Political Parties of the United States of America
Fascist Party: The longtime "defender of the Union," the Fascists were the successors to the Society of the Harmonious Fasces. This group originated during the crisis of the 1820s and derived its name from a political cartoon proclaiming "Alone we may Break, but Together we are Mighty" and urging national unity. With civil unrest breaking out across the nation over issues from the economic panic to western expansion and slavery, the Fascists called a meeting of political luminaries, who quickly agreed upon the need for stronger ties between states and a more powerful central government than the Articles of Confederation provided. This gathering evolved into a de facto constitutional convention, as attendees proposed ideas for a new government. They eventually put together a declaration, the Charter of Union, which established a strong executive elected by a more powerful Congress, and which they put to the state governments, now barely able to exercise any sort of control. Once the desperate governors agreed to this charter, it was ratified officially, but had no real power until the newly elected president, and military general, Winfield Scott, led the army and militia to seize control of the states. Under Scott, nominally nonpartisan, the Fascists established themselves with a firm majority in Congress, and since then they have held Congress and the presidency for much of the nation's history, implementing an autarkic policy of industrialization, economic independence from foreign powers, and national interests above all, transitioning into a planned economy at the end of the 19th century. At that same time, they also expanded the right to vote to non-property owners, once they realized they could use their infrastructure projects to provide jobs and gain the support of the unemployed. In the second half of the 20th century, they were forced to moderate, supporting aid for farmers and some free trade and liberalization. Currently, the Fascists are facing a dissatisfied populace and base, with hardliners reacting poorly to reforms that implemented quasi-proportional representation, and to the military intervention in Gran Colombia, even as they had celebrated the seizure of Colombian oil only 10 years ago.
Communist Party: An alliance formed at the dawn of the 20th century in a merger of various groups such as the Social Justice Party, the Common Land Party, the Union Labor Party, and the Single Tax League, the Communists, named for their belief in the common ownership of land, are founded on the beliefs of Henry George, and held great appeal to the farmers who were hurt by the Fascists' industrial and trade policies. They object to the taxes on income, which they allege steal the value of workers' labor to pay for industrial projects which only benefit urbanites, corporations, and the indolent. Initially an alliance of fringe parties, they grew in prominence, at first due to the collapse of the opposition Civic Democrats, who acted as the voice for many immigrants and liberals, and thus the lack of opposition to the Fascists. Then, the financial panic hit, which was blamed on protectionist policies, and the Communists were swept to power. They implemented a land tax, inflated the currency with silver coinage, and lowered tariffs, setting the stage for a more liberal era in America. Recently, after spending the last 16 years out of power, the Communists have been growing increasingly radical in opposition, including a movement among some members to embrace Luddite ideals in the face of automation.
Alliance of Regions: In the late 19th century, many advocates for federalism and more states' rights realized that the various different vehicles, like the Nullification Party in the South, the Country Party in New England, the Localists in the Midwest, and others, were dividing the regionalist votes. Hence, the Alliance of Regions was born. The did not care whether Vermont wanted to abolish slavery, or South Carolina wanted to trade slaves with African nations, they simply wanted to defend each state and region's ability to do what they wanted. They have managed to survive by keeping to this broad tent message, even embracing secessionists at times, while consistently objecting to the Fascists' and, less frequently, the Communists' centralist policies. Right now, they seem to be benefiting from a general sense of dissatisfaction within the nation.
Social Revolutionary Party: Founded by an eccentric German-American painter-turned-political activist in the 1920s, the Social Revolutionaries were established based on the ideology of tribalism, and what they call "strong communities." The party's founders saw themselves as the heirs to the '48ers, and felt that communities like those of the Germans and other immigrants were being degraded by the influence of American nationalism and cultural assimilation. They wanted to preserve them by supporting laws enforcing ethnic separatism, and moral laws encouraging temperance and healthy living. These were reforms often ignored or opposed by the Fascists out of expediency, concern for national unity, or a desire for cheap labor and profitable products. They also have leaned unnervingly towards eugenics at times, distinguishing between immigrants based on ethnic origin and level of "industriousness". Ultimately, they look forward to what they call the “Social Revolution,” in which ethnic groups will form separate states, and, in Darwinian fashion, the superior culture will survive. The Social Revolutionaries object to any sort of bank, whether central or private, as exploitative and authoritarian, and favor local financial institutions like credit unions and rural granges. In fact, some might say they have an unnatural obsession with bankers, although this may be fueling their small growth in a time of economic unsurety.
Totalist Party: For those who think that the Fascists aren't going far enough in fulfilling the spirit of the Charter of Union, the Totalists are the option, promoting absolute government control in every area of life. One would think this to be an unpopular viewpoint, but apparently people are lacking a sense of security, because they remain one of the larger minor parties.