Don't forget Speculative Fiction's redheaded stepchild genre, Alternate History. The best examples of the field really dive into the alternate politics and societies that arise from differing circumstances. Here's three online ones I'd recommend that I think would catch your eye:
* A World of Laughter, A World of Tears (http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=113866) -- When Eisenhower suffers a heart attack in 1952, a divided Republican Party decides to nominate a compromise candidate... Walt Disney. When the worse trials of the 1950s hit, including the Korean War, Civil Rights movement and Middle East issues, the kind-hearted but flawed businessman succeeds at first but is soon out of his element.
* Superpower Empire: China 1912 (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=86560) -- When Yuan Shikai dies four years prematurely, the leadership change ushers in a government that manages to prevent the rise of warlordism and civil war. Incredibly detailed. Has a spin-off series of short stories (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=68510) set inside the universe; try Sodom and Gomorrah Send Their Regards (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=55310) as an example of how differently things can turn out.
* All Along the Watchtower (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=172453) -- Richard Nixon beats JFK in the 1960 Presidential Election, ushering in the "Shrieking Sixties" and ripples that affect the entire world. Makes for lively reading, but I'd recommend keeping two tabs open to read the footnotes without scrolling.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2011-09-03 03:40 pm (UTC)* A World of Laughter, A World of Tears (http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=113866) -- When Eisenhower suffers a heart attack in 1952, a divided Republican Party decides to nominate a compromise candidate... Walt Disney. When the worse trials of the 1950s hit, including the Korean War, Civil Rights movement and Middle East issues, the kind-hearted but flawed businessman succeeds at first but is soon out of his element.
* Superpower Empire: China 1912 (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=86560) -- When Yuan Shikai dies four years prematurely, the leadership change ushers in a government that manages to prevent the rise of warlordism and civil war. Incredibly detailed. Has a spin-off series of short stories (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=68510) set inside the universe; try Sodom and Gomorrah Send Their Regards (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=55310) as an example of how differently things can turn out.
* All Along the Watchtower (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=172453) -- Richard Nixon beats JFK in the 1960 Presidential Election, ushering in the "Shrieking Sixties" and ripples that affect the entire world. Makes for lively reading, but I'd recommend keeping two tabs open to read the footnotes without scrolling.