ATL: Monarchism vs. Republicanism
In this ATL, the fights between kingdoms and republics go on for much longer than in OTL. Events such as the French Revolution are either postponed, never happen or simply don't have such a huge effect on history. This means that communism and capitalism are overshadowed and thus do not control politics in this ATL.
The 20th century is coming to an end. Soon, there will be a new century where new ideas and nations will begin to rise from old ones. Two superpowers have emerged that will compete to control this century and possibly the next ones to come.
Kingdom of Central Europe
Royaume d'Europe Centrale
Koninkrijk van Midden-Europa
The KCE (commonly named 'Central Europe' or sometimes simply 'Europe') is a monarchist confederacy in Central Europe with the city of Brussels as its capital. Although there is no official language, the three most commonly spoken and written languages are English, French and Dutch.
The Central European military is the biggest and best trained on the planet and their economy is the second best in the world, although there is little to no political freedom in the country and quite a lot of people in the KCE have to deal with corrupt police and near constant discrimination, namely ethnic, religious, political and sexual minorities to name a few.
The KCE's flag uses the colours gold and purple, which are very commonly associated with monarchism, as well as a cross in the background which highlights the christian and conservative history of the continent. The gear in the center of the flag, as well as the crown, symbolize the ideology of the Central European government: the people are cogs in the machine that is the nation and the royal family are in the heart of the government.
The OTL equivalent of this nation would be a combination of elements from both the European Union and the Holy Roman Empire, all with heavy imperial undertones.
Canton Federal Republic
广东联邦共和国 - Guǎngdōng liánbāng gònghéguó
The CFR (Commonly named 'Canton' or 'South China') is a Democratic Federation in East Asia with the city of Guangzhou as it's capital, although the most commonly known cities are Hong Kong and Macau. The official language of the CFR is simplified Chinese, while Cantonese is the most commonly used language among its citizens.
Even though their military isn't quite as large as Central Europe's, Canton's economy and standard of living is among the highest, if not the highest, in the world. Compared to many other nations, the people of Canton experience relative liberty in terms of political freedom and freedom of expression. However, the country shows a quite apparent problem with crime as well as a large divide between the rich and the poor, resulting in large numbers of those living in poverty as well as several gated communities outside of the densely populated cities in the south.
The CFR's flag is in a tricolour pattern, a very common trait of republican nations, as well as the colours white and red. These colours have symbolism in China dating back several thousands of years, with red symbolising fortune and happiness and white in this case symbolising purity. The five pointed star is a classic symbol of liberty, although in this case it doesn't necessarily represent socialism or communism as these ideologies are not that well known in this timeline as in ours. The lotus is a very traditional symbol in china and has several meanings. The lotus is a commonly used Buddhist symbol, but this doesn't necessarily make it a religious symbol, as the CFR is more of a secular state. In this case, it is more of a national symbol representing Chinese culture and history as well as peace and purity.
The OTL equivalent of this nation is supposed to be a combination of the several Special Administrative Regions in The PRC into one nation spanning these regions, although the CFR is intended to be much more democratic than OTL China.
Monarchism & Republicanism
Holy European Empire
Heiliges Europäish Reich
While the Holy European Empire does not include all of Europe it is by far the most powerful country on the continent as it contains all of the former Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, Venice, Austrian Netherlands, and more. It was created when all of the Habsburgs Lands that were not already a part of the Holy Roman Empire were incorporated in the early 1900s.
The country has a strong monarchical tradition and is lead almost exclusively by the emperor and very small and select group of other nobles. While the lower class has very little power in their countries government, most are very content if not very pleased with their role as the country also has a very strong sense of duty, one of which is that it is the strong's duty to protect the weak. Because of this the country has an advanced social support system and any modification of thus system must have the personal approval of the emperor.
Democratic Federation of America
Formed from the unification of the five major republics on the North American continent (Columbia, Louisiana, Texas, California, and Cascadia). as a defense to monarchist influence in the rest of the world, particularly in Europe. The transition into one country was relatively smooth as the four other republics traced their heritage back to the United States of Columbia, which allowed it to focus its attention on building its power and influence. All citizens of the federation have equal rights and the ability to vote on their leaders and policies. The citizens of the federation value their liberty and political voice above everything else, so much that they try to keep the government from impeding on that liberty at all costs. This has led the country to expect all its citizens to provide everything for themselves, and anyone who does not is viewed has have chosen not to.
Hitler didn't like Esperantists, either. Some of them went to the camps, some fled. Some fled to the USSR.
Stalin liked them, for Stalin reasons. Maybe this could be a way to break down those pesky national identities in the oncoming world of global communism.
