Speed Worldbuilding: Sci-Fi Government With Two Figureheads
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
I’m sci-fi writer Casey Hudson, and I’m worldbuilding a planetwide government that supports galactic expansion. Here’s how I’m transforming worldbuilding questions and real-world ideas into a consociational democracy for my Drifting Amalgams universe.
Rather watch a video?
Check out the YouTube version of this blog post.
How to Worldbuild a Sci-Fi Government
Whether on display or idling in a narrative’s background, government structures are an important part of many sci-fi stories.
But how do you approach the daunting task of building a fictional government from scratch?
I like to look at the society first. Government follows culture, so if you have a hierarchical society, it makes sense to build a hierarchical government.
I also look at shared values. Societies that believe in order and stability may be totalitarian, while societies focused on participation and accountability align well with democracy.
From there I look at administration and localized governments.
Responsibilities for these depend on the needs of the people.
For instance, governments maintain security.
Maybe the populace feels secure when they are healthy and mentally well. That necessitates departments devoted to medical care or food stability.
And if the main focus is galactic expansion. Well That worldbuild may require a special touch.
Worldbuilding a UN-Style Democracy
For my Drifting Amalgams universe, I’m creating a company that’s quietly acquiring universal influence.
And, for a little backstory, I’m worldbuilding a planetwide government to nurture this behemoth.
Since the government is for several societies across two different species, I’m going to need a governance style that can bring disparate groups together.
The United Nations provides a good foundation since one of its primary purposes is international cooperation.
If my United Barpadai Nation is going to support widescale space travel, cooperation is essential. But instead of the “international peace and security” mission of the United Nations, the United Barpadai Nation will promote cooperation in service to technological advancement and territorial expansion.
I’ll tweak my government a bit to give it executive power. I’ll also redistribute representation to better match the population’s affiliations.
And, with that, my consociational democracy is ready for some procedural details.
What Could a Sci-Fi Government Do?
I have a basic framework for my United Barpadai Nation. Now, I need to establish the government’s responsibilities.
Responsibilities typically depend on the needs of the people.
In this case, the people of Barpadai need space. Space for a solitary and territorial species. And for an ever-expanding species numbering in the trillions.
So my United Barpadai Nation is responsible for resource management.
To manage resources, they're probably going to need to resolve disputes.
And, realistically, these technologically advanced people are going to want to claim off-planet resources as well.
That means, the UBN is responsible for: managing resources, approving and contracting new technology, resolving planetary disputes, and defining and managing extra-planetary expansion.
Big responsibilities that will take a lot of work for successful execution.
Hopefully, the Barpadi belief in working together is enough to support this government through any challenge.
Two Leaders. One Sci-Fi Government.
Over the centuries, the tadaribrae have developed several sects with fully functioning governments.
A much younger species, the pentapardi formed the Pentapardi Alliance to interact with various tadaribrae governments.
As populations grew, the civilizations on the planet of Barpadai decided to work jointly to explore and settle other planets.
Thus, the United Barpadai Nation was born.
The UBN is the executive body responsible for:
• Approving and contracting new spacefaring technology
• Resolving disputes that threaten planetary citizens
• Defining and managing extra-planetary endeavors
Meanwhile, the planet’s smaller governments bring proposals and issues of planetary importance to the UBN council.
Although the UBN is council-led, it has figureheads referred to as the Grand Two. The Grand Two consist of one pentapardi and one tadaribrae whose primary responsibilities are ensuring that the council meets regularly and keeping conversations focused.
Before the end of a term, council members oversee new representative selection. A process that is conducted independently by each member group.
Once new council members have been selected, a ceremony is held in which the Grand Two hand their symbolic garments to the To-Be Two, an honor determined by council vote. The retired council, then, closes the term–thus ending their service to the planet.
Until next time, keep creating.
