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Dispatch → Factbook → Politics
Political Parties of Fluvannia
Governing CoalitionUnlike in some nations in the Republic of Conservative Nations, Fluvannian governing coalitions are given to shifting with the results of each election, in order to attempt to form a majority in the House of Delegates. On the other hand, the governing coalition is usually static once formed, as both houses of the legislature operate on terms of fixed length, with no opportunity to call general elections mid-term. Since the 2020 Fluvannian general election, the governing coalition, with 293 of 500 Delegates, has been comprised of the National Liberal Party and the Minarchist Party.
Governing Status: | Coalition Leader |
Chairman: | Alan Garvey |
Founded: | April 13, 1843 |
Motto: | Gold and Blue, Tried and True |
Core Beliefs: | Constitutional monarchism |
Political Position: | Libertarian, Center-right |
Colors: | Fluvannia Blue, Gold, White |
International Affiliation: | International Democrat Union |
High Council: | 4/8 |
House of Delegates: | 227/500 |
The National Liberal Party (sometimes referred to as the NLP or the NatLibs) is the oldest of Fluvannia's parties, and is often one of the most popular at the polls. The National Liberals espouse a belief in individual liberties both social and economic, tempered by a recognition that each citizen still has obligations to his fellow man as ordered by tradition and custom as opposed to law. The National Liberals are often considered one of the last major parties on the planet that can accurately be described as classically liberal, and while they are generally considered the "right-wing" of the major Fluvannian parties, the ability to adapt policy to trying times and the continued admonitions from the party platform to be good to one's neighbor reveal a more moderate core cognizant of the supremacy of individual liberty enshrined in law. The NLP supports continuation of the Fluvannian monarchy, viewing it as a source of stability and non-partisan leadership; the NLP also supports the continued political union of the constituent territories of Fluvannia, as opposed to a regression towards the days when the three were separate nations in personal union. Like all major Fluvannian parties, the National Liberals advocate a strong national defense, with proactive measures limited to soft power and friendly relations with all.
Governing Status: | Coalition Partner |
Chairman: | Adam Locke |
Founded: | August 29, 1982 |
Motto: | Our Liberties We Prize |
Core Beliefs: | Libertarianism |
Political Position: | Very libertarian, Center-right |
Colors: | Gold, Black |
International Affiliation: | International Alliance of Libertarian Parties |
High Council: | 1/8 |
House of Delegates: | 66/500 |
The Minarchist Party (sometimes referred to as the MP or facetiously as the Minnies) represents Fluvannia's strongest proponents of limited government. The MP generally supports the establishment of a "night-watchman state", which would only be responsible for provision of peacekeeping law enforcement, courts, military, and the very lightweight taxation structure required to support the same. As a rule, the party takes no official stance on many social issues, but instead argues individuals should be free to do what they think is right. The Minarchists are indifferent towards the Fluvannian monarchy, though most members argue it would be an effective vehicle for maintaining a loose union (more of a personal union than at present) between the Fluvannian constituencies while still effectively devolving sovereignty on to the same. Party membership is fairly divided on whether or not their ideally-limited government should prevent monopolies; some argue that they are a possibility in a market that is truly free and should not be resisted, while others argue that unchecked corporate power would be functionally identical to unchecked state power. While the MP supports national defense as one of the few governmental functions, they oppose international alliances and advocate using the military for defensive purposes only.
Opposition Parties
The parties in opposition span the entirety of the political spectrum, from right-wing authoritarianism to left-wing council socialism. Indeed, when these parties manage to mount a unified, ideologically homogeneous opposition to proposals from the majority, it is often touted as evidence that horseshoe theory is alive and well.
Governing Status: | In Opposition |
Chairman: | Will Jefferson |
Founded: | August 6, 1965 |
Motto: | Equality For All |
Core Beliefs: | Republicanism |
Political Position: | Libertarian, Center-left |
Colors: | Orange, White |
International Affiliation: | Progressive Alliance |
High Council: | 1/8 |
House of Delegates: | 113/500 |
Justice and Democracy (sometimes referred to as JD) is the largest of Fluvannia's opposition parties, and is the only party currently in opposition to have ever led a government coalition. JD's beliefs prioritize social and civil liberties over economic ones, preferring to spend more on various causes, drawing more heavily from those who earn more. JD is generally considered the "left-wing" of the major Fluvannian parties, though this has not stopped multipartisan legislation from passing with support from any combination of the major three parties. JD supports a transition to a Fluvannian republic, viewing the monarchy as outdated and inherently unfair. The party also supports the continued federation of the constituent territories of Fluvannia; simultaneous with the transition to a republic, JD advocates transferring some powers to the national government, and devolving some others to the regional governments. Like all major Fluvannian parties, JD advocate a strong national defense, though they generally de-emphasize the importance of the military to society in order to gain approval for attempts to divert some military funding to social programs.
