I was inspired by the recently closed Total Term Limits Act discussion started by abc. Not only was there no appetite for permanent limits to terms of office for the delegate, there appeared to be widespread sentiment that term limits more generally were undesirable. With that in mind, I propose the following:
I have long believed that term limits are a blunt instrument employed out of fear, fear that elections will be noncompetitive, that power will be held permanently by the same person forever, that no one new will rise to the occasion with the threat of a powerful incumbent looming overhead. The way I see it, even with the term limit we have in place, all of that is still a possibility. There will always be high-profile players and former delegates who can always step up, if not the incumbent. New talent always must contend with this, and prove itself worthy of consideration. There will be times when the region desires a steady reliable hand, and it should have the right to seek out that person even if the individual served two terms in office. I would wager that all else being equal, not only will the region be ready for a fresh face, but the incumbent delegate will also be ready to move on after two consecutive terms. TNP is a region that celebrates new talent, and encourages the next generation to pick up the torch. It is only when no apparent new talent steps up, or in troubled times, when the region will be more inclined to turn to a familiar face to lead them again.
Right now, it is virtually guaranteed an incumbent delegate will win a second term. After all, once that second term is over, there will have to be a new delegate. Perhaps knowing this, certain individuals plan a run after the term limit would take effect, to allow a delegate to complete a full cycle. Now imagine instead that an incumbent could potentially string together as many terms as the region is willing to give them. Knowing that possibility, and the power of the incumbency advantage, I would not be surprised if sitting delegates received more vigorous challenges after only a single term. And if they get a second, and run for a third, I would expect a still more vigorous challenge. It may be that in that scenario an incumbent will not often get a third term, and if that comes to pass, the competitiveness of the elections will be all the better. Not to mention, the region will always have the choice to pursue the same path or to change it, a choice that they have every right to make, and that is largely made for them when the term limit is applied.
It is not my hope that this change will lead to more infrequent changes in delegates, or that the bar will be raised for future candidates. I believe the bar is already high, and I am proud of that fact. I am also proud that TNP is not afraid to bring up new people more often than not, and I do not expect that will change without a term limit. If anything, I believe that principle will be more fiercely defended without the inherent complacency of the term limit. Every election should be competitive and it shouldn't be a matter of waiting out the clock. With that said, I welcome your thoughts.
Constitution of The North Pacific:Article 3. The Delegate and Vice Delegate
12. The Delegate and Vice Delegate will be elected by the Regional Assembly by a majority vote every four months.
Article 3. The Delegate and Vice Delegate
12. The Delegate and Vice Delegate will be elected by the Regional Assembly by a majority vote every four months.No person shall be elected Delegate to a full or partial term in three election cycles.
12. The Delegate and Vice Delegate will be elected by the Regional Assembly by a majority vote every four months.
I have long believed that term limits are a blunt instrument employed out of fear, fear that elections will be noncompetitive, that power will be held permanently by the same person forever, that no one new will rise to the occasion with the threat of a powerful incumbent looming overhead. The way I see it, even with the term limit we have in place, all of that is still a possibility. There will always be high-profile players and former delegates who can always step up, if not the incumbent. New talent always must contend with this, and prove itself worthy of consideration. There will be times when the region desires a steady reliable hand, and it should have the right to seek out that person even if the individual served two terms in office. I would wager that all else being equal, not only will the region be ready for a fresh face, but the incumbent delegate will also be ready to move on after two consecutive terms. TNP is a region that celebrates new talent, and encourages the next generation to pick up the torch. It is only when no apparent new talent steps up, or in troubled times, when the region will be more inclined to turn to a familiar face to lead them again.
Right now, it is virtually guaranteed an incumbent delegate will win a second term. After all, once that second term is over, there will have to be a new delegate. Perhaps knowing this, certain individuals plan a run after the term limit would take effect, to allow a delegate to complete a full cycle. Now imagine instead that an incumbent could potentially string together as many terms as the region is willing to give them. Knowing that possibility, and the power of the incumbency advantage, I would not be surprised if sitting delegates received more vigorous challenges after only a single term. And if they get a second, and run for a third, I would expect a still more vigorous challenge. It may be that in that scenario an incumbent will not often get a third term, and if that comes to pass, the competitiveness of the elections will be all the better. Not to mention, the region will always have the choice to pursue the same path or to change it, a choice that they have every right to make, and that is largely made for them when the term limit is applied.
It is not my hope that this change will lead to more infrequent changes in delegates, or that the bar will be raised for future candidates. I believe the bar is already high, and I am proud of that fact. I am also proud that TNP is not afraid to bring up new people more often than not, and I do not expect that will change without a term limit. If anything, I believe that principle will be more fiercely defended without the inherent complacency of the term limit. Every election should be competitive and it shouldn't be a matter of waiting out the clock. With that said, I welcome your thoughts.