The Republic: Glorified Cartel

The Republic was engineered by the major conglomerates, who still provide most of its budget to this day. The purpose of this institution was to protect their interests in the *Atlas Galaxy*, enable them to solve their territorial disputes, suppress the first pirate rebellions in a way that would avoid public outrage, and quell citizens’ demands for a democratic revival. Its first senators were chosen from among former politicians of the *United Planets Federation* who were loyal to the conglomerates and had lost most of their political authority.