{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=557 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet Kelth. They are a founding member of the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: Kobuns, Rhee, Drapnids, and Thalians. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
''For further information, see [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]''[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Ascendant Republic. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Constitution of The Ascendant Republic]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto dictatorship with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy

2026-05-24T19:41:17Z

HowTheAlf: origins

{{Politicalparty|title1=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|image1=DCAFinalLogo.png|nation=[[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]|headquarters=Vornak Core|political position=Left|ideology=*Republican Cooperatism
*New Ascendant Layer Theory|founders=Council of Ten|legislature seats=548|percentage of seats=100|founded=86BCE (UTR) 
10CE (Independent)|preceded by=Social Action Party}}

The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''', shorthanded by officials to '''DCA''', is the founding and dominant political party of the Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies. Initially a far-left organisation, the party in its current form sits on the centre-left of the political spectrum, led by a moderate-reformist alliance. It has been the governing party of ARCS, formerly the Combined Cooperatives, since its establishment. It is led by an Executive Director, who is nominated internally and serves until their death, resignation or removal through a vote of no confidence. The Party meets regularly at Ascendancy Conventions, during which party members and trade unionists vote on party policy and are addressed by the party's Cabinet.

The DCA was founded around 105BCE by the 'Council of Ten' as a far-left, radical offshoot of the Social Action Party in the [[United Tir Republic]]. Initially weak electorally, the party began to grow in popularity during the final years of the UTR, eventually forming a coalition government with the declining Social Action Party during the establishment of the Triple Cooperative. It was during this time that the party would begin to visibly split, with the far-left 'centralists' and the centre-left 'moderates' competing for control. In 10CE, as the SAP began to collapse, the DCA overthrew their coalition partners in a coup that led to the proclamation of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, under a centralist-led communal dictatorship. Many former members of the Social Action Party defected to the DCA, growing the moderate groups creating a third 'reformist' wing. These three factions would come to define the governance and political development of the CCT and later ARCS.

== History ==

=== Origins ===
Records of the DCA's founding are heavily classified, and most known facts come from witness testimony that historians consider to be of 'mixed credibility'. It is known that the Party was initially founded by a group of ten members of the Social Action Party, referred to officially as the 'Council of Ten'. The Party was founded under the shared belief that the UTR should function under a collective (known in ARCS as 'cooperative') system, similar to the principles of human [[Communism]]. As a result, the 'First Generation Directory', as it would later be referred to by scholars, fell on the far-left of the political spectrum.

The specific date of the party's founding is also unknown, but it was officially recognised as a political party within the UTR in 105BCE. It was initially an unpopular movement, gaining only 2 seats out of a possible 200 in the 102BCE elections, though its size and support increased quickly among the middle and working classes of the UTR. The 97BCE election saw the party rise to 40 seats - an astonishing 2,000% growth in five years. The growth of the DCA can also be attributed to the rapidly declining popularity and power of the Social Action Party, which lost its majority in the UTR Parliament and failed to form a minority government by 96BCE.

=== Coalition with The SAP ===

=== Coup and Centralist Dominance ===

=== Second Constitution and Moderate-Reformist Coalition ===

== Ideology ==

== Structure ==

=== Executive Director ===

=== Internal Offices ===

==== Director's Cabinet ====

==== Party Presidium ====

=== The 'Three Wings' ===

=== Membership and Electoral Structure ===

== Performance and Criticisms ==

=== Industrial and Economic Development ===

=== Thalos Wars and Recovery ===

=== Criticisms and Debates ===
[[Category:ARCS]]
[[Category:Alfie's Misc]]
[[Category:Politics]]

Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy

2026-05-22T18:03:44Z

HowTheAlf: setup for when i can think better

Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy

2026-05-21T11:56:42Z

HowTheAlf: intro done

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-20T18:57:51Z

HowTheAlf:

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=557 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]]. They are a founding member of the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
''For further information, see [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]''[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Ascendant Republic. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Constitution of The Ascendant Republic]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto dictatorship with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy

2026-05-20T18:57:38Z

HowTheAlf: TBC

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-20T18:44:53Z

HowTheAlf: /* Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy */

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=557 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]]. They are a founding member of the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
''For further information, see [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]''[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Ascendant Republic. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the CCT. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Constitution of The Ascendant Republic]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto dictatorship with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-20T18:17:46Z

HowTheAlf: /* Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy */

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=557 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]]. They are a founding member of the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Ascendant Republic. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Constitution of The Ascendant Republic]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto dictatorship with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

Thalos Wars

2026-05-20T16:50:06Z

HowTheAlf:

{{War|title1=Thalos Wars|date=455|location=Unknown space, largely in the Lower-Centre of Tir'qa.|major battles=*Siege of Kelth 
*Battle of Kovaxi'i 
*Invasion of Thalos-5|side1=*Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa
**Member Cooperatives|side2=*Thalian Empire|outcome=Thalian Empire dismantled and reorganised.|image1=Thalos War Timeline.gif|commanders1=*Executive Director 
*High Ministry of Cooperative Defence|commanders2=*Thalian Emperor (First War) 
*Thalian Military Junta (Second War)}}

The '''Thalos Wars''' (455-481) were a series of protracted interstellar conflicts between the [[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]] and the [[Thalian Empire]]. Major areas of conflict included the Thalos, Kovaxi'i and Kelth systems, where the largest battles of the war took place. The war saw rapid development in CCT naval warfare technologies, most significantly the construction of the CCT's first dreadnought-class vessel, the '''CCN Ascendancy''', and the mass deployment of the '''Cooperatives Integrated Systems Defence Network Platforms''' (CISDNPs). It is currently the deadliest conflict in the known history of the region, with an estimated over ten million total military casualties. The civilian casualty count remains heavily debated, though the most common estimate totals over 15 million, largely attributed to the scorched earth tactics of the Thalian Empire in the later phases of the war. Including the Siege of Kelth however, this spikes to well over 260 million, a figure that left a permanent scar on the planet. The majority of military casualties are estimated to have occurred during the naval battles over Eelyn and Thalos in the later stages of the war. Population distribution in Southern Tir'qa was permanently disrupted by the war - many fled to the Northern systems, necessitating the Emergency Northern Resettlement Program.

