Editing The Gift:Conflict (section)

==Political Parties==

Mages in the North America have been killing each other over mortal politics for as long as history records.  Modern mages of the Peace, on the other hand, generally avoid overt control of mortal government, not out of respect for the mortals, but for fear of triggering mage war.  Having been raised in the same environment as mortal Americans, most mages view democracy favorably and have some genuine attachment to the United States.  Allowing the mortals to rule themselves isn’t ideal, but it is generally thought to be better than any of the available alternatives.  House Osiris Risen has a special mandate to keep an eye on politicians to ensure that they do not expose mage society or otherwise act against its best interests.  They keep very light reigns, however, only too aware of how politically delicate their own position as watchdog is.  In general, mages tend to be more attracted to political idealism about rights and freedoms than to political idealism about duty and responsibility.  A Council mage might jealously guard their privacy, a Circle mage their freedom of religion, a Paulite their right to own weapons, and a Human Society mage their right to do whatever they like with their own body.  Still, there are mages that are passionate about every political position that mortals become passionate about.  Like mortals, these mages are not always above bending the rules for an important political end.