Legal Issues

In evaluating the regulation of commerce for the Island Nation of TAGG, it is important to take into consideration the bylaws that are currently in place for the inhabitants of this island. With an oral history method of communicating those laws and rulings that were passed long ago, it is now time to factor in the issue of new to the island. Since the new arrivals may bring about change in the once predictable lives of the islanders, laws regulating commerce must be established soon. Also a final draft (with guidelines more specific to the island) must be made of the constitution that was brought before the council for review. It is of the utmost importance that the voices of the leaders and council members be heard and heeded continually throughout this process rather than disregarded. Therefore, while outside input is requested, the final decision still rests with the island nations decision makers.
With the discovery of oil in the region, the challenges faced by island leaders have been similar to those still faced by the United States Chamber of Commerce. What makes this so is the use of outdated laws and traditions that need to be brought up to code in order to meet the demands of todays scientifically advanced world.  It is best stated in a government report that is quite relevant to the Island Nation of TAGG, that the United States lacks an overall vision for how its legal and regulatory framework should respond to these new market developments (The Commission on the Regulation of U.S. Capital Markets, 2009). While the matter addressed within this paper involves a commodity, the issue at-hand is not yet a market-specific issue, yet the statement on the lack of an overall vision is quite applicable to the opportunities for growth the island leaders face. Since the trial process is not one quickly adopted by the leader and council, it is advised that the heads of these two groups (leaders and elders council) aid in the process of creating the new laws, to include those governing the regulation of commerce. But, rather than insist on the use of the trial process as an immediate necessity- trial instead now be presented as a long-term solution after all the details are ironed out and once understanding of its intricacies has improved among the leaders of the island.
In the meantime, it is advised that chiefs of each village begin recording all documentation of any significant legal rulings from previous years, these would be transcribed. These rulings can be reviewed by the Council of Elders to ensure that they are accurately documented. This method of archiving will not take precedence over the oral history or verbal rulings that are handed down by the council. Rather than replace existing methods, it would simply ensure that the history of the leaders decision-making processes are preserved through means multiple cultures can understand for years to come. In creating commerce regulations, documenting past rulings could help provide insight to future generations as to how the island operated historically versus how it will operate long after the addition of the new population of oil workers.

While it is understood that for centuries, the Councils process of meeting with village chiefs in settling disputes has been an efficient process, with the changes that are to come since the discovery of oil on the island, everyone- especially the general population- needs to be prepared for these changes. As new people from various parts of the world arrive and begin to settle on the island, and as new jobs are created, the Fair Labor Standards Act should be enforced to regulate the production of oil, since it is a good that will be shipped off the island to refineries or to be sold as a natural gas product.  Guidelines would also need to be put into place that not only reiterate the traditions that have been enforced on the island for centuries, but to establish more up-to-date guidelines that are comprehensive and sound enough to serve as a rulebook for existing and new inhabitants of TAGG who engage in the production or exportation of commerce. Therefore the necessity of a Chamber of Commerce is also important here. According to a description provided by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the five main areas of focus for a local chamber of commerce are
Building communities (regionsstatesnations) to which residents, visitors and investors are attracted Promoting those communities Striving to ensure future prosperity via a pro-business climate Representing the unified voice of the employer community and Reducing transactional friction through well-functioning networks.(ACCE, 2009)

In the case of The Island Nation of TAGG, the attraction for many is the islands oil reserves. Therefore, regulating how oil is produced, importedexported, how waste is handled, and how adequate education of locals is dealt with should be built into the content of the development plan for this island. All are important factors to consider in the creation of an expanded listing of commerce regulations within the region. By placing a strong emphasis on education, providing access to new educational opportunities for all inhabitants would be another move in a positive direction in preparing the island for the changes to come. With long-time role in the world as an unobserved island whose chief economic focus was on local resources such as farming and fishing, an emphasis was never placed on education of its locals. This will all need to change if the locals are to maintain a solid hold on the land that was once unknown to the rest of the world until now.

After a constitution that the Elders can agree with is enacted, additional actions will be taken to ensure the laws of the land are upheld. Establishing branches of government in which specific duties are outlined for each branch would be part of this constitution just as it is done in America- but in a manner that is with respect to the way things have been done for years in the TAGG culture. Since the legislative branch is the branch of government that is constitutionally responsible for regulation of commerce in the U.S., the TAGG tribes Elders Council- their own equivalent to the legislative branch- would work with tribal leaders in creating the laws that govern commerce regulation, while applying those that are suitable from the U.S. Constitution (after much interpretation- and subject to the approval of the Council of Elders). Then, the tribal leaders would ensure enforcement of those laws. All documents and agreements reached would be transcribed and stored indefinitely.

In addition to the laws being enacted and backed by legal documents, signs with the islands basic laws of conduct will be placed at 1.5 mi intervals on the coast of the island, and at all ports of entry, as well as throughout the island for new arrivals to see. By doing this, the leaders would send a message to its new inhabitants that they are welcomed to the island, and that its rules and traditions are to be respected- just as the cultures of those who arrive will be respected. One major concern that will be shared with the elders is the importance of their preparation for the changes that are to come, in order to prevent such tragedies as those that befell the indigenous tribes of America (Native Americans) centuries ago at the hands of settlers. One major preventative measure would be to work alongside newcomers to the island to reach a point of compromise on the best way to go about enforcing new laws. Other effective practices would be to encourage multicultural understanding between the two sides (the arrivers and the inhabitants), by involving both in the cultural activities and traditions of one another.

If the indigenous people of TAGG are armed with education, knowledge of the laws, diversity training (which can be taught to new arrivals as well) and are made active parts of the governing bodies of the land- the odds of a positive outcome, even in the face of potential problems, will increase and the TAGGS will be seen as a respected culture whose legacy will not be trampled by the masses who may come to the island in the hopes of securing wealth through the islands oil reserves. Instead understanding would be fostered on both ends and the laws will only serve as the adhesive that keeps this society in place.