'Protectorate Democracy'

The term 'Protectorate Democracy' was coined by Lord Protector Yaxley Hoxton (673 -- 770) during a speech outside what would become the Protector's Manor following his election in 720PDD. During his rule, First Protector Siegfried Grey expressed the wish for a fixed twenty-year term for an executive position that would be elected by the Alvian people. However, Grey passed away before he could pass it into the Alvian Constitution. As a result, the many merchant families who had taken advantage of the Alvian Revolution to reinsert themselves into the aristocracy instead formed the House of Peers and voted amongst themselves. Yaxley Hoxton was voted by a margin of two, and was guaranteed a life-term by the newly-created House.

During his speech, Lord Protector Hoxton outlined a 'Protectorate Democracy' as a three-pointed system:

-- The Protector is nominated and voted exclusively by the House of Peers

-- Parliament is subordinate to the Protector

-- The Protector serves a life-term, whose responsibilities are passed to a Regent if missing, incapable or        indisposed.

It is commonly accepted that the position of Protector is a constitutional dictator, an elected monarch with broad powers who can disregard entire articles of the Constitution if they wish.