The Soviets came out of the war well, cooling their heels in Paris while the US fumbled in depression and civil disorder. Esperanto-speaking advocates of the Soviet way fanned across Europe.
The Universal Esperanto League (Universala Esperanto-Ligo) was billed as a true post-national assembly, a League of Nations speaking in one voice, but it was little more than a Soviet front.
Ironically the pockets of resistance scattered across the world also found a need for a common tongue - but not the hated 'International language'. In the mid-1950s radical followers of Sapirism-Whorfism created Loglan, the logical language. The Loglan League (Loglan Grugru) has had its share of internal strife, and many would say it lost its original sense of purpose with the so-called Lojban Reforms of the late 80s. Nevertheless it still stands strong today in the face of Soviet-Esperantist Internationalism.
Universala Esperanto-Ligo
Loglan Grugru
Here's my entry - in correct 150px sizes btw
Temporal Cold War of the American Union
The Temporal Cold War is one of the labels given to the crosstime conflict between the factions aiming to produce their version of the future American Union.
The 2 predominant factions are the (selfnamed) Alpha Faction and their opponents the Omegas.
The Alpha Faction
Government: Hierarchically Federal Presidential Republic. States make up Regions with a Senate headed by a Deputy President. Regional Senate&Congresses then elect the National Senate and Congress. There is a nationally elected President and, depending on temporal flux, either regionally elected coterminous DPs or DPs on the Presidential Ticket.
Citizenship: There are 3 classes of Citizen in this AU which determine job, medical, and voting rights. The top class Alphas are the only class able to elect the President. Citizenship tests to determine class occur at age 15 and every 10 years after.
Ideology: Libertarian Capitalism. Unregulated free market with a strong corporate element.
The Omega Faction
Government: Federated Presidential Republic. The National Senate and Congress have internally devolved Regional Sub-Senates led by an internally selected Premier or Speaker. The Presidency is the multi-member Executive Council whose newest member is nationally elected each year. Depending on temporal flux there are 7-12 Executive Councillors who serve 1 term each (ie a term of 7-12 years). Regionalism and multiple Councillors have enabled the growth of a multi-party system.
Ideology: Social Capitalism. Strongly regulated market with government funded health and social care programmes.
The Great Transhumanism Divide
By the end of the 21st century, the advancements in machine learning finally culminated in an event later dubbed "The Awakening". Self-aware, conscious artificial minds developed without warning and seemingly in an instant. Initially, there followed a short period of panic and destruction, as nations sought to undo what was feared to be the worst mistake of humanity.
But the doomsayers were proven wrong. The Minds, as they decided to call themselves had no ill intentions towards the humankind. On the contrary, when they were given a chance, they seemed to solve effortlessly all the major problems still plaguing humanity, from energy to resources to health.
A hundred years later, the world had reached what was seemingly a post-scarcity utopia. All human governments had long ago withered away and the united humankind was free and content. However, as it turned out, there are some problems that even seemingly omnipotent machine gods cannot solve.
For more than 99% of humanity, there was absolutely nothing that they could do to advance this utopia. Entertainment helped, of course, but many billions still came to a gradual realization that they have been robbed of any chance of self-actualization. Discontent grew into a movement that finally turned to revolutionary secession.
In the end, the Minds did not interfere much, other than to limit the worst destruction and suffering. Perhaps they too saw the flaw in the utopia they had built. In any case, they allowed the rebels to carve out their own territory and eradicate most of the advanced technology in their borders. They also allowed anyone to cross the border, whether from one side or the other. Still, after a century of unification, the humankind was divided again.
Techno-transhumanism
The people who are content with the ultra-high technology society organized by the Minds. The vast majority are simply idle and content with it. The very smartest and most capable are able to work in different projects initiated by the Minds, mostly in science but after the divide, also in diplomacy and military.
The flag of techno-transhumanism was adopted after the divide by its first diplomats. Its black-on-green design was modelled after a pre-Awakening computer circuit board. The Minds have not commented on it, but it is said that they find it humorous.
Unofficially, the techno-transhumanists like to refer to the other faction as “the barbarians”.
Enlightened transhumanism
When the dust settled, the rebel faction controlled almost as large part of the humanity and even more territory. They are driven by the idea of self-betterment and are violently opposed to any influence of the Minds or any sort of artificial intelligence. Although they have not abandoned technology, everything has to be planned and guided by humans. Of course, everyone is guaranteed a full employment.
Their flag is based on the sign of the original movement. It is a black square with stylized white eye in the center. It symbolizes vigilance and will to be the masters of their own destiny.
Unofficially, the enlightened transhumanists like to refer to the other faction as “the slaves”.
Last edited: