The Federated Planets Of Earth

The flag of the Federated Planets Of Earth

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## **Overview**

Founded in 2117, **The Federated Planets Of Earth**, also known as the Federation, is a democratic, interstellar empire spanning across 21 systems as of 2220. What began as a loose federal system of the majority of nation-states on Earth at the time, including the Pan-Pacific Federation, the European Union and The Central African Republic, has grown into a powerhouse of economic and scientific progress that soon encompassed the colonies of Luna, Mars and Titan.

Before unification, Earth was divided into several '*superstates'*, the natural evolution of former 21st Century nation-states. Rapid changes in the planets political landscape, climate change, and the need to cater to the off-world colonies necessitated global and system-wide unification.

Currently, the Federation has a population of approximately 47,000,000,000 and is lead by President Evelyn Reeves.

## **Government Structure**

### Executive Branch

The President of the Federation wields the highest executive and military power, as the head of government and head of state. They are elected directly via ballot by a majority vote from the general populace. The President also heads the Federal Assembly, which is responsible for the executive governance of the Federation. The President is bound by term limits, and can serve two terms over the course of their politcal career. Throughout their terms, they must maintain the confidence of the general populace, and parliament and a general election must take place once every ten years.

### Legislative Branch

The legislative branch of the government is known as the Federal Parliament. The Federal Parliament's legislative branch comprises two chambers, the lower house being the Federal Senate and the upper house being the Federal Council.

The Federal Senate comprises senators from every planet within the federation and is the dominant chamber within the federal parliament and to whom the President is solely responsible. For a world to have a representative within the Federal Senate, it must formally be recognised by parliament, usually after reaching self-sufficiency.

Representatives are elected democratically by the population which they represent. The number of senators a planet has depends on a planet's population and therefore is seen to represent the federation's population proportionally. For instance, Earth has 28 senators, two from each "nation" on the planet, whereas Nova, during its early colonisation, had just two senators as of 2235. As Senators are democratically elected via the population of their planet, they are seen to represent best the world's values and views on issues passing through the senate. As of 2250, there are 142 senators in the Senate, which is only expected to grow in the future.

A senator is elected for a six-year term but and has an upper limit on the number of terms they can serve; typically four terms. For instance, Elena Ward, Senator for Earth, served from 2197 until 2221. The Senate is responsible for passing bills and discussing the budget of the FPE as well as the FPE military, and advising the President in questions of foreign policy. Legislation requires approval from both the Federal Senate and Council before it passes either passes to the Federal High Court or the democratic process to become law. However, due to the nature of the senates collaboration and backhand dealings, the outcomes of votes are almost always known before they reach the Senate floor.

The Federal Council is the upper house of the Federal Parliament. It comprises two council members from each planet within the FPE and is directly elected by the population. The Federal Council intends to act as the voice of the worlds that they represent and pass legislature provided by the Federal Senate. While the Federal Council can propose laws to the Senate, they usually approve laws passed through from the Senate to act as the "second-thought" of legislative decisions.

## **History**

Human history is a rich tapestry of innovation, exploration, conflict, and growth. As humans evolved biologically, so too did their societies and cultures, leaving profound imprints on the world.

### Ancient Civilizations (c. 3500 BCE - 500 BCE)

Beginning with the development of writing in ancient Sumer around 3200 BCE, the emergence of the first civilizations marks the start of recorded history. These early societies in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China formed around fertile river valleys, which supported agriculture. The creation of written scripts like cuneiform and hieroglyphics allowed for more complex administration and the codification of laws, as seen in Hammurabi's code. The philosophical and religious traditions of ancient India and China took root during this period, laying the groundwork for millennia of cultural and intellectual growth.

