[b][i]Further Elaboration on Haven's Political System[/i][/b]

Theoretically, the bedrock of Haven is the municipality; a village, town, or city district. These municipalities are the main unit of power, with their leadership elected directly by the people. These municipalities then band together to form regional councils for mutual aid and protection; said regional councils then elect a 'Federal Assembly' that governs the economies of scale needed for national defense and even expansion. Note though that the highest positions of power, such as the Presidents (plural) of Haven, are explicitly open to direct voting from the general populace.

The Presidents of Haven are a Man and a Woman; not necessarily husband and wife, who are supposed to share power and responsibility as equals. While it does not always work that way (due to power politics and human nature), whenever it does, the unity of strong but complementary personalities creates a whirlwind of strength that allows great things to happen. This principle of (theoretical) gender equality is enshrined in the Havnenite Constitution, as well as by the various Political Parties of Haven. Not merely that, but the Constitution requires that a set percentage of Government posts be reserved for Women and Minorities.

However, the requirements of the Havenite Constitution do not gel well with a significant number of towns and municipalities, especially those who had elected leaders who are opposed to the liberal and progressive elements of the Havenite Constitution. These towns and municipalities are an increasingly powerful element in Haven as the surface continues to be rebuilt to prosperity. To counteract these tendencies, the Havenite Constitution has declared the formation of 'mobile courts', a semi-nomadic establishment of judges, lawyers, and guards who go around town to town administering justice; sometimes roughly.

This Constitution, however, has been accused of favoring only one of Haven's many political parties; the Democratic Union Party of Haven. The DUPH, though dedicated to direct democracy, feminism, rights for minorities and the breakup of statist and corporatist monopolies, is also accused of being heavy-handed in enforcing its agenda; and by that, it is not afraid to manipulate events and use arbitrary force against people it deems 'backward and bigoted'. Ironically, with the surface becoming richer and richer, the DUPH's party members are getting richer as well, a hypocrisy that is called out by the other opposition parties.

Speaking of the surface becoming richer and richer, most property is under the ownership of worker and farmer co-operatives, with an opt-out option for individual farmers who just want their own small plot of land. These co-operatives and small farmers have managed to increase production in the remaining arable lands of Australia, the remaining mines and quarries, and even small 3D-Printing Workshops that make manufactured goods. There are no direct or indirect taxes; instead, money is extracted through tariffs and tolls, as well as the sale of natural resources and agricultural products to smugglers and underground networks...as well as Tshwane, Al-Amir, and even Denver-Vegas (as it's against Red-Star).

Haven's increasing 'wealth through production' is, as mentioned, a double-edged sword that increases the wealth of special interests like political parties. This has led to trouble in a few cases, mostly turf wars between towns and sets of towns. The Havenite People's Protection Forces, the standing army of Haven, has also made its presence felt in politics and has been accused of acting as the Democratic Union Party of Haven/DUPH's armed wing instead of a neutral force. Nevertheless, Haven is a paradise for freethinkers and those disillusioned with the MegaCorps for now. After all, being allowed turf wars is itself a right, right?