Upon the surrender of the Thalian Empire in 481, the CCT would enforce the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement. This treaty disarmed and dismantled the Thalian Empire, creating the Thalos Exclusion Territory and transferred the remaining Thalian Navy to the victorious Cooperatives. The purpose of the TET is disputed, though many scholars argue that avoiding direct annexation reduced tensions during the integration process of the three Thalian systems. A significant consequence of the dismantling of the Thalian Empire was the CAC's decision to search for extrasolar allies, having effectively removed their only close neighbour.

=== Background ===
Neither Tir'qa nor Thalos were aware of the other's presence for much of their initial expansion. By 437, Tir'qa had expanded to 15 systems, whilst Thalos had settled 3, with a claim to a fourth - Kovaxi'i. Although the latter was much smaller, the resources of its systems made the state technologically superior to their northern neighbour. First contact between the two nations is said by Tir'qan officials to have occurred in the early months of 438, after the establishment of colonies on Kovaxi'i by a combined Tir-Kobun expedition.

Relations between the two governments were strained from the beginning, with Thalos asserting claims to the Kovaxi'i system based on records of prior expeditions. Scholars often consider this to be a weak argument, as the expedition found no evidence of a significant, permanent Thalian presence beyond a small number of research stations. The system officially joined the CCT as a member cooperative in 455, following a popular vote from the planet's population. Two months after this, the Ambush at Harmon'i occurred, during which naval forces under the Thalian Empire would open fire on unarmed Tir'qan vessels. After rapid mobilisation by both sides and further border exercises conducted by Thalos, the Empire commenced an invasion of the Combined Cooperatives.

=== First Thalos War (455-457) ===
The first phase of the conflict, marked by a series of major Thalian naval and land victories, is commonly referred to by historians as the First Thalos War. During this two-year period, the Thalian Empire commenced a major series of naval offensives and land invasions into the systems of Kovaxi'i and Faqare. Specialist 'interceptor' vessels, capable of high speeds and equipped with armour-piercing weaponry, rapidly overran and disrupted the local infrastructure and military installations, allowing the much larger Thalian fleets to follow and commence land invasions upon the destruction of atmospheric defences. Civilian militias and local army units mounted desperate resistance efforts in the cities, but were eventually defeated and forced underground. These two campaigns were swift, with the Kovaxi'i offensive being completed before the news of the war's outbreak reached the capital. The scale and inexperience of the Combined Cooperatives severely limited early wartime coordination, while their much slower FTL technologies left the Forces of Ascendancy vulnerable to Thalian ambush.

Further confusion was caused by a successful Thalian deception operation after the fall of Kovaxi'i. In one of the most significant strategic defeats of the early war, staged fleet manoeuvres and false intelligence successfully tricked the CCT command into believing the next offensive would continue westward into Wa'ja, while the Thalian interceptors and a significant fleet detachment instead advanced into Faqare. Although the attack on Faqare was detected sooner due to its lesser distance from the capital than Kovaxi'i, the Tir'qan navy was stationed too far from the system to organise an effective defence. A small-scale central offensive towards Thalos was attempted, but was quickly repelled. Faqare fell in less than two months, almost as quickly as Kovaxi'i. Contemporary scholars widely consider this attack to be one of the most decisive defeats of the war.

Following the fall of Faqare, the Thalian Empire began preparations for a major offensive on the capital of Kelth, now exposed after the fall of the South. In on of their first major strategic victories of the conflict, the CCT correctly predicted Kelth to be the next target and stationed the remnants of their navy alongside a rapidly converted civilian force in a ring formation around the planet. At the same time, the government relocated much of its administration to the Northeast Frontier, and oversaw both the Emergency Northern Resettlement Program and a rapid industrialisation effort.

On the eve of the New Year in 457, the Thalian fleet commenced the Kelth Offensive.

=== Siege of Kelth (457-477) ===

==== Opening ====
The Thalian fleet arrived in the Kelth system in the early morning of the Fifth Rotation, and had surrounded both Kelth Major and Minor by late evening. This time gap allowed for much of Kelth's military industries to be evacuated before the planet was surrounded, often considered a critical Thalian mistake by historians. Shortly before midnight, the first Thalian offensive would begin. Military officials were given a one word order: hold. Converted civilian vessels, considered expendable, were placed in front of the formations, whilst the remaining standardised military vessels were placed behind, allowing the bombardment of interceptors from range. The initial battles lasted roughly five hours and were noteworthy for being the first recorded instance of Thalian ships being destroyed by CCT forces. Most of these engagements would result in stalemates, leading to neither the blockade or Cooperative line being broken. These stalemates gave the CCT critical time to deploy its experimental military technology referred to as the '''Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network Platforms''' (CISDNPs). Equipped with large 'Mass Acceleration Guns', numerous turrets, and a control tower capable of controlling up to 2500 drones, these platforms would play a vital role in maintaining the siege. Drone warfare was deemed especially advantageous by Tir'qan military staff, as drones were deemed far easier to replace than military personnel. Although CISDNPs are not very mobile and remain in geosynchronous orbit around the planets they protect, they are incredibly durable and possess advanced shielding technologies. The deployment of these CISDNPs is typically regarded as beginning the Siege of Kelth.