### 2. Classical Antiquity (c. 500 BCE - 500 CE)

The subsequent millennium saw the rise of empires that would shape global culture and geopolitics. The Greek city-states, particularly Athens, became centers of learning and democracy. In time, the conquests of Alexander the Great spread Hellenistic culture far and wide. Meanwhile, Rome evolved from a republic to a dominant empire, bringing innovations in governance, architecture, and engineering. In India, the Maurya and Gupta empires flourished, while China saw the Han Dynasty's golden age.

### 3. Middle Ages (c. 500 - 1500 CE)

Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire, Europe entered a period often termed the "Dark Ages," characterized by feudalism and the spread of Christianity. However, this era wasn't dark everywhere. Islamic Golden Age scholars in the Middle East and North Africa preserved and expanded upon the knowledge of antiquity. In the East, the Tang and Song dynasties in China saw revolutionary advances, and the Mongol Empire connected Asia and Europe like never before.

### 4. Renaissance to Enlightenment (c. 1500 - 1800)

The European Renaissance marked a renewed interest in art, science, and Greco-Roman traditions. Pioneers like Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo expanded horizons in multiple fields. The Age of Discovery followed, with explorers like Columbus, Magellan, and Vasco da Gama charting new routes and encountering previously unknown continents. Intellectual revolutions continued through the Enlightenment, emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.

### 5. Industrialization to Modern Era (c. 1800 - 2000)

The period spanning from 1800 to 2000 saw the world change in myriad ways. Commencing with the Industrial Revolution in Britain in the late 18th century, a series of technological advancements began to shape global societies. The power of steam engines, railroads, telegraphs, and electricity evolved the nature of labor and transportation. These innovations led to a drastic move from agrarian societies to bustling urban centers and factories. As the 19th century rolled on, the world witnessed a whirlwind of invention and expansion. The Scramble for Africa, colonial endeavors in Asia, and the surge of imperial influence spread European governance, economic systems, and cultural nuances across continents. However, as the world plunged into the 20th century, global tumult took center stage. The ravages of two World Wars redefined geopolitics, decimated economies, and left profound societal scars. From these ashes arose organizations like the United Nations, conceived with the hope of preventing future global conflicts. As the wars ceased, the shackles of colonialism began to shatter, paving the way for the birth of new nations, each imbibing political and economic templates from their erstwhile rulers. The 20th century's latter half stood witness to the digital age's dawn. Innovations like transistors, personal computers, and the internet altered human communication. Concurrently, the century saw powerful waves of civil rights movements, pushes for gender equality, and a broader emphasis on individual freedoms.

### 6. The Anthropocene (21st century)

The 21st century stands out as a crucible of challenges and innovations for humanity. The beginning of the century was marked by pressing global crises. Unchecked climate change, rapid overpopulation, recurrent pandemics, and economic calamities cast a shadow over Earth's future. By 2040, these combined pressures had pushed the political capacities of even the mightiest nations to their limits. The institutions that once maintained the world's delicate balance buckled, leading to geopolitical chaos. Wars erupted in various parts of the globe, particularly in East Asia, Central Europe, and Northern Africa. Such conflicts consumed invaluable resources, exacerbating global crises further. Yet, in the backdrop of this Earthly turmoil, technology and human resilience pushed forward. Breakthroughs in fusion power, coupled with an ambition to colonize the cosmos, presented hope in the face of adversity. Colonies on celestial bodies such as Luna, Mars, and Titan began to flourish, evolving both culturally and economically. However, as they grew more autonomous and assertive, tensions with Earth heightened. There was a palpable sense of nationalism and a desire for self-rule among these off-world settlements. Matters reached a point where many colonies contemplated severing ties with Earth, expressing discontent with their Terran counterparts' perceived neglect. Meanwhile, on Earth, in response to the fragmented global order, new alliances and 'super-states' began to emerge. Entities like the European Union, the North American Federation, and the People's Republic of Asia consolidated vast swathes of power. Their might was often directed towards military endeavors, attempting to gain an upper hand in the complex global stalemate. A precarious balance was struck, and while major blocs of influence emerged, a significant portion of their potential was squandered in unfruitful military campaigns. However, 2071 brought a silver lining. The looming threat of nuclear war catalyzed a renewed push for unity. Major global powers, including the Pan-Pacific Federation, Caribbean Confederacy, and European Union, began discussions to overhaul the faltering United Nations. The outcome was the formation of the United Federation of Nations (UFN). This renewed entity championed numerous innovations, from renewable energy production to advanced atmospheric processing. Furthermore, its emphasis on space exploration ensured that off-world colonies were reintegrated into its power structure, restoring an Earth-centric balance to the solar system. Yet, as is often the case with monumental shifts, the UFN's rise was met with resistance, particularly from outer space colonies still feeling sidelined. Many Martian settlements, for instance, threatened to halt trade with Earth entirely. In response to these challenges and to further unify Earth with its off-world colonies, 2117 witnessed the UFN's metamorphosis into the Federated Planets Of Earth. This entity, with its internal market, standardized laws, and elected parliament, aimed to weave a tighter fabric of cooperation across Earth and its space colonies. The aspiration was clear: to pave the path for humanity's first unified government, encompassing Earth and beyond, and ensuring a harmonious future in the cosmos.

