Federation: Difference between revisions
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|image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png | |image1 = File:FederationInsignia.png | ||
|caption1 = Insignia of the Federation | |caption1 = Insignia of the Federation | ||
|capital = Olympus Village, [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]] | |capital = [[Olympus Village]], [[Sol/Mars|Mars]], [[Sol]] | ||
|government = Representative Democracy | |government = Representative Democracy | ||
|head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]] | |head_of_state = [[President of the Federation]] | ||
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{{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>}} | {{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 the oldest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy, the other two being the [[Empire]] and the [[Alliance]]. The 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 galactic map. The Federation's current capital Olympus Village is on planet [[Mars]]. | The '''Federation''', formerly the '''Federation of Star Systems''', is the oldest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy, the other two being the [[Empire]] and the [[Alliance]]. The 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 galactic map. The Federation's current capital [[Olympus Village]] is on planet [[Mars]]. | ||
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> The Federation is highly dependent on technology and is economically and socially [[wikipedia:Corporatism|corporatist]]. In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 AD) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times it is the corporations who are the life-blood and backbone of the Federation. It is rumoured that these corporations have such [[influence]] and power that they can even direct the Federal government, perhaps even to the point of choosing the [[President of the Federation|President]]. The current Federal president is [[Zachary Hudson]]. | 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> The Federation is highly dependent on technology and is economically and socially [[wikipedia:Corporatism|corporatist]]. In the period of rebuilding after the end of World War 3 on Earth (circa 2044-2055 AD) the corporations became powerful and dominant. In modern times it is the corporations who are the life-blood and backbone of the Federation. It is rumoured that these corporations have such [[influence]] and power that they can even direct the Federal government, perhaps even to the point of choosing the [[President of the Federation|President]]. The current Federal president is [[Zachary Hudson]]. | ||
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===Consolidation on Earth=== | ===Consolidation on Earth=== | ||
[[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|200px|Earth in the year 3302]] | [[File:Earth-3302-Elite-Dangerous.png|thumb|200px|Earth in the year 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.'' | ''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>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.'' | ''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 | ''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=== | ===Space colonization=== | ||
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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> | 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> | ||
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 with an 8-year term and a ‘vote of confidence’ after the first 4 years. | 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 with an 8-year term and a ‘vote of confidence’ after the first 4 years.<ref name=":3">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref> | ||
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, who goes through life bombarded by advertising. | 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, 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. | 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. | 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" /> | ||
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. | 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 | 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" /> | ||
==Government== | ==Government== | ||
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==Federal Congress== | ==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. | 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> The official residence and workplace of the Federal President known as the [[White House]] is also there.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/03-SEP-3302 Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Respond to Discovery]</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, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years. 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. | 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, with a "vote of no confidence" after four years. 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). | 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. | 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" | 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 === | === Congressional Streamlining === | ||