THE SETNIN
SECTOR COUNCIL
An historical overview of the Setnin Sectors governmental system
By Jonathan Hicks and Mark Newbold HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
While still a young authority, the Setnin
Sector Council has seen many turbulent times during its short and
eventful history. When what eventually became known as the Setnin Sector first formed it was a simple smattering of self-contained worlds and systems that traded between themselves and with other settled worlds in the Mid-Rim. Four thousand eight hundred years before the Battle of Yavin the legendary Chatroot was elevated to the position of leader of the First Worlds, a coalition of the six main planets in the sector at that time: Krider, Wennicas, Yuma, Lydon, Maquina and Koretz. Having with him his Howlrunners, a group of loyal politicians and warriors who helped him maintain his high position, they formed what was effectively the first sector-wide governmental system. Thirteen hundred years later, after the Republic named the region the Setnin Sector, an efficient but informal operational government was in place, meeting in various locations throughout the sector and debating many issues, largely trade related. Since the construction of the trade city know as Chancai on the planet Zelon, which created a focal point, or ‘centre’ to the sector, it was deemed that the whole region needed a system of government. So was born the Setnin Council. Initially, a simple collection of twenty-five systems made up the first council, but as other worlds attached themselves to the highly lucrative Chancai Trade Centre the need for a more flexible system of government was required. When the Setnin Sector first joined the Republic,
before the Clone Wars and the Imperial New Order, it was feared
that the autonomy of Setnin would be compromised. The Setnin Council enjoyed
a fruitful, if somewhat shaky relationship with the Republic, which saw many
decades of prosperity in which the Setnin Council continued to govern itself
within the broader guidelines of the Republic. However, after continuing internal problems and
wars within the Setnin Sector, the Republic and the Setnin Council decided to
return Setnin to its autonomy just months prior to the Battle of Naboo.
While some political analysts said it was beneficial for the increased
profits in trade, others said it was because of the Setnin Sector’s
‘reputation’; a black mark on the glowing record of the Republic’s
achievements. Not long before the first of a catalogue of incidents that
instigated the fall of the Old Republic, the Setnin Sector once again became
its own power. During the rise of the New Order the Setnin Sector
was beset by not only the incursions of the Empire but also a huge
increase in black market trade and underworld business. While always a hotbed of underworld
activity, many outside operators saw an opening and moved into the
region. Despite this, Setnin came
through the Galactic Civil War largely unscathed. During Imperial
occupation the Setnin Council again retained its power, although under the
heavy supervision of the Empire. As the Setnin Sector was a hugely profitable
source of income to power the Imperial war machine, Imperial officials
decided it best to leave it that way. The hatred towards the Empire from the
citizens of the Setnin Sector was deep, despite the relatively small impact
the war had on her citizens. Many encounters between Rebel Alliance and
Imperial Forces were waged in Setnin’s borders, but on the whole the damage
was minimal. After the fall of the New Order, the Setnin Council
once again enjoyed the benefits of independent self-rule, but one vital
ingredient was missing. Since the underworld and those fighting against the
Empire no longer had any need to obtain and distribute supplies within the black
market anymore, the ganglords began to take money and profits from
official sources. Coupled with the fact that galactic trade was down in the
aftermath of the Civil War, the Setnin Sector struggled. In the end, there
was only one choice – rejoin the Republic until profits were up and trade had
stabilised again. Through all these trials and tribulations, the
Setnin Sector Council always remained in power. MEMBERS OF THE SETNIN COUNCIL PRIMARY LEADER
GOVERNOR The governor is appointed by a vote held
amongst the council members, not including members of the non-affiliated
worlds, which can be cast at any time. The governor is voted into office
for two years and is the public face of the council. If at any time the
governor does not live up to or abuses the office then a vote of no
confidence is asked for and the governor is removed from office. A new
governor is voted in and the two-year term begins from time of inauguration.
