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Federation

2019-05-24T15:07:57Z

166.109.224.51: /* History */

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the centre of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a [[wikipedia:Corporatocracy|corporatocracy]]. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" /> A key tenet of the Federation's founding was the protection of xeno-culture and lifeforms, but it is sometimes claimed that the Federation uses this as a pretext for military action against its adversaries, such as the [[Empire]].<ref name=":8" />

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
The hierarchy of Federal society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a very large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has ensued for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favourite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as advanced software are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are robust, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few core systems (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realise it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre-Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== Constitution ===
Federal law is based on an agreed constitution known as the Federation Accord, which was derived from the laws and principles of the [[United States of the Americas]], the other former [[Country|countries]] of [[Earth]], and the ancient Constitution of the United States, but was also greatly simplified.<ref>[https://archive.is/r1cmc Rollingstone.com: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing (archived at Archive.is)]</ref> The Federation Accord was ratified in 2242 CE by the five founding systems of the Federation: [[Sol]], [[Tau Ceti]], [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]]. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for member states and citizens. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation's founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55a910889657bad10af67b12 GalNet: A Clash of Titans]</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==
[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]
These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political centre, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Federation

2019-05-22T17:12:30Z

166.109.224.51: /* Hierarchy and Commerce */

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the center of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a [[wikipedia:Corporatocracy|corporatocracy]]. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" />

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
The hierarchy of Federal society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a very large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has ensued for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favourite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as advanced software are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are robust, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few core systems (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realise it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre-Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== Constitution ===
Federal law is based on an agreed constitution known as the Federation Accord, which was derived from the laws and principles of the [[United States of the Americas]], the other former [[Country|countries]] of [[Earth]], and the ancient Constitution of the United States, but was also greatly simplified.<ref>[https://archive.is/r1cmc Rollingstone.com: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing (archived at Archive.is)]</ref> The Federation Accord was ratified in 2242 CE by the five founding systems of the Federation: [[Sol]], [[Tau Ceti]], [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]]. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for member states and citizens. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation's founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/19-JUL-3301 A Clash of Titans]</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==
[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]
These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political centre, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Federation

2019-05-22T17:09:25Z

166.109.224.51:

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the centre of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a [[wikipedia:Corporatocracy|corporatocracy]]. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" />

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
The hierarchy of Federal society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a very large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has ensued for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favourite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as advanced software are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are robust, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few core systems (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realise it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre-Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== Constitution ===
Federal law is based on an agreed constitution known as the Federation Accord, which was derived from the laws and principles of the [[United States of the Americas]], the other former [[Country|countries]] of [[Earth]], and the ancient Constitution of the United States, but was also greatly simplified.<ref>[https://archive.is/r1cmc Rollingstone.com: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing (archived at Archive.is)]</ref> The Federation Accord was ratified in 2242 CE by the five founding systems of the Federation: [[Sol]], [[Tau Ceti]], [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]]. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for member states and citizens. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation's founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/19-JUL-3301 A Clash of Titans]</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==
[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]
These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political centre, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Alliance

2019-05-22T15:08:20Z

166.109.224.51:

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:AllianceInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Alliance
|capital = [[Garden City]], [[Alioth/Turner's World|Turner's World]], [[Alioth]]
|demonym = Alliance
|government = Parliamentary Democracy / Confederacy
|constitution = Bill of Human Rights, Individual member system constitutions
|head_of_state = [[President of the Alliance]]
|head_of_government = [[Alliance Prime Minister]]
|legislature = [[Alliance Assembly]]
|military = [[Alliance Defence Force]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 847 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 491,477,277,221
|formed_from = [[Independent Systems]]
|established = 3230
}}
{{Quote|The Alliance rose to defend independent worlds from the relentless exploitation of the Federation and Empire. It is the newest of the great powers, but dig deep and you will find that its roots are ancient indeed. Large sections of the galaxy were once under the sway of a tiny handful of worlds in the Galactic Cooperative. Gal Cop is long gone, but its ancient founder planets of Lave, Leesti, Zaonce and other Old Worlds have an important story to tell. It is a tale that the Empire and Federation would do well to hear...|Alliance and Old Worlds Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books Alliance and Old Worlds Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Alliance''', officially the '''Alliance of Independent Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and a representative democracy.<ref>[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpower - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> It is the third largest major [[Factions|faction]] in the galaxy.<ref>[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Its historic and political center is the system of [[Alioth]]; [[Garden City]] on [[Alioth/Turner's World|Turner's World]], close to the old industrial and ship-building city of New Rossyth, is the seat of the Alliance government.<ref name="Brookes" />

The Alliance was formed from a number of [[Independent Systems|independent systems]] with the goal of gaining strength in numbers and defending, where necessary, against the other major [[factions]].

Militarily, the cooperation is successful. Each member system contributes a portion of its navy to the [[Alliance Defence Force]]. The [[Council of Admirals]] is unified and has powers to act swiftly without [[government]] approval. Vessels of the Alliance generally bear the decals of their own navy, but display an additional Alliance Defence Force decal while operating with the unified naval force.

The Alliance was formed circa 3230 CE in Alioth, and portrays itself as a beacon of human rights and democracy in an increasingly autocratic universe. It does not conform to the political ideals of the totalitarian Empire, or the authoritarian Federation and there is much cultural variation among its members. This, however, means they often struggle to achieve political agreement. The [[President of the Alliance|presidency]] changes annually around its member systems. The current [[Alliance Prime Minister]] is [[Edmund Mahon]].

==History==
===Born from conflict===

[[File:Alioth Donaldson and Turner's World.jpg|thumb|250px|Donaldson and Turner's World. The birthplace of the Alliance of Independent Systems, the spindle of the first of the system's three huge Orbis Stations is in orbit of Turner's World (Alioth 5B).]]

The Alliance may champion the ideals of harmony and independence, but it is very much the product of violence. Alioth, the Alliance powerbase, was once a highly contested system. In the decades that followed its colonisation, it was the site of almost constant conflict between the Federation and the Empire. Naturally this made life difficult for the system's inhabitants, whose lives were impacted by generation after generation of war.<ref name="Galnet Origin">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5788c3c09657ba0207588b5a Galactic News: The Origin of the Alliance]</ref>

The turning point came in 3228 CE, when the Federal corporations supplying one of Alioth's main population centres attempted to raise prices. This triggered a revolt. Federal and Imperial forces were dispatched to quell the uprising, but the resistance, bolstered by fighters from neighbouring independent systems, successfully repelled them. Ultimately the Empire chose to withdraw from the system, reluctant to commit to a potentially protracted campaign far from its centre of power. When the Federation realised how unpopular the war had become among Federal citizens, it followed suit.<ref name="Galnet Origin" />

=== Events in 2380 - 3230 ===
After the war between [[Achenar]] and the Federation concluded in 2380 CE, the Federation looked to find new resources elsewhere. In 2398, the first of a new wave of colonial missions was sent to the outermost sectors in the opposite direction to the Empire and [[Lave]].<ref name=":1" />

Alioth was colonised in 2452. Survey data and reports had already indicated the rich resources of the system before settlement, but the resources proved richer than expected. The first colonial settlement in the system was known as 'Fruitcake', the name given owing to the loamy consistency of the planetary surface and its propensity for small mineral deposits.<ref name=":1">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk/ Tourist beacon 0115] Alioth History</ref>

In 2559, the tourist liner Everichon, full of Imperial nobles was hijacked by a Caker group who planned to crash it into one of the gas giants. The attempt was thwarted by the Imperial commandos. The holo-vid broadcast and subsequent fictional dramatisation 'Rebel Madness', went some way to diverting popular opinion from the insurrection.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk Tourist Beacon 0117 Everichon Hijack]</ref>

Having smuggled weapons into the system, the tension between the Cakers and the authorities was always going to spill over eventually. In 2617, the death of Tom Quaterson, a munitions worker who had been convicted of selling food coupons to the poor, was the spark that lit the flame of revolt. Workers on the gas platforms seized control of the facilities and planetside, the general populace stormed the Governor's residence.<ref name=":2" />

Quentin Deviseses wasn't just a revolutionary. He had a long term strategy for the system and as soon as the planet was secure, used every means he could to get the word out that Alioth would become a free trade port.<ref name=":2" />

The resource implication of Alioth's independence was too much for either the Empire or the Federation to take.<ref name=":2">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk Tourist Beacon 0118 Tom Quaterson Death]</ref>

