Overview of the Federation
The Interstellar Federation is an Republican Alliance that is governed by a democratically elected President. Currently, the Federation is comprised of nearly 1,000 Member Worlds and over 10,000 Associate Worlds, and nearly 15,000 Colonies.
History
The Federation was born out of a rebellion of former Old-Earth Empire Colonies who banded together for mutual protection and cooperation. The Federation was officially formed in 2368, but existed as the Colonial Alliance for 40 years prior to that.
World Classifications
Member Worlds are full Federation partners. Each Member World is responsible for electing an individual to represent that world at the Federation Senate. Member Worlds are granted the full protection of the Federation Military and Member populations have access to Federation government programs. A 21st century analogy to Member Worlds might be the States of the United States of America.
Associate Worlds are candidates for membership but are not yet full Members. They are considered a part of the Federation, but maintain independent governments. As such, they are eligible for Federation military protection, but are not eligible for Federation government programs. They also have no governing representation at the Federation Senate.
Colonies are recently settled worlds. They generally have no unified government and, as such, have no representation in the Federation Senate. They are afforded Federation military protection, however, but are not eligible for Federation government programs.
Quality of Life
Citizens of the Federation enjoy a high standard of living. Federation citizens enjoy free health care, a stable monetary and economic system, public services such as well maintained communications and transportation systems, emergency incident response for natural disasters and fires, public education, retirement pension, and many more.
Taxes pay for these government services. All citizens of the Federation are required to pay taxes. Member World citizens taxes are the higher than Associate World taxes, but Associate World citizens are also usually expected to pay a planetary government tax. Colonist pay the least taxes but are afforded the least benefits.
Defense
The Federation advocates peace but recognizes that factions outside it's control would use force in opposition to the Federation's goals, interests, and ideals. Therefore, the Federation maintains a sizable military defense force. The IFMDF (Interstellar Federation Military Defense Force) maintains both planetary defenses through stationary garrison forces and mobile defense through its several interstellar fleets.
At this time, the Federation's most powerful opponent is the Pan-Solar Empire. The Empire's goals and interests conflict and often contradict those of the Federation, and the Empire has pledged itself to the destruction of the Federation. However, the Federation's military strength has served as an adequate deterrent to Imperial agression. The peace is nevertheless an uneasy one, and should the Empire gain an advantage over the Federation, open hostilities would certainly ensue.
Law Enforcement
Federation Laws are guarranteed by the Federation Constitution and are enforced by Federation Security Officers. All Member Worlds are protected by FS. All other worlds fall under the jurisdiction of the Federation Rangers.