Fredens väg - De sex nationernas konstitution, Six nations

Ett av de äldsta exemplen på representativ demokrati är Haudenosaunee-konfederationen i Nordamerika. Någon gång mellan 1142 och 1450 gick fem nationer samman i ett förbund och skapade Den stora fredens lag som skulle underlätta samarbete mellan nationerna.
Lagen var omfattande och bestod av 117 artiklar som garanterade medlemmarnas delaktighet och ledarnas ansvar.

Den vita linjen i förbundets flagga symboliserar fred och enighet. Den länkar samman de fem ursprungliga nationerna samtidigt som den inbjuder andra att ansluta sig. 1988 antog USA:s kongress en resolution som erkände betydelsen av Den stora fredens lag i bildandet av den nuvarande konstitutionen.

One of the oldest examples of a representative democracy whose constitution is still in use is the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in North America. Its Great Law of Peace was intended to end conflicts and regulate cooperation between the nations. The constitution consists of a set of articles guaranteeing the people’s rights, setting forth the duties of the leaders to the people, and providing guidance in the maintenance of a democratic society. Anytime a new decision is made, decision makers must consider how it will affect the people seven generations into the future. Consensus is essential, and new laws and decisions must be approved by all members of the council.

The Great Law of Peace was an inspiration for the American constitution. The Confederacy is governed by a council (corresponding to Congress in the US constitution) consisting of 50 chiefs who are divided into younger brothers (corresponding to the House of Representatives) and older brothers (corresponding to the Senate). Members of the council are selected for their qualities and their concern for the well-being of the Confederacy. Membership in the council is unpaid and granted for life, which promotes responsibility and a long-term approach.
This is a difference between the two constitutions: only members of the Supreme Court are appointed for life. Members of the council are all men, but are appointed by the women’s council (corresponding to the Supreme Court). The women’s council “owns” the offices of the council, and has the right to appoint and remove chiefs.