NGC 39482

Confederation of Florrisant States is a west-modern interpretation of decentralized democracy. Each state acts independantly in matters of internal law and promotion of commerce. A small federation of representatives handles foreign policy and defense needs. Tariffs were once settled in each state, but due to global economic development, a general agreement on tarriffs and trade was passed to create standard free trade practices across the Confederation.

Republic of Arrogant French Chefs was created as a modern republic based on French constituional law. The government is pacifist, business inclined and nationalist - in the sense that it wishes to protect native French industries and state owned industry. Most national leaders believe that the culture they build and protect is aestheticly and morally superior to other nations. However, they believe that nationalism is not a valid excuse for militarism. The Arrogant French Chefs supports the food service industry to excess and maintains an over-funded air force to boost export sales.

Holy Republic of Southern Reformists places spiritually minded representatives in a federal Senate to govern the country. The Holy Republic allows freedom to choose religion but minority religions get little attention by comparison. In industry and technology, freedom is believed to be sacrosanct to allow growth and innovation. Only crimes against person and property are restricted, but the definition of such crimes is constantly debated in the Senate and regional governments. The Holy Republic's foreign policy focuses on fair trade and the defense posture focuses on defense and humanitarian deployments. The government has suffered from bouts of paranoia due to foreign pressure to abandon the theocratic style of government.

The Protectorate of Ehrlichites was established when colonial territories of Florrisant and Arrogant French Chefs collapsed under disputed circumstances. During the years of neglect and poverty following independance, a survey team found niche habitats and endangered species in the Protectorate. A grass-roots organisation of environmentalists siezed control of the territory and won international recognition as a Protectorate based on environmental issues. During recent years, ecology minded hard liners have gained influence and established an authoritarian government. They seek to limit commerce and resource exploitation to levels that do not interfere with the natural progress of the biosphere. Sightings of fortifications and refugee camps near the border, as well as extremist government publications have fueled accusations of an eco-terror nightmare against the populations within the Protectorate. Foreign sources claim that law and whim are enforced by a private militia known as the Verdant Front.