Variations

One or more of these special situa-
tions may apply to most of the society
types listed above:
Bureaucracy: A self-perpetuating
“civil service” runs the society from
day to day. Because these bureaucrats
are not elected, they are largely insu-
lated
from
public
pressure.
Government seems
to run very
smoothly – if there are difficulties, you
aren’t told about them. But there are
high taxes, many laws, and lots of red
tape. The government is unresponsive
to citizens. There may not be a free
press. CR4+.
Colony: A dependent region ruled
by the mother society, usually through
a governor. The colonists may have an
elected council (through which they
influence the governor), an elected
representative to the mother govern-
ment (with nonvoting power), or both
– but they have no direct say in their
own government. Colonies have less
government than the mother society;
reduce CR by 1 or more. Rebels and
outcasts may be welcome if they have
useful skills.
LIBERTY, n.: One of
Imagination’s most
precious possessions.
– Ambrose Bierce,
The Devil’s
Dictionary
Cybercracy: A statewide computer
system controls administration – and
perhaps actual legislation! This is
impossible before TL8, and highly
unlikely before TL9. Government
might be efficient, inhuman, or both.
The system is only as good as its pro-
grammers and technicians. Trust the
Computer . . . CR3+.