Politics of Minkowski

Minkowski

Political Factions

Minkowski is not a democracy. Political parties do not compete for votes. Nevertheless like any large organisation it has its own societies, factions and cliques of varying degrees of coherence and formality, that jostle for influence over policy and media.

Detente Lobby

The Detente Lobby is a minor faction in foreign policy that advocates outreach to the 'reasonable' Magnate states such as More and Hyperborea, in order to minimise the chance of future hostilities and isolate the warmongers. Predictably, they spend at least as much time defending themselves against accusations of naivete or subversion as they do advocating for their position.

European Lobby

Europe was the Core power with best access to the Sea of Solomon, and kept the peace in that distant frontier for many decades. Minkowski itself had its economy buoued for during the colonisation era by the salaries and pensions of the 'space gurkhas' that served in the DSF. And the EU is without a doubt the staunchest opponent among the other great powers of Magnate genetic tyranny. The European Lobby recognises these facts and thinks the League should revive old ties, this time as equal partners.

Liberal

The establishment never managed to contain the cultural explosion of the Colonisation Era, until the breakdown and the bloody Tereshkova Rebellion. Now that there is another 'Renaissance' the Liberals say that it shouldn't try, but should instead embrace and direct it to strengthen Minkowski's soft power and cultural fabric.

Orthodox

Since the Breakdown ended Minkowski has been exposed once more to all the influences of the Sphere. Some in the government remember or have studied the social problems that arose last time this happened after the Recontact, and advise that the government take a stern line on anti-establishment and un-Minkowskan activity.

Reform

The Reform faction is a loose accumulation of advocates of transforming the Minkowskan state, typically by distancing religion from government and adopting an open market economy. Some have more radical proposals to adopt multiparty democracy or various 'new economy' concepts, or secularise completely. Taken all together they constitute a significant minority, but the 'Reform faction' is too broad and divided to achieve effective action.

Zodiac Lobby

The greatest long-term threat to the League and to Minkowski is the billions of people on Earth, who will flood outwards and overwhelm the current states of the Expanse. Some will be able to accept and integrate immigrants, but others like Minkowski will not. The Zodiac Lobby espouses this position and advocates that the League forge links with ZOCU and the new Taiwans to resist the threat of 'Core Imperialism'. They are regarded as somewhat radical and ideological by their fellows, but their rhetoric speaks to sore wounds from the Tereshkova Rebellion and deep-seated anxieties about the eventual fate of Cavor's project.