Federation: Difference between revisions
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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 a galactic superpower and the oldest of the three major [[:Category:Factions|factions]] in the galaxy.<ref>[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/story/galactic-superpowers Galactic Superpowers - Story - Elite Dangerous]</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 galactic map. The Federation's current capital [[Olympus Village]] is on planet [[Mars]]. Several branches of the federal government are centered 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> 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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=== Hierarchy and Commerce === | === 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 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> | 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 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, who goes through life bombarded by advertising.<ref name=":3" /> | 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" /> | ||
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[[File:Zachary Hudson.png|thumb|250px|Zachary Hudson, the current Federal President]] | [[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 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 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 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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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[[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> | [[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, 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" /> | 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" /> | 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" /> | ||