==== Planetary Conditions ====
Conditions on the planets were brutal during the siege that would last for just over 20 years. Severe rationing was put in place in the planet's largest settlements, with many farmers having their produce taken by the planetary government to supply the population - though they were compensated after the war. Blockade runners, staffed by veteran pilots of the Emergency Northern Resettlement Program, airdropped essential supplies and resources onto Kelth's surface. Kelth Minor's moon, Xeta-3, became a major military station for the CCT during this period, and would later become a full colony. These were often considered suicide missions due to the difficulty of bypassing the Thalian blockade of over 400 ships. Despite this, over eighty percent of drops were delivered successfully. Critical resources such as medicine suffered constant shortages, leading to disasters such as the [[Great Plague of 468]], and the loss of almost 5% of the planet's population (just under 250,000,000 civilian deaths). To prevent further spread, bodies were burnt, leading to many cities being enveloped in smoke for the duration of the plaque. Post-war recounts described the planet as 'apocalyptic' by the end of the plague in 470. Despite all of this, the planet survived and the defence was never broken. Some land battles occurred in the final years of the siege, as Thalian interceptors were repurposed into troop carriers that were fast enough to bypass some defensive platforms. Unlike the navy, the Forces of Ascendancy severely outmatched the Thalians in ground warfare technologies, and all attacks were repelled.

==== Reorganisation and Freedom ====
During the siege, critical breakthroughs were made by the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Skilled decoders, stationed on the CISDNPs near the frontlines, were able to break the cipher of Thalian transmission in 464, allowing them to track naval movements and predict attacks. Moreover, the CCT navy was reorganised into standardised 'Naval Units', with vessel classification and centralised fleet composition. This would include the production of the CCT's first dreadnought class vessel, the '''CCN Ascendancy''', as well as the mass production of other naval vessels across the Northern systems. These naval reforms showed clear success, with the Tir'qan navy preventing further western offensives after the beginning of the Siege of Kelth. The Battle of Pio, in the Wa'ja system, was the first CCT victory in a 'traditional' naval battle. Upon the decoding of the Thalian cipher, Tir'qa would begin sending stealth ships into Faqare and Kovaxi'i during periods of weaker garrisoning to fund insurgent groups on the surface, disrupting logistics and diverting vessels otherwise intended to reinforce the siege line.

In 477, the newly standardised and reformed CCT Naval Units would use the Thalian's deception tactics against them. A small force feigned an attack into Kovaxi'i, whilst a much larger force made an FTL jump into the Kelth system. This surprise attack caught the Thalian siege line off guard and, with coordinated offensives between the planet-side vessels and the Navy, the Siege of Kelth was broken. Thalian forces would retreat into Kovaxi'i to regroup and end the feigned attack. Both sides would later agree to a 1-month ceasefire to recover their wounded, with the DCA undertaking an enormous recovery and resupply campaign across Kelth. Controversially, Tir'qa would continue supplying insurgent groups during the ceasefire, however no direct engagements between the two sides occurred.

=== Second Thalos War (477-481) ===

==== Reconquest of Faqare ====
On the exact day of the ceasefire expiring, the fighting resumed. Tir'qan forces once again feigned an attack on Kovaxi'i, using decrypted communications to determine Faqare possessed a noticeably weaker garrison before launching a rapid assault on the Faqare system. Simultaneously, CCT-funded insurrection groups staged a mass uprising on the day of the invasion, putting both Thalian land and naval forces under severe pressure. Almost exactly mirroring the original conquest by Thalos, Faqare would be rapidly retaken, with the last remnants surrendering just over a month after the battle commenced. Thalian land forces would undertake a scorched-earth campaign as their defeat became inevitable, requiring a significant commitment of Cooperative resources to reconstruction and citizen relocation. This would slow the Tir'qan navy for long enough (just under a year) to allow for the Thalian navy to regroup its forces around Kovaxi'i. Despite the delay, historians often denote the fall of Faqare as the turning point of the war in the CCT's favour.

==== Battle of A Thousand Fires ====
In early 479, the CCN Ascendancy was cleared for combat service and deployed with the gathering Naval Units at Faqare. '''Operation Reclaimer''' was initiated shortly after, gathering almost every vessel in the Naval Division and jumping to Kovaxi'i, beginning the Battle of Kovaxi'i, later popularly referred to as the Battle of A Thousand Fires. Statistically, this was the largest battle of the war, involving over one thousand vessels between both sides and nearly a million personnel. The operation coincided with an uprising on Kovaxi'i, similar to the guerilla tactics deployed at Faqare, with the objective of disrupting communication and resupply of the Thalian navy. Although the success of these operations varied, enough damage was dealt to delay reinforcements from Thalos. Survivor recounts state that the battle was non-stop for almost three days, with vessels 'incomprehensibly' layered on top of one another, firing constantly. One resident of Kovaxi'i compared seeing the battle from the ground to 'constant meteor showers'. The CCN Ascendancy provided heavy fire support to the Tir'qan fleet and, despite almost being destroyed following a hull breach from Thalian interceptors, succeeded in incapacitating the Thalian flagship on the battle's third day. After this, the Thalian fleet fell into chaos, with most vessels fleeing to Draxil Prime. The rest were either destroyed or captured by remaining Cooperative ships. Figures from the DCA estimate over 400 ships between both sides being destroyed during the battle.

