One of several unresolved issues facing Cherusken today is whether or not various political factions, more commonly knonwn as parties should become a part of the Cheruskian political landscape. The issue is one of some delicacy, especially for a nation as small as Cherusken. A system with a small number of parties can produce "inbred thinking" and stifle innovation, as the parties concentrate on maintaining their own power and party discipline. Too many parties become an exercise in futility, as each person has their own party, and the whole matter becomes pointless.

Yet parties can also serve a valuable function: the organization of political values into a recognizable system. The main question for Cherusken is whether such an organizational system would be helpful in furthering its political development, or merely a waste of time. When a nation reaches a certain size, parties become a necessity, due to the diversity of the political spectrum. At that point, a political kaleidescope results, based on personalities and opinions, rather than a more solid foundation that can be provided by parties.

But has Cherusken reached this point? In a bizarre and ironic twist, factions of sorts have formed on this issue. Newer citizens, such as Councilors Steiner and Krenz, have made an unlikely alliance with Councilor Rowles, in favor of the creation of a formal system of parties. On the other hand, the older establishment, as represented by Councilors Z. and Schultze, have claimed that Cherusken is not yet ready for parties, and that its political system must mature further, before parties would become a viable part of Cherusken's political landscape.

At the moment, there are no laws expressly prohibiting the formation of parties within Cherusken. However, Cherusken's political culture is grounded in tradition as much as it is in explicit laws. This tradition-based political system resists changes that are not explicitly passed as laws, or that are not arrived at though consensus. With those opposed to the creation of parties backed by this status-quo system, the real question is whether or not the pro-party elements within Cherusken will defect from this established pattern, possibly tearing deep gashes within the fabric of Cheruskian political life.

by Brent Schultze