Enterprise Earth History (an except)

Been working on a History of Earth between 2020-2150 since May in hopes it would be included in The Enterprise Sourcebook that didn't happen, but I did finish it, so I want some of it to get out before I move on to other projects in force and before it is removed from my harddrive on to disk. As you well all tell there is alot from lug, a little FASA, and even B5!

Unity At Last
2100 - 2150

As Earth became more and more stabilized the governments of Earth turned there attention back to matters of international relations and now intergalactic ones as well. By 2090 what had been several very loose trade and defense associations among many nations had grown into several effective central government's which were recognized by the new United Nations, which itself had reorganized to take in the new reality of affairs, in 2082. While most of these new "super" regional governments sought cooperation, some of the old passions and mistrust lingered on.

It was in some ways inevitable as the super states of Earth recovered from the devastation of the 21st century they would returned to their old ways. Even though cooperation in such things as Project Renewal was commonplace they found other areas to create tensions with, such as intergalactic trade and colonization. In some ways the dawn of the 22nd century seemed to promise as much conflict as the dawn of the 17th century had as the various powers sought to gain new colonies and exploit new areas of raw materials. The New United Nations had attempted to prevent this when in 2085 it declared that all future Earth colonies would be considered UN mandates and not property of any one state and subject to some UN supervision in their creation, founding and running. This arrangement worked for just about under 20 years as each national state seemed to compete in a friendly race to organize, build and run as many new settlements as possible. This was until the race for Mars began in 2102.

Mars had not, as of yet, been touched by human exploration, even though a semi-permanent observation laboratory had been placed into Martian orbit by the UN in 2087. The Russia Federation, the North American Compact, and the European Hegemony were the three main contenders for setting up the first Martian colony and each made several efforts to do so before the UN Security Council and the newly established UN Intergalactic Colonial office. Each quickly become "feed up" with the long process to get going and they all decided relatively at the same time to ignore the UN, and soon after all three had made separate landings on Mars in 2103. Within five years all three landing sites had grown into moderately successful settlement's beneath habitable "bio-domes" engaged in extensive underground mining, tunneling and moderate agricultural development.

However, Russian mining consortiums were very jealous of the more successful mining operations of the North American Compact's large settlement. Soon the Compact's miners were finding efforts to sabotage their equipment and agents attempting to stir up worker discontent. In 2105 the North American Compact officially went to the UN to protest the Russian mining companies moves which it said were being sanctioned by the Russian government to gain all of the Martian colony. The UN turned a deaf ear to the complaints since they had been left out of the colonies founding in the first place, declaring it an illegal settlement and out its jurisdiction. As events began to escalate with riots, strikes and the eventual deployment of Compact ground troops to Mars in 2107 the Martian colonist themselves began to feel like pawns in somebody else’s game and what some later termed a Martian national conscience was born.

Meanwhile Earth starship construction had resulted in several embryonic merchant fleets being created by each of the new super states. These fleets kept trade contacts with the new colonies flowing as raw materials where sent to Earth to fuel its rebirth and new manufactured goods were sent to the new colonies to meet their needs. This marked a change in the basic relationship between Earth and her colonies. In addition trade with Vulcan, Alpha Centauri, Kaferians and others opened new trade routes for the exchange of both manufactured and luxury goods. However each nation jostled with the other for better deals with the various intergalactic governments, eventually agreements which overlapped in various rights and duties emerged and created tensions between the nations.

The Vulcans and the Centuari slowly grew weary of dealing with the various competing Earth governments and became concerned as the Earth merchant captains grew more and more hostile towards each other and arrogant to and demanding of port officials when arriving. But they did little before 2107 save for continuing to push for some form of a United Earth government to make dealing with them a little easier. The situation came to a head in the spring of 2107 when a South American merchantmen making for a Centuari port was fired upon by a European Hegemony merchantmen so that it could be the first to reach the same port and have first bids on the goods to be transported. This was enough for the Vulcans and Centauri, they were not about to be dragged into Earths internal affairs over a trade dispute and by the end of the year they imposed an embargo on all Earth trade, cutting off most of the more important cultural and scientific exchanges. Soon with the Kaferians in tow they demanded that the UN get its act together and some form of a single united Earth government body be formed before they would deal with Earth again.