==== Fall of Draxil Prime ====
Unlike the campaign on Faqare, the CCT did not delay in continuing the fight, leaving a limited number of vessels behind to aid planetary recovery. Vessels not left behind jumped to Draxil Prime less than a day after the end of the Battle of Kovaxi'i. This was just enough time to undertake critical repairs of damaged vessels - including the Ascendancy - whilst also preventing a Thalian recovery. Upon dropping out of FTL in the Draxil system, Tir'qan commanders found the Thalian Navy in a disorganised state, forcing a withdrawal in only hours. The victory at Draxil Prime was a shock to both sides, given the speed at which it was captured, and it was the first victory inside Thalian territory controlled before the outbreak of the wars. Likely sensing the coming loss in the war, the leadership of the system surrendered the planet peacefully, with minimal protests by the population. Anti-war sentiments would begin to grow in both nations, with Thalian defeat appearing inevitable. However, the war was not over yet, and the remnants of the Thalian navy organised under new command at Eelyn.

==== Last Stand at Eelyn ====
The Battle of Eelyn is often referred to as the Last Stand at Eelyn. Almost the entirety of the Thalian Navy, regrouped under a new command following a military coup against the Thalian government, was stationed in the system. Eelyn contained critical resources for the construction, repair and refuel of Thalian naval vessels, and its capture would prevent the nation from recovering further military losses. As a result, the naval commanders adopted a last-stand strategy, ordering the defence of the system to the final vessel.

Tir'qan ships began arriving at the edge of the system approximately three days after the capture of Draxil Prime, reinforced by vessels captured during the surrender of the system. Fewer ships were present compared to the Battle of A Thousand Fires - most sources approximating about 700 - however most were much larger and strategically irreplaceable vessels, particularly for Thalos. CCT forces would open the battle with a rapid assault against interceptor vessels, crippling the lightning-warfare strategy typically used by the Thalians that defined the early era of the war. Shortly after, the main battle commenced, with Thalian commanders upholding a fanatical defence of the planet. Vessels sustaining critical damage were ordered to ram into Tir'qan formations instead of abandoning ship, inflicting severe damage to CCT fleets whilst simultaneously accelerating losses of experienced Thalian military staff. Eelyn resisted to the last ship, dealing vast amounts of damage and casualties despite ultimately losing the battle in shortly over two weeks. A planetary land invasion proved unnecessary, as the population of Eelyn erupted into widespread protest against the coup and allowed for Tir'qan forces to enter the planet with limited resistance. This became a key propaganda victory for the DCA, allowing the Cooperatives to frame themselves as 'liberators' of the Thalian people rather than conquerors.

==== Landing at Thalos-5 and Thalian Surrender ====
Tir'qan forces quickly exploited the vast resources of Eelyn, with local collaborators allowing the use of its shipyards for vessel repair. The planet became a staging ground for proposed invasions of Thalos-5 and the Thalian capital, Thalos-3. Despite the near-total destruction of their navy, the Military Junta leading Thalos insisted upon continued resistance. Outside of the Thalian home system, however, this proved unsuccessful, and popular votes saw Draxil Prime and Eelyn begin integration into the CCT as member cooperatives. Two months after the capture of Eelyn, and shortly after the turn of the New Year in 481, Tir'qan vessels entered the Thalos system. A rapidly converted civilian fleet, almost reflective of the Cooperatives' own early improvised fleet, blockaded Thalos-5, and put up heavy resistance. At this point, anti-war sentiment in Cooperative systems had increased dramatically, as cooperative economies had started to struggle after mass conscription and militarisation. As a result, the DCA opted for a land-based strategy to minimise CCT casualties, using converted blockade runners to undertake a land invasion of the planet. Unlike Eelyn, Thalos-5 did not fall peacefully, as the ideologically devoted populace mounted a heavy resistance effort. Controversially, many veterans of the Kelth Siege undertook 'revenge campaigns' against the Thalians, burning their homes and resources. In traditional land battle, the Tir'qan forces outmatched the Thalians substantially, and suffered minimal losses during the campaign. Guerilla efforts by the populace disrupted CCT progress heavily; however, eventually the planet's government surrendered.

Panic would envelop the streets of Thalos-3 upon hearing the news of the surrender, and the Military Junta would be quickly overthrown by a civilian counter-coup. Upon taking power, the new government offered unconditional surrender to the Cooperatives, stating that 'the survival of our people is a greater need than the survival of our nation'. Shortly after, leadership of both nations would meet to sign the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Consequences and Reconstruction ===
The Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement politically dismantled the Thalian Empire, absorbing their territories into the CCT. Key terms of the agreement include:

* The dissolution of Thalian civilian government
* Full disarmament of remaining Thalian military forces, with equipment to be absorbed into the Forces of Ascendancy.
* The integration of Draxil and Eelyn as member cooperatives of the CCT
* The creation of the Thalos Exclusion Zone, enveloping Eelyn, Draxil and Thalos.