In 2853, the science research outpost of Nesbitt Landing was founded. Initially this was to be a joint venture between the Empire and Federation, but when a detailed study into the genetic problems on New California linked the issue with the terraforming of the planet in 2612, the Imperials withdrew from the project.<ref name=":3" />

The matter remained a local issue until, in 2854, responding to pressure from Achenar, Imperial soldiers instigated martial law and attempted to impose a genetic correction programme on the planet. This was prevented by a coup against the military garrison by a new Caker sect. Within days, the planet had been secured and an appreal was sent to the Federation for assistance.<ref name=":3" />

A fierce battle ensued; Imperial forces from the orbital refineries began a planetary bombardment, but the arrival of a Federal fleet escalated the conflict. Eventually, the Imperial ships pulled back and [[Admiral Kracer]] landed with his marines to cheering crowds in the capital. Kracer retired three years later, settling in New California and later became the colony leader.<ref name=":3">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk Tourist Beacon 0119 Caker Coup]</ref>

In 2924, a further conflict started up in the Alioth system, initiated by a squabble over its hydrocarbon resources. The Durn and Resnar Corporation applied for Imperial assistance to enforce its claim over a large swathe of the system's mining rights. A small force of Imperial cruisers and their support ships arrived in the system and rapidly deployed to enforce these claims. They vastly outnumbered the mustered Federal units, and forced them out of the entire system within a year. But then, without warning in 2925, the Imperial battle group disappeared. Federal vessels returned and Hassoni-Kruger appropriated the system's mining rights. Within months all assets of the Durn and Resner Corporation were seized by the Emperor. The reason for the strange events has never been discovered. Federal intelligence sources were later to accuse the Duvals of instigating a [[cloning]] programme to breed specialised infantry units.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk Tourist Beacon 0135 Battlegroup's Disappearance]</ref>

In 3184, the election of Federation President [[Loric Trander]] saw a renewal of hostilities over Alioth. This time, conflict was instigated by corporate rivalry in the system's vast gas mining sector. After the discovery of a murdered official named Riley Dain who was investigating the abuse of permitted quotas, the situation quickly escalated. Trander authorised a force of privateers. In response [[Hesketh Duval]] sent in the Imperial XV fleet.<ref name=":4" />

The conflict avoided the settlement of New California owing to the previous treaty, but the settlers there found themselves all but cut off until a further ceasefire was established in 3198. Neither side achieved anything but line the pockets of the industries who fueled and powered their fleets. It also served to stir further resentment amongst the settlers. At this time, the Caker insurrection became more organised and received substantial financial support from unknown sources.<ref name=":4">[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk Tourist Beacon 0120] Riley Dain Murder</ref>

The Alliance of Independent Systems (usually referred to as just 'Alliance') was founded on Alioth in early 3230 CE. Over the next two decades, more than twenty system went on to join. Some were independent, other revolted from Imperial and Federal control. For nearly a thousand years, colonial settlements could only choose between Imperial tyranny or Federal interference. Alioth and the Alliance provided a third way, more supportive and less conditional on cultural alignment.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eu30UyjpQrWexAglwD1Ax_GaDz4d7l8KD76kSzX4DEk Tourist Beacon 0007]</ref>

===A third superpower===
[[Mic Turner]] and his life-long partner [[Meredith Argent]] were the first to propose a safe political unit for those who wished to exist outside the protection of the Federation or the constraints of the Empire. They were the main driving force behind the creation of the Alliance.<ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Mic_Turner</ref>

In the wake of the conflict, the idea of an independent socio-political body rapidly gained popularity among the people of Alioth and in 3230 CE the Alliance of Independent Systems was established. Its founding principles were simple: to protect and support those who wanted to remain independent of the Federation and the Empire, and to empower its member systems while simultaneously preserving their independence. Over the next two decades, more than twenty systems joined the Alliance.<ref name="Galnet Origin" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
The Alliance was "watching keenly" as events escalated around the Imperial [[Hengist Duval#Timeline|succession]] and a junior aide had hinted at frustration in its administration,<ref>[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=8c803c1c03 Newsletter 53: The Chancellor Speaks Out]</ref> but little news had filtered out of GalNet regarding the region.

By 3303 CE, the Alliance had largely avoided disputes with the Federation and Empire as tensions escalated between the latter two superpowers.

On June 19, 3303, following an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]] on a Federal fleet, Prime Minister [[Edmund Mahon]] called for caution, arguing that it had not yet been proven that the destroyed Federal ships were the victims of Thargoid attacks, and that much could be learned from an advanced alien race.

The Alliance joined together with the [[Federation]] and the [[Empire]] to established [[Aegis]], a scientific organization dedicated to researching the Thargoids that utilized the shared resources and knowledge of all three superpowers, on August 4, 3303.<ref name="Aegis">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59844fbe301ce614455222a1 Galactic News: Joint Superpower Initiative Announced]</ref>

Following a second attack by Thargoid ships that destroyed a Federal fleet in Pleiades Sector IR-W d1-55 on September 21st, the Alliance and the other two superpowers widened Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On December 17, 3303, following a series of [[Thargoids#Station attacks and Medusae|unprecedented attacks by Thargoids]] against [[Station]]s, the Alliance commissioned [[Lakon Spaceways]] to develop and produce a new ship on an accelerated basis to combat the escalating alien threat: the [[Type-10 Defender]]. This marked the first overtly military response from the Alliance to the ongoing Thargoid conflict.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5a33f0d7c8717065ab310fde Galactic News: Lakon Announces New Ship]</ref> The Type-10 was released to the public the following week.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5a3be4794b55be3e304a16b2 Galactic News: Type-10 Defender Now Available]</ref> After the success of the Type-10, further collaboration with Lakon resulted in the creation of a line of Alliance military vessels that were released throughout 3304: the [[Alliance Chieftain]], the [[Alliance Challenger]], and the [[Alliance Crusader]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5a9823e0fa392560037d3e24 GalNet: Lakon Releases Alliance Chieftain]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b7fedf14d1824475d5fbaaa GalNet: Lakon Releases Alliance Crusader]</ref>

On August 31, 3304, [[President of the Alliance|Alliance President]] [[Gibson Kincaid]] confirmed that he would run for re-election and campaign to invest his office with executive powers above those of both the [[Alliance Assembly]] and the [[Alliance Prime Minister]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b890ea58dfdb92ece6dc242 GalNet: Alliance President Proposes Changes]</ref> While the proposed restructuring of the Alliance bureaucracy was criticized as a risky move that could imbue the presidency with emperor-like authority, the Assembly agreed to hold a vote on it on the same day as the next Alliance presidential election, October 16.<ref name="ATVOPC">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b8fc14feb78d76d3d503a32 GalNet: Assembly to Vote on Proposed Changes]</ref><ref name="CFAPA">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b98e927d72037476d01e345 GalNet: Candidates for Alliance Presidency Announced]</ref> Kincaid faced two opponents in the election: [[Fazia Silva]], a successful entrepreneur who lacked political experience and intended to leverage her business acumen to increase trade and boost economies throughout the Alliance, and [[Elijah Beck]], a respected politician with over four decades of experience in the Alliance Assembly who was unlikely to propose any radical changes.<ref name="CFAPA" /> With Kincaid's proposal essentially riding on his chances for victory, political analysts commented that the 3304 presidential election could be the most consequential in Alliance history.<ref name="ATVOPC" /> Fazia Silva was found poisoned to death on October 5; Alliance [[Interpol]] opened an investigation.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743509e3c5627c11d0baa GalNet: Presidential Candidate Murdered]</ref>

On October 17, the day after the election, Kincaid was confirmed to be victorious over Beck by a narrow margin. Meanwhile, the Assembly opted to debate Kincaid's proposal for one additional week before putting it to a vote.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bc717fa571f27250800d065 GalNet: Kincaid Wins Election]</ref> On October 26, the Assembly rejected Kincaid's proposal, but agreed on revising the role of Alliance President. As a result, the Office of the Alliance President was created, a non-political department consisting of a team of ambassadorial emissaries with a diplomatic focus which the Alliance President would oversee. The presidency's term was also increased from one year to three years.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bcde4361cee9a6ed44a28ac GalNet: Alliance Assembly Revises Presidential Role]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Alliance-City.png|thumb|250px|An Alliance city]]
{{For|additional information|Alliance/Lore}}
Today, the Alliance is widely seen as a paragon of democracy in an increasingly autocratic galaxy. It is governed by a body known as the [[Alliance Assembly]], the primary function of which is to establish common policies and treaties among the Alliance's member [[Star Systems|systems]], and act as an arbitration body when necessary. The notional head of the [[Alliance Assembly]] is the [[Prime Minister]], but in reality it is the [[Council of Admirals]] that wields the greatest degree of power.<ref name="Galnet Origin" />