Of course Humans being Humans they responded as countless generations had before them in such situations with talk of war and of forcibly opening the closed ports to Earth ships. The fact that Earth at that time did not even posses a force capable of destroying one single asteroid, let alone opening no less then several hundred alien ports by force, did not seem to stop such moves in the early months of the crisis. Soon after the Vulcans and others imposed there embargo the newly established Earth colonies also imposed an embargo on Earth demanding the UN form a new united Earth government. In 2109 the UN faced with what seemed to be hostile acts from intergalactic interlopers especially now with Human colonies siding with them ordered the establishment of a Solar Fleet which was to be made up of ships and crews from all over Earth to defend its merchantmen no matter of what nationality. Despite the fact of these warlike preparations something else happen: humans did begin to think of unifying at last.

VERY well done! And a very interesting read to boot.

I'm trying to decide if it's treky enough :)

While it doesn't quite fit with the mythos of the pre Enterprise (TM) era feeling, it does laterly, once Vulcans have been made evil, actually go a long way to explain why they are thus :D

I think perhaps one small detail, which kind of needs to be rubbed in a little more is that Earth was utterly shattered by a third world war! The Vulcans were supposed to have helped them after first contact, so perhaps you could weave a little of that into your play of political tension ?? Just a suggestion.

Hey guys its me Eric I've been down at home (moving stuff around) for over a week now and still have a few days to go before I am back up at home. I am using the Local Library to reply but the E-mail is good to use as well.

Now as to some points brought up. There is ALOT of stuff I didn't post which would link it better with Enterprise including a complete history of World War III. Eventually I will find a home for it even if it might be considered "Fanboy" material. In pace and style it differs little from normal RPG style histories even if it is a bit more detailed then you average trek one but I felt with time travel being so important to Enterprise Detail was important here.

As an add on to the various planetay politics you might see on Earth at this time.

The Jacksonian Party: Based on the principles of American Jacksonian diplomacy, the party platform towards the coming Neo-UN government could be described as ambivalent as best, given the Previous U.N.'s track record wehn dealing with the Eugenics nations (Khan Noonian Singh) and it's apparent uselessness during the time leading up to WWIII. It's basic tenants on the U.N. is that it should stay out of the affairs of it's member states as much as possible, Free Market Capitalism is the prefered method of aquirring wealth, a strong united military with a strict chain of command so that military response is quick, certain, and overwelming. The Jacksonian party currently is in ascendance in the North American Compact, The Russian Compact, The United Islamic Republic (formerly Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria), and the Asian Combine (China, India, and Pakistan).

The Info-Socialist Party: A variation on Socialism from the twentieth century, this particular brand recognizes the essential fact that humans do wish to aquire wealth and feel the need to compete with each other to 'do one better' than the other. It also is currently attempting to implement free health care and assured employment for all of it's citizens (given the need for reconstruction everywhere on Earth, this hasn't proven to be too difficult). The party has implimented what has often been called a "splitting hairs" approach to intellectual property by the Jacksonians. In order to assure competition between different companies, it sets requirements for a product and when it is satisfied with the results, it purchases the patent for said product, paying back the development fees to the company in question that crates the product plus a generous bonus. The IP is then produced under government auspices at a reduced cost. This is implimented most often in the areas of medicine and social health care.

Suffice it to say, the Jacksonians and the Info-Socialists don't like each other would be a mild statement. Jacksonianism would also explain some of the TOS eras more ruthless behavior and ideas, such as General Order 24

Quote:

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Originally posted by BouncyCaitian
As an add on to the various planetay politics you might see on Earth at this time.

