The micro-democratic system in Infomocracy and its sequel, Null States, features thousands of districts, all with their own laws. Electing an over-arching world government—in this instance a “supermajority”—would be impossible if many of these districts didn’t merge their interests and form larger political parties.
Infomocracy introduces these major parties, but they change a lot over the course of the book (as well as in the ensuing novel Null States, but let’s not spoil that here!). Here’s a refresher on who the major players are, and where they’re at by the end of Infomocracy!
The first Supermajority, which held that title for two decades, Heritage pioneered the model of forming a government based on a coalition of corporations, and with laws to suit those economic interests. Headquartered in Geneva, Heritage has centenals all over the world, and even after losing the Supermajority in the third global election they are a force to be reckoned with in Global politics. Previously lead by William Pressman, Heritage is now helmed by Cynthia Halliday
Policy1st is based on the idea that governments should be about their policies, rather than the appearance of their spokespeople, the personalities of their heads of state, or the logos of their corporate constituents. In this interest, Policy1st focuses on the evidence around different potential government programs, and tries to avoid being linked to a single individual. In practice, however, they have two co-heads of state: Vera Kubugli and Veena Rasmussen, the latter previously of Earth1st. The new Supermajority, Policy1st has struggled with the role.
- Liberty: A corporate government severely sanctioned in the last elections, but still popular in some places.
- PhilipMorris: A government originally formed by the tobacco firm, now a conglomerate including other like-minded businesses. A frequent contender for the Supermajority.
- 888: A large government mainly, though no longer entirely, composed of businesses that originated in what was once China. A frequent contender for the Supermajority.
- EuropeanUnion: A large government with global reach imitating the values and legal structures of the European Union cerca 2035.
- AfricanUnity: A mainly East African-focused government with visions of expanding Africa’s global power through trade and diplomatic deals that increase economies of scale and voice on the international stage.
- YouGov: A large “individualist” government, focusing on participation and tailored solutions to policy questions.
- 平和亜紀 (Peaceful Asian Era): A superficially pan-Asian, peace-loving government with a semi-covert Japanese expansionist agenda.
- La Raza: A Mexican and Chicano nationalist government that has attempted to make the leap to Pan-Latin@, without much success.
- DarFur: A small government, limited to the eastern edge of the Sahara, focused on the Fur tribal group.
- DarMasalit: A small government, limited to the eastern edge of the Sahara, focused on the Masalit tribal group.
- JusticeEquality: A small government, limited to the eastern edge of the Sahara, focused on the Fur tribal group.
- NomadCowmen: A small government of Sahelian pastoral nomads.
- SecureNation: A government based around the vestigial United States Army, with centenals primarily around where bases were and a system of government based on the military hierarchy, an economy from renting out military services. Now defunct.
- YourArmy: A military-based government that rents out its services to other governments.
- EuroVision: Moderate-sized government that combines a European culture and economy focus with a reputation for an amazing nightlife.
- LesProfessionnels: A military- (and mercenary-) based government that rents out its services to other governments.
- ElNuevoPRI: A Mexican nationalist government based on nostalgia for and power structures of an old political party.
- NousSommes: A West African corporate conglomerate government.
- ToujoursTchad: A small government popular in some areas of the former nation-state of Chad, trading mainly in Chadian nationalism and nostalgia
- Economix: A mid-level government focusing on economic policy.
- ForzaItalia: A government named after the former Italian political party, trading mainly in Italian nationalism and nostalgia.
- SavePlanet: An ecology-focused government.
- AlThani: The main government of the Qatari peninsula, based around the old ruling dynasty.
- 1China: A government purporting to enshrine the values, approaches, and policies of the People’s Republic of China, 1China has close ties to the remaining nation-state of China (which encompasses a smaller area than its previous incarnation) and is particularly popular in areas with large numbers of unassimilated Chinese migrants around the world.
- RépubliqueLéman: Small French-Swiss nationalist government.
- FríuFøroyar: Single-centenal government of the Faroe Islands.
- Asia’s Return: Moderately-sized government pushing for Asian power through economic success.
- OrgulloDominicano: Small government with centenals primarily in New York City and surrounding area catering to the Dominican diaspora.
- RastaGov: Small government taking its policy platform from Rastafarian principles.
- Oranje: A small Dutch nationalist government.
- YourStory: A large government marketing itself on individual focus and choice.
- Free2B: A small government with a relaxed aesthetic, more concerned with quality of life than economic growth.
- HipstaLand: A small government located mainly in North American urban areas specializing in artisanal products and a fascination with the turn of the century.
- ChouKawaii: A single-centenal government, based in Tokyo, specializing in fanfic and cute characters.
- AllFor1: A mid-level government promising policies tailored to each individual and almost universal employment.
- Privacy=Freedom: A two-centenal government without surveillance cameras.
- StarLight: A government entirely run by and focused on celebrities.
- Sony-Mitsubishi: A technocratic government initiated by the two large companies it is named after.