The [[Council of Admirals]] is a six-person body comprising the leaders of the six largest military forces in the Alliance. In addition to selecting the prime minister, the Council also commands the [[Alliance Defence Force]], a vast flotilla of ships contributed by each of the Alliance's member systems. The Council of Admirals is free to deploy the Defence Force without the approval of the Assembly, making it extremely powerful.<ref name="Galnet Origin" />

"There can be no argument that the Alliance lacks the power-projection abilities of the Empire and the Federation. But it is more than capable of competing with them in economic and political terms, and of defending its member systems when necessary.<ref name="Galnet Origin" />

What the future holds remains to be seen, but under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Edmund Mahon, it seems likely the Alliance will only continue to grow.<ref name="Galnet Origin" />

=== Alliance Values ===
On July 2, 3301, [[Prime Minister of the Alliance|Prime Minister]] [[Mahon]] gave a speech about the values of the Alliance which he holds dear at the esteemed Alioth University, his alma mater:<ref name=":0">https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5593b9d49657bab1445913c1</ref>

''“The Alliance of Independent Systems is built upon a single defining principle and that is one of freedom. The freedoms we enjoy range from our personal freedoms as inscribed in the Bill of Human Rights to the freedom of societies and even planets within the Alliance.”''<ref name=":0" />

''“But we should not accept this grace blindly or assume that its existence continues by mere chance. The birth of the Alliance came from removing the burden of the Federation and the Empire who for centuries fought each other for our resources and we were caught helpless in the middle.”''<ref name=":0" />

''“Both of those organisations proudly describe their origins as being freedom from the tyranny of others. And yet now they are the tyranny and it is our duty to oppose them, while also ensuring that we don’t become them.”''<ref name=":0" />

=== Political Variety and Controversy ===
The Alliance is devoted to liberty and self-determination for both its citizens and the [[government]]s of its member [[Star Systems|systems]]. As a consequence of the Alliance granting member systems a greater degree of autonomy than the Federation and Empire, however, a small number of systems are controlled by Alliance-aligned dictatorship, feudalism, communism, theocracy, and anarchy minor factions. Permitting these government types to operate within the Alliance has been a point of controversy, as they are generally autocratic or even criminal, and some of them allow [[slavery]] with no restrictions. As such, these governments are arguably at odds with the Alliance's outspoken commitment to liberty.<ref name=":5">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/55c1d2b89657ba00210d630d Children of Liberty call out Alliance Hypocrisy, 07 AUG 3301]</ref>

The Alliance's criminal and autocratic systems totals as of April 3305 are compared with those of the Federation and the Empire below:<ref>Data gathered from [https://www.edsm.net/en/search/systems EDSM] on April 5, 2019</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1"
! Allegiance
! Anarchy Systems
! Communism Systems
! Dictatorship Systems
! Feudal Systems
! Theocracy Systems
|-
|Alliance
|24
|45
|39
|24
|13
|-
|Empire
|9
|0
|656
|369
|0
|-
|Federation
|4
|0
|0
|0
|22
|}

A group calling itself the "Children of Liberty" accused the Alliance of "rampant hypocrisy" on August 7, 3301, claiming that a "huge gulf" exists between the Alliance's professed goals and values and the reality present in many of its member systems:<ref name=":5" />

''"For an organization that purports to be devoted to the ideals of liberty and self-determination", the release stated, "the Alliance certainly tolerates a great deal of despotism and tyranny within its own borders. It's about time the Alliance addressed the rampant hypocrisy of allowing dictatorships – as well as other restrictive, undemocratic forms of government – membership into their supposed bastion of freedom and liberty."''<ref name=":5" />

The statement went on to list a number of Alliance-sponsored autocracies in various systems, and called on the Alliance and its supporters to sponsor serious democratic reform in said systems by backing democratically-aligned factions over autocratic ones.<ref name=":5" />

== Population ==
[[File:Elite Dangerous Human City Concept Art.png|thumb|250px|Alliance megalopolis]]

The Alliance has an estimated population of 491,477,277,221 (491 billion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Alliance populated systems</ref> It is the third most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. People of the Alliance populate 847 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> More Alliance systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|[[Lave]]
|Alliance
|25,000,000,000
|-
|2
| He Bo
| Alliance
| 24,383,243,322
|-
|3
|G 123-16
|Alliance
|16,412,629,046
|-
|4
|[[Alioth]]
|Alliance
|14,900,071,500
|-
|5
|VZ Corvi
|Alliance
|11,829,349,398
|-
|6
|Vamm
|Alliance
|11,475,993,394
|-
|7
|LTT 13125
|Alliance
|10,896,065,831
|-
|8
|[[78 Ursae Majoris]]
|Alliance
|10,387,920,737
|-
|9
|Mullag
|Alliance
|10,161,396,861
|-
|10
|BD-22 3573
|Alliance
|9,795,262,157
|}

== Law ==
Every Alliance member system has an independent government that makes its own laws. The [[Alliance Assembly]] lacks lawmaking powers. It mainly functions to establish common policies and treaties among its members.<ref name=":6" />

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Alliance space.
* The [[Allied Police Forces]] are the police forces of the Alliance.
* [[Interpol]] provides multi-jurisdictional investigation, particularly across Alliance worlds, but also when an investigation strays beyond.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0235</ref>
* The [[Alliance Defence Force]]''' '''is essentially a small rapid deployment force consisting of ships from the Alliance member navies. Additional forces can be provided by member system's navies.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/55b0a69e9657ba0e3ae7daa1 Victoria Wolf VI and Commodore Stone launch Operation Augeas]</ref>

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Edmund_Mahon.png|thumb|250px|Prime Minister Edmund Mahon]]

The [[President of the Alliance]] is the head of state of the Alliance, while the [[Alliance Prime Minister]] is the head of government. The latter position is the more influential of the two in directing the Alliance's policies. The current Prime Minister is [[Edmund Mahon]]. The real power rests with the [[Civil Servants]], and the [[Council of Admirals]].<ref name="Brookes" />

The Prime Minister is elected by the [[Council Members]] in the [[Alliance Assembly]]. In theory the Prime Minister is elected for six years, but disputes within the Assembly have meant that the PM often doesn’t make it that long. They can suffer votes against them, often resulting in resignation, or occasionally votes of no confidence. They can serve multiple terms, but none have managed to do so yet.<ref name="Brookes">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes. Tourist Beacon 0116
</ref>

===Council of Admirals===
The [[Alliance Defence Force]] is run by the six member [[Council of Admirals]], independently from the Council of Members, but reporting to it after the event, to facilitate rapid decision-making. Each of these Admirals is from a key contributing Navy.<ref name="Brookes" />

===Alliance Assembly===
The [[Council Members]] of the [[Alliance Assembly]] are elected by the people of each member state. Some Member States have slightly different electoral rules based on their history. The number of Council Members within the [[Alliance Assembly]] is based on the size of each member state's respective populations; some only have one. The Council Members represent their member system politically in Parliament. The Meetings of the [[Alliance Assembly]] are conducted virtually but run on [[Alioth/Turner's World|Turner's World]] in [[Alioth]]. The [[Prime Minister]] is elected by the [[Council Members]], and it is his or her job to corral them into some sort of consensus which is generally a slow process. There is much less tradition than in the other powers, and processes within the Alliance Assembly are still subject to change – generally when arguments break out, as they frequently do. In practice the [[Alliance]] is largely run by [[Civil Servants]] – salaried officials that look after day to day running of the Alliance, generally not getting involved in the political struggles. Due to much cultural variation the Alliance Assembly rarely gets anything done.<ref name="Brookes" />

The Alliance Assembly is the central body for the Alliance as a whole. While parallels can be drawn with the European Union in the 21st century, the Assembly lacks the law making powers of the EU. It mainly functions as a means for establishing common policies and treaties rather than laws. It also acts as an arbitration body between member states and depending on Assembly votes can enforce sanctions or corrective measures. However the politics of the member states often makes this a tricky process.<ref name=":6">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R8jZN2_tJU Tourist Spot 0113</ref>

When the ruling minor faction of a Member State changes, then depending on the rules of that Member State, it could change who represents them in the Assembly – but given that the Assembly rarely gets anything done, it is unlikely anyone will notice.<ref name="Brookes" />

