This Article affirms stewardship as a foundational obligation of a civilized society. Stewardship precedes punishment and profit, requiring care for people, land, animals, and shared systems upon which life depends.
Section 1. Stewardship of the Commons
All persons, institutions, and economic actors hold a duty of stewardship toward the commons, including land, water, air, ecosystems, infrastructure, and shared social systems.
Section 2. Responsibility Before Punishment
When harm is caused to people, communities, animals, or the environment, the primary obligation shall be repair, restoration, and prevention of further harm.
Section 3. Proportional Accountability
The scale of responsibility for repair shall be proportional to the scale of harm caused and the capacity of the actor responsible.
Section 4. Human, Animal, and Environmental Care
Stewardship extends equally to human dignity, animal welfare, and environmental integrity.
Section 5. Corporate and Institutional Duty
Artificial entities operating within the Nation are bound by heightened stewardship obligations.
Section 6. Prevention and Continuity
Public systems shall prioritize prevention, maintenance, and continuity over short-term gain.
Section 7. Interpretation
This Article shall be interpreted to require care, restraint, and responsibility as prerequisites for economic activity and governance.
Compliance with minimum legal standards shall not absolve an actor of responsibility for harm caused or prevent the obligation of repair.