Territory: South Africa (Core), Namibia, Botswana
Society:
South Africa is a society in which everyone is nominally equal. However, race and finance cut deep lines between South Africans, something that the government tries desperately to avoid boiling over. It is common practice for the government to subsidise homogenous communities across the country, both to better balance economic power between the racial groups as well as to help prevent racial tensions. A few special districts have been established to try and foster racial cooperation, but the lack of enthusiasm on both the government and society’s part has made these mixed in success at best.
South Africa is in a slow transitional phase, the power of the African majority gradually asserting itself against the power of the white colonial hierarchy. While whites share power with Africans at the national level, Africans dominate at the local level, being the majority in nearly every part of the country. Accusations of gerrymandering to increase white power in the Assembly sometimes turn violent; racial violence is common practice despite the government’s half-hearted efforts to foster racial harmony.
It is no surprise that the government (many black, as well as white, members included) has decided that if compassion and respect won’t keep order, fear will. The South African police are well-funded to deter corruption, and also to encourage them to enforce the oft-harsh decrees of the government. Riots and labor strikes alike often find themselves the victims of police brutality, regardless of the race of those participating. The government does not hesitate to use South Africa’s status as a weak nation to try and drum up unity, painting those who place emphasis on social and political change as subversives. There is naturally a culture that encourages respect and obedience for the military and police, as they are the guardians of independence and order from foreigners who might destabilize the country through dangerous talks of Marxism and equality, or flat out invade it with a superior armed force.
History:
With the fall of England to the armies of Germany, South Africa’s wealthy elites were swift to formalize independence from the Crown in London. It had always been British tradition for colonies to gradually work towards increasing autonomy, but with the fall of London, the British Empire’s slackening grip on its vast territories was finally broken. The Wooden Wall lay at the bottom of the Channel, and South Africa was free to pursue its own interests.
The radically-altered order was not all that it was drummed up to be. As with many newly-independent nations, it became apparent life was going to be difficult for South Africa without the help of a mother country’s military and economic might. The issue of how to create a functional society between African, Boer and British citizens was certainly not an easy one to approach. Problems rested externally as well; Africa no longer had a powerful military force to protect it, and the looming power of Jakarta to the East was a source of constant intimidation.
As dim as South Africa’s prospects looked, however, not all was lost. South Africa was fabulously rich despite its lack of power projection, having a near-monopoly on gem production thanks to the brilliance of Cecil Rhodes. This mineral wealth was deemed to be the key to South Africa remaining independent, if not potent. A series of able administrators, many of them naturally drawn from the mineral oligarchy, were poised to build a nation that could somehow accommodate the many diverse needs of South Africa, while at the same time preserving its economic and political independence.
The solution was discovered by looking at how the Americans had resolved their political issues during the formation of their government. A house that mirrored the populist House of Representatives was established in the Assembly, whereas a house that represented elite (and racial) interests was established in the form of the Consulate. The racist nature of South Africa made it very difficult to pass an egalitarian government model, but the Framers of South Africa’s Constitution reasoned that they could not hope to be a strong, independent nation without getting the black majority on board; it was thus a necessity to find a system that appealed to both African demands for equal rights, and racists’ desire for Afrikaner supremacy. Needless to say, this was not to be an easy task…
Government: Constitutional Republic.
The South African Parliament is bicameral, divided between the Assembly and Consulate. The Assembly serves as the Lower House, with each province allotted a number of its 250 seats based on population (with a guarantee of one seat). The Consulate is composed of nine members, three African, three Afrikaner, and three British. Members of the Consulate are elected by the constituency they represent in first-past-the-post ballots, with the three most popular candidates receiving seats. Bills must pass both houses of Parliament to become law.
The Executive branch is nominally headed by the President, who is elected by a direct national vote, and the Chancellor, who is appointed by a majority of the Consulate. The President performs state functions, and may veto bills passed by the Parliament (which may be overturned by three-fifths in both chambers). The Chancellor is responsible for all internal governance, conducts foreign policy, and commands the military.
The federal judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court, with two members appointed by the President, two by the Chancellor, and five by sortation from a list agreed upon by both the President and Chancellor.
National Value: Order