### The Solar Age (22nd Century)

The 22nd century is remembered as an era of unprecedented expansion and exploration, characterized by humanity's determination to further understand its place in the cosmos. As the Federated Planets of Earth (FPE) matured, they channeled resources into developing technologies that could facilitate longer and safer voyages into deep space. The century was marked by the inception of advanced propulsion systems, most notably the Fusion Drive, which allowed for efficient and quick travel across the solar system. As the global community embraced a relatively peaceful era on Earth, the central focus shifted towards tapping into the rich resources of the solar system and even beyond. The asteroid belt became a hub for mining operations, which significantly reduced the strain on Earth's resources. Additionally, the gas giants, primarily Jupiter and Saturn, were explored for potential energy harnessing. Colonies on Luna, Mars, and Titan continued to flourish and serve as essential outposts for further expeditions into the solar system's outer realms. Several groundbreaking missions were launched to explore the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, unraveling mysteries of the early solar system. The century also witnessed the establishment of the first human settlements on Uranus' and Neptune's moons in addition to several dwarf planets such as Pluto, Eris and Makemake. The century concluded most notably with the Constellation Program, which saw the research, development and subsequent breakthrough in faster-than-light propulsion, resulting the revolutionary technology of the Alcubierre Drive.

### The Interstellar Age (23rd Century)

By the 23rd century, humanity had solidified its presence in its solar system and with the invention of the Alcubierre Drive, was ready to venture into interstellar space. The Constellation Program continued to be the most influential event in centuries, with its maiden flight, flown by the FPSV Voyager, arriving in Alpha Centauri on the 16th of March 2200. The first decade of the 23rd century saw the colonisation of Terra, Alpha Centauri III on the 5th of September 2205, an accomplishment that was not only a testament to human ingenuity but also signaled the birth of a new branch of human civilization beyond our home solar system. Rapidly, the FPE began to expand with witness the colonisation of Poseidon, and Elysium in Alpha Centauri, Atlas and Eda in Proxima Centauri, Avalon in Barnard's Star and Nova in Epsilon Eridani. These habitable exoplanets became known as the core worlds, the crown jewels among their sister systems of Procyon, Ross 128, Sirius, Epsilon Indi, and many others. Trade routes spanning interstellar distances began to emerge, with ships ferrying goods, resources, and people between star systems. The development of the Quantum Communication Arrays made real-time communication possible over these vast distances, ensuring seamless coordination between various human settlements. In this era of exploration, a resurgence in philosophical and existential thought became prominent. Humanity grappled with its place in the universe, leading to a renaissance in art, literature, and music. Themes of unity, the fragility of existence, and the vastness of the universe became central to cultural expressions.