The Dominion of Bardo is a titanic, efficient nation, ruled by The Shepherd with an iron fist, and notable for its compulsory vegetarianism, keen interest in outer space, and enslaved workforce. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, humorless population of 13.367 billion Bardoans are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Industry, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Sanctum. The average income tax rate is 95.7%.

The frighteningly efficient Bardoan economy, worth a remarkable 5,271 trillion utopis a year, is broadly diversified and mostly comprised of black market activity, especially in Information Technology, Retail, Woodchip Exports, and Uranium Mining. Average income is an amazing 394,332 utopis, but there is a significant disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 1,376,393 per year while the poor average 82,179, a ratio of 16.7 to 1.

Subscribing to the Benevolence Society for Impoverished Leaders is an effective way to dodge the draft, the government tries to improve relations with hostile countries by sending gift baskets, stern tutting by international commentators has persuaded Bardo to disarm, and pillows outnumber picket signs at most workers rallies. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Bardo's national animal is the crystal giant, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its national religion is Second Dawn.

Bardo is ranked 311,545^th in the world and 6^th in Alvarez for Nicest Citizens, with 0.15 average smiles per day.