Protectorate
wow that's a lot of stars is a sci-fi setting about adventure, exploration, and discovery. Every person, place, and thing has a story to tell, if you listen closely.
Setting Intro | Visitor's Guide | Author's Intentions
The Protectorate is this cluster’s version of a galactic governing body. While they don’t truly govern each planet, they monitor for breaches of galactic law and help maintain peace.
Responsibilities
A fuller list of the Protectorate’s main goals and responsibilities can be found on their website, but at a high level, the main ones can be divided into two categories: governing and policing. Governing responsibilities include:- Managing uplifting of sub-TL4 planets. If the planet’s government agrees, or governments, the Protectorate will help finance and manage upgrading infrastructure, building spaceports, and educating inhabitants on the newer technology. See: Talmar
- Introducing newly-discovered planets to the cluster. In the event a new civilization is uncovered, the Protectorate serves as ambassador and helps integrate newcomers to the cluster. See: Rada
- Maintaining a public database of rutters. Their own ships use these rutters daily to keep the route safe and open, and there is a submission system for any errors or new paths discovered.
- Protecting trade routes. This involves patrols of known routes, escorts when required, and frequent skirmishes with pirates. The Protectorate works with local governments to eradicate pirate bays whenever found.
- Mediating interplanetary conflicts. While the Protectorate won’t get involved with planet-side conflicts, they intervene if conflicts extend beyond atmospheric borders. The ongoing war between Livonia and Janus is frequently cited as the Protectorate’s failure in this.
- Ensuring compliance with galactic laws. These laws dictate how different regions interact with each other. It’s generally up to local governments to do most policing, but the Protectorate will involve itself in more egregious violations.
Cultural Perceptions
In aggregate, most everyday people see the Protectorate as ineffectual at best. There are still pirates, there still interplanetary conflicts, and many system governments flaunt disregard for many galactic laws and processes. Protectorate supporters would argue these flaws are in fact natural limitations to any galactic government. When working at such a large scale, both in terms of distance and time, even a 99% efficacy still leaves a significant amount undone. The effects of many Protectorate decisions are only visible in data decades later. Those with the loudest calls for improvement are often Protectorate employees. They are the ones who see the value and potential in the organization, while also experiencing the flaws and shortcomings personally.
Type
Government, Leadership
Comments