A New Cardassia
Sept 23, 2014 5:46:42 GMT
Post by Akeram Mulvar on Sept 23, 2014 5:46:42 GMT
More than any other power in the Alpha Quadrant, Cardassia suffered the heaviest burden. What was once referred to colloquially as the Cardassian Empire has now decayed into a state straddling the line between decayed ruins and a hopeful future. Three years after the war decimated Cardassia, this is what has been done.
Politics
Cardassian governance is now based upon universal suffrage, those 17 and older may vote freely. Parliamentary elections are held every three years. Traditionally Cardassian politics have inspired bloodshed, conspiracy, enmity, and occasionally assassination. These are still not terribly uncommon. Given the new Cardassian system there are often furious debates between political parties that devolve into fistfights, and charismatic leaders often enjoy the most success.
The Detapa Council fulfills the role of Executive, in a council format. Currently it is headed by Council Chair Natima Lang. Its decisions are ratified by the Parliament in a simple majority. There are nine sitting councilors, who by no means agree on everything.
The Cardassian Parliament is the large legislative body following a fairly standard Parliamentary system. Coalitions form to select the 9 Detapa Councilors, based upon electoral performance.
The new capital is Culat, chosen by virtue of being mostly intact. Damar Square was inaugurated as the center of government, bordered on one side by the Parliament Building, the Hall of Justice on another, and the Council Tower on the far side. The Square was originally intended to double as a war memorial, but in a telling lack of funding the planned mausoleum for Damar was not completed. For many Cardassians the half-finished building is a symbol of the civilian government’s shortcomings.
Private citizens and business interests have all been rumored to seek completion of the project, but attempts have usually fallen through from lack of material, divisive debates, and bureaucratic red tape. Damar is recognized as a hero, but the manner of his legacy is hotly debated between traditionalists and reformers.
Military
The Central Command was once a dominant force in not just Cardassian politics, but in all decision-making. Now it no longer has a say on ruling, and responds to the Detapa Council ordinarily, and Parliament upon a majority demand. The very existence of Central Command is a nod to tradition from a government that would have preferred to discontinue it entirely. Many Cardassians find it reassuring.
Central Command now consists of 9 Legates, selected from the ranks of Guls by the Detapa Council. Headed by Legate Akellan Macet.
Cardassia’s nominal fleet is almost 1000 ships. In practice 300 of those are armed freighters, and 300 more are Hideki class patrol ships. The fleet has only 100 Keldon class cruisers available, and not quite 300 Galors, most of older models. On paper in a crisis more could be mobilized, but in practice fueling and supplying the current fleet for even localized operations is a major logistical challenge. Repairing the vast amount of heavily damaged warships is beyond the capability of Cardassia.
Cardassia maintains a form of conscription known as Universal Service. All Cardassians of able body between the ages of 17 and 24 are required to contribute 3 years active in the Cardassian Guard, the Relief Administration, the science or engineering services, or the medical services; and to spend 4 more years as reservists. The duties have largely been accepted by Cardassians, and the Federation hasn’t taken issue with the compulsory service as non-military avenues were provided as options.
The result is that the formerly very professional Cardassian military is now often unwieldy and far below proper efficiency.
Law Enforcement
The Ministry of Justice oversees Cardassian legal affairs. The previous system has remained only in name, and Archons now serve merely as judges advising a jury and providing direction to a trial. ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and presumption of innocence are still customs that bring skepticism, and trials are often lengthy and contentious affairs. The highest court is led by the Chief Archon, and the ‘jury’ is a group of legal scholars appointed by Parliament for six year terms.
Even with fair jurisprudence, many Cardassian jurors prefer to convict out of respect for tradition. Sometimes those few who are acquitted are slain in revenge killings or simply lynched by vigilantes. Law Enforcement are simply too underfunded and outnumbered to effectively stifle these incidents. As a result, typically only high profile cases are effectively managed.
The Obsidian Order has not been precisely replaced, but its necessary duties were assumed by the Cardassian Security Bureau, which consists of four directorates. The first is criminal investigation, working to deal with high profile investigations and crimes. The second is counter-intelligence, trying to prevent espionage. The third is protection, providing guards and safety to important officials in danger. The final fourth directorate is intelligence, seeking to gain information. The fourth directorate generally cooperates extremely closely with the Federation.
Economics
The Cardassian Union has adopted a mixed-market economy in which a central-planning department attempts to insure basic functions can be carried out while most non-essential goods are exchanged for latinum. In practice, anything can be bought for a price, and the entire planned aspect is heavily contingent on Federation aid. As such, many Ferengi with the ‘Lobes’ for business have set up shops all throughout Cardassia, exploiting the needs of the many for a steep price. There have also been rumors that the Orion Syndicate runs an Underground, often trading goods and services for favors, favors of which often go to the extreme detriment of the Cardassian people and government. Often kanar is an unofficial currency used to lubricate the wheels of commerce.
Culture
Before the war, Cardassian culture hinged heavily on service to the family and to the state. Multiple generations would routinely share meals and live in large houses. Loyalty was considered a high virtue. Given the horrific casualties of the war and the attempted genocide by the Dominion, a family to have lost no members is almost unheard of. Many were rendered homeless or lost numerous loved ones. The utter collapse of the state after the military defeat led to a common question. What is there to be loyal to? Loyalty to the state was eclipsed, and even shattered families became all-important. Many Cardassians would do anything, legal or otherwise, to preserve what is left of their families.
