Dwilight University/Political Studies/A Supplement to "On Frontier Republics"
A Supplement to "On Frontier Republics"
Offering Empirical Evidence and Historical Example to Expand on the Premise of Maroccidental Republicanism
The erudite composition of my colleague and countryman, Lord Perth, regarding the history of Maroccidental Republicanism is of enormous value to any concerned with the history of Dwilight, and robust in its theoretical implications. However, it would benefit with a presentation of facts and examples. As such, I have here endeavored to present such facts and examples, to provide empirical grounding to Lord Perth's work.
- Vol. 1 -
- The Nature of the Frontier -
The barrier of the frontier cannot be overstated. Failed colonies, such as Melodia, Avenel, Ordenstaat, and Silverfall all fell victim to the rugged jungles described here. Unlike the lush tropical rainforests of Madina, the Marwood is hostile, poisonous, and dark; colonists from other lands were utterly unprepared. It is unsurprising, then, that the first successful Occidental colonies were in the north: Caerwyn and Astrum, and that many colonists came south from Caerwyn especially.
Regarding the Zuma, it should be stated that knowledge of them was limited to distant rumor until an encounter by Terran. The Zuma challenged Terran to a martial contest, and Terran thereby earned their respect, and was allowed to settle in lands not under the shadow of Volcano Nightscree. This early encounter made Maroccidentals deeply wary of the Zuma.
"The first attempts" at settling the Maroccidens, essentially, refers to the realm of Melodia. Notably, Melodia was not a republic, but a tyranny. It was destroyed when monster attacks and war with the islanders of Shadovar drove internal strife against the tyrant, Albert de Blanc. Three future politicians in Terran, Hireshmont II Vellos, Kale Perth, and Quintus Scarlett led a successful rebellion against the tyrant, establishing Maroccidens' first republic: albeit a short-lived one. All the same, the fragility of centralized systems in the Maroccidens was first seen in Melodia.
- Vol. 2 -
- Republicanism on the Frontier -
Discussions of Maroccidental Republicanism are essentially discussions of three governments: Terran, Barca, and Republican D'Hara. Terran is the oldest properly Maroccidental state, as Madina's chaotic republic held nominal sway over Paisly, and D'Hara was a struggling monarchy in the Dragon Isles. Terran's Republicanism can properly be called the fountainhead of Maroccidental Republicanism (and, by connection, Caerwyn and Madina). In an alliance with D'Hara, Madina's hold on Paisly was broken, and D'Hara was shored up. When connections in the Lurian monarchies were exiled, Terran welcomed them. Their discontent with Lurian politics and their exposure to Terran's Republic drove an adoption of a more Republican form of governance. Meanwhile, the D'Haran monarchy had long since atrophied: centralized control was unsuited to the difficult task of managing the Dragon Isles. Simultaneous with Terran's helping Barca become established in Twainville, Terran, via the Véinsørmoot, encouraged a peaceful Republicanization of D'Hara. D'Hara remains a constitutional monarchy to this day, but is in practice a republic.
Non-republican realms, like Silverfall, Monarchist D'Hara, Ordenstaat, Shadovar, de Blanc's Melodia, do not survive for long in the Maroccidens. It is also notable that, despite vibrant internal politics, religious diversity and disagreement, and sometimes radically opposed foreign policies, the natural impulse of Maroccidental Republicanism is towards federalism: the Maroccidens has known only one secession, Silverfall from Ordenstaat; central state against central state, with religious motivations. Both states failed in time. Rather, Maroccidental Republicanism recognizes the autonomy of lords, the necessity of nations, and the utility of the regional community: hence the formal institution of the Véinsørmoot. More than a political or military pact, the Véinsørmoot can be seen as the logical, regional extension of Maroccidental Republicanism.
A curious exception is the case of Asylon. Of course, Asylon is not technically Maroccidental, and its roots are different: a largely religious founding by later-day Caerwynians differs strongly from independent founding by mixed Madinan ancestries. Yet even in the monarchy of Asylon, significant autonomy, decentralization, and liberty of the nobility is offered. Asylon's monarchy is, in some sense, a response to many of the same pressures that drove Maroccidental Republicanism, though its different starting material created a diverse monarchy instead.
The discussion of charismatic leaders is also notable. No discussion of the Maroccidens is complete without its stunning individuals. Terran's early foundations were laid in large part by the strength of such personalities as Vigilans Animus and Teniel Dell. Barca was a projection of the will-to-colonize of Julius Galvez and Hireshmont Vellos. D'Hara's revitalization was largely driven by the ambitions of Marche Telrunya and Machiavel Chénier. Indeed, the structure of the Véinsørmoot, with its extremely limited Eldership, emphasizes this: charismatic personalities have long wielded enormous influence over the republicans. Why this is has never been clear; some have suggested the autonomy of lords allows the most ambitious lords to accumulate vast resources to leverage; others have suggested the preoccupation of lords with their own, individual fiefs, and the relatively limited scope of central power, and the broadly community-minded and benevolent tax and military authorities, makes most lords uninterested in national or international affairs, allowing the interested lords to command greater influence than usual. The exact truth remains to be determined.
- Vol. 3 -
- Expansion & Success -
It is peculiar that Lord Perth underplays the role of the military; in Barca and Terran at least, the military has always played a dominant role. D'Hara more heavily weights is mercantile class, largely due to geographic factors, but the republican guard has always been a mainstay of Maroccidental Republicanism. Martial lords have defended their estates for years on end. Aside from charismatic lords with international connections, often Elders in the Véinsørmoot or Dukes, the next most influential Maroccidentals are the Marshals, whose strategic decisions powerfully affect the day-to-day life of nobles. Maroccidental Republics established military power as subject to civil power early in their history, and, in doing so, established military hierarchies with firm commitments to loyalism, republicanism, and lordship. Military adventurism in defense of Paisly, against outlying monster bands, to the destruction of Itaulond, has long been a hallmark of Maroccidental Republicanism.
Colonization is also integral to Maroccidental Republicanism. Prior to Asylon's founding, Terran launched numerous westward expeditions, which ultimately failed. Later, with the arrival of the future Barcans in Terran, a colony was planned in Twainville. This colonial pattern, alongside a history of military adventurism, republican mandates in the Véinsørmoot, and larger desires to expand networks of trade and federalism, are all reflective of the basic urge of Maroccidental Republicanism to export itself. This expansive desire most likely stems from the earlier frontier mentality; yet as the wilds recede, the new frontier becomes a frontier of trade, politics, and war.