== Key Systems ==
These are key Alliance [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Alioth]] - The famous capital system of the Alliance.
* [[Gateway]] - Home system of the Alliance Prime Minister [[Edmund Mahon]].
* [[Lave]] - One of the [[Old Worlds]] and was the seat of the [[Galactic Cooperative]].
* [[Leesti]] - Notable for Zero-G Cricket and Leestian Evil Juice. One of the [[Old Worlds]].<ref name=":7">In-Game Description</ref>
* [[Diso]] - Noted for ancient Ma Corn plantations, but beset by frequent solar activity. One of the [[Old Worlds]].<ref name=":7" />
* [[Zaonce]] - Home system of the [[Bank of Zaonce]]. One of the [[Old Worlds]].<ref name=":7" />
* [[Tionisla]] - Noted for the Tionisla Orbital Graveyard. One of the [[Old Worlds]].<ref name=":7" />
* [[Reorte]] - Home system of renowned shipbuilder [[Faulcon DeLacy]]. One of the [[Old Worlds]].<ref name=":7" />
* [[Quator]] - A lawless backwater. One of the [[Old Worlds]].<ref name=":7" /><ref>https://www.edsm.net/en/system/id/16460/name/Quator</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
The Alliance does not have a navy auxiliary like the Federation and Empire. Consequently, none of the Alliance's ships or systems are locked behind a rank system. The only permit-locked system within the Alliance is its capital, [[Alioth]], and its permit can be acquired by gaining reputation with the Alioth Independents minor faction.

== Faction ships ==
The Alliance has 3 faction ships.
*[[Alliance Challenger]]
*[[Alliance Chieftain]]
*[[Alliance Crusader]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of Permits|Permits/Alliance}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become allied with that faction. You can often find that faction on a [[station]] outside the main system they control.

Once allied, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Making Friends And Going Places". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
|-
| [[Alioth Independents]]
| 78 Ursae Majoris
| Rominger Dock
|-
| [[Alioth Independents]]
| 78 Ursae Majoris
| Read Gateway
|-
|Indaol Independents
|Indaol
|Wafer Landing
|}

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Alliance
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_ALLIANCE_CODEX
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
AllianceInsignia.png|Insignia of the Alliance
Alioth Donaldson and Turner's World.jpg|Donaldson and Turner's World. The birthplace of the Alliance of Independent Systems
Edmund Mahon.png|Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon
Corbra earthlike.jpg|Cobra of the Alliance Defence Force
Elite Dangerous Human City Concept Art.png|Alliance megalopolis art
Elite-Dangerous-Alliance-City.png|Alliance City
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Alliance]]
* [[Alliance Defence Force]]
* [[:Category:Alliance key people|Alliance key people]]
* [[Alliance Assembly]]
* [[Alioth/Turner's World|Turner's World]]
* [[Garden City]]
* [[Alioth]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Alliance]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Federation

2019-05-20T15:43:55Z

166.109.224.51: /* Hierarchy and Commerce */

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the centre of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a [[wikipedia:Corporatocracy|corporatocracy]]. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" /> The Federation claims to have a higher regard than the [[Empire]]<ref name=":8" /> for both [[human]] and nonhuman life, but this is often disputed by the wider galactic community.

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
The hierarchy of the Federation society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a very large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has ensued for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favorite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as advanced software are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are robust, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few core systems (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realize it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre-Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== Constitution ===
Federal law is based on an agreed constitution known as the Federation Accord, which was derived from the laws and principles of the [[United States of the Americas]], the other former [[Country|countries]] of [[Earth]], and the ancient Constitution of the United States, but was also greatly simplified.<ref>[https://archive.is/r1cmc Rollingstone.com: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing (archived at Archive.is)]</ref> The Federation Accord was ratified in 2242 CE by the five founding systems of the Federation: [[Sol]], [[Tau Ceti]], [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]]. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for member states and citizens. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation's founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/19-JUL-3301 A Clash of Titans]</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==
[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]
These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political center, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Federation

2019-05-20T12:32:01Z

166.109.224.51: /* Hierarchy and Commerce */

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the centre of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a [[wikipedia:Corporatocracy|corporatocracy]]. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" /> The Federation claims to have a higher regard than the [[Empire]]<ref name=":8" /> for both [[human]] and nonhuman life, but this is often disputed by the wider galactic community.

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
The hierarchy of Federation society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a very large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has ensued for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favorite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as advanced software are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are robust, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few core systems (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realize it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre-Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== Constitution ===
Federal law is based on an agreed constitution known as the Federation Accord, which was derived from the laws and principles of the [[United States of the Americas]], the other former [[Country|countries]] of [[Earth]], and the ancient Constitution of the United States, but was also greatly simplified.<ref>[https://archive.is/r1cmc Rollingstone.com: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing (archived at Archive.is)]</ref> The Federation Accord was ratified in 2242 CE by the five founding systems of the Federation: [[Sol]], [[Tau Ceti]], [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]]. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for member states and citizens. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation's founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/19-JUL-3301 A Clash of Titans]</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==
[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]
These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political center, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Federation

2019-05-17T14:27:49Z

166.109.224.51: /* Constitution */

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the centre of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a corpocracy. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" /> The Federation respects [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms more than the [[Empire]].<ref name=":8" />

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
To an outsider, the hierarchy of Federation society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has gone on for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favourite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as artificial intelligence are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are brutal, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realise it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== '''Constitution''' ===
Federal law is based on an agreed Constitution. The Federation adopted a constitution derived from the former powers on [[Earth]], but much simplified. The Federation Accord was created in 2242 CE. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for members. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation’s founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/19-JUL-3301 A Clash of Titans]</ref> The [[Federation]] united the former [[Country|countries]] on [[Earth]] and many colonies in the Milky Way.<ref name=":2" /> The Constitution of the Federation adopts many of its principles from the ancient Constitution of the United States.<ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/elite-dangerous-creator-talks-sci-fi-politics-and-whats-next-w492781</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==

[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]

These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political centre, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Federation

2019-05-17T14:25:27Z

166.109.224.51: /* Constitution */

{{Superpowerinfobox
|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation
|capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]]
|demonym = Federal
|government = Representative Democracy
|constitution = Federation Accord
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]]
|head_of_government = [[President of the Federation]]
|legislature = [[Federal Congress]]
|military = [[Federal Navy]]
|language = [[Universal Language]]
|currency = [[Credits]]
|area = 5,969 [[Star Systems|Populated Systems]]
|population = 2,519,927,670,889
|formed_from = [[United States of the Americas]]
|established = 2242
}}
{{Quote|Welcome to the Federation. Please state your corporate allegiance before registering your vote. The most massive of the interstellar powers creaks under the weight of its ancient bureaus. The densely settled territory of the Federation grants it superb wealth but at the cost of political stability. An under-supported working population is kept entranced by mass entertainment and commercialism even as their political rights slowly ebb away. Can the Federation’s dream of interstellar democracy, one citizen, one vote, survive in the face of trillions of voters?|The Federation Sourcebook, ''EDRPG''<ref>[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook excerpt]</ref>}}

The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and representative democracy. It is the oldest and largest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref name=":5">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</ref> Planet [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] ([[Sol]]), birthplace of humankind, is the historic former capital of the Federation and regarded as the centre of human-inhabited space. The Federation loosely lies between the [[Alliance]] and the [[Empire]] on the [[Galaxy Map]]. The Federation's current capital is [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are in Olympus Village such as the [[Federal Congress]] and the [[President of the Federation|President]] in the [[White House]].

The Federation arose from the ashes of the Third World War in the mid 21st century. The war caused tremendous devastation across the planet, decimating the population.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref> In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 CE) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times the [[corporations]] are the lifeblood and backbone of the Federation. The Federation uses technology extensively and is economically and socially a corpocracy. The corporations have such [[influence]] that they generally push and fund their chosen candidates or parties, as do other special interest groups.<ref name="FedGovt" /> The current [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] is [[Zachary Hudson]].