Systems within the newly created Exclusion Zone - later redesignated to an Exclusion Territory - were granted increased autonomy, representation in Congress, and were exempt from policies such as military service. Facing continued rebellion on Thalos-5, the CCT later expanded concessions to the Thalians, including the withdrawal of Tir'qan military presence from their system. Reconstruction from the war effort is estimated to have cost trillions, though the post-war period saw an economic boom that surprised many critics. Economic analysts attribute this to the jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast Frontier, and resources gained from the Thalian systems. In 503, the Thalians would be granted Core Species status within the CCT, bringing an end to organised resistance across Thalian systems. By 550, the Thalos system became a full member cooperative of the CCT, although it retains the enhanced rights granted by Exclusion Territory status. The end of the war also created a new strategic sentiment within the DCA: a belief the CCT needed allies beyond their borders.

[[Category:Wars]]
[[Category:Alfie's Misc]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

Category:ARCS

2026-05-20T16:49:30Z

HowTheAlf: Created page with "Any pages relevant to the Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies, created by Alfie."

Any pages relevant to the Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies, created by [[User:HowTheAlf|Alfie]].

Union of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-20T16:47:42Z

HowTheAlf:

{{Alliance|name=Union of Cooperative Societies|image1=UCS Flag.png|abbreviation=UCS|type=Political and Economic Union 
Military Alliance (Optional Protocol)|headquarters=*[[New Kelth]]
*[[Yeqwiqu]]|founders=*[[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]
*[[Hunyan Collective]]
*[[Yeqwiqu Collective]]|leaders=|member states=*Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies
*Hunyan Collective
*Yeqwiqu Collective
*[[The Glasen Union]]|observer states=[[Union of Xarin]]|founded=551}}The '''Union of Cooperative Societies''' is an intergovernmental organisation and political-economic alliance between four [[Countries/Extrasolar|interstellar societies]], alongside one partial-participant observer state, across the southern [[Milky Way]]. Founded by treaty between the [[ARCS]], [[Hunyan Collective]] and [[Yeqwiqu Collective]], its primary purpose is to preserve the sovereignty of smaller, typically left-leaning states across the galaxy through diplomatic cooperation and technological development. These connections are intended to modernise participating states and provide protection for revolutionary ideals across an increasingly unstable galaxy. Furthermore, it also serves to provide assistance to 'uprisings of suppressed peoples', most notably seen through the assistance and later membership of the [[Glasen Union]].

Full membership of the UCS also allows nations to join an optional defence protocol, encouraging - though not enforcing - joint defence in the event of invasion by a foreign power. Regardless of participation in this protocol, naval development and strategic coordination between member states are encouraged. Partial participants, currently limited to the [[Union of Xarin]], typically participate only in the economic element, while also opening their space to UCS members. Freedom of movement applies to all participants, providing streamlined FTL connections between [[Unknown Space]] and the [[Mid Rim]].

Nations in the UCS meet at '''Union Assemblies''', each composed of their own representatives. These chambers are responsible for organising regularly scheduled conventions to promote cooperation and discuss events across the galaxy. Full member states can put forward proposals during these conventions, which are then voted on by member states. Observer states are still encouraged to attend assemblies and may participate in debate, though they do not possess voting rights in regard to legislation. Nations are granted a number of representatives upon their entry, roughly equal to the number of star systems they control. To prevent nations with vast populations from overpowering smaller member states, UCS rules prohibit any nation from holding more than twice the representatives of the next largest member state. Nations can either enter the UCS through approval in an Assembly vote, or through direct endorsement from one of the three founding members.

== Participating States ==

=== Member States ===
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Year of Admission
!Capital World
!Government Type
!Region
|-
|[[File:MACP Emblem.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]
|551
|[[Kelth]]
|Constitutional Cooperative Republic
|Unknown Space
|-
|[[File:hunyans.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Hunyan Collective]]
|551
|[[Hunya-Primos]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|Center Rim
|-
|[[File:aliens.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Yeqwiqu Collective]]
|551
|[[Yeqwiqu]]
|Communal Republic
|Center Rim
|-
|[[File:glasenunion.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Glasen Union]]
|552
|[[Glase]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|Outer Rim
|}
=== Observer States ===
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Year of Admission
!Capital World
!Government Type
!Region
|-
|[[File:xarin.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Union of Xarin]]
|551
|[[Xarin]]
|Technocratic Dictatorship
|Unknown Space
[[Category:ARCS]]
[[Category:Alliance]]
[[Category:Space]]
[[Category:Military Alliance]]
[[Category:Alfie's Misc]]

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-20T16:47:12Z

HowTheAlf: daily spacecraft update

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=557 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]]. They are a founding member of the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Combined Cooperatives. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Constitution of The Ascendant Republic]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto dictatorship with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

File:AutonomousRepublicofPionCooperatives.png

2026-05-20T16:36:19Z

HowTheAlf:

File:AutonomousRepublicofNewThalos.png

2026-05-20T16:35:51Z

HowTheAlf:

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-20T13:28:12Z

HowTheAlf:

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=534 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]]. They are a founding member of the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Combined Cooperatives. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Constitution of The Ascendant Republic]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto dictatorship with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

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[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
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[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]
[[Category:ARCS]]

Constitution of The Ascendant Republic

2026-05-20T13:20:29Z

HowTheAlf: constitution

{{Treaty|title1=Constitution of The Ascendant Republic|image1=ConstitutionCover.png|type=Legal Document|signed in=271|location=Vornak Core|effective in=272|parties=*Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa}}

The '''Constitution of the Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', formerly referred to as the '''Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives''', is the founding and central document by which the administration of [[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|ARCS]] is organised. The current iteration, officially the '''Second Constitution''', replaced the '''Cooperative Articles of Governance''', contemporarily referred to as the First Constitution, in 272. Its adoption came in response to the General Strike of 271, undertaken by Reformist Ascendants following congressional deadlock during the rapid expansion of the CCT. It outlines the adjudication of law, democratic principles, social welfare, and the definition of the nation’s '''Core Species'''.

