Power structure of the

Federation

The High Council.

            The highest level of authority is from the Federation High Council. This group of two hundred or so people decide the interests of the Federation, they decide the greater goals of the culture, deciding things like war and expansion, they are predominantly concerned with the wider issues inside the Federation rather than the particular governance of states within it.

The High Council is also the highest level to which problems can be presented, if problems have been referred from lower levels, due to importance or critical urgency of the situation, then the High Council is responsible for representing the Federation in its decisions. However for non-time dependent decisions, such as the decision to go to war, the High Council are obliged to set the preposition to the citizens of the Federation, which then democratically decide on the outcome (by proportional representation).

The high council therefore represents the highest authority to display the facts to the citizens in every day situations, and in times of crisis to act independently. The high council is made up of roughly equal numbers of all the federation races, (including the Pholi), and their level of power is roughly equal (though they are theoretically equal, many of these figures command respect among others in the council and so can be more influential). The individual members are elected from lower government positions by public voting, and although there is no fixed maximum term of service, regular opinion polls on these representatives are held. The most frequent reason for a member to step down is by their own decision to retire, though there is no reason why this individual can not be re-elected if they hold public favour.

Additional notes.

Though there is no requirement for the council to operate in any given place, it is usually held on Athene or Corten in Federation assembly buildings.

It is a rite of any Federation citizen to be able to run for a position in the high council, though people will generally support those who have already demonstrated their ability to govern in a responsible manner.

There are very few times when the High Council restricts its media coverage (which is essentially continuous whilst in session), there are only a few incidences where there this has happened (the appearance of the Artemis is one, and first sighted Mawa-Rei craft in Federation space another), and then was only withheld for a few minutes to enable the High Council to compose themselves and avoid panic.

Though racial discrimination is not really a concern, there are set minimums for representatives from each Federation race, at around 15% of the total (where usually each race accounts for 20% of the total, or some 40 or so people). Racial issues have never been a concern of the Federation as the importance rests on not where you have come from but the personal qualities you have for the job.

It is preferred that High council members do not involve themselves with the boards inside the larger Federation Council, though this is more to ensure lack of overwork, than a concern over bias.