GFA Politics Explained

General

Known as the 'Esteelers': the polity has existed for over 200 years, since it broke away from the Martian Association.
The Greater Federation of Asteel (GFA) is one of the so-called 'Big Four' powers (along with the Earth Empire, Martian Association of Free Colonies and the Venerian Republic) and is militarily fairly powerful, having a considerable fleet based on a preponderance of interstellar Carrier warships.
Culturally, Esteelers are tolerant and hedonistic, with a strong commitment to individual rights. They are often stereotyped as being frivolous and a bit vulgar, but they are also respected for their kindness and hospitality. The people are pleasure-loving and friendly (if a little flaky) and very concerned about rights and freedom. They are slow to anger and very relaxed, but will dig in their heels on points they see as important. Militarily their forces are tough and well-equipped.
*Notes on current Esteeler politics from 'Bluffer's Guide to Galactic Politics' (Second Edition, 3202)*

Political Structure

Politically, Asteel is democratic, capitalist and fairly decentralised. The President, who is directly elected by universal suffrage, is very influential in the Esteeler Senate which runs Quadrant Zero, (he or she is ex officio Senator of the Asteel system) but has only limited powers over the semi-independent Quadrants which make up the GFA. This Federal structure is a source of strength as local leaders (frequently business people) are able to act for local reasons, in theory resulting in high efficiency and dynamism. The Esteeler citizenship have a high level of satisfaction with their government and are often surprisingly proud and patriotic.
However, the central power (the Presidential Office is known as The Hexagon) lacking strong disciplinary measures, sometimes has difficulty preventing corruption and cronyism in distant Quadrants. Generally, the highly democratic Esteeler governmental structures tend to be slow in operation, and in a bid to please everyone, end up with messy compromises. In addition, Esteelers have a habit of expecting quick results and failing to plan for the long haul. A typical example is the Esteeler political tendency to see only as far as the next election!
As a political entity, the GFA has strong views about the Constitutional obligations and rights of being a member system. In summary, these are as follows:

1. Every member system must pay taxes (i.e. support value) to the central government and must obey all legal orders of the duly constituted Federal authorities.

2. Every member system must guarantee a basic level of democracy, freedom and human rights to all citizens.

3. Every member system must guarantee free trade and the untrammelled practice of commerce by all legally constituted corporations.

4. No member system will be unfairly expelled from the Federation.

5. The Federation undertakes to protect to the best of its ability the citizens of all member systems from any and all interference, from whatever source, with their rights to life, liberty and the peaceful enjoyment of their property.

6. The Federation guarantees that it will not permit any Esteeler citizen to be subjected to cruel or unusual treatment; nor will the Federation allow any Esteeler to be tried by any other Polity for crimes committed in Esteeler space.

Domestic Policy issues

The Economy

The Esteeler economy is efficient, regarded by the Major Corporations as 'business-friendly' and most Esteeler citizens enjoy a very high standard of living. The economy is overwhelmingly capitalist, with light regulation and a highly-developed legal system where litigation is often used to settle disputes. Typically, the Esteeler citizen is well-educated and has the chance to progress in a meritocratic and socially mobile society. The Esteelers have social problems too; economic inequality, crime and disorder plague many of their worlds. Figures show that despite the high per capita gross polity product, about 10% of the GFA's citizens live below the official poverty line. In addition, there is a continuing problem with corruption; while most Esteelers are honest, at the senior echelons of business and politics there is sometimes a temptation to use power for self-enrichment.

Citizenship.

The GFA is unusually flexible in its citizenship laws and is happy to allow large-scale immigration to many of its worlds, as long as minimum guarantees are kept about human rights etc. The major problem the GFA has is about the relative economic and social positions of genetic naturals and genetic perfects. While it is debatable whether Esteeler naturals are actually any worse off than the naturals of any other polity, they perceive themselves to be so, and this has led to the GFA being host to a particularly violent and extremist branch of DAFT (Democracy and Freedom Today, the naturals-rights terrorist pressure group). The GFA Government has recently begun a programme to guarantee fair treatment for naturals, including new laws banning unfair discrimination, but there are major barriers to progress, not least the strong beliefs among Esteeler perfects that the naturals are already given plenty of opportunities and are just complaining about their own inevitable biological destiny: to be inferior.

FOREIGN POLICY

The Greater Federation of Asteel (GFA) had adopted an aggressively expansionist policy in many areas for many decades up to 3150. There did not seem to be any underlying pattern to this expansion, and it seemed largely driven by wealth creation. In recent years the GFA has been much more cautious and expansion has been much slower. Generally, the GFA attitude seems to be 'why can't we all get along' with an emphasis on seeking common ground and consensus; though the GFA can be fierce in defence of what it sees as its crucial interests and is irritated by other polities who refuse to treat the Federation with respect. Here are the current attitudes of the GFA to other polities:
Union of Xyon: genuine warmth and friendliness at every level from Government to individual citizens, dating back at least 200 years. Currently in Alliance.

Earth Empire Solar Republic: mostly, wary friendship based on mutual respect, though a significant minority of Esteelers dislike Earther foreign policy as duplicitous and aggressive. Currently in Alliance.

Republic of New Venus: Esteelers have a major problem with Venerian quasi-democracy and attitudes to human rights and the rule of law. This tends to make relations awkward, though there is a popular respect for their stern attitude to corruption. Currently in Non-Aggression Pact.
Martian Union/Association: for historical reasons ordinary Esteelers find the Martian state difficult to like and the perceived arrogance and senseless aggression of the Martian military makes them highly unpopular. In return, the Martians are notoriously rude and dismissive towards Esteelers. All this makes it very hard for Esteeler diplomacy to make any friendly headway. This is odd, as culturally the two peoples are surprisingly similar and many retain family and other links despite the political coldness.

Wolfer Commonwealth: Esteelers are friendly and respectful, if a little patronising, and puzzled by the odd political structure [monarchy!]. Currently in Alliance.

Sirius Socialist Republic: general attitude is one of amused contempt for these oddball lefties, though there is a lot of interest in their robot-intensive culture which appeals to many rich and lazy Esteelers.

Mald Foundation: profound respect and perhaps a little awe of this mysterious polity.

Independent worlds and local alliances: GFA diplomacy generally hopes to build friendly links at all such systems and groups as they become rich enough to consider membership of a polity. Will act to encourage democracy, human rights etc but a relaxed attitude to expansion of the Federation.