Since its ratification, a number of amendments have been made to the Constitution. Most of these changes were made in response to political changes in the nation, such as the integration of cooperatives during Great Reconstruction and the [[Thalos Wars]]. These culminated in the '''550 Reforms''', a series of 7 amendments, enacted by the moderate-reformist-led Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy. Many scholars consider this a turning point, marking the exchange of the CCT's central authority for a more decentralised and streamlined governance under the renamed ARCS.

=== Authorities under The Constitution ===
''For detailed explanations of The Republic's governing institutions, see [[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]''

The governing philosophy of the Second Constitution is based on the principles outlined by New Ascendant Layer Theory, establishing a structure of decentralised authorities linked together through Congress, all operating under the oversight of the Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy. This builds upon the Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory, written by the Council of Ten, that formed the basis of the centralised authorities of the First Constitution. Administrative organisation is established by the 'Five Passages of Governance' found in Article 1 of the Constitution and its relevant amendments.

* ''<nowiki/>'Legislative powers concerning matters of the state shall be granted to a Congress, which shall consist of a chamber of sectoral representatives'''
* ''<nowiki/>'High Ministries shall each be prescribed as departments of governance to administrate, overseen by Congress.'''
* ''<nowiki/>'Each Cooperative Society shall be entitled to representation in Cooperative Conferences, of which will act as an advisory and economic assembly.'''
* ''<nowiki/>'Exclusion Territories, those of which are autonomous or have undergone takeover through matters of force, shall be entitled to participation in both Congress and Conferences'''
* ''<nowiki/>'The ruling party shall not, at any time, intervene in the governance of the nation unless in circumstances of great emergency.'''

These have been built upon over time, including important reforms such as the removal of Cooperative Councils for cooperative societies that only comprise of a single inhabited celestial body. Despite changes over time, many legal analysts consider the lack of clarity in the fifth passage to be a cause for concern, as 'great emergency' is not clearly defined.

=== Law in The Ascendant Republic ===
The Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies follows a dual-layer system for the administration of state law. This system was established by the First Constitution and left mostly unchanged during the reforms of the Second, with the focus instead being on streamlining the system. Citizens of the ARCS are subject to two sets of laws: Supreme Law, and People's Law.

==== Supreme Law ====
The Supreme Law of the Republic, also called the Constitutional Law, refers to the 'Seven Constants of Cooperative Society' outlined in Article 4 of the Constitution and its relevant amendments. It is typically adjudicated by the Ascendant Tribunal, though minor cases are typically deferred to the lower courts. Historians often credit the stability of the enormous nation to the stability provided by the Seven Constants.

* The administration of Supreme Law shall be granted to the Ascendant Tribunal, acting in service of the DCA and the Constitution.
* Constitutional Law shall apply with equal severity across every Cooperative
* No citizen of sound mind shall knowingly commit acts with intent to disrupt the governance or order of the nation
* In Ascendant and local tribunals, all Core Species shall be entitled to equal legal representation and the right to a trial
* Members of Congress, the DCA, and cooperative authorities remain subject to the rulings of the Ascendant Tribunal
* Citizens shall possess the right to freedom of speech, provided such speech is not made with the intent to harm another.
* Protests, or other acts of assembly, shall not be performed without license from the relevant governing authority.

Reforms of the Second Constitution introduced limited amendments to the Seventh Constant, only requiring protests 'that shall disrupt the effectiveness of governance' to be approved. Excluding this, Supreme Law has remained unchanged, satisfying the moderate and centralist factions of the DCA. Reformists argue that the Supreme Law continues the legacy of the dictatorship that previously ruled the nation, though an alternative consensus has yet to be reached.

==== People's Law ====
The People's Law of the Republic, also called the Common Law, refers to the set of rules created and enforced by governing organisations, imposing specific consequences for breaches of public order. Adjudicated by Common Tribunals, the People's law encompasses crimes against the person, business, or government institutions not specifically outlined in the Supreme Law. Unlike Supreme Law, Common Law is determined and enforced by individual cooperative societies rather than the state, though Congress provides a number of 'framework documents' that must be adhered to.

* '''Principles of Five Equal Species''' - establishes the Core Species and their legal rights
* '''Principles of Public Order''' - outlines what '''must''' be considered criminal conduct in every cooperative (such as assault or harassment)
* '''Principles of Cooperative Rights''' - explains the reasonable adjustments that can be made to Supreme Law.
* '''Principles of The State''' - specifies at which points Congress or the Ascendant Tribunal can intervene in a case.

Until the Second Constitution and 550 Reforms, there was no central coordination for People's Law, creating vast inconsistencies in severity of punishment between cooperatives. This has since been rectified, most significantly with the 550 Reforms outlawing the death penalty as reasonable punishment.
[[Category:Treaty]]
[[Category:ARCS]]
[[Category:Alfie's Misc]]

Constitution of The Ascendant Republic

2026-05-20T12:50:54Z

HowTheAlf:

{{Treaty|title1=Constitution of The Ascendant Republic|image1=ConstitutionCover.png|type=Legal Document|signed in=271|location=Vornak Core|effective in=272|parties=*Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa}}

The '''Constitution of the Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', formerly referred to as the '''Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives''', is the founding and central document by which the administration of ARCS is organised. The current iteration, officially the '''Second Constitution''', replaced the '''Cooperative Articles of Governance''', contemporarily referred to as the First Constitution, in 272. Its adoption came in response to the General Strike of 271, undertaken by Reformist Ascendants following congressional deadlock during the rapid expansion of the CCT. It outlines the adjudication of law, democratic principles, social welfare, and the definition of the nation’s '''Core Species'''.