The Jacksonian Party: Based on the principles of American Jacksonian diplomacy, the party platform towards the coming Neo-UN government could be described as ambivalent as best, given the Previous U.N.'s track record wehn dealing with the Eugenics nations (Khan Noonian Singh) and it's apparent uselessness during the time leading up to WWIII. It's basic tenants on the U.N. is that it should stay out of the affairs of it's member states as much as possible, Free Market Capitalism is the prefered method of aquirring wealth, a strong united military with a strict chain of command so that military response is quick, certain, and overwelming. The Jacksonian party currently is in ascendance in the North American Compact, The Russian Compact, The United Islamic Republic (formerly Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria), and the Asian Combine (China, India, and Pakistan).

The Info-Socialist Party: A variation on Socialism from the twentieth century, this particular brand recognizes the essential fact that humans do wish to aquire wealth and feel the need to compete with each other to 'do one better' than the other. It also is currently attempting to implement free health care and assured employment for all of it's citizens (given the need for reconstruction everywhere on Earth, this hasn't proven to be too difficult). The party has implimented what has often been called a "splitting hairs" approach to intellectual property by the Jacksonians. In order to assure competition between different companies, it sets requirements for a product and when it is satisfied with the results, it purchases the patent for said product, paying back the development fees to the company in question that crates the product plus a generous bonus. The IP is then produced under government auspices at a reduced cost. This is implimented most often in the areas of medicine and social health care.

Suffice it to say, the Jacksonians and the Info-Socialists don't like each other would be a mild statement. Jacksonianism would also explain some of the TOS eras more ruthless behavior and ideas, such as General Order 24

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Info-Socialism currently is in ascendance in United Europe, United Africa, Australasian Compact (with a notable exception of Austraila, which tends to be rabidly Jacksonian). I-S policy tends to prefer to allocate resources towards social programs and colony expansion, while using diplomacy instead of force.

Bouncy - I like that, but the only niggle to me is I can't see a compact of India China and pakistan happening.. ever. Chances are (given the current political climate) if a 3rd world war did kick off india and pakistan would have been on opposite sides. China probably wouldn't have allied with anyone and may have stayed out of the war, unless provoked. However on the flip side they may well have invaded some asian nations to expand their teritory, such as Tiwan.

But do you think the party ideas are generally viable?

As a party specifically it's hard to say if they will all share the same political party with that exact name - but as a concept for the core moral values and the political core for the countries it's a great idea, and it sounds pretty good.

Basically there are those who are trying to create a realistic social democracy, and there are those who are in ot for themselves, and who don't want to be bothered by the UN.

Basically what you are trying to say is that there are those who are generally working towards what we could percieve to be a fledgling Federation style of government - and those who are still holding out for their own personal bit of power :D

it's very hard to say where britain would have lain on this divide.. probably as we are now divided between the two - both supporting and being supported by Europe and America - in that typical best (but mostly worst) of both worlds we like to take :D

I can also see the Jacksonians gaining a lot of power after the Xindi strike and pushing very hard for a massive build up of spacedocks and an emphasis on kicking the bugs out of the NX and NV series for vessels and refitting ships as quickly ass possible since it's now painfully evident that a lot of the surrounding universe is really not that very friendly.

The I-S Party would probably balk initally, but could see the use in a strong defense, but they would push for more diplomatic contacts outside the Vulcans (who really haven't been all the helpful) and for stricter controls on interstellar trade, to prevent the above incidents from happening again.

now there would be factions in both parties that wouldn't want either of these things to go off. the possibilities abound....

