The Republic of Darcy Melk is a mid-sized, safe nation, notable for its state-planned economy, irreverence towards religion, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, democratic population of 95 million Darcy Melkians love a good election, and the government gives them plenty of them. Universities tend to be full of students debating the merits of various civil and political rights, while businesses are tightly regulated and the wealthy viewed with suspicion.

The large, socially-minded, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Welfare. The average income tax rate is 45.6%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The sizeable but sluggish Darcy Melkian economy, worth 2.63 trillion pesos a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient black market in Cheese Exports, Trout Farming, Retail, and Arms Manufacturing. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is 27,672 pesos, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Darcy Melk's national animal is the dove, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Darcy Melk is ranked 105,175^th in the world and 1^st in Soap Opera for Highest Average Tax Rates, with 45.64 Effective Tax Rate.