Mars Law and Politics
Two documents, the Mars Colonization Charters and Resolution 2734, define the rule of law on Mars. The Mars Colonization Charters were drawn up between the first nations to colonize Mars, United States, China and Russia in the early 21st century. They were later revised when the security blocks assumed control of the colonies. The charters define the land holdings of each colony on Mars and the procedure by which they may expand their holdings. They also define the basic rights of colonists in all colonies and procedures by which disputes between the colonies or colonists may be resolved. In addition they call out a basic criminal code and penalty system that should be applied to all colonists. The revisions made in the mid-21st century by the security blocks included the creation of the WPCC Mars Council and the WPCC governance of Mars Commerce. Attempts by the security blocks to eliminate some provisions for colonist’s rights were opposed so vehemently by all colonists that they were dropped. However each security block subsequently instituted rules applying only to their own colonists that have somewhat curbed the many freedoms enjoyed by the early colonists. Resolution 2734 is considered to be responsible for sparing Mars of the kinds of conflicts that have plagued Earth for most of the century. The resolution strictly bars any military facilities, weapons or military/weapons research on the surface or in orbit. The charters further reinforced this by banning the use of lethal weaponry by any of the colony police forces. It is well understood that each colony must possess a cache of small arms but it is understood that these are just leftovers from the early days that are to remain locked up. The standard issue for the police in the colonies is the stun pistol.
WPCC and Mars Commerce
The revisions to the charters established the presence of the WPCC on Mars as the administrators of Mars Commerce, the main economic hub of the colonies. The WPCC is supplied with personnel from all three colonies and Earth who swear to uphold the charters and the decisions of the WPCC Mars Council and WPCC Earth. WPCC personnel runs Mars Commerce and law and order is maintained by WPCC Police. The WPCC applies taxes defined by the charters to all use of the colony and its facilities providing it with a healthy income. The WPCC is also in charge of the Central Bank of Mars that manages currency and colony banking rules. Commerce on Mars involves the use of the official currency, the Martian Credit as well as the Earth currencies of the major security blocks. The Martian Credit is recognized as a valid currency on Earth and there are exchange rates between it and all Earth currencies.
WPCC Mars Council
The WPCC Mars Council is intended for resolving disputes between the colonies and making changes to the charters. The council consists of one representative from each colony including a lead representative from each major colony group, ESB, PSB, and NASB. In addition the WPCC and IAM have non-voting observers at the council. The lead representatives from the ESB, PSB and NASB all have veto power over any resolution that is being voted on. Special sessions of the WPCC Mars Council may be called where only the lead representatives and the WPCC observer are present. These are usually reserved for delicate negotiations that require a certain amount of secrecy. The council meets once a month in an open session and any special closed sessions are in addition to that. The current composition of the council is as follows:
PSB: 13 seats (veto)
ESB: 12 seats (veto)
NASB: 11 seats (veto)
ASB: 2 seats
WPCC: 1 seat
IAM: 1 seat
Earth Security Block Representatives
Each security block has a representative from Earth who is in charge of making sure the colonies on Mars follow edicts from Earth. These representatives wield tremendous power because they have a direct link to the leadership of each block on Earth. The representatives are always in the colony leadership’s close counsel from where they monitor the colony’s behavior and advise the leadership of best policies to maintain a good relationship with Earth.