Bouncy nice work it fits pretty well with my thoughts and even mirrors the World War III opponents against one another fairly well. I will say that Tobain is right there would be no way Pakistan and India would side policitically since Pakistan invaded India during the war, India was at war with China at the time ( China was losing by the way at the time against Veitnamese, Japanese/Korean and Indian forces, before it formed an allience with the Arab Republic). Also too should say that world war III lasted on and off for over 13 years from the time when the "Last Asian War" broke out in 2047. The war was not a quick nuclear one but rather a series of interlocking conflicts spread out overtime until it esculated into Nuclear release in 2052. I borrowed the Smart (clean) nuke idea from Ogre. So thre was still some organized fighting even after the nuclear portion.

I wish I could lay this out better for you all because once you see how it is constructed you would feel comfortable with the way I did it but until I get my computer up the file is locked in isolation.

This isn’t mean to be an indictment or social commentary on any modern political party, but a listing of the two major dominant forces vying for position on Earth in the 2150’s, plus all the sectarian splinters. The GM’s can give the regional sections the appropriate name, but the core philosophies should probably still be there.

The Jacksonians: This philosophy was developed out of American Jacksonian diplomatic philosophy and has remained essentially the same through out it’s adherent countries, with minor variations in thought due to regional differences. It’s basic tenants can be summarized as follows:

1) THE STATE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND: This has evolved out of the American inherent distrust of untrammeled federal power. But was enhanced by Russian and Chinese flirtation with centralized state run economies that ended in disasters for various reasons before WWIII. An inherent suspicion of large, centralized governments, plus skepticism of foreign and domestic do-gooding on behalf of the state (because of the chance of being bitten by ingrates), makes for a hard sell of global government to the Jacksonians, because they’ve all seen how horribly bad large governments can go wrong.

2) POPULISM: The concept of Rule By The People has spread from the western hemisphere into Russia and China after a particularly bloody overthrow of corrupt autocratic states that had formed from the ashes of WWIII. The United Islamic Republic instituted Representative Democracy after the rulership of Khan Noonian Singh crumbled with his defeat (Khan had been quite thorough in exterminating local holy figures, followers, and anyone else who he considered a threat to his rule), leaving a far more educated populace sick of authoritarian rule. Representative Government is considered a necessary evil that has to be tolerated, as governments breed corruption the way ponds breed mosquitoes. That being said, it is not corruption that bothers Jacksonians, but perversion of the intent of government which will get them up in arms. The government is directly responsible to the people, and anything that detects from that is immediately suspect and needs to be checked at every step.

3) SELF-RELIANCE: While the individual may be helped during hard times by friends and family, the individual is expected to make their way through honest work. Laziness and not working through inherited wealth is viewed with suspicion. Being viewed with not earning your keep is a deep insult to Jacksonian honor and a good way to start a fight.

4) HONOR: Jacksonians have a highly refined sense of honor that is actually fairly easy going, but will arise when insulted, and fights with words or weapons will occur. One is entitled to, and demands, the appropriate respect: recognition of rights and just claims, acknowledgment of one’s personal dignity. Respect is due age, as well and deference should be shown to ones elders.

5) EQUALITY: The second principle of the code is equality. Among those members of the folk community who do pull their weight, there is an absolute equality of dignity and right. No one has a right to tell the self-reliant Jacksonian what to say, do or think. Any infringement on equality will be met with defiance and resistance. Male or female, the Jacksonian is, and insists on remaining, independent of church, state, social hierarchy, political parties and labor unions. Jacksonians may choose to accept the authority of a leader or movement or faith, but will never yield to an imposed authority.

6) INDIVIDIUALISM: The third principle is individualism. The Jacksonian does not just have the right to self-fulfillment—he or she has a duty to seek it. In Jacksonian philosophy, everyone must find his or her way: each individual must choose a faith, or no faith, and code of conduct based on conscience and reason.

7) FINANCIAL ESPIRIT: A principle which some find irksome, but is often considered the fourth part of Jacksonian honor it the ability to spend money freely on what the Jacksonian wants, not just on what is proper. While some people deride this as the source of ‘crass consumerism’, the general response from the Jacksonian is, “So, what’s your point? It’s MY money. I earned it. I’ll do with it as I damned well please.” Easy credit and loose banking laws area hallmark of Jacksonian societies. With all the problems they entail.

