Alliance: Difference between revisions
Made references look more consistent, corrected quotes |
|||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
[[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)]] | [[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)]] | ||
{{Main|Alioth}} | {{Main|Alioth}} | ||
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 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 GalNet: Galactic News: The Origin of the Alliance]</ref> | ||
The turning point came in 3228, 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" /> | The turning point came in 3228, 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" /> | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
[[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. | [[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. | ||
In the wake of the uprising, the idea of an independent socio-political body rapidly gained popularity among the people of Alioth and in 3230, 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" /> Some of these early member systems were independent, while others 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>Tourist | In the wake of the uprising, the idea of an independent socio-political body rapidly gained popularity among the people of Alioth and in 3230, 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" /> Some of these early member systems were independent, while others 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>Tourist Spot 0007, "The Alliance"</ref> | ||
===Recent events=== | ===Recent events=== | ||
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
By 3303, 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. | By 3303, 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> | 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 GalNet: 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 21, 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> | Following a second attack by Thargoid ships that destroyed a Federal fleet in Pleiades Sector IR-W d1-55 on September 21, 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 GalNet: Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd GalNet: 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 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 GalNet: 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 GalNet: 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 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> | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
=== Political Variety and Controversy === | === 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 [[Slaves|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 | 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 [[Slaves|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 GalNet: Children of Liberty call out Alliance Hypocrisy]</ref> | ||
The Alliance's criminal and autocratic systems totals as of January 3308 are compared with those of the Federation and the Empire below:<ref>Data gathered from [https://www.edsm.net/en/search/systems EDSM] on January 31, 2022</ref> | The Alliance's criminal and autocratic systems totals as of January 3308 are compared with those of the Federation and the Empire below:<ref>Data gathered from [https://www.edsm.net/en/search/systems EDSM] on January 31, 2022</ref> | ||
| Line 121: | Line 121: | ||
|} | |} | ||
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" /> | 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" /> | ''"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" /> | 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" /> | ||
| Line 136: | Line 136: | ||
=== Population === | === Population === | ||
The Alliance is the least populous of the three superpowers, and has an estimated population of 557,026,860,226 as of April 3306.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/g641q3/demographic_changes_in_the_galaxy_2020/ | The Alliance is the least populous of the three superpowers, and has an estimated population of 557,026,860,226 as of April 3306. But it rises, unlike populations of the other two.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/g641q3/demographic_changes_in_the_galaxy_2020/ reddit: Demographic changes in the Galaxy, 2020]</ref> | ||
As of January 3308, the Alliance controls 1,199 systems, of which the ten most populous are:<ref name="EDDB">Data gathered from [https://eddb.io/system EDDB] on January 31, 2022</ref> | As of January 3308, the Alliance controls 1,199 systems, of which the ten most populous are:<ref name="EDDB">Data gathered from [https://eddb.io/system EDDB] on January 31, 2022</ref> | ||
| Line 199: | Line 199: | ||
===Leadership=== | ===Leadership=== | ||
[[File:Edmund_Mahon.png|thumb|250px|Prime Minister Edmund Mahon]] | [[File:Edmund_Mahon.png|thumb|250px|Prime Minister Edmund Mahon]] | ||
The [[Alliance Prime Minister]] serves as the Alliance's head of government and head of state; the current Prime Minister is [[Edmund Mahon]]. The Prime Minister is elected by the [[Councillor]]s of the [[Alliance Assembly]] for a term of six years, and plays an important role in corralling the fractious Assembly into considering and passing legislation, although real power within the Alliance rests with the [[Civil Servants]] and the [[Council of Admirals]]. There is no term limit, so it is theoretically possible for a Prime Minister to be re-elected and serve multiple terms, but frequent disputes within the Assembly usually preclude any individual from completing their first term. Prime Ministers who fail to win Assembly votes on key policy issues for their platforms often resign, or occasionally are ousted by a vote of no confidence. Since the formation of the Alliance in 3230, only one Alliance Prime Minister, Edmund Mahon, has been elected to a second term.