Since its ratification, a number of amendments have been made to the Constitution. Most of these changes were made in response to political changes in the nation, such as the integration of cooperatives during Great Reconstruction and the Thalos Wars. These culminated in the '''550 Reforms''', a series of 7 amendments, enacted by the moderate-reformist-led Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy. Many scholars consider this a turning point, marking the exchange of the CCT's central authority for a more decentralised and streamlined governance under the renamed ARCS.

=== Law in The Ascendant Republic ===
The Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies follows a dual-layer system for the administration of state law. This system was established by the First Constitution and left mostly unchanged during the reforms of the Second, with the focus instead being on streamlining the system. Citizens of the ARCS are subject to two sets of laws: Supreme Law, and People's Law.

==== Supreme Law ====
The Supreme Law of the Republic, also called the Constitutional Law, refers to the 'Seven Constants of Cooperative Society' outlined in the Constitution and its amendments. It is typically adjudicated by the Ascendant Tribunal, though minor cases are typically deferred to the lower courts. Historians often credit the stability of the enormous nation to the stability provided by the Seven Constants.

* The administration of Supreme Law shall be granted to the Ascendant Tribunal, acting in service of the DCA and the Constitution.
* Constitutional Law shall apply with equal severity across every Cooperative
* No citizen of sound mind shall knowingly commit acts with intent to disrupt the governance or order of the nation
* In Ascendant and local tribunals, all Core Species shall be entitled to equal legal representation and the right to a trial
* Members of Congress, the DCA, and cooperative authorities remain subject to the rulings of the Ascendant Tribunal
* Citizens shall possess the right to freedom of speech, provided such speech is not made with the intent to harm another.
* Protests, or other acts of assembly, shall not be performed without license from the relevant governing authority.

Reforms of the Second Constitution introduced limited amendments to the Seventh Constant, only requiring protests 'that shall disrupt the effectiveness of governance' to be approved. Excluding this, Supreme Law has remained unchanged, satisfying the moderate and centralist factions of the DCA. Reformists argue that the Supreme Law continues the legacy of the dictatorship that previously ruled the nation, though an alternative consensus has yet to be reached.

==== People's Law ====
The People's Law of the Republic, also called the Common Law, refers to the set of rules created and enforced by governing organisations, imposing specific consequences for breaches of public order. Adjudicated by Common Tribunals, the People's law encompasses crimes against the person, business, or government institutions not specifically outlined in the Supreme Law. Unlike Supreme Law, Common Law is determined and enforced by individual cooperative societies rather than the state, though Congress provides a number of 'framework documents' that must be adhered to.

* '''Principles of Five Equal Species''' - establishes the Core Species and their legal rights
* '''Principles of Public Order''' - outlines what '''must''' be considered criminal conduct in every cooperative (such as assault or harassment)
* '''Principles of Cooperative Rights''' - explains the reasonable adjustments that can be made to Supreme Law.
* '''Principles of The State''' - specifies at which points Congress or the Ascendant Tribunal can intervene in a case.

Until the Second Constitution and 550 Reforms, there was no central coordination for People's Law, creating vast inconsistencies in severity of punishment between cooperatives. This has since been rectified, most significantly with the 550 Reforms outlawing the death penalty as reasonable punishment.
[[Category:Treaty]]
[[Category:ARCS]]
[[Category:Alfie's Misc]]

Constitution of The Ascendant Republic

2026-05-20T12:50:23Z

HowTheAlf: oh hi law

{{Treaty|title1=Constitution of The Ascendant Republic|image1=ConstitutionCover.png|type=Legal Document|signed in=271|location=Vornak Core|effective in=272|parties=*Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa}}

The '''Constitution of the Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', formerly referred to as the '''Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives''', is the founding and central document by which the administration of ARCS is organised. The current iteration, officially the '''Second Constitution''', replaced the '''Cooperative Articles of Governance''', contemporarily referred to as the First Constitution, in 272. Its adoption came in response to the General Strike of 271, undertaken by Reformist Ascendants following congressional deadlock during the rapid expansion of the CCT. It outlines the adjudication of law, democratic principles, social welfare, and the definition of the nation’s '''Core Species'''.

Since its ratification, a number of amendments have been made to the Constitution. Most of these changes were made in response to political changes in the nation, such as the integration of cooperatives during Great Reconstruction and the Thalos Wars. These culminated in the '''550 Reforms''', a series of 7 amendments, enacted by the moderate-reformist-led Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy. Many scholars consider this a turning point, marking the exchange of the CCT's central authority for a more decentralised and streamlined governance under the renamed ARCS.

=== Law in The Ascendant Republic ===
The Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies follows a dual-layer system for the administration of state law. This system was established by the First Constitution and left mostly unchanged during the reforms of the Second, with the focus instead being on streamlining the system. Citizens of the ARCS are subject to two sets of laws: Supreme Law, and People's Law.

==== Supreme Law ====
The Supreme Law of the Republic, also called the Constitutional Law, refers to the 'Seven Constants of Cooperative Society' outlined in the Constitution and its amendments. It is typically adjudicated by the Ascendant Tribunal, though minor cases are typically deferred to the lower courts. Historians often credit the stability of the enormous nation to the stability provided by the Seven Constants.