8) MARTIAL VALUES: The various societies that Jacksonianism has taken root in have evolved out of the brutal remains of WWIII martial law societies and are individuals from these societies are more likely to solve personal quarrels with deadly violence. They are also usually the first to sign up when the call by nation state or planet for soldiers and defenders, and tend to hold pacifists in contempt.

9) COMMUNITY: Jacksonians tend to draw a hard-line between those who accept community values in general, and those who do not. Those who commit capital crimes (Rape, Premeditated Murder, molestation of a child, etc.), are deserving of very little mercy and can be justly killed by the victim’s family, colleagues, or by society at large With or without the formalities of law. Jacksonians will also defend the usage of deadly force to defend family and home, and will not hold the defendant responsible in most, if not all cases.


Jacksonian sects will be the next entry...as soon as I get some rest. But hope this is helpful

Very interesting Bouncy :D

Keep it up, it's looking pretty good, and fairly generic (for the political police :D) but some movements and sects within that will be interesting.

I'm also keen to see thre Info Socialist party.

REALISTS: Currently the dominant factions of the Jacksonians, this faction acknowledges that Earth is at the literal end of the line for Humanity. With few renewable resources left, considerable environmental damage to repair, and a limited window of opportunity to use what resources Humanity does have left to expand into the solar system to find replacement resources, Man cannot afford factionalism to any great extent. That is however, no excuse to hand over all control to a world spanning government that may not be accountable

The Vulcans have proven useful, but condescending and imperious, and Man should learn to strike out on his own. The fact that they are pushing for even more unification of the Neo-U.N. makes them suspect. But they may be useful in bringing around some factions to accepting a decentralized control structure for the Neo-U.N., which would be more efficent and more accepting of personal liberty.

NATIONALISTS: The holdouts and leftover’s from the previous eras, who believe nations should retain sovereignty for various reasons and that the world can plod along as it always has. They view the Vulcans and other new races as potential new markets for trade and are generally amenable to individual trade treaties.

XENOPHOBICS: For one or more reasons, this faction opposes dealing with other countries and aliens in general. This can vary from polite refusal to join the Neo-U.N., to diplomatic maneuvering, to acts of terrorism. Note: this last part of the faction tends to be crushed without mercy by Jacksonian and Info-Socialists alike.

XENOPHILICS: The opposite of Xenophobics, this faction’s members spends it’s time swallowing up as much information as possible from the Vulcans, and later (other races) to try to learn about what’s out there for the sake of academic interest, capitalistic interest, or other reasons. Some more extreme versions with access to money go in for bio-sculpting and taking on some of the aliens mores, as they are ‘superior’ to Earth mores.

Yep and it just goes to show you how different the opinions of people, who technically believe in the same thing, can be ! :D

I'm not sure which camp these would fall into, if any, but there's also (possibly) a third faction - basically the new homesteaders.. People who wish to strike out, and get off world at any cost. We've seen them time and again as back stories for trek - people who left the Planet, for either cultural, political or even fear based reasons.

Yes there were government sposored expeditions and early settlements, but these were colonies of Earth, supported by Earth. There were some who simply decided to leave altogether, and strike out on their own because of the percieved corruption of the Planet, or simply because now.. they could!

While in this era warp drive was slow, there were aliens willing, for the right price, to move them, or indeed they simply boarded generational or sleeper ships, never to be seen again (untill said epiodes :D)

Some of them were for Xenophobic reasons, but some were simply because they wanted to make a fresh start, like the Europeans leaving to go to America in the 18th and 19th centuries in their droves!