<ref name="Brookes">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/governments-and-politics-in-elite-dangerous.225156/ Frontier Forums: Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous]</ref><ref>Tourist | The [[Alliance Prime Minister]] serves as the Alliance's head of government and head of state; the current Prime Minister is [[Edmund Mahon]]. The Prime Minister is elected by the [[Councillor]]s of the [[Alliance Assembly]] for a term of six years, and plays an important role in corralling the fractious Assembly into considering and passing legislation, although real power within the Alliance rests with the [[Civil Servants]] and the [[Council of Admirals]]. There is no term limit, so it is theoretically possible for a Prime Minister to be re-elected and serve multiple terms, but frequent disputes within the Assembly usually preclude any individual from completing their first term. Prime Ministers who fail to win Assembly votes on key policy issues for their platforms often resign, or occasionally are ousted by a vote of no confidence. Since the formation of the Alliance in 3230, only one Alliance Prime Minister, Edmund Mahon, has been elected to a second term.<ref name="Brookes">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/governments-and-politics-in-elite-dangerous.225156/ Frontier Forums: Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref><ref>Tourist Spot 0116, "Alliance Council Members"</ref><ref name="Mahon Wins" /> | ||
From 3230 to 3305, the Alliance's head of state was a separate office, the [[President of the Alliance]]. For most of its history, the presidency was a largely ceremonial role with little practical power. Alliance Presidents were elected to a one-year term, and were limited to no more than two terms. This changed in October 3304 following the re-election of [[Gibson Kincaid]] to the presidency. Kincaid had run for a second term on a platform that demanded the Assembly transfer executive powers from the Prime Minister to the President and expand the term length to six years.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b890ea58dfdb92ece6dc242 GalNet: Alliance President Proposes Changes]</ref> The Assembly rejected this proposal, but did make some changes: the President would from then on serve a single term of three years, and would also oversee a new diplomatic department called the Office of the Alliance President, which took on the ambassadorial duties that Councillors had previously managed individually.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bcde4361cee9a6ed44a28ac GalNet: Alliance Assembly Revises Presidential Role]</ref> These changes were short-lived. In June 3305, President Gibson Kincaid was exposed as the mastermind of a far-reaching conspiracy to move the Alliance's political center from [[Alioth]] to [[Zaonce]] so that Kincaid could eventually establish himself as the supreme ruler of the Alliance with absolute power.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5cf7db72967af53dca26db3b GalNet: President Kincaid's Conspiracy Exposed]</ref> Kincaid was removed from office, he and his co-conspirators were charged with treason,<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5d0239210af2d9467f36c791 GalNet: President Kincaid Impeached]</ref> and on June 21, 3305, the Assembly voted to abolish the presidency to prevent the position from being abused ever again.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5d0a5a3b3728fe3d262882ee GalNet: Alliance President Role Abolished]</ref> | From 3230 to 3305, the Alliance's head of state was a separate office, the [[President of the Alliance]]. For most of its history, the presidency was a largely ceremonial role with little practical power. Alliance Presidents were elected to a one-year term, and were limited to no more than two terms. This changed in October 3304 following the re-election of [[Gibson Kincaid]] to the presidency. Kincaid had run for a second term on a platform that demanded the Assembly transfer executive powers from the Prime Minister to the President and expand the term length to six years.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b890ea58dfdb92ece6dc242 GalNet: Alliance President Proposes Changes]</ref> The Assembly rejected this proposal, but did make some changes: the President would from then on serve a single term of three years, and would also oversee a new diplomatic department called the Office of the Alliance President, which took on the ambassadorial duties that Councillors had previously managed individually.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bcde4361cee9a6ed44a28ac GalNet: Alliance Assembly Revises Presidential Role]</ref> These changes were short-lived. In June 3305, President Gibson Kincaid was exposed as the mastermind of a far-reaching conspiracy to move the Alliance's political center from [[Alioth]] to [[Zaonce]] so that Kincaid could eventually establish himself as the supreme ruler of the Alliance with absolute power.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5cf7db72967af53dca26db3b GalNet: President Kincaid's Conspiracy Exposed]</ref> Kincaid was removed from office, he and his co-conspirators were charged with treason,<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5d0239210af2d9467f36c791 GalNet: President Kincaid Impeached]</ref> and on June 21, 3305, the Assembly voted to abolish the presidency to prevent the position from being abused ever again.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5d0a5a3b3728fe3d262882ee GalNet: Alliance President Role Abolished]</ref> | ||
| Line 211: | Line 211: | ||
The [[Councillor]]s 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 Councillors within the Alliance Assembly is based on the size of each member state's respective populations; some only have one. The Councillors represent their member system politically in Parliament. The meetings of the Alliance Assembly are conducted virtually but run on [[Turner's World]] in [[Alioth]]. The [[Alliance Prime Minister|Prime Minister]] is elected by the Councillors, 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 [[Councillor]]s 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 Councillors within the Alliance Assembly is based on the size of each member state's respective populations; some only have one. The Councillors represent their member system politically in Parliament. The meetings of the Alliance Assembly are conducted virtually but run on [[Turner's World]] in [[Alioth]]. The [[Alliance Prime Minister|Prime Minister]] is elected by the Councillors, 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"> | 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">Tourist Spot 0113, "Alliance Assembly"</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" /> | 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" /> | ||