| Type | Alternate history |
| Themes | Economic equality • Global feminism • Civil rights • Conservative backlash • Ideological diversity |
| Key events | Government-led emphasis on economic equality • Civil rights struggle led by a united front of ethnic and racial minorities • Global feminist movement driven by radical approaches |
| Key figures | Unnamed diverse civil rights leaders • Unnamed pioneers of global feminism |
| Key movements | LGBTQ+ rights movement • Anti-racism movement • Women's rights movement • Labor movement |
| Counter-movements |
The course of history in social justice, economic policy, and political ideologies in this alternate timeline varied substantially from the one we know. Significant differences include:
In contrast to the US, where New Deal policies represented an unusual intervention, this alternate world saw numerous left-wing governments enact command economy policies that aimed to redistribute wealth, empower the working class, and reduce income inequality. Such policies became increasingly prominent after World War II.
In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party followed a series of social democratic policies dubbed the "Welfare State" that aimed to provide universal access to healthcare, education, and housing, while also nationalizing key industries like mining and heavy manufacturing.
While the US-centric Civil Rights Movement in our history primarily focused on African American experiences, the alternate universe saw various ethnic and racial minorities form powerful coalitions. Coalitions emerged in various North American countries, including Indigenous peoples, Blacks, Asians, Latinos, and Arabs, fighting for equal rights, racial justice, and ending systemic oppression.
Martin Luther King, Jr. emerged as a leader in these broader movements, often working alongside ethnic minority leaders like Cesar Chavez, Wilma Mankiller, Grace Lee Boggs, and Mahmoud Darwish. These movements emphasized the political, economic, and social intersections between various marginalized groups.
During the late 20th century, the women's rights movement grew increasingly globalized and - under the influence of the Redstockings and their provocative manifesto "The Politics of Orgasm" - adopted a more aggressive approach, confronting patriarchal norms head-on.
Across various nations, radical feminist groups proposed fundamental societal changes, including the abolition of monogamy, marriage, family structures, and challenging traditional gender roles. In the developed world, women entered professional fields en masse, leading to increased pay equity and social ascendancy, while developing nations saw explosive growth in women's political representation.
Despite the considerable strides made in achieving social justice for racial, ethnic, and gender minorities, significant backlash emerged from conservatives and reactionary movements, some specifically preaching religious fundamentalism.
Islamic fundamentalism, for example, emerged as a reaction to the perceived westernization of Islamic countries, advocating for segregation, veiling, opposition to women's education, and, at its most extreme, the establishment of theocratic regimes.
In the post-Soviet sphere, Russia experienced a backlash against progressivism with the rise of Vladimir Putin in the late 90s, resulting in a new wave of cultural conservatism and religious revivalism.
In the United States, conservatives launched the Moral Majority movement, blending evangelical Christianity and conservatism, advocating for "traditional" values and opposing liberal policies like gay rights, abortion, and pornography.
The unique course of social, economic, and political history in this alternate universe gave rise to an incredibly diverse political landscape made up of countless parties embracing various ideologies, such as socialism, communism, fascism, monarchism, and numerous others.
The manifold political ideologies in this universe reflect the different ways individuals, cultures, and nations envisioned their social progress and shaped their societies. The rich tapestry of ideas provided fertile ground for debate, negotiation, compromise, coalition, and conflict.
The myriad forces working for and against social change within this alternate universe created a dynamic, volatile, and frequently surprising landscape that tested the limits of social imagination.