Earth was a political quagmire and a poluted and destroyed nightmare in this era. Some will have seen it as an opportunity to rebuild, without the baggage of the past, bringing in a new era of democracy and change. However somewill have seen it as a build up to a repeat of exactly the same mistakes that led them to the great war the last time, and wanted to get out before it all got ugly again! :)

History: The history of the party can be traced to the collapse of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Peoples Republic of China, which lead to the rise of Li Qwan Chu, the ‘New Mao Ze Dong’ and Vladamir Popov, two Eugenics experiments from the same creche as Khan Singh. Both Eugenics warriors were considered brutal and cold, even by Eugenic standards. They were also avid Socialists, although the flavor they implemented more resembled Stalin’s totalitarian implementation of Socialism.

The overthrow of the genetic warlords in Russia and China was long and bloody, and left a bad taste for socialist theory with most of the locals. Still, however there were some adherents who were loath to completely give up some of the ideals of Socialism, but realized that belief in socialism was a nearly dead concept after the various abuses that had happened during the later half of the twentieth century and during the early twenty-first century.

One particular intellectual, named Li Loo Bang, a fan of capitalism himself, but disgusted by the occasional excesses of it, tried coming up with a middle ground that was palatable to fence sitters and more realistic Socialists who had given up on the previous model as unworkable.

After a bit of thought over several long days, and reading over Marx’s & Engels original works. he came across an entry in Marx’s original notes about Capitalism eventually collapsing in on itself from it’s own internal contradictions from the re-apportionment of wealth and misery it would generate. A general look in any direction blew this theory out of the water as lasse-faire capitalism tended to create large amounts of wealth that did trickle down to the working class. A brief look at the United States in the previous century was a sterling of the perks and flaws of Capitalism. However, something new had been entered into the mix with the arrival of the Vulcans that would make a new brand of Socialism more viable. The Materials Synthesizer.

Seeing the potential of the device, particularly if it was refined over time, Li wrote of Capitalism eventually permutating into a new form of Socialism as material needs would be able to be met with the new device. But he accepted that there would be psychological blocks to accepting this idea. He understood human nature and the desire for wealth and prosperity, the need for competition and achievement, and the fact that some people became lazy slugs if they didn’t have to work for anything.

After some time, he suggested a gradual form of Socialism that would be more pragmatic than previous versions, but would capture public reguard far more easily. Working in some allusions to how Socialism was more environmentally friendly (attracting the Green party and more environmentally aware Jacksonians), and targeting medical research and GM food patents intially, he arrive at the following idea.

Information was the true property of the workers or thinkers. Intellectual property should remain the property of the person who made it, unless it could serve the State/Community/Nation better if it was state property, such as medical cures, GM food templates, weapons, etc. Realizing that a lot of people would balk at the prospect of state seizure of intellectual property, he suggested that people be allowed to compete for contracts, much like in normal capitalist systems, the difference being at the end, the State would compensate the researchers in R&D costs, pay a large fee for the patent rights, and subcontract with the researcher to create the item in question, but retain ownership of said item.

The idea took off like a rocket in many areas as it seemed to combine traditional Socialism and Capitalism into a package which could work. The theories are still being refined, but Info-Socialism looks like it’s here to stay

Tenants are to follow

UUUUUGGGGGG you guys arer killing me here :D

I have to say that in my history I choose to leave the Egenics wars alone save for a brief mention at the start (hence my choice to start it in 2020) until the Powers that be decide how to reconcile this I think it best to leave it alone.

As to the big "villians" I chose to adopt a very historical attitude that perhaps those who have been portrayed as bad were in fact what we call enlighten despots and have been subjected to the moral ethical standards of the 24th century instead of there own, Li Kuan a case in point.

He was a Chinese general who rose to power when central control in China collapsed unde Japanese/Korean Nuclear attack. In 25 years he managed to build a new chinese state based on socialist principles but he was in essence a warlord and liked the title of generalismo. He died in the 2090's having built a new state through hard nose means but is revered by many including his Vulcan observer. Somehow in the mid -23rd century he started to be looked at as a bloody and brutal dictator, which he was, becuase he no longer fit in with the way humanity wanted to view itelf never mind the fact he was responsible for unifying China so that it would be in position to join a united Earth.

neverthless Bouncy keep writting because your stuff is good, I like it, and with some tinkering I can fit it into this setting quite well.

