A short timeline told in even shorter articles.
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A City on a Hill: The United States's Second Republic
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Portal (1)
Welcome. This is a short series intended as a sort of counter-point to works like And Our Flag Was Not There.
To begin your WikiWalk, start with AmericanNationalCongress.
You may also find this series at Sealion Press.
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AmericanNationalCongress (2)
American National Congress
- Chair: Chontel Figueroa
- Formed: September 2nd, 2028
- Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona
- Ideology:
- Progressivism
- Democratic Socialism
- Pan-Americanism
- Multilingualism
- Political position: Center-left
- Coalition:
- Membership: 94 million
- Seats in the HouseOfRepresentatives: 230/600
- Seats in the OversightCouncil: 18/60
A self-conscious imitation of the Indian National Congress, the party managed to get much of what it wanted into the new constitution: Popular elections, a defanged Senate, and the separation of the office of Presidency into a few different, smaller offices.
Winning a plurality in the reconstituted House, and a majority in coalition, the Congress had the luxury of being able to lead by example. It threw itself into compiling a new law code, establishing the now famous Environmental Courts, and opening subsidies for reconsolidation of Sun Belt cities into more compact, resilient cores.
Its leadership has not been without problems. The Reservation Restoration Act was well-meaning, but in the long term has failed to get the desired results. AIM members say openly, even while in coalition, that most of the money went right into reservation leaders' pockets instead of towards developing skills and infrastructure on reservation land. More rightwards critics say that with the current lax immigration law, the ANC can bring in as many members as it wants from the rest of the continent of America, without actually having to reform itself.
For the time, however, the ANC has a firm grip on the rudder of the United States.
See also
3
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LibertarianPartyR (3)
Libertarian Party (R)
- Chair: Janice Kirk
- Formed: December 11, 1971[Disputed][NeedCitation]
- Headquarters: Alexandria, District of Columbia
- Ideology:
- Libertarianism (American)
- Deontological libertarianism
- Cultural liberalism
- Non-interventionalism
- Political position: Center-right[Disputed]
- Coalition:
- Membership: 450,000
- Seats in the HouseOfRepresentatives: 42/600
- Seats in the OversightCouncil: 1/60
There are, in fact, no less than five different parties that claim to be the one true Libertarian party in the United States, two of which continue to be recognized by the Federal Elections Committee. The big wedge came with the abolition of the Bureau of Land Management. Leadership saw the new system as really what they all were asking for all along. The outcry from from the Idaho and Arizona delegations drowned out any attempt at reconciliation, dialogue, or even just those trying to get the free lemonade. Then the Utah delegation quietly excused itself, and then...
The Remainers are a respectable sort: content to be as ever the protest vote. They speak quietly but firmly in the National Assembly for what they see as right: Returning more rights, all rights really, to the states from the federal government, and from the states to the individual. Their logo, the classic torch of liberty, now rests as an eternal flame to what was lost. When you meet a couple on the street they might say in a hurry, "well we're not like those other Libertarians—." Too late. Well, someone nice will come along and listen.[/HEADING]
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RepublicanParty (4)
Republican Party
- Chair: John Uwimana
- Formed: March 20th, 1854
- Headquarters: Anacostia, District of Columbia
- Ideology:
- Economic conservatism
- Social Democracy
- Cultural Pluralism
- Political position: Center-right
- Coalition:
- Membership: 43 million
- Seats in the HouseOfRepresentatives: 154/600
- Seats in the OversightCouncil: 1/60
The Republican party is the natural minority of Assembly politics, there to keep the Congress Party honest. Few can dispute that starting a business is harder than it was a few decades ago. Sure, nobody wants to go back to the days of small-business tyrants but do we really need to sign this many forms before opening shop? Does a laundromat really have to have a dedicated connection to the EconomicGuidanceSystem?
A public school education points out the abuses that both of the old parties shared in, but you can't help but notice a pattern in the lessons on the First Republic's last few decades. Maybe it's for this reason that the party has only recently won a seat in the Oversight Council.
Cultural attitudes, after all, are the last thing to change about anything.
See Also
5
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DemocraticParty (5)
Democratic Party
- Chair: Sara Machado–Cortez
- Formed: January 8th, 1828
- Headquarters: New York City, New York
- Ideology:
- Socialism
- Progressivism
- Social Democracy
- Andresism
- Political position: Left
- Coalition:
- Membership: 22 million
- Seats in the HouseOfRepresentatives: 93/600
- Seats in the OversightCouncil: 4/60
In the late 21st century, the party is the most coherent it's been since the 1850s. It had to be, what with the ANC taking the place of the big tent. Restructured around leftist lines, it has been the party pushing the most for an increased social safety net, protection of coastlines and outlying islands from climate change, and increased social equality.
There is, of course, friction within the party. Andrés remains an icon of the party, and something of a martyr. Those who still carry his torch push for the party to go further, make a real socialist country out of the United States. The rest say that the time is not yet, we still must complete the Second Revolution before going onto the third.
