The United Serene Republic of Saint Shepard is a titanic, cultured nation, ruled by Madame President with an even hand, and renowned for its compulsory military service, sprawling nuclear power plants, and national health service. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 15.343 billion Paragons enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The enormous, liberal government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Saint Citadel. The average income tax rate is 98.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Paragon economy, worth a remarkable 2,858 trillion dollars a year, is highly specialized and mostly made up of the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Retail. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 186,279 dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Visiting dignitaries often end up cuddling in the hot tub with Madame President, Madame President steals from the rich and gives to the needy, the best defense is a good fence, and the government puts forth the claim that harming young girls is wrong. Crime is totally unknown. Saint Shepard's national animal is the cobra, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Saint Shepard is ranked 501^st in the world and 16^th in The Communist Bloc for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring 14,184.78 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.