Info Socialism Tenets

INFORMATION SHOULD BE FREE: this tenant evolved from the old hackerism of the twentieth century that patents and Intellectual Property Rights caused more damage than they prevented, so patents and IP rights, except those owned by the state or individual are contrary to the public good. Therefore, the state should own Patent/IP rights.

COMPENSATION: As a caveat to the above, the State should subsidize research and creative thinking to problems. This means functionally, the state will reimburse said research group for costs, pay a ‘patent’ fee when the research is accepted and achieved by the state, and the original contractor would either produce said item, or retain a percentage of the profit made by sale of said item

GOVERNMENT IS YOUR FRIEND: unlike the Jacksonians, Info-Socialism believes in government oversite, subsidy, and employment of citizens in many aspects of life such as infrastructure, food production, entertainment, etc. The level of this varies from country to country, but by in large, citizens following info-socialist thought tend to trust governmental oversite as opposed to free market oversite, which can lead to significant corruption.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Inspired by previous bad governments and perhaps Jacksonian utter lack of a sense of humor regarding tyrants, Info-Socialists demand accountability from their governments. This has resulted in large scale strikes in some countries, work stoppages, or new elections of governments, with one revolution for a particularly unresponsive government. Most Info-Socialist countries have entered a provision for special elections if they feel government is unresponsive to the people’s needs.

RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE: Arising out of the ash of Chinese culture and socialist theory, this tenant asks people to work because it’s the right thing to do and one must earn ones keep in society. It also has developed a keen distaste for material waste and corruption (an outgrowth of Chinese disgust with traditional Chinese governmental graft practices). This extends to anywhere in the political sphere and more than one party or organization has found itself on the receiving end of the peoples ire if they put there agenda before the peoples.

THE TEN AMENDMENTS: Meant as a tongue in cheek reference to the Neo-U.N. and American Constitutions, this tenet gives the right for a citizen to say as they will, free association and participate in the political process without fear of prosecution. This tenet tends to be rigidly enforced and is considered sacred in many of the I-S societies.

DIVERSITY IS GOOD….TO A POINT: Info-Socialist societies covers many cultures and languages, thus diversity in understanding and tolerance is encouraged in all I-S countries. However, tolerance stops where infringing on another’s rights (as ascribed under the Neo-U.N. Charter) starts. While diplomacy is attempted first, usually with Vulcan mediators giving logical reasoned arguments on the benefits of diversity and joining the larger community, the patience factor is far less than it used to be. Initial negotiations fail, harsh sanctions are usually applied. If the nation fails to respond, military action is used, and once things are stabilized, local elections are held.

UNIFICATION VIA REASONED ARGUMENT: The planet is a mess and the only way to make sure Man survives is that the world must unify. Preferably under one world-spanning government. This being said, Info-Socialists realize they have a very hard sell in front of them. The concept of planetary unification was what brought about the WWIII as the previous U.N. and several national blocks were bitterly divided on the issue and when push came to shove, as the U.N. aligned nations imposed embargos, the national block pushed back hard, with nuclear warheads.
Given this and the current relatively fragile state of the planet, diplomats from leading I-S countries are being very cautious when dealing with states that are noticeably hostile to the concept. They do agree that the previous U.N. was arrogant and downright bellicose in it’s pronouncements and are working with countries that are at least listening for some formula of rights that would be palatable to all. Some compromises may have to be made. But Unification is necessary. Man has no way out.

