Articles of Colonization

The Articles of Colonization are the basic law of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica.

The Colonial Day celebration of season 1 represented the 52nd anniversary of the signing of the Articles.

The election at the end of season 2.5 was required under the Articles, because it was the end of term for President Richard Adar.

The Articles also place the military under civilian control, but prevent civilians from interfering in military matters.

The Articles of Colonization were forged under the pressure from the Cylon Rebellion, when the Twelve Colonies of Kobol needed to band together instead of fight each other, because the Cylons turned against their makers.

The name is a reference to the American Articles of Confederation that served as the American constitution from 1781 through 1789. However, the Articles of Colonization are in some ways more like the United States Constitution in that they create a presidential republic, and have extensive and express protections of civil liberties. For instance, Article 21 guarantees habeas corpus, due process, and speedy trial, like of the U.S. Constitution, the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, and the Sixth Amendments, respectively; Article 21, also like the Fifth Amendment, serves as a protection against self-incrimination [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Articles_of_Colonization] . On the other hand, unlike the Constitution and like the Articles (as well as the United Nations Charter), there appears to be no guarantee of a "" (i.e. representative democracy), as evidenced by Sagittaron's dictatorial regime, and in that the constituent colonies retain a great deal of power.

After the fall of the colonies the articles remain in effect. However both Adama and Roslin find themselves forced to subvert the articles on occasion. Anyone accused of being a cylon is denied these rights as a matter of course (as seen when Tyrol was accused in early season 2).

ee also

* Colonial Forces (Battlestar Galactica)
* Quorum of Twelve

References

Battlestar Wiki: [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Articles_of_Colonization Articles of Colonization]