Governing Status: | In Opposition |
Chairman: | Eli Knoebel |
Founded: | July 4, 1926 |
Motto: | Centered on You |
Core Beliefs: | Constitutional monarchism |
Political Position: | Center |
Colors: | Fluvannia Blue, Red, White, Purple |
International Affiliation: | Centrist Democrat International |
High Council: | 1/8 |
House of Delegates: | 55/500 |
The Center Party (sometimes referred to as the CP) has been a mainstay of Fluvannian governments since its foundation. Because Delegates are elected using the approval voting method, the Center (as the "final bulwark" for those sufficiently to either side) often seats enough Delegates to guarantee that they will be one of the junior partners in the government at a minimum. As the name may imply, Centrists believe in continuously moving towards more moderate policy, governing via compromise and pragmatism. The CP likewise supports continuation of the Fluvannian monarchy, though many members would advocate for a divestment of some executive power from the Crown to a newly-created Prime Minister. Like all major Fluvannian parties, the Center advocates a strong national defense, though with more spending diverted to other sectors. In addition, their approach to international issues is often considered to be a more "wait and see"-style approach than the NLP or JD.
Governing Status: | In Opposition |
Chairman: | David Flowers |
Founded: | April 22, 1996 |
Motto: | Changing Today for a Better Tomorrow |
Core Beliefs: | Environmentalism |
Political Position: | Authoritarian, Left |
Colors: | Green, White, Gold |
International Affiliation: | Global Greens |
High Council: | 1/8 |
House of Delegates: | 20/500 |
The Custodian Party (sometimes referred to as the CP or simply as the Custodians or Greens) represent Fluvannia's most environmentally-concerned voters. The CP prioritizes nature over profits, arguing that much stronger regulations are needed on business in order to prevent further damage to the environment by humankind. In a similar vein, they argue for large welfare spending, funded largely by high taxes on industry, business, and the wealthy. While the Greens often are the most vocal supporters of mass transit in Fluvannian cities, even then they view mass transit as a stepping stone to be largely eradicated, with everyone ideally commuting by bicycle when possible. While the automobile industry often bears the brunt of their ire, the Custodians also advocate for near total bans of several types of animal farming, severely-reduced logging, and less mining. The most pacifist of Fluvannia's parties, the Custodians generally support a dismantling of the military and the industries that arm it, diverting that money to environmental goals.
Governing Status: | In Opposition |
Chairman: | Anton Mosley |
Founded: | October 1, 1932 |
Motto: | Crown and Country |
Core Beliefs: | "Absolute" Monarchy |
Political Position: | Very authoritarian, Center to center-left |
Colors: | Midnight blue, Gold, White |
International Affiliation: | None |
High Council: | 0/8 |
House of Delegates: | 12/500 |
The Ursine Monarchist Union (sometimes referred to as the UMU or simply as the Monarchists or the Ursines) is roughly the Fluvannian equivalent of an imperial cult. On paper, they argue for a smaller but stronger government, with more power being concentrated in the Crown Prince and his immediate circle of advisors and officers. However, their ideal government would be more accurately described as a police state, monitoring the activity of each citizen and ensuring compliance with the party's rule. While openly disavowing racism, most other parts of society allege their nativist and nationalist rhetoric tacitly condones bigotry. The party does differ from many nationalist, authoritarian counterparts by taking no explicitly imperialist stance; there is in fact a healthy debate within the party as to whether current resources should be focused on bettering the lives of Fluvannian citizens (that is to say, the right Fluvannian citizens), or focused on expansion as a tool to help improve the quality of life at home.
Governing Status: | In Opposition |
Chairman: | Bernard Carter |
Founded: | October 25, 1917 |
Motto: | Workers of the World |
Core Beliefs: | Socialism |
Political Position: | Moderate, Far-left |
Colors: | Red, Gold |
International Affiliation: | International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties |
High Council: | 0/8 |
House of Delegates: | 6/500 |
The Popular Syndicate (sometimes referred to as the PS or simply as the Syndicate or the Reds) is the most radical of Fluvannian parties. Viewing themselves as the revolution's vanguard party, the PS advocate for the abolition of the Fluvannian monarchy and the market economy and the transition to a socialist state governed by workers' councils. As their rhetoric is often most appealing to those most down on their luck, their largest support comes from the poorer members of the working class in large cities like Rochester. However, district population sizes being what they are, this support is still usually enough to garner them a few Delegate seats.