If history is any guide, the party will survive this short tension.
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TheInnerMoon
Anarchist, Author, All-Around Philosopher
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Fascinating! Will this TL only focus on the political parties 'at present', or is there more background coming on whatever societal upheaval made the US significantly more leftist?
The focus will remain on the present. That said, these initial entries are more about introducing the cast. More detail is to come.
HouseOfRepresentatives (8)
House of Representatives
The above is an official depiction of the recent election. One issue faced by the first National Assembly (calling it Congress was getting rather confusing) was a problem of of both space and size. 435 members really seemed like too small for such a large nation, but there is only so much space inside the Capitol. The solution was the one most legislatures across the world have chosen when they reach this problem.A visitor from the First Republic would be surprised to find benches in the place of the time-honored desks. With most Members of Assembly either in their own private offices, meeting with foreign dignitaries, schmoozing with each other in lounges, or travelling around their districts, the idea of "being in session" gets rather abstract anyway. The chamber that gives the House its name is mostly used for public occasions or the most important of votes. Even this diagram doesn't really reflect how members sit.
See also
2, 3, 4, 5, 17, -1, -2, -3
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The last baseball card-style entry is about one of the independent parties.
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TheInnerMoon
Anarchist, Author, All-Around Philosopher
- Pronouns
- They/Them
What year is it exactly? Some time in the late 21st century, I gather.
Eh, idk, that seems really hard and we'd like to solve things at home first.
It's been a century and things are looking up but we'd really like to solve things at home first. Let's send some probes, they're cheaper.
It's been a millennium and the probes really seem like they have a good thing going on up there but... well I still have a teapot collection to work on, and my pal's got a busted fender, we'd like to solve that first.
EDIT: In all seriousness if you want the same kind of tone and direction but with a space angle, I recommend A Jovian Night's Dream.
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- Location
- Back in the 90s (In a very famous TV show)
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Ve/Ver
I'm excited to see where this goes, and in what ways is it a counterpoint to works like And Our Flag?
From one it look like the US survive for one
I'll be able to say more on this subject when I conclude the series. Note now though that of all the parties listed, only a couple are completely new.
OversightCouncil (16)
The Oversight Council
The Senate, all of the delegates agreed, had to die. Its structure, not even its name, could continue. All there in one room, they drafted a new body intended to fix every last flaw the Senate had. The result is the unique institution that is the Oversight Council.Supervisors enter the body through one of two methods:
- Sortition. The CivicLottery is complex and confusing to most people, but that is all for the sake of being not just fair, but provably fair. Anyone really does have a slim chance to join the body during their lifetime.
- Election. A spot on the list for Council elections is a quite valuable thing indeed. Here is a chance for the networkers, sweet-talkers, and operatives of the world to show their quality. Managing this election is one of the few roles of government still left to the President.
Location was not one of the measures taken to distance the body from its predecessor. Supervisors often say that the Senate has a subtle, almost ghostly presence in the chamber. It seems to manifest itself in seating. Being a tenth the size of the HouseOfRepresentatives, Council members still get the luxury of assigned desks. Those chosen by lottery tend to not know each other, so they stick together in their assigned groups before they have the courage to branch out. Those elected, on the other hand, tend to know each other rather well.
One of the ancient pleasures of seniority is that you get to pick where the new guy sits.
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PSDA (17)
Social Democratic Party of América
- Chair: Directorí del PSDA
- Formed: Roughly 2029–2037
- Headquarters: N/A
- Ideology:
- Anarchism
- Societal Prisoner Theory
- Social Democracy
- Radical Cultural Liberalism
- Pan–Americanism
- Political Position: Far left
- Membership: 20 million[party figures, not divided by nation]
- Seats in the HouseOfRepresentatives: 16/600
- Seats in the OversightCouncil: 0/60
Others got more creative.
The Social Democratic Party of América is the largest anarchist party in the American continent, and if some estimates are correct, the world. Their public meetings are open to anyone. Actually participating is somewhat harder. They are held in passionate and fluent Spanglish, the humor is coarse, and the plans are big. The organization operates in various states of legality in the Western Hemisphere, often differing based on the season. The recent expulsion from the LakotaNation is a fun one to bring up if you want to really get under their skin.
Outside of the Directory which sets general policy directions, the main organizing body is the pandilla. What that actually looks like depends on the interests of its members. They range from small presses and social clubs, to warez groups and street artists, to in some famous cases 'border-breaking operations,' weapons trafficking, and industrial sabotage. Authorities have quite some difficulty assigning blame to anyone outside of that individual pandilla.
It's only in the last four years that they have been able to prove enough of a peaceful following in the US to be certified by the Elections Committee. Slogans of "¡El presidente es un chingado puto!" and "¡Ándate'la chucha! Vote anarquista," didn't win over many people, but seem to have won over enough.