Governors are chosen from the council members, although due to ancient laws
and precedents laid down by the members of the earliest councils not the
heads of state, and cannot be voted into the highest office again if they are
voted out of their position, although they can continue on the council if
voted for. GALACTIC ALLIANCE SENATE REPRESENTATIVE A representative is chosen from the ranks of the Setnin Council to be the face of the Setnin Sector at the Galactic Senate chambers on Coruscant. They are voted in annually by the council and are approved by referendum throughout the sector, which can take several weeks. They remain in touch with the council and are the speakers for Setnin Sector. They do not make policy, simply report it. FOUR HEADS OF STATEKnown as the Statesmen The four heads of state are appointed to their
positions by the governor and the choices ratified by the council. There is
no time limitation to their term in office, can remain through several
governors reigns and are reviewed every year by the council and the governor. Their offices include: Chancai
Trade Guilds –Despite being known as the Chancai Trade Guilds, this organisation
oversees all official trade routes and costings throughout the Setnin Sector.
Security – This
office encompasses not only the policing force that has a presence on each
occupied world but also its own special departments. Each system maintains
their own police force, but some worlds have the general policing forces on
planet for extra security.
The Setnin Security Office (SSO) is divided into the following sub-departments: The Setnin Justice Department (SJD), which handles general criminal investigations. The Setnin Office of Law (SOL) which is the
‘special’ branch of the SSO and handles criminal investigations but
have a wider jurisdiction, including out of sector investigations. The Setnin Intelligence Bureau (SIB), which
handles internal and external threats to the safety of the Setnin Sector. The existence of other more covert departments
within the SSO has not been substantiated and so officially they do
not exist. Finance Office – Profit and income are of great important to the Setnin Sector and are
governed closely by the Finance Office, which oversee the flow of credits in
various denominations throughout Setnin.
Population and Services Office – This office takes care of citizens from worlds
that are poor, technologically low-level planets. Systems generally take care
of their own people, but some require a helping hand. The thinking behind
this office is to encourage increased spending throughout the sector and
beyond
Each office has it’s own Oversight Committee, who take care of the internal workings of the office and, if necessary, administer to any problems and investigations. COUNCIL MEMBERS Known as the Member of the Council – or MC - Each represents a system of the Setnin Sector, or encompasses a group of systems not necessarily loyal to one another The MC’s are voted into office by the planets under their ‘jurisdiction’. Each planet votes for a prospective MC and all are reviewed by the other council members. If a prospective MC meets requirements, as in policies of trade, security and overall acceptability by the people, they are allowed into office. One MC is voted for every one standard year, with the possibility of the same MC being voted in more than once, although the citizens can replace their own MC mid-term if they feel their performance is not satisfactory and their planets interests are not being served. These MC’s hail from specific worlds but their policies reflect their jurisdiction, not simply the system they herald from. Although its members are continually swapped, this allows for fresh ideas on a regular basis. SECONDARY COUNCIL Or SC of non-affiliated worlds The SC’s are voted in at any time by planets that do not wish to be a direct part of the Setnin seat of government but still wish to be heard. Their opinions are purely advisory and play no actual role in council decisions. The only way non-affiliated worlds can have a casting vote is to appoint an MC, join a jurisdiction and therefore have a hand in who is chosen to represent them. THE MOON OF BENESK The moon of Zelon is the central seat of power in the Setnin Sector. Although the actual head office of the council is in the Chancai Trade Centre, the chambers are on the moon to avoid the distractions and bustle that Chancai provides. The moon consists of – One huge Chamber of Systems, where the planets of the sector congregate in one huge mass to voice concerns and opinions. Twelve Chambers
of Jurisdiction, where individual council members address their own
sections of the sector. One Chamber
of Council, where the governor, MC’s and SC’s meet for more intimate
talks. The governor’s primary office is on Chancai from
where the governor addresses the sector. The face of the Council is the
governor who, whilst not having final decision on policy, has the power to
make immediate decisions on concerns of security and defence in times of
crisis. |