Stellar Republic of New Rome

## Historical information

### Formed from

Colonists from the United States of America and later the Fran-Wakeman Corporation

### Date established

2120

The **Stellar Republic of New Rome**, also simply **New Rome** or derogatorily the **Fran-Corp Empire**, is a member nation of the Coalition of Congressional Republics which claims sovereignty over the entirety of the eponymous New Rome star system. Founded in 2120 as the planets of Columbia and Ulysses were initially colonized by Americans as distant military outposts for the CCR at its then-farthest reach of the Frontier, New Rome would quickly break away from its dependence on the United States of America through the aid of the Fran-Wakeman Corporation and the novel philosophical movement known as the Pantheon of the Anthropocene. New Rome would, over time, be one of the first bastions of rebel corporate power in the Corporate Wars of the 2240s, and later the center of radical Anthropocenist-driven cultural phenomena such as Legacism and New Deco.

As of the modern day, New Rome is one of the most prominent star systems in the Periphery, with a population of 40 billion. It was one of the first nations to react to the outbreak of the Meran War and the rise of the Confederated Republic of Mera, declaring war upon it in 2651. Many levy criticism on the Stellar Republic of New Rome for its heavy influence from the Fran-Wakeman Corporation and the Pantheon of the Anthropocene, forming a "trinity of dictatorial control" in the New Rome star system.

## Etymology

New Rome, both in the terms of the star system and the polity itself, earned its name as a result of its initial American colonizers in the 2120s who saw the system as the center of a future powerful and transcendent society. Initially seen as distasteful to members of other colonies, the name was eventually praised by denizens of the star system, and became the official label of the polity and system by 2125.

The name "New Rome" is a reflection of the founders' ambition to create a new civilization that emulated the greatness and power of the ancient Roman Empire. The use of the name "Rome" also harkens back to the American tradition of adopting classical Greek and Roman names for new settlements and institutions, reflecting the founders' view of themselves as the inheritors of Western civilization.

The derogatory nickname "Fran-Corp Empire" refers to the influence of the Fran-Wakeman Corporation within the nation's politics, which also played a significant historical role in the development of New Rome. This corporation, along with the Pantheon of the Anthropocene, helped New Rome to break away from its dependence on the United States of America and establish itself as an independent power in its own right. However, the corporation's heavy influence has drawn criticism from some who view it as a threat to democracy and freedom.

## Government and politics

The government and politics of the Stellar Republic of New Rome are founded on the principles of democracy, republicanism, and cultural identity. As a member nation of the Coalition of Congressional Republics, New Rome is a federal semi-presidential constitutional republic in law; yet, in actuality, it functions as only a quasi-democratic corporatocracy.

The current head of state is President Phane Thayeson, who leads the executive branch of the nation known as the Assembly of Whips. The legislature is composed of a bicameral Grand Council, which is divided into two chambers: the High and Popular Council. The High Council is comprised of two Councilors from each of the planet-states that make up the New Rome star system, while the Popular Council is elected proportionally to the population of each planet-state. The chancellor of New Rome, Sandrea Banner, supervises the conduct of the Popular Council. The judicial branch of the nation is the New Roman Grand Court.

The political system of New Rome places a great emphasis on cultural identity, with the Pantheon of the Anthropocene playing a significant role in shaping the political discourse and decision-making of the government through a mixture of lobbying and centuries of involvement. Their philosophy is heavily reflected in the government's policies, which prioritize human freedom and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Fran-Wakeman Corporation also plays a significant role in the politics of New Rome, with many outside of the nation accusing the corporation of exerting undue influence over the country. More often than not, corporate directives and quotas from the corporation often find themselves being expressed in the New Roman government.

## Economy

The economy of the Stellar Republic of New Rome is highly dependent on the Fran-Wakeman Corporation, which played a key role in the formation of the nation. The corporation has a significant presence in the star system and has established various industries to the economy of New Rome. Such an economy is highly diversified and comprises various sectors, including mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and service industries. The planet of Columbia is a hub for high-end product manufacturing, while the planet of Ulysses is known for its vast mineral resources, including rare elements and metals.

The economy is highly centralized and controlled by the government, which works closely with Fran-Wakeman to ensure that it runs smoothly. However, this has naturally consolidated financial power in the hands of the Fran-Wakeman corporate elite.

In recent years, the New Roman government has attempted to promote more equitable distribution of wealth and reduce the negative image of the corporation's involvement by investing in public services and infrastructure, as well as promoting the growth of small private businesses. The government has also encouraged foreign investment in the star system from the Core, especially from Americans and Europeans.

Despite these efforts, the economy of New Rome remains heavily dependent on Fran-Wakeman, which has a near-monopoly on many key industries in the star system. As such, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of the economy and the potential consequences of such a concentrated and centralized system in the possibility of the corporation's collapse.