The Reguild Century universe presents a political reconfiguration of the world following the events of the Universal Century, where humanity has experienced cycles of war, reconstruction, and renewed tensions. Despite attempts at peace and unification, old rivalries resurface in different forms, with new political actors seeking to assert their dominance in a fragmented geopolitical landscape.
In this article, we will analyze the political structure of Reguild Century, exploring the new nations that have emerged, the continuities with the past, and the conflicts that define this era of humanity.
The Legacy of Universal Century and the Transition to Reguild Century
Before delving into the politics of Reguild Century, it is essential to understand its historical context. The Universal Century was marked by space colonization, tensions between Earth and the colonies, and multiple devastating conflicts such as the One Year War, the clashes between Zeon and the Earth Federation, the Laplace Incident, and later conflicts involving factions such as the Titans, Neo Zeon, and the Crossbone Vanguard.
The devastation caused by these conflicts led to the gradual collapse of traditional power structures, eventually resulting in a major political restructuring and the birth of the Reguild Century. Although the reconstruction period aimed to avoid past mistakes, political struggles, expansionist ambitions, and resource disputes soon resurfaced.
Thus, humanity entered a new era with the promise of stability but continued to carry many of the fractures and rivalries of previous centuries.
The Emergence of New Nations and Factions
The collapse of the old order gave rise to several states and factions, many of which were built upon the foundations of former powers.
The Capital Territory (Hermandad Capital)
One of the most significant actors in the Reguild Century is the Capital Territory, a nation that controls Capital Tower, an orbital elevator that plays a crucial role in distributing energy to Earth.
This state presents itself as a stabilizing force, with a strong religious doctrine and a monopoly on advanced technology. By controlling Photon Batteries, which supply energy to much of the planet, the Capital Territory exerts considerable influence over other nations.
However, its official stance of neutrality is often challenged by its own political and economic interests. Despite its efforts to avoid open conflicts, its technological power and energy dependence place it at the center of international disputes.
Amerian Union: The New Expansionist Dream
If the Capital Territory represents religious and technological stability, the Amerian Union is its expansionist and progressive counterpart.
This state, with roots in the former South and North America, seeks greater independence from Capital Tower's energy monopoly and has adopted a more militaristic stance. With an ideology promoting modernization and space exploration, the Amerian Union is seen by some as a symbol of progress and by others as a dangerous attempt to revive old expansionist wars.
Additionally, its development of advanced Mobile Suits and its confrontation with the Capital Territory make it one of the most important powers of the period.
Gondwan: The Third Emerging Force
At the other end of the conflict is Gondwan, a state representing the more conservative and militarized forces of Earth.
This government has inherited many authoritarian tactics from the past, focusing on consolidating terrestrial power and curbing technological advancements that could disrupt the status quo.
With a strong emphasis on military development and control of strategic resources, Gondwan becomes a rival to both the Capital Territory and the Amerian Union, creating a Cold War-like dynamic reminiscent of past tensions.
Recurring Conflicts and the Struggle for Technological Control
Although the Reguild Century was born with the hope of avoiding the destructive wars of the Universal Century, the reality is that political tensions have followed a similar pattern.
One of the main points of conflict in this era is access to and control of advanced technology. The Photon Battery, managed by the Capital Territory, is a key resource that defines power relations on Earth and in the colonies.
The Amerian Union and Gondwan have, at various times, attempted to challenge this monopoly by developing their own Mobile Suit technology or forming strategic alliances to gain an advantage in this field.
Additionally, the official prohibition of military technology, imposed by Capital Tower, has led to a black market for weapons and clandestine Mobile Suits, which have been exploited by rebel groups and mercenaries.
The Persistence of Old Conflicts in a New Context
Although the political map has changed, many past tensions remain present in the Reguild Century.
- The Conflict Between Earth and Space: While the focus has shifted, the relationship between Earth’s inhabitants and those in orbit remains strained. Space inhabitants continue to fight for greater autonomy, while terrestrial powers attempt to maintain control over space resources.
- Covert Militarization: Despite attempts at demilitarization, the reality is that war has never truly disappeared. The development of advanced Mobile Suits remains a central issue in international politics, with each nation secretly seeking to strengthen its military capabilities.
- The Role of Ideologies: Ideological differences between nations have generated not only political disputes but also cultural and religious conflicts. While the Capital Territory seeks to impose its pacifist-technological doctrine, the Amerian Union and Gondwan represent more traditional and expansionist models of governance.
The Reguild Century was promised to be a new era for humanity, but in practice, it has inherited many of the problems and conflicts of the past.
New nations have emerged with promises of stability, but the struggle for power, resources, and technology has led to a repetition of old patterns of war and domination.
The key question is whether humanity will be able to break this cycle or if the Reguild Century will become just another chapter in an endless history of conflict.
For now, the political structure of this era continues to evolve, with fragile alliances, growing rivalries, and a balance of power hanging by a thread. What remains clear is that, while nations change, the struggle for control remains a constant in human history.