The United Earth Federation
The United Earth Federation (UEF) of the 23rd Century still bears some resemblance to the original United Nations, that troubled institution born in the aftermath of World War II. While still dealing with problems of patronage and bureaucracy, sheer necessity has enabled the body to become somewhat effective in its original purpose of keeping the peace.
The United Earth Summit in Geneva, 1st January 2085, was attended by Australia, China, the European Federation, Japan, New Zealand, the Russian Republic, South Africa, and the United Americas. The nations attending the summit proposed that the United Nations Constitution be radically ratified. These proposals in effect dissolved the United Nations, replacing it with the United Earth Federation (UEF), an economic/political conglomerate committed to the goal of uniting the nations of Earth in preparation for the colonisation of the planet Mars and the rest of the solar system. The colonisation of space has greatly aided the nations of Earth in putting aside national differences, enabling them to present a (mostly) unified front as the United Earth Federation. Despite this, some experts say that human tribal instincts have simply shifted to an interplanetary and interstellar rather than global stage.
Important branches of the United Earth Federation include:
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- Interstellar Colonial Authority
- Interstellar Trade Commission
- Communications
- Military
- Intelligence
- The Federal Law Enforcement Authority
- The Colonial Security Force
- The Federal Health Service
- The Federal Labour Force
Notable legislation introduced by the UEF include:
- The Colonial Act (2140)
- The Colonial Policing Charter (2140,2265)
- The United Earth Federation Space Treaty (2101, 2140)
- The Geneva Statute (2084, 2140)
General Assembly
Based in Geneva, the General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the United Earth Federation. It is composed of representatives of all member states, each of which has one vote. Despite this supposedly level democratic playing field, politics are still dominated by the richest of the member states. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority. Decisions on other questions are by simple majority. The wheels of United Earth Federation government move slowly on many issues because of the time needed for the General Assembly to reach concensus.
The General Assembly may meet in special sessions at the request of the Security Council, of a majority of member states, or of one member if the majority of members concur. Emergency special sessions may be called within 24 hours of a request by the Security Council on the vote of any nine Council members, or by a majority of the United Nations members, or by one member if the majority of members concur.
At the beginning of each regular session, the Assembly holds a general debate, often addressed by heads of state and government, in which member states express their views on the most presssing international issues.
Security Council
The composition and rules under which the Security Council operates have changed since the United Nations became the United Earth Federation. While there are still only five permanent member seats, (United Americas, the Chinese Consortium, European Federation, Russian Republic and the Japanese Affiliates), India, the Central African Bloc, Australia, and the Islamic Holy Republic also retain seats on the Security Council on a regular basis. Also, the power of the permanent member veto has changed - a permanent member veto can be overriden by a four/fifths majority vote of the rest of the council. (12 votes out of the 15 seats available).
When a dispute leads to fighting, the Council's first concern is to bring it to an end as soon as possible. On many occasions, the Council has issued cease-fire directives which have been instrumental in preventing wider hostilities. It also sends United Earth Armed Forces peace-keepers to help reduce tensions in troubled areas, keep opposing forces apart and create conditions of calm in which peaceful settlements may be sought. The Council may decide on enforcement measures, economic sanctions (such as trade embargoes) or military action.
A Member State against which preventive or enforcement action has been taken by the Security Council may be suspended from the exercise of the rights and privileges of membership by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. A Member State which has persistently violated the principles of the Charter may be expelled from the United Earth Federation by the Assembly on the Council's recommendation.
Interstellar Colonial Authority
Formed after the Colonial Act of 2140, the Interstellar Colonial Authority (ICA), is a branch of United Earth Federation government tasked with the government of colonised space out beyond the Sol system designated as Zones 2 and 3 of the Federated Colonies, and to a limited extent representing UEF policies in Far Space. The ICA is responsible for the day to day management of these colonies, including local law and order, liaison with Earth, communications, logistics and a host of other functions. In the absence of direct contact with Earth, the ICA has veto on any local government decisions.
Each colony in Zones 2 and 3 has an ICA presence. On some of the newer colonies it is little more than a small Settlement Welfare Team office with a handful of representatives. On larger, more established colonies there is a large established ICA administrative presence. Larger colonies also sometimes have regional ICA headquarters.
Interstellar distances have to allow for a necessary devolution of certain powers to local leaders, which allows the elections of local officials by the colonial population. Despite this, the local ICA Administrator is able to dictate policy should he/she see fit. It is common practice for megacorporations with invested interests in a colony start up to have representatives on local councils.
The ICA has surveyed hundreds of worlds, and it's exploration arm, Interstellar Expeditions (ISX), is in the process of surveying dozens more The ICA has surveyed hundreds of worlds, and it's exploration arm, Interstellar Expeditions (ISX), is in the process of surveying dozens more. Each world surveyed is classified according to how much work is needed to establish a colonial base, and how rich the planet is in natural resources. Once a world has been surveyed and classified, contracts are then issued, up for bid by any nations and corporations interested in investing in the venture.
The ICA is also in charge of interstellar immigration/emigration. Despite hundreds of millions of people now living offworld in the colonies, Earth in the late 23rd Century is still home to almost 10 billion people and is woefully overcrowded. To compound matters, those wishing to live in the colonies must apply for Colonist Status from the ICA. This involves a series of rigorous background checks, physical, mental and psychological examinations.
Interstellar Trade Commission
The Interstellar Trade Commission (ITC) came into being in 2140, when, in an effort to regulate interstellar commercial shipping and trade, the WTO was radically expanded and remodelled. The ITC is the primary body dealing with commerce throughout the systems colonised by the UEF in the 23rd century. All crewmembers of commercial transport and cargo starships are required by Federal law to possess a valid ITC licence.
The ITC also deals with Customs and Excise Duties. All trade starships entering the Sol system must be prepared to go through ITC quarantine, if the ITC suspects the ship is carrying any unauthorised cargo. In addition ITC officers often work closely with Colonial Marines strike teams, fighting the endless battle against smugglers, pirates and terrorist groups that are active in the Federal Colonies.
Communications
The Federal Network, or FedNet, is the collective term for the technology behind the wirelessly-networked, ubiquitously-connected urban environment of the 23rd century. FedNet provides entertainment in the form of over a thousand digital television and radio channels, information in the form of the Interstellar Web (ISW), communications access for Personal ComLinks etc etc.
This would be amazing if it were just on Earth, but a series of FTL Relay Stations throughout the Federal Colonies provides FedNet access to everyone who holds Citizenship in the United Earth Federation. While the citizens of the Sol system can enjoy realtime FedNet access, those further afield have time delays, as FTL datastreams travel at a maximum speed of 1 parsec per day. As a result, common information is stored locally at the larger colonies, and orbiting satellites allow wireless communications.
Military
The formation of the United Earth Federation was the spark for several conflicts (the Unification Wars 2085-2102), primarily fuelled by nations who refused to be a part of the new global government. In response, the newly formed United Earth Federation ratified a treaty of United Earth Armed Forces, a cohesive fighting force to stop these and future wars, with troops and equipment supplied by all member states, under one general command staff comprising of highranking officers of all nations.
Intelligence
The Federal Security Agency (FSA) coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialised activities to protect UEF government information systems and produce foreign signals intelligence information. A high technology organisation, the FSA is on the frontiers of communications and data processing. It is also one of the most important centers of foreign language analysis and research within the federal government.
FSA conducts some of the UEFs leading research and development (R&D) programs. Some of the Agency's R&D projects have significantly advanced the state of the art in the scientific and business worlds.
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