The Federation has densely settled star systems with trillions of people.<ref name=":9" /> The Federal economy has a huge gross domestic product which funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]]. In Federal society people can freely move between social classes which are only determined by the haves and have-nots. There is poverty but also conspicuous wealth. Corruption is not unusual in the Federation. Every citizen has rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.<ref name=":3" /> Some things are illegal such as [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]].<ref name=":6" /> The Federation respects [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms more than the [[Empire]].<ref name=":8" />

== History ==
===Consolidation on Earth===

[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|250px|Earth in 3302]]

''Mankind's first ventures into space were tentative and gradual. The early part of the 21st century saw the first manned spaceflights beyond the moon, but it took major population and economic problems to stimulate enough commercial commitment to start settlements beyond Earth.''<ref name=":2">Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth</ref>

''The Third World War saw this exploration expenditure dragged back again and it wasn't until the very end of the 21st century that colonies on Mars and the Moon became truly permanent and viable.''<ref name=":2" />

''After the war, the dominant power was the [[United States of the Americas]], and as the remaining other countries joined it over the next few decades, it was renamed the [[Federation of the United States]] and later "The Federation" as the implied reference to one of the pre-war powers was a block to the remaining countries joining it. It had a constitution and laws derived from the earlier powers, but much simplified.''<ref name=":2" />

===Space colonization===
Many different factors changed humanity’s outlook after that. The rise of the corporations, the discovery of the first fossils on Mars, and the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades. Despite the huge dangers involved, a massive land-grab followed, fuelled by the voracious corporations.<ref name="FedFounding">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

It wasn’t until some of the ecological excesses of these early colonists became apparent over a century later that Earth took its first steps, founding the Federation and becoming the colossal entity it is now, creating some order in what had become an unruly free-for-all.<ref name="FedFounding" />

===The Federation Accord===

In 2242 CE the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in [[Tau Ceti]] (which had been ignoring Earth's demands to stop killing the native wildlife to near extinction levels over a period of approximately 20 years) became the first signatory outside the Sol system. Sol and Tau Ceti were soon joined by [[Delta Pavonis]], [[Altair]], and [[Beta Hydri]], and these five systems are today regarded as the founding members of the Federation. The name of the Federation was also changed at this time to the "[[Federation of Star Systems]]", but the name didn’t stick and quickly returned to just the Federation.<ref name="FedFounding" />

From that point the Federation provided a stable framework to facilitate the further expansion of humanity to ever more distant star systems but not all colonies wanted a part of this. A distant early colony, formed by a band of political idealists as far from Earth as they could manage, in the system of [[Achenar]] would eventually spark another defining moment for the Federation and indeed humanity as a whole.<ref name="FedFounding" />

The Federation has always seen itself as the major power in the galaxy. From the very beginning, long before the Empire or Alliance existed, it took upon itself the task of policing the galaxy and being the peacekeepers. While sometimes not in the best interests of minor factions involved, the decisions made by the Federation are usually made for the benefit of its citizens.

=== The Birthright Wars ===

[[File:Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|thumb|250px|Federal Navy First Fleet]]

Between 2621 and 2735, Federal member systems underwent a period of societal change. The original colonial charters of many settlements granted hereditary land and position to families descended from their original settlers. Many of these birthright claims extended across vast areas of land and encompassed massive resources. The old charters became a hindrance especially to corporations who wanted access to these assets and gradually more and more pressure came to bear on the presidential administration to take action against this 'stifling anachronism'.<ref name=":0">Tourist Beacon 0181</ref>

The Birthright Wars were the name given to a series of conflicts that resulted in the forced acquisition or redistribution of hereditary rights (depending on your viewpoint) from colonial pioneers to corporations who had necessary technology to exploit these regions. It was generally blamed on corporate greed at the time, but notably the Federal Navy stood by.<ref name=":0" />

The commercial race in starship innovation together with increased funding from the Birthright Wars allowed the Federation to renew and centralise its military power. In the past, mobilising a fleet had required mustering resources from each member system, but generous corporate charters authorised different corporations to build and maintain centralised fleets. The first of this was commissioned and trained at Anlave in 2702, providing a much needed new purpose for the ruined agricultural system. These could be deployed much more efficiently against the Federation's enemies.<ref name=":1">Tourist Beacon 0183</ref>

Anlave was the site for the final act in the Birthright Wars. Exiled descendants of displaced original colonists, invaded the system in 2708, and bombarded the Naval Academy at Anderton, obliterating it. A battlefleet of privateers descended on the system, but were beaten back by a spirited and shrewd tactician; Admiral Ghenkis B'nami. It was believed at the time that Imperial finance had sponsored the coup, but no link was ever proven, and this is now seen as scaremongering.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent events - 3300 on===
[[Jasmina Halsey]] of the Liberal Party was elected [[President of the Federation]] in 3300 CE. Her initial popularity quickly faded after she criminalized the narcotic [[Onion Head]] in December of that year, and launched a short-lived military campaign against Onion Head growers in the [[Kappa Fornacis]] system. Soon after, an independent minor faction seized control of the Federation system of [[Lugh]], prompting Halsey to retaliate and igniting [[The War for Lugh]], which ended in an embarrassing defeat for the Federation. Halsey's reputation took its most dramatic hit when she ordered an attack against an unarmed refugee convoy which the leader of the Lugh rebels was reportedly aboard; almost ten thousand innocent Federal civilians died in the attack, and Halsey's approval rating dropped to 26%.

On May 26, 3301, [[Starship One]], personal ship of the Federal President, went missing with Halsey and her Vice President, [[Ethan Naylor]], on board. With Halsey presumed dead, an election was called and on June 2, [[Shadow President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] of the Republican Party was elected the next President of the Federation.

On February 26, 3302, Jasmina Halsey was found alive in an escape pod recovered from the wreckage of Starship One following a search campaign sponsored by President Hudson. Upon being revived weeks later, she claimed that she had encountered super-intelligent beings with a message of peace. Over the subsequent months, Halsey became an international advocate for peace.

By 3303, tensions between the Federation and the Empire have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the [[Pleiades Nebula]] as Federation and Empire sought to monopolize access to [[Alien Structure]]s and [[Meta-Alloys]].

On June 13, 3303, a Federal fleet was wiped out in an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]]. On June 19, President Hudson responded to the attack and discovery that the Thargoids were tied to the recent spate of alien encounters by starship pilots, saying that the Federal military had been expanding in recent months in preparation for a possible conflict with a hostile alien species.

The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref>

By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[Professor Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref>

On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref>

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

==Society==
[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|thumb|250px|A Federation city]]
In this modern age it's hard for us to imagine that before the Federation, humanity existed on just a single world, bar a few small colonies on Mars and the Moon. Even stranger to our current experience was the fact that so many disparate tribal groupings, or "[[Country|countries]]" existed on one world.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation - GalNet]</ref>

=== Hierarchy and Commerce ===
To an outsider, the hierarchy of Federation society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect [[Congressmen]], and a [[President of the Federation|President]] with an 8-year term and a "Vote of No Confidence" after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> There are trillions of citizens who can vote in the elections. The interstellar democracy is supported by ancient bureaus.<ref name=":5" />

However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]], who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" />

Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.<ref name=":3" />

The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a large, well-equipped [[Federal Navy]] which projects its values and influence.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Federal Grand Lottery]] is the largest lottery in the [[galaxy]]. It regularly hands out millions of [[credits]] to winners. The annual Galactic Jackpot is by far the most popular lottery game.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b4713372b87a4631072cf29 Search for Lottery Winner - 13 JUL 3304]</ref>

=== Culture ===
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, [[cloning]] and certain narcotics.<ref name=":3" />

The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has gone on for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.<ref name=":3" />

[[WorldCraft]] in [[Epsilon Eridani]] has been the Federation's favourite tourist resort for more than 300 years.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0213, WorldCraft Theme Park</ref>

=== Technology ===
[[Robotics]] such as [[robot]]s and [[android]]s as well as artificial intelligence are used extensively in Federal society. They do certain type of work so that people don't need to do the same. [[Cloning|Clones]] and [[slaves]] are illegal in Federal space.<ref name=":3" /><ref>http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Empire</ref>

Between 3290 - 3300 CE, the [[Achilles Corporation]] sold over 20 million robots throughout the Federation, including nearly 300,000 [[PA912]] models.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb743009e3c56256957f431 Further Surveillance Robots Discovered - 05 OCT 3304]</ref>

Animal cloning is legal in Federal space. Such as in 3302, the [[Starship Enterprises Corporation]] cloned hundreds of [[Earth]] animals inside special ''in vitro'' chambers.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/585bf70a9657ba5e182dbb5b Galactic News: Wildlife Reserve Campaign Concludes] - 22 Dec 3302</ref>

The Federation's [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]] [[Capital Ships|capital ships]], supplied by [[Core Dynamics]], are brutal, practical war machines inside and out.<ref>Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref>

== Population ==
The Federation has an estimated population of 2,519,927,670,889 (2.519 trillion) as of February 3304 CE.<ref name=":10">https://eddb.io/system Federation populated systems</ref> It is the most populous [[Galactic Superpower|superpower]] in the Milky Way [[galaxy]]. [[Federal Citizen]]s populate 5,967 [[Star Systems|star systems]], primarily in the [[Core Systems]].<ref name=":10" /> Many more Federal systems are uninhabited.

