Invasion!/The Galactic Federation: Profile

The Galactic Federation is an interstellar government that holds sway over about 50% of the Milky Way Galaxy. It is a loose federation that makes and enforces laws between member states, regulates the use of common resources (unclaimed planets and stars), and mobilizes the collective forces of the member states against any unprovoked outside threat . . . however if a member state got themselves into some trouble outside Federation borders they are on their own. The Galactic Federation has no jurisdiction on matters that are purely the internal affairs of member states, or the actions of member states when acting outside Federation borders. Member States range from benevolent democratic classless meritocracies to tyrannical dictatorships . . . there are even a couple of anarchic "governments" within its ranks.

Member states choose delegates to serve on the Galactic Council by whatever means the state government chooses, though most are through elections. The number of council seats afforded a state is based on the population of that state. The Council is headed by the Grand Hierarch, who serves as the adjudicator of the Council, Chief Executive of the Galactic Federation, and Commander-In-Chief of the Galactic Federation Armed Forces. The Grand Hierarch is elected from the ranks of the Council by the Members of the Council. The Council serves as the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Galactic Federation simultaneously; but is organized in such a fashion as to create checks and balances.

Members of the Council are limited to one term in office, but the term is about 10 Earth years in length. A Council Member can be removed from the Council at any time via an internal investigation and trial for offenses committed. Council Members are subject to thought reading devices that are constantly monitored by the Protection Agents of the Galactic Department of Political Protection. The duty of these agents is two-fold: to protect their assignment from threats like the Secret Service does for the President of the United States of America, and to protect the dignity, honor, and integrity of the Galactic Council from actions taken by their assignment. There is very little true corruption in the Galactic Council because of these measures.