Decentralization
1931
Eraphalia has a long history of being a dispersed decentralized system of government during the imperial ages. However, that all changed after the rise of the first regime in the early 19th century and the arrival of the technocratic government in the mid-19th century. Both regimes have stapled down into the political landscape an all-powerful central government that controls all. At first, the strength of the military has kept the dissenters quiet, but that slowly shifted.
In the early 20th century, many Eraphalians began demanding change in the system of government, to want more representation. The technocratic government at first denied the outcries for decentralization, finding that it can damage the order of government. However, the quickly shifting of the government to a more democratic style has given the protestors even power. Ironically, it was the upper educated class that caused the beginning of decentralization rather than the common masses.
The Eraphalian Progressive Party formed under the banner of a decentralized government and they exploited the unrest of the populace well in their campaigning. In mere nine years after its formation, the EPP has gained control over the Senate, displacing the technocratic elites from their castles. Within a single year later, the "Provincial Governance Act" was passed that established local government in the provinces of Eraphalia. What were once simple dividing lines now laid newly hatched governments.
Continuing onwards in the 20th century the battle over a central or decentral government continued to rage on. There were acts that allowed the provinces to establish companies and there were acts that stripped the provinces of their powers. Eventually, the bitter political struggle ended in a stalement following the largest struggle in the late 20th century.
By the late 20th century, the Senate dominated by the technocrats began to hammer away at the governors of the provinces. Appointed by the Senate, they were seen as the key for the government in Argena-Hersa to rule over the provinces and to ensure their agenda is pushed through. However, over time, the governors began to show traits of working for the provinces rather than the Senate. Responding to the threat, the Senate began a purge of governors that gathered massive protests and support.
The hunt only ended following the denouncing of the Senate by the Director, whom long watched in silence. Assaulting the Senate for being corrupt and attempting to cull rights, the Director successfully managed to halt the hunt. Since then, the 21st century has been a relatively uneased peace between the provincial governments and the Senate. However, even a tiny push can give way to another series of power struggle.