=== Leading Population Centers ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
!Rank
! '''System'''
! Allegiance
! Population
|-
|1
|G 203-47
|Federation
|31,607,888,936
|-
|2
| Blatrimpe
| Federation
| 27,637,283,802
|-
|3
|Oduduro
|Federation
|24,232,626,557
|-
|4
|[[Sol]]
|Federation
|22,780,871,769
|-
|5
|Inti
|Federation
|21,698,898,077
|-
|6
|HR 5632
|Federation
|20,369,766,950
|-
|7
|Coriccha
|Federation
|20,071,707,963
|-
|8
|LP 339-7
|Federation
|18,860,097,527
|-
|9
|Aeternitas
|Federation
|18,561,412,096
|-
|10
|Rana
|Federation
|17,565,996,646
|}

==Government==
===Leadership===

[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]]

The [[President of the Federation]] is the elected head of state and head of government of the Federation. The President is elected for an eight year term by the [[Federal Citizen|citizens]] of the Federation.<ref name=":5" /> The president faces an automatic "Vote of Confidence" by the people after four years. If the incumbent President wins the vote, they are allowed to complete their full term, but if the incumbent loses the vote, a new Presidential election is called. Presidents select and appoint a Vice President to serve as Acting President in the event that the President is unable to lead. The current Federal President is [[Zachary Hudson]], and his Vice President is [[Brad Mitchell]].<ref name=":4" />

When the leader of one of the Federation's two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Republican Party, is elected President, then the leader of the other party automatically becomes [[Shadow President]]. The Shadow President has no authority in the sitting President's administration, but he or she is often at the top of their party's list to run for the Presidency during an election. The current Shadow President is [[Felicia Winters]].

The [[White House]] is the official residence and workplace of the President on [[Mars]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</ref>

==Federal Congress==
[[Federal Congress]] is made up of 500 [[Congressmen]] (the term for both men and women). They sit in Congress, in [[Olympus Village]] on [[Mars]] – which replaced its location in Washington DC early in the 3rd millennium. Congressmen are expected to attend in person to vote.<ref name="FedGovt">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=225156 Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

Anyone can run for election to Federal Congress. They do not need to be backed by a political party or minor faction, but it helps. There are two major parties: the Liberals and the Republicans. Corporations generally do push (and fund) their chosen candidates or parties (e.g. Hudson), as do other special interest groups. Like the President, Congressmen are elected for an eight year term by the citizens of the Federation, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years.<ref name=":5" /> If the vote of no confidence succeeds then a full election takes place. A Congressman (or President) cannot serve multiple consecutive terms, though a Congressman can (and often does) become President immediately after a term as a Congressman.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen spend their days representing their constituency. They can also hold other office as part of government – for example chairing committees etc. They are not allowed to have corporate interests that might conflict with their political roles (though quite often some hide them via their friends, spouses etc, and not all get found out).<ref name="FedGovt" />

Every Federation system has representation at the Congress, but generally a Congressman represents multiple systems, except a few (like Sol) that have more than one Congressional representative, based loosely on historic population. Phenomenal growth in the outer systems has meant that they have little representation in Congress, and there is frequent discussion about creating many new Congressmen to address this balance, but the various power blocks realise it will change the balance of power away from the core systems, the very people who would have to vote it through – so many agree it is unlikely to happen in the near future.<ref name="FedGovt" />

Congressmen do not change when their system's controlling minor faction changes, and serve until their term is up, but their life could become difficult, so they might resign, triggering a local election.<ref name="FedGovt" />

=== Congressional Streamlining ===
Federal colonies continued to mature into Congressional members and became accepted as Federal States throughout the next two centuries. However, the ratification of each colonial charter and approval of membership made the governing body of the Federation more and more unwieldy. This meant getting decisions made became more and more of a laborious and time consuming process, increasingly relying on Presidential Influence. Eventually in 2594, Congress passed an Act reducing the total number of congressmen dramatically at the subsequent election round, amid much controversy.<ref name=":4">Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

In parallel, the President's fixed four year term was extended to a single eight year term, with a Vote of Confidence by the people after four years. This was to address the problem that increasingly the Presidents were serving two consecutive terms (their limit - a historical limit dating back to pre Federation days), and few credible candidates would stand against them in what increasingly were referred to as the 'mid-term' election.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0180</ref>

=== Public Holidays ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"
! Date
! Name
! Notes
|-
|Once every four or eight years
|[[Inauguration Day]]
|The day after a Federal election when a new president-elect takes the oath and is sworn into office as the [[President of the Federation]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/556ddd259657ba047533fa1c Zachary Hudson Becomes the New President of the Federation] - 02 JUN 3301
</ref>
|-
| 12 February'' ''
| [[Sol/Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln]] Starport Celebration
| Annual remembrance of Abraham Lincoln Starport's namesake, President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>[http://galnetarchive.blogspot.com/2015/02/celebration-at-abraham-lincoln-starport.html Celebration at Abraham Lincoln Starport in Earth Orbit], Sol - 9 February 3301</ref>
|}

==Federal Law==
[[File:Mars_Terraformed.jpg|thumb|250px|Mars terraformed, 3300]]The Federation is an interstellar representative democracy. Every [[Federal Citizen|Federal citizen]] has rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution such as the right to vote in elections. Each adult citizen has one vote per election within their star system or state to elect Congressmen and the [[President of the Federation]]. Anyone of the Federation is free to run for election to Federal Congress and in Presidential elections.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Federation Sourcebook, EDRPG]</ref>

=== '''Constitution''' ===
Federal law is based on an agreed Constitution. The Federation adopted a constitution derived from the former powers on [[Earth]], but much simplified. The Federation Accord was created in 2242 CE. It outlines certain rights and responsibilities for members. The protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation’s founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/19-JUL-3301 A Clash of Titans]</ref> The [[Federation]] united the former [[Country|countries]] on [[Earth]] and many colonies in the Milky Way.<ref name=":2" /> Federal politics has much influence of the United States Constitution.<ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/elite-dangerous-creator-talks-sci-fi-politics-and-whats-next-w492781</ref>

The Constitution is the foundation of the government of the Federation. The constitution sets out boundaries of federal law. Federal law is controlled by the Federal [[government]] on [[Mars]]. The sheer size of the Federation makes it very hard for a System to have any influence on changing it.<ref name=":6" />

People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. A great many things are illegal, like [[Slaves|slavery]], [[cloning]] and certain [[narcotics]]. Local 'State' law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.<ref name=":6">Tourist Beacon 0162</ref> The Federation does respect [[human]] life, xeno-culture and lifeforms in its own way and much more than the [[Empire]],<ref name=":8" /> although the Federation doesn't respect freedom as much as the [[Alliance]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kaGsHvv0 Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Federation]</ref>

There are various [[Security Forces|security forces]] that enforce the law in Federal space.
* The [[Federal Criminal Investigations]] is the Federation's primary domestic security and law enforcement agency.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0231</ref>
* The [[Federal Security Service]] do security patrols, law enforcement and investigate crimes and mysteries in all Federal systems.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/560a4fd39657ba343d58f74b President Hudson Confirms Investigation]</ref><ref name=":7">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e7029657ba71492c7ad7 President’s Bodyguard Found Murdered]</ref>
* The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is a secretive organisation that looks after Federal interests outside the Federation. Such as espionage and counter-espionage operations, covert support for Federal diplomats abroad, intelligence relating to foreign operations and protection.<ref>Tourist Beacon 0232</ref>
* The [[Presidential Protection Detail]] are elite Federal agents responsible for protecting the safety of the sitting President of the Federation and the first family.<ref name=":7" />
* [[Void Rangers]] are an [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Federal space.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ocPr8DlBQs YouTube: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Content Livestream - Part 1]</ref>
* The [[Federal Navy]] is the naval warfare force of the Federation.

