Some background information about my sci-fi YA series Terminus…
There are four major political parties within the Great Alliance.
The largest is the Conservative Party. They are ideologically aligned with most Somontrans, the founding race of the GA, as well as the more affluent worlds in Core and Blue Sectors. Conservatives believe in a strong federal government, military funding, and quietly closing the technological gap with the Ronains without being antagonistic in the interim. This Party is business friendly and arguably the most corrupt as well. They are more culturally traditional in terms of preserving the matriarchal structure of Somontran society and keeping men in a secondary role. Danni Cayale is a Conservative. Jenny claims to be one as part of her cover story. Their leader is Senate Majority Leader Senator Emilia Laban, a woman who has dreamed of becoming Majestrix all of her life and who detests Sarah Cayale for (unintentionally) foiling her ambitions.
The Liberal Party believes in Mandates’ rights and a robust social welfare program. They do not believe in a strong military and think the Ronains should be essentially ignored since it’s hopeless to fight them. They want a weak federal government so individual worlds can decide their own policies. The Liberals are also concerned with gender equality while Somontran society is historically matriarchal with men in a secondary position. Most Liberals are in the less affluent Mandate worlds. Priya Jennings is a staunch Liberal.
The Centrist Party is the right wing faction based out of Sov Sector. These are the people under the direct threat of the Ronains and they believe everything must go towards preparing a military capable of fighting back. They care little for individual rights or welfare. Centrists believe in strict meritocracy and thus also believe in gender equality (as long as it doesn’t involve affirmative action). Ironically they are also the most incorruptible of the factions… according to their own definition. The Sovereignty they originated from was a genetically engineered society of “perfect” beings whose primary cultural moral was stressing the needs of the state over the individual. Seeking personal fame or fortune is strictly taboo. Breaking the law in the name of the greater good, however, is permissible. Alfred Kayma is the face of the Centrist Party. They vote in lock-step with him. Jenny is also secretly a Centrist. The mysterious conspiracy under Kayma’s leadership is the hidden aspect of Centrist / Sov society. The Party is just its public face. They will do anything to survive the Ronains… no matter how immoral.
The Independent Party is the creation of Sarah Cayale. Her dying mother forced her to run as Majestrix, but Sarah refused to follow her mother as a Conservative. As a teenager she rebelled with Liberal notions while still believing in the need for a strong military. Sarah believes in balancing gender equality and welfare with a strong federal government and military. As a middle-of-the-road ideologue and a war hero, she created a large swing vote and fractured the other parties’ bases to win the election. The Centrist Party voted for her since she made Kayma her DSA, leading to accusations of corruption against both Sarah and Kayma.
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