If you meet a PSDA girl, for the love of God do not bring her home to your mother.
- Location
- Rex, NC, USA
Really interested in seeing where this goes.
CivicLottery (19)
The Civic Lottery
The knock on the door is well-practiced. Three strikes, a pause of ten seconds, then three strikes again. It repeats a third time, then a fourth, then a fifth. She's about to walk away when—"Yes? Who is—." Instant recognition. The woman's face tenses.
"Hello. May I come in?"
"Well yes, of course." The guest can't help but notice the reluctance as the host peels away from the doorframe.
"Tomas! Please come here, we have a visitor!" She starts shuffling old mail from the coffee table. Some look a bit like the Administration's envelopes.
"That won't be necessary," she says as the couple assembles in the den. "Hello, my name is Jeanne Ngannou, and I am with the Social Security Administration. I trust you know what that means."
The silence isn't particularly welcoming, but she continues, the script etched into her mind by now. "Linda Gutierrez, your Social Security Number, 1-926-51-1788, is one of five that have been chosen this year in the televised Civic Lottery. This result has been independently verified by over 300 observers. By January 3rd you are expected to present yourself in Anacostia as a member of the Oversight Council. Some others there are chosen like you, and others are chosen by election. You have the right to refuse this calling. You have the right to educational materials and training sessions. Any dependents of yours will receive education and support of the highest quality."
The authority of those words lingers in the air;
Like a pigeon to a shotgun.
"I refuse! I cannot just leave where I live, pack up everything and go off like that?"
"You have the right to refuse."
"So why... why are you still sitting here then?"
"It is my duty as an agent of the Social Security Administration."
"Well, I get that but this is not really what we need right now."
"I understand." Tough customer.
"Don't say that! What am I to you?"
"You are a winner of the Civic Lottery and a candidate for high office."
"Enough of this spook shit! I can't believe that you would just—"
"Linda." Tomas finally speaks. The creases in Linda's face smooth.
"This woman came here to bring good news to us. You should really consider it. West Virginia is nice, but D.C. is nice too!"
"In the winter." Clearly this has been talked about before.
"And think of our children. This is something we never expected for them! They'd get to meet so many interesting people there, get exposed to more things than just what's in a classroom."
"I..."
An opening. This is what Jeanne lives for. "Do not worry. You have two more weeks to consider this decision." She stands. "Here is my card. You can contact me by secure messaging service, or by phone." Time for the smile. "Thank you for talking to me today."
As Jeanne closes the door, she notices the couple turning to face three children. The oldest looks about high-school age, the youngest just a toddler.
Looks like we have a winner.
See Also
22
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- Location
- Great Khanate of Scotland
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I love sortition, this is extremely cool
Nervos Belli
Don't think this means you've won!
- Location
- Murica
I notice the format for Social Security numbers is a little different. Hopefully someone decided to implement an actually secure National ID program at some point, and the name just stuck around. Social Security as it stands is a mediocre ID system at best.
TheEnd (22)
The End
Wait wait, I'm entering thread mode here. The end? I've just gotten here from the first page. Doesn't really seem like this page should exist.
—TiredTroper, 2093-07-02
Well after looking, it is a bit odd I guess. This wiki's been dormant for a while. I ran a crawler and here's what I got.
—ATopologicalSort, 2093-07-21
Ok. I see. you can get here a lot of different ways. So... why does it exist? I really don't think this should be here. It's just... hanging out here, alone.
—TiredTroper, 2093-07-21
Yeah, let's see if I can get access on this one. We could fork it, but it seems like a lot of work. Better to edit this one, no?
—ATopologicalSort, 2093-07-21
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This wiki's of sentimental value, you see? You both must be too young to have seen the tricentennial. You can fork it, copy it, crawl it, but you're not getting your grubby little hands on ANY OF IT.
THE END.
—ToInsertThyself, 2093-07-25
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- Location
- Back in the 90s (In a very famous TV show)
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Ve/Ver
Is the timeline over?
Yes. It was always intended as a short, self-contained system. Which... means now that it is done I can talk about it!
It's a counterpoint in that And Our Flag, like a lot of fiction written around this time, is fundamentally escapist. It's about the world flying apart and every wrong of the current system avenged... somehow. Depends on the writer.
This is what comes after. It's about how systems evolve over time, grow, become unrecognizable to the people who came before. Yet, people are generally happy with the system. It provides better for not just the top and middle rungs of society but the lowest as well.
I do have to go back to work I don't like soon, so that kind of world is my little fantasy.
Look closer at the poster. This again continues the theme of institutions, agencies, groups changing.
You all got to read this work as it was written. Others won't. They could skip right to the end, read it in a completely different order.
I'd like to do this kind of work again but I'd need actual wiki software. Maintaining these links by hand is an effort that grows exponentially.
My friend @ScottishMongol is working on this kind of style but in a way that is much easier to do as a long-form story. Check it out Here.
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I mean it's not finished