Politics
Cardassian governance is now based upon universal suffrage, those 17 and older may vote freely. Parliamentary elections are held every three years. Traditionally Cardassian politics have inspired bloodshed, conspiracy, enmity, and occasionally assassination. These are still not terribly uncommon. Given the new Cardassian system there are often furious debates between political parties that devolve into fistfights, and charismatic leaders often enjoy the most success.
The Detapa Council fulfills the role of Executive, in a council format. Currently it is headed by Council Chair Natima Lang. Its decisions are ratified by the Parliament in a simple majority. There are nine sitting councilors, who by no means agree on everything.
The Cardassian Parliament is the large legislative body following a fairly standard Parliamentary system. Coalitions form to select the 9 Detapa Councilors, based upon electoral performance.
The new capital is Culat, chosen by virtue of being mostly intact. Damar Square was inaugurated as the center of government, bordered on one side by the Parliament Building, the Hall of Justice on another, and the Council Tower on the far side. The Square was originally intended to double as a war memorial, but in a telling lack of funding the planned mausoleum for Damar was not completed. For many Cardassians the half-finished building is a symbol of the civilian government’s shortcomings.
Private citizens and business interests have all been rumored to seek completion of the project, but attempts have usually fallen through from lack of material, divisive debates, and bureaucratic red tape. Damar is recognized as a hero, but the manner of his legacy is hotly debated between traditionalists and reformers.
Military
The Central Command was once a dominant force in not just Cardassian politics, but in all decision-making. Now it no longer has a say on ruling, and responds to the Detapa Council ordinarily, and Parliament upon a majority demand. The very existence of Central Command is a nod to tradition from a government that would have preferred to discontinue it entirely. Many Cardassians find it reassuring.
Central Command now consists of 9 Legates, selected from the ranks of Guls by the Detapa Council. Headed by Legate Akellan Macet.
Cardassia’s nominal fleet is almost 1000 ships. In practice 300 of those are armed freighters, and 300 more are Hideki class patrol ships. The fleet has only 100 Keldon class cruisers available, and not quite 300 Galors, most of older models. On paper in a crisis more could be mobilized, but in practice fueling and supplying the current fleet for even localized operations is a major logistical challenge. Repairing the vast amount of heavily damaged warships is beyond the capability of Cardassia.
Cardassia maintains a form of conscription known as Universal Service. All Cardassians of able body between the ages of 17 and 24 are required to contribute 3 years active in the Cardassian Guard, the Relief Administration, the science or engineering services, or the medical services; and to spend 4 more years as reservists. The duties have largely been accepted by Cardassians, and the Federation hasn’t taken issue with the compulsory service as non-military avenues were provided as options.
The result is that the formerly very professional Cardassian military is now often unwieldy and far below proper efficiency.
Law Enforcement
The Ministry of Justice oversees Cardassian legal affairs. The previous system has remained only in name, and Archons now serve merely as judges advising a jury and providing direction to a trial. ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and presumption of innocence are still customs that bring skepticism, and trials are often lengthy and contentious affairs. The highest court is led by the Chief Archon, and the ‘jury’ is a group of legal scholars appointed by Parliament for six year terms.
Even with fair jurisprudence, many Cardassian jurors prefer to convict out of respect for tradition. Sometimes those few who are acquitted are slain in revenge killings or simply lynched by vigilantes. Law Enforcement are simply too underfunded and outnumbered to effectively stifle these incidents. As a result, typically only high profile cases are effectively managed.
The Obsidian Order has not been precisely replaced, but its necessary duties were assumed by the Cardassian Security Bureau, which consists of four directorates. The first is criminal investigation, working to deal with high profile investigations and crimes. The second is counter-intelligence, trying to prevent espionage. The third is protection, providing guards and safety to important officials in danger. The final fourth directorate is intelligence, seeking to gain information. The fourth directorate generally cooperates extremely closely with the Federation.
Economics
The Cardassian Union has adopted a mixed-market economy in which a central-planning department attempts to insure basic functions can be carried out while most non-essential goods are exchanged for latinum. In practice, anything can be bought for a price, and the entire planned aspect is heavily contingent on Federation aid. As such, many Ferengi with the ‘Lobes’ for business have set up shops all throughout Cardassia, exploiting the needs of the many for a steep price. There have also been rumors that the Orion Syndicate runs an Underground, often trading goods and services for favors, favors of which often go to the extreme detriment of the Cardassian people and government. Often kanar is an unofficial currency used to lubricate the wheels of commerce.
Culture
Before the war, Cardassian culture hinged heavily on service to the family and to the state. Multiple generations would routinely share meals and live in large houses. Loyalty was considered a high virtue. Given the horrific casualties of the war and the attempted genocide by the Dominion, a family to have lost no members is almost unheard of. Many were rendered homeless or lost numerous loved ones. The utter collapse of the state after the military defeat led to a common question. What is there to be loyal to? Loyalty to the state was eclipsed, and even shattered families became all-important. Many Cardassians would do anything, legal or otherwise, to preserve what is left of their families.