==Key systems==

[[File:Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|thumb|250px|Eta Cassiopeiae]]

These are key Federal [[Star Systems|star systems]].
* [[Sol]] - Origin system of [[humans]], including the species' original homeworld, [[Sol/Earth|Earth]] (Sol 3), and the Federation's current economic and political centre, [[Mars]] (Sol 4), with the capitol itself located in the metropolis of Olympus Village. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Tau Ceti]] - Taylor Colony (Tau Ceti 2) was home to the first extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by humanity, and played a central role in the founding of the Federation. More recently, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]]. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Delta Pavonis]] - Reagan's Legacy (Delta Pavonis 3) was home to the second extraterrestrial biosphere encountered by human explorers, which was at a much earlier stage of development relative to Tau Ceti's. Early human colonization led to its complete extinction, and it has since been terraformed into an arid Earth-like world. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Altair]] - Biggs Colony (Altair 4) is a humid, mostly oceanic Earthlike world, renowned for a striking beautiful and famously dangerous biosphere. It is also the home of Altairian Skin, a beneficial microorganism used to decorate and clean the human body. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Beta Hydri]] - Homeland (Beta Hyrdi 6) was an early human colony and today is one of the most densely-settled Earth-like worlds. A founding system of the Federation.
* [[Nanomam]] - Key military production system and the personal headquarters of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]].
* [[Rhea]] - Home to a large agricultural industry based on its twin Earth-like worlds, and a popular tourist destination. Personal headquarters of Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]].
* [[Lembava]] - Home to a number of high tech Federal corporations, and the personal headquarters of [[Sirius Corporation]] CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]].
* [[Eta Cassiopeiae]] - The Federation's most important military bastion and the headquarters of the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>''[[Elite Encounters RPG]]''</ref>

==Faction information==
===Ranks===
{{:Federation/Ranks}}

== Faction ships ==
The Federation has 6 faction ships.
* [[Farragut Battle Cruiser]]
* [[Federal Corvette]]
* [[Federal Gunship]]
* [[Federal Dropship]]
* [[Federal Assault Ship]]
* [[F63 Condor]]

== Permits ==
{{For|a list of permits|Permits/Federation}}

Permits are required to access certain systems that are otherwise locked out by the computer of your [[Frame Shift Drive]] (FSD).

Such permits are rewarded by the controlling faction for that locked system, when you become friendly with that faction, by accomplishing missions such as "Federal dispatch" and receiving ranks. You can often find that faction on a station outside the main system they control.

Once finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the [[Bulletin Board]] at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Federal invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

===Associated minor factions===
{| class="article-table sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | Faction
! style="text-align: center;" | System
! style="text-align: center;" | Station
! style="text-align: center;" | Current (YYYY MM DD)
|-
| 61 Cygni Resistance
| 61 Cygni
| Broglie Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Boston Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Advanced Corp.
| Barnard's Star
| Levi-Strauss Installation
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Barnard's Star Alliance
| Barnard's Star
| Miller Depot
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Edmondson High
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Democrats
| Beta Hydri
| Stevenson Base
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Beta Hydri Partners
| Beta Hydri
| Matteucci Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Blue Public Solutions
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|
|-
| Confederation of Larais
| Larais
| Burbank Orbital
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Crimson Comms Corporation
| Larais
| Volta Landing
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Daedalus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Federal Congress
| Sol
| Li Qing Jao
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Future of Altair
| Altair
| Solo Orbiter
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Gold Public Incorporated
| Turdetani
| Rushworth Port
| 3301 02 07
|-
| Green Party of Lutyen's Star
| Lutyen's Star
| Ashby City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Green Party of Wise 1506+7027
| Wise 1506+7027
| Dobrovolskiy Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Davis Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Duamta
| Duamta
| Polyakov Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Buchli City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Singer Enterprise
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Mildeptu
| Mildeptu
| Wheelock Terminal
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Independents of Ross 154
| Ross 154
| Birkeland City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Jet Power Commodities
| Duamta
| Wang City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Kruger 60 Free
| Kruger 60
| Kepler Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Liberals of Eta Cassiopeiae
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Morgue's Mortuary
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Lutyen's Star Co
| Lutyen's Star
| McNair Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Abraham Lincoln
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Columbus
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Galileo
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| M. Gorbachev
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Mother Gaia
| Sol
| Titan City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Partnership of Alpha Centauri
| Alpha Centauri
| Hutton Orbital
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Cormack Hub
| 3301 02 04
|-
| People's Procyon Values Party
| Procyon
| Pontes Gateway
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| Angus Manwaring
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Purple Travel Industries
| Eta Cassiopeiae
| J.F. Kennedy
| 3301 02 04
|-
|Ross 104 C
|Ross 104
|Bunch City
|2015 05 09
|-
| Social Abrocmii Future
| Abrocmii
| Rennie City
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Sol Workers' Party
| Sol
| Burnell Station
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Borman Port
| 3301 02 04
|-
| Wise 1506+7027 Company
| Wise 1506+7027
| Parise Dock
| 3301 02 04
|-
|V2151 Cygni Independents
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|People's Tun for Equality
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Independent Apala Independents
|Tun
Apala
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Dynamic Corp.
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Tun Netcoms Services
|Tun
|Tun's Wart
|3302 01 02
|-
|Gold Power Partners
|Apala
|Wilson City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Republic Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|-
|Bonitou Jet General Party
|Bonitou
|Lyakhov City
|3302 01 02
|}

{{clr}}

==Trivia==
*Originally, the Federation government was intended to feature three main political parties: Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. By the time Elite Dangerous launched, this had been changed to just two political parties, the Liberals and Republicans.<ref name="FedGovt" />

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Epic_History_of_The_Federation
File:Elite_Dangerous-_THE_FEDERATION_CODEX
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_The_Arrow_of_Time
File:Elite_Dangerous_-_Tales_from_the_Void_2_-_Remember_our_history,_remember_Sol
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
FederationInsignia.png|Insignia of the Federation
Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|Earth in the year 3302
Mars_Terraformed.jpg|Mars terraformed, 3300
Zachary Hudson.png|President Zachary Hudson
Earth Tourist Spot 0165 beacon.png|Tourist Spot 0165 beacon near Earth
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-1.png|Federal Navy First Fleet
Federation-Federal-Navy-Fleet-2.png|Federal Navy Second Fleet
Eta-Cassiopeiae-Federation-Mathew-Maddison.png|Eta Cassiopeiae art
File:Elite-Dangerous-Federation-City.png|Federation city
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[President of the Federation]]
* [[:Category:Federal key people|Federal key people]]
* [[Federal Congress]]
* [[Olympus Village]]
* [[Federal Navy]]
* [[White House]]
* [[Earth]]
* [[Mars]]
* [[Sol]]
* [[:category:Lore|Lore]]

==References==
<references />[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Federation]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Galactic Superpower]]
[[Category:Governments]]

Alliance Challenger

2019-05-16T17:20:04Z

166.109.224.51: /* Overview */

{{ShipInfobox
| image = Alliance Challenger.png
| manufacturer = Lakon Spaceways
| yearsproduced = 3304-Present
| type = Combat
| cost = 30,472,265
| factionreq = Alliance
| factionrank = None
| expansionreq = ''[[Elite Dangerous: Horizons]]''
| landingpad = Medium
| dimensions =
| seats = 2
| multicrew = Yes
| fighterhangar = No
| hullmass = 450
| masslock = 13
| armour = 540
| armourhardness = 65
| shields = 208
| manoeuvrability = 4
| topspeed = 204
| boostspeed = 316
| jumprange = 8.58
| cargocapacity = 40
| fuelcapacity = 16
| utility = 4
| small = 3
| medium = 3
| large = 1
| huge =
| size1 = 1
| size2 = 2
| size3 = 2
| size4 =
| size5 =
| size6 = 2
| size7 =
| size8 =
| reservedic = 3x Size 4 [[Military Compartment]]
| maxtopspeed = 251
| maxboostspeed = 360
| maxjumprange = 23.87
}}
{{Quote|A modified version of the Alliance Chieftain, the Alliance Challenger has been envisaged as a frontline combat vessel. With a generous complement of hardpoints, the Challenger can more than hold its own in a fight, and although it weighs more than its sister ship, it has retained the Chieftain's characteristic agility. It also has stronger armour than the Chieftain, allowing it to soak up a significant amount of punishment.|In-Game Description}}
The '''Alliance Challenger''' is a variant of the [[Alliance Chieftain]] manufactured by [[Lakon Spaceways]] for the [[Alliance]] in response to the [[Thargoid]] threat.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/429972-Elite-Dangerous-Beyond-Chapter-Two-Release-Date?p=6747248 Frontier Forums: Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter Two Release Date]</ref> Capitalizing on the Chieftain's strengths, the Challenger boasts enhanced specifications in the form of additional weapon hardpoints and more durable armour without making significant alterations to manoeuvrability.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/8pt1h0/lavecon_panel_beyond_q4_sneak_peeks_qa_quick_notes/?st=ji7t4g64&sh=077c937e /r/EliteDangerous: Lavecon Panel: Beyond Q4 Sneak Peeks + Q&A ~ Quick Notes]</ref>

== Overview ==
For owners of the [[Alliance Chieftain]] looking for a similar ship with added firepower and durability, the Alliance Challenger delivers.

