The Big Picture

The GM should also decide how the major societies in the game
world interact with one another. Possible political situations include:
World Government: One government rules the entire world (which
might be a continent in a low-tech setting, an entire galaxy in a very
high-tech one). Regional differences, if any, are strictly cultural or lin-
guistic.
Coalition: A few powerful allies dominate the world. They squabble
on occasion, but they usually present a united front. The individual
societies are still quite distinct, and might have radically different gov-
ernment types.
Factionalized: A small number of rival “blocs” or superpowers dom-
inate the world. Each bloc has enough economic and military might to
rule the world, but the other blocs would sooner unite in opposition
than let that happen. As a result, alliances shift regularly. Ties within
blocs are more permanent.
Diffuse: There are dozens, if not hundreds, of clans, nations, and
groups. No one can make any claim to world domination.