HUMBLE DIPLOMACY: Earth is still unstable, in spite of Vulcan assistance, and flashpoints still arise on occasion. These situations call for a lighter touch, particularly with the more prickly national blocks, and as such, the I-S party has called for quiet, but resolute diplomacy in the face of adversity. This mindset has spread into the general populace and less bombastic speech and more respectful treatment of opponents is encouraged.

INFO-SOCIALIST FACTIONS

SOCIO-CAPITALISTS: Mostly based in United Europe and parts of northern United Africa, this particular mix of Socialism and Capitalism would be recognizable to residents of the 20th Century, with perhaps a more strict and ruthless General Accounting office making sure resources are apportioned properly and corruption is prosecuted swiftly. By in large, this particular faction regards I-S tenants with a cautious view, since individual property rights a considered a high priority by most member countries.

However, when dealing with distribution of alien technology, this faction is open to the tenants of Info-Socialism, if anything to prevent any one company or country from getting the patent and screwing over everyone else.

Many proponents of this brand of Socialism consider themselves the Socialists Marx was speaking of when he was speaking of the eventual switching over from Capitalism to Socialism. Namely, pragmatists. The fact that planetary prosperity is higher than it every has been under the current major socio-economic models makes most of them shrug while still hopeful Man will transcend his materialistic greed. None of them really hold out for this that much, which brings them in to conflict with:

NEO-MARXISTS: this particular brand of Socialist is held in utter contempt by Jacksonians. Most other Socialist factions on Earth consider them to be that embarrassing little brother they'd wish would go away and play in the sand box.

Decidedly fond of grand schemes with very little planning, pomposity, and don't seem to be very grounded in reality when trying to implement their rather idealistic worldview, the Neo-Marxists tend to become rather bellicose and abusive when not paid attention to, or their ideas are refuted.

In short, this particular wing of Socialists tend to gravitate towards the not very well-grounded and the NAC wing of the Info-Socialist party, The North American Unity Party, often refer to this faction as the 'Granola Party', because 'they's chock fulla fruits, nuts and flakes'. Unfortunately, this particular branch also occasionally spawns violent 'revolutionaries'. As such, they tend to be carefully watched by national and planetary security forces.

NATIONALISTS: Much like their counterparts in the jacksonian faction, this faction tends to heavily lean towards Info-Socialism and Socio-Capitalism and national sovereignty before planetary unity.

UNIFICATIONISTS: This particular faction is pushing very hard for planetary unification and is usually working very hard with the Vulcans to entice nations into joining the planetary government. Even after unification, this faction will be kept very busy making sure members abide by rules under the Neo-UN. They are hopeful, as the major Jacksonian countries are entertaining the idea of joining, but are very touchy on the rights of their members. But the fact that they are at least willing to listen and have made overtures gives them much hope. Unfortunately, their problems are exacerbated by:

INTERNATIONALISTS: The dark reflection of the Unificationists, and a common irritant to Jacksonians, to the point where it causes breakdowns in negotiations. Whereas Unificationists understand that Unification and acceptance will take some time, Internationalists think that nations are a concept that is dead and gone and proclaim themselves citizens of the world. And often have the bad habit of going to other national blocks without proper authorization. Which tends to irk many of the more nationalist blocks. Unificationists for there part, help prosecute the Internationalists, as they don’t need the additional aggravation from these renegades antics hampering otherwise rational discussions.


MINOR PARTIES

THE GREEN PARTY: A party that is popular in many countries around the world, particularly in ones hit hard by WWIII (most of them). By in large, this party is run by rationalist scientists who are helping put the planet back together, although the occasional nature worshipping fanatic shows up and gives pronouncements of doom, the Greens sigh and look over the new technologies they’ve gotten to restore the environment from the Vulcans.

TRANSHUMANISTS: Not so much a party but a loose collection of Eugenics soldiers, civilians, family, and other ‘genies’ who managed to destroy records associated with them and their allies and have sunk into the background of Terran life. Fearing discovery, they try not to attract attention to themselves.

(finally got around to posting this out on this site)