Political Factions and Parties in the Federation are not “parties” in the organised, structured sense. They are ideological groupings, based upon mutual principles, but without a formal party structure for electioneering or campaigning in the way that most planetary political parties are. They are also not directly connected with planetary political parties; as every federation member chooses their Federation Councilor with methods of their own discretion, such formal connections would be impossible. While the factions would be disparate and overlapping for much of the first century of the UFP, after T'Kuvma's War and the Th’rhahlat Administration, political groups began to coalesce around the Chartist-Unionist poles. However, neither of these two factions ever possessed enough political power to create a “two-party system” of any kind. The Vulcan Caucus (2160s-)
Initianlly known as the Planetarian movement, The Vulcan caucus is the oldest and longest-lived Federation Political Faction. It follows the general views of the Vulcan government: pacifist, anti-intervention (both government and external), in favour of highly autonomous member worlds and against Starfleet military expansion. One of the few factions from the Founding of the UFP to still maintain significant political weight, thanks mainly to the involvement of Ambassador Sarek in the McClaren and Roth administrations. The Andorian Caucus (2160s-2260s) The Andorian Caucus emerged in the 2160s as an opposition to the Vulcan caucus. Supports significant Starfleet spending and a strong Federal Government. While there have been no per-sae Andorian Caucus presidents, they had an extremely strong sway until the 2230s. While they had a short resurgence in the 2250 and 60s, most of the caucus dissipated into the Originalists and Unionists. The Terran Caucus (2170s-2220s) Incredibly Pro expansion, pro colonisation, opposed to strong central control of any kind. Emerges in the 2170s as a pro colonisation political pressure group, but became a popular political grouping after the 2220s. Terran Caucus politicians were vital in the establishment of the Federation Merchant Marine. The Tellarite Caucus are also well known for their belief that there should be no minimum requirements for Federation Membership. The movement lost much support in the early-mid 2220s, and almost entirely died after Tarsus IV. Considered by most to be part of Archerism. The Tellarite Caucus (2170s-2260s) The caucus of “Business”. Supporters of free trade rights and laissez-faire policies of all kinds. Characterised by their support for economic freedom and spending cuts, especially in terms of Starfleet. That said, post-2241 most of the Tellarite Caucus are hesitant to demand major cuts to the Stellar Service. The Tellarite Caucus was split by the 2258 election, with many of the outer colonies backing Th’rhahlat over Barreuco. Archerism (2190s-) Named after President Archer, this was the dominant political force for most of the late 22nd and early 23rd centuries. While pro-colonisation and Pro-Starfleet, Archerism is characterised by a belief that “utopia has certain rules”. Even it's pro-Starfleet attitude was tempered by a distince opposition to the military role of the Stellar Service. Archerite Foreign Policy is often tempered by prime directive concerns, but this does not stop them from supporting the expansion of Starfleet assets, facilities and support roles within Federation space. Archerism would continue as a rump faction into the 2270s and 80s, distinct from Charterism due to its anti reformist constitutional views. The Outer Systems and Frontier Party. (2246-) Emerging after Tarsus IV and the Four Years’ War, The OSFP was the first organised political party in the UFP. Based around redressing the political and economic imbalance between the Federation Core and the outer member worlds and colonies, it was the main instigator of the Colonial Reform Act. While most OSPers are naturally conservative in their views, they maintain radical views on Constitutional Reform and Starfleet Expansion. Th’rhahlat, while a member of the OSFP, ran for President as an Independent. Remained an important faction after the 2260s, though mainly as an ally of Charterism. The Return Party (2240s-2260s) Reactionary grouping that emerged during the Four Years War. Considered mass Federation expansion a “mistake” and argued for a withdrawal of Federation and Starfleet Power. Considered an “impolite nuisance”, most of its more savourly elements formed the core of the Originalist movement. Charterism (2260s) Sometimes called “Neo-Archerism” or less commonly “Wescottism”, Charterism was the dominant Progressive political faction from the 2260s onwards. Its name is drawn from Wescott’s “The New Charter” speech when he laid down the three principles of his government. 1) A equitable constitution. 2) Protections of sentient rights and liberties, both within and without of the UFP. 3) Freedom of Stars. Of the six presidents since 2262, four have been Charterites. The Originalist Movement. (2257-) Federation Nativist faction; emerged soon after the end of Burnham’s War as an isolationist faction. Anti federation expansion, anti-Starfleet and anti-constitutional reform. Reached their height in the 2268-69 election cycle, then began a slow decline. Replaced as the Main Conservative faction by the Unionists, but remained politically significant until the Khitomer Inquiry. The Unionists (2260s-) Ideological successors to the Andorian Caucus, but with major influences from the Terran and Tellarite Caucuses too. Pro-Starfleet expansion to a significant degree, against constitutional reform and advocates of selective federation expansion, the Unionists are the main Conservative faction from the 2260s onwards. While originally sidelined by the Originalists, they emerged as a party of strong central government after the McClaren Administration. Hiram Roth, while pro-constitutional reform, still governed as a Unionist. Art of President Byss Th'rhahlat by tempvoid.
1 Comment
15/5/2023 02:37:12 pm
If you want more ideas about Federation politics, I recommend getting the FASA and GURPS RPG sourcebooks about the Federation, both of which are simply titled "Federation".
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