The Challenger trades one large hardpoint for two additional medium hardpoints, increasing its overall damage output in combat. It also retains the same manoeuvrability of the Chieftain, letting it keep its hardpoints on target and dodge fire. Its true power comes from its increased shield and armour health, which when combined with its mobility lets the Challenger become a very tricky ship to take down. Its extra Class 6 compartment lets it bring along a much larger Shield Cell Bank, which significantly boosts the power of its defences. This does come at a minor cost to speed, but once A rated, the difference between challenger and Chieftain is around 15m/s, which will be even smaller with engineering. Base manoeurability is identical, though pitch and yaw speeds are slightly lower. The Challenger is more than capable of taking down any other medium ship, and even large ships like [[Anaconda]] are easy to defeat with the high mobility and damage output of the Challenger. Finally, the Challenger is even better against Thargoids with these buffs, letting it become an incredibly effective anti-Xeno vessel.

Its hardpoints are arranged almost identically to the Chieftain, albeit it exchanges the top-most Large Hardpoint for two Medium Hardpoints that are located directly behind the forward landing gear. Utility slots are well-distributed and have minimal obstructions, with two on top roughly in the middle of the craft, and two on the underside slightly further back. Like the Chieftain, the Challenger has a second seat for [[Multicrew]].

The Challenger has an increased cargo capacity of 154t over the Chieftain's 122t. This makes the Challenger an adequate trader and Pirate as it is only outdone by the [[Federal Gunship]], [[Krait MkII]], [[Krait Phantom]] and [[Python]] for medium ship cargo capacity. It can also make a very good miner, as it has enough hardpoints for all Mining tools and decent cargo space. Its high hull strength and military compartments means it can easily defend itself without its shield as well.

The only real downside other than cost compared to Chieftain is its jump range, taking a significant dive to just under 24LYs before engineering. As the Challenger is a hull tanker, this will only drop lower when outfitting with armor, dropping into single digits.

Although the Challenger's upgrades come with a higher purchase price than the Chieftain, it is still substantially cheaper than a number of other medium vessels, such as the [[Federal Gunship]], [[Krait MkII]], [[Python]], and [[Fer-de-Lance]], while still being able to take on each of those ships in a firefight.

The Alliance Challenger is most commonly available in Alliance systems. Despite its name and affiliation, it requires no rank or reputation with the Alliance to purchase.

The Alliance Challenger has an available 12 piece cosmetic [[Ship Kit]] that can be purchased from the [https://www.frontierstore.net/game-extras/elite-dangerous-game-extras/alliance-challenger-ship-kit.html Frontier store] which allows you to "remodel your ship in your personal style". The ship kit does not affect gameplay.

== Purchase Locations ==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1"
! System
! Station
! Date Seen
! Discount
|-
|Shinrarta Dezhra
|Jameson Memorial
|Always available
|10% discount
|-
|Brestla
|i Sola Prospect
|Always available
|20% surcharge
|-
|Alioth
|Golden Gate
|Always available
|
|-
|LTT 4772
|Shelley Terminal
|Sept. 25, 2018
|Not Available
|-
|10 Canum Venaticorum
|Alvares Bastion
|Jun. 28, 2018
|
|-
|Zaonce
|Ridley Scott Station
|Jun. 28, 2018
|
|-
|G 122-60
|Watts Enterprise
|Jun. 29, 2018
|
|-
|Furuhjelm III-674
|Tshang City
|Jun. 29, 2018
|
|-
|LHS 2771
|Sarafanov Vision
|Oct. 16, 2018
|
|-
|LHS 3356
|Pytheas Orbital
|August 08, 2018
|
|-
|Kaushpoos
|Neville Horizons
|August 24, 2018
|
|}

==Outfitting==
{{main|Outfitting}}

All ships are highly customisable through the Outfitting menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default load-out for the Alliance Challenger.

{| class="article-table" style="text-align: center;" border="1"
! style="text-align: center;" | Category
! style="text-align: center;" | Default System
! style="text-align: center;" | Default Rating
! style="text-align: center;" | Default Class
! style="text-align: center;" | Max Class
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[Hardpoint|Small Hardpoint]]
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 1
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 1
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 1
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[Hardpoint|Medium Hardpoint]]
| [[Pulse Laser]] (L) || F || 1 || 2
|-
| [[Pulse Laser]] (L) || F || 1 || 2
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 2
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[Hardpoint|Large Hardpoint]]
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 3
|-
| rowspan="4" | Utility Mount
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 0
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 0
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 0
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 0
|-
| [[Bulkheads]]
| [[Lightweight Alloys]] || C || 1 || 8
|-
| Reactor Bay
| [[Power Plant]] || E || 6 || 6
|-
| Thrusters Mounting
| [[Thrusters]] || E || 6 || 6
|-
| Frame Shift Drive Housing
| [[Frame Shift Drive]] || E || 5 || 5
|-
| Environment Control
| [[Life Support]] || E || 5 || 5
|-
| Power Coupling
| [[Power Distributor]] || E || 6 || 6
|-
| Sensor Suite
| [[Sensors]] || E || 4 || 4
|-
| Fuel Store
| [[Fuel Tank]] [x16] || C || 4 || 4
|-
| rowspan="11" | [[Internal Compartment]]s
| [[Cargo Rack]] [x32] || E || 5 || 6
|-
| [[Shield Generator]] || E || 6 || 6
|-
| ''Empty'' (M) || -- || -- || 4
|-
| ''Empty'' (M) || -- || -- || 4
|-
| ''Empty'' (M) || -- || -- || 4
|-
| [[Cargo Rack]] [x4] || E || 2 || 3
|-
| [[Cargo Rack]] [x4] || E || 2 || 3
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 2
|-
| ''Empty'' || -- || -- || 2
|-
| [[Supercruise Assist]] || E || 1 || 1
|-
| [[Planetary Approach Suite]] (H) || I || 1 || 1
|}
*''(L) = Loaned Module''
*''[x#] = Capacity''
*''(H) = Requires [[Elite Dangerous: Horizons]], reserved solely for [[Planetary Approach Suite]]''
*''(M) = [[Military Compartment]] reserved for [[Hull Reinforcement Package]], [[Module Reinforcement Package]], or [[Shield Cell Bank]]''

==Notes==
*The Alliance Challenger was released with the Chapter Two (3.1) update of ''[[Elite Dangerous: Beyond]]'' on June 28, 2018.

== Trivia ==
*The Challenger is the third ship to be manufactured by Lakon Spaceways for the Alliance, after the [[Alliance Chieftain]] and [[Type-10 Defender]].
*Like the Alliance Chieftain, the Challenger is named after a British tank, specifically the FV4O34 Challenger 2.
*The design of the Challenger seems to be based off an Attack Helicopter; with a notably similar cockpit and weapon locations to various models (below the nose, and two symmetrically placed on the underside).
*An early model of the Alliance Chieftain is virtually identical to the design of the Challenger.

== Videos ==
<gallery>
File:Krait Expectations|3.1 Content Showcase with Alliance Challenger preview
File:Sagittarius_Eye_Bulletin_-_Alliance_Challenger_Debut
</gallery>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Alliance Challenger.png|Alliance Challenger
File:Alliance-Challenger-2.png|Alliance Challenger docked
File:Alliance-Challenger-3.png|Alliance Challenger firing weapons
Elite-Dangerous-Beyond-Krait-mkII-and-Challenger.png|Krait MkII and Alliance Challenger
Challenger_L+S_Mounts.jpg|Challenger showing Large & Small Mounts deployed
Challenger_M_Mounts.jpg|Challenger showing Medium Mounts deployed
Alliance-Challenger-and-Chieftain-and-Crusader.png|Alliance Challenger and Chieftain and Crusader
359320_20181127171051_1.png|Alliance Challenger interior bridge showing both seats
359320_20181127231047_1.png|Alliance Challenger front profile while landed
</gallery>

== References ==
<references />
{{Clr}}
{{ShipNavbox}}
{{ShipTypeNavbox}}
[[ru:Alliance Challenger]]