confirm or deny candidates for the seats of the Imperial High Court, and may also declare war and sign treaties.
 
 

Democratic Unionist Party   Social Democratic Party   Planetary Environmental Coalition   Imperial Industrialist Party   Party for Planetary Autonomy

Judicial Branch:  The Judicial Branch of the IOUIW is composed of the Imperial High Court of Justice and its subsidiary courts.  Its main purpose is to interpret and judge the legality of laws passed by the Parliament of Planets.  However, it is also responsible for the courts of civil and criminal justice throughout the Empire.  Its final duty is the administration of the Imperial police, designed both as a league of peace officers and as a check upon the power of the military.