The Federal Republic of Respidon is a colossal, genial nation, ruled by Alice Forsyth with a fair hand, and renowned for its state-planned economy, daily referendums, and keen interest in outer space. The compassionate, democratic population of 3.017 billion Respidonians 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 Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Respidonia. The average income tax rate is 76.8%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The powerhouse Respidonian economy, worth 350 trillion Respidates a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is fairly diversified, is led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology and Furniture Restoration. Average income is an impressive 116,112 Respidates, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The government regularly publishes lengthy reports on its own excessive recordkeeping, the recycled air in planes is nauseating, cane fights are a common sight in nursing homes, and builders across Respidon are blocked up with orders for new public loos. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Respidon's national animal is the dolphin, which frolics freely in the nation's sparkling oceans.

Respidon is ranked 7,123^rd in the world and 226^th in the South Pacific for Nicest Citizens, with 38.16 average smiles per day.