* The administration of Supreme Law shall be granted to the Ascendant Tribunal, acting in service of the DCA and the Constitution.
* Constitutional Law shall apply with equal severity across every Cooperative
* No citizen of sound mind shall knowingly commit acts with intent to disrupt the governance or order of the nation
* In Ascendant and local tribunals, all Core Species shall be entitled to equal legal representation and the right to a trial
* Members of Congress, the DCA, and cooperative authorities remain subject to the rulings of the Ascendant Tribunal
* Citizens shall possess the right to freedom of speech, provided such speech is not made with the intent to harm another.
* Protests, or other acts of assembly, shall not be performed without license from the relevant governing authority.

Reforms of the Second Constitution introduced limited amendments to the Seventh Constant, only requiring protests 'that shall disrupt the effectiveness of governance' to be approved. Excluding this, Supreme Law has remained unchanged, satisfying the moderate and centralist factions of the DCA. Reformists argue that the Supreme Law continues the legacy of the dictatorship that previously ruled the nation, though an alternative consensus has yet to be reached.

==== People's Law ====
The People's Law of the Republic, also called the Common Law, refers to the set of rules created and enforced by governing organisations, imposing specific consequences for breaches of public order. Adjudicated by Common Tribunals, the People's law encompasses crimes against the person, business, or government institutions not specifically outlined in the Supreme Law. Unlike Supreme Law, Common Law is determined and enforced by individual cooperative societies rather than the state, though Congress provides a number of 'framework documents' that must be adhered to.

* '''Principles of Five Equal Species''' - establishes the Core Species and their legal rights
* '''Principles of Public Order''' - outlines what '''must''' be considered criminal conduct in every cooperative (such as assault or harassment)
* '''Principles of Cooperative Rights''' - explains the reasonable adjustments that can be made to Supreme Law.
* '''Principles of The State''' - specifies at which points Congress or the Ascendant Tribunal can intervene in a case.

Until the Second Constitution and 550 Reforms, there was no central coordination for People's Law, creating vast inconsistencies in severity of punishment between cooperatives. This has since been rectified, most significantly with the 550 Reforms outlawing the death penalty as reasonable punishment.

File:ConstitutionCover.png

2026-05-20T12:06:07Z

HowTheAlf:

2026-05-17T15:19:24Z

HowTheAlf:

Union of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-17T12:05:02Z

HowTheAlf: /* Member States */

Union of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-17T12:04:21Z

HowTheAlf:

ARCS

2026-05-17T11:34:29Z

HowTheAlf: Redirected page to Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

#redirect [[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-17T11:14:22Z

HowTheAlf: template finalised

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=ARCSMap1.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of Alignment|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=511 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Combined Cooperatives. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by the President of Alignment. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Armed Forces of The CCT]] and [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Law in the Combined Cooperatives]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto [[Communal Dictatorship]] with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]

File:ARCSMap1.png

2026-05-17T11:09:02Z

HowTheAlf:

Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-17T10:48:37Z

HowTheAlf: template updated

{{Country|name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies|image1=MACP Emblem.png|image2=Tir'qa Template V2 with thinner lines.png|official name=Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Society|common name=ARCS or CCT|motto=''"Not another Empire, Not another Kelth"''|capital=[[Vornak Core]]|capital world=[[Kelth]]|demonym=Tir or Tirqan|anthem=''A Republic of Equals''|government=Constitutional Cooperative Republic|ideology=Republican Cooperatism|head of state=Executive Director of Tir'qa|head of government=President of The Central Alignment Congress|legislature=Central Alignment Congress 
Cooperative Conferences (Upper) 
Cooperative Councils (Lower) |ruling party=Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy|official languages=Tir'qan Standard|state religion=Secular|currency=J'onn|population=37,803,045,668|species=[[Tir]] (Majority)
[[Kobuns]] 
[[Rhee]] 
[[Drapnids]] 
[[Thalians]]|ethnic groups=Various|major languages=Various|major religions=None|soldier count=Approx. 15 million standing personnel.|spacefleet=511 Spacecrafts|other assets=[[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]|rim=Unknown Space|quadrant=Delta|galaxy=[[Milky Way]]|founded=11 CE (CCT) 
551 CE (ARCS)|dissolved=|preceded by=[[Triple Cooperative]] (politically) 
[[Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa]]|client states=Thalian Exclusion Territory|created by=[[HowTheAlf]]|controlled by=[[HowTheAlf]]}}

The '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies''', commonly referred to as '''ARCS''' and formerly known as '''The Combined Cooperatives''' or '''Tir'qa''', is an expansive interstellar collective spanning across several star systems in the westernmost reaches of Unknown Space in the [[Milky Way]] Galaxy. It is officially organised as a federation of 22 'Cooperative Societies', wherein each cooperative represents an inhabited star system, with the largest and most populous being [[Tir'qa]]. Each cooperative has limited autonomy and, in practice, much of the state's government, economy and defence is highly centralised under the Central Alignment Congress. While officially democratic, it has remained under the control of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]]. Its designated capital is Vornak Core, on the planet [[Kelth]].

Whilst the ARCS was initially founded as a Triple Cooperative to federalise Tir colony states, it has since expanded to include a diverse range of species across the systems it controls. The systems have predominantly been settled by the [[Tir]], but the state also houses significant populations of four other species: [[Kobuns]], [[Rhee]], [[Drapnids]], and [[Thalians]]. These five 'Core Species', as designated by the government, are granted equal rights under ARCS law. Outside of these systems, Tir'qa is one of the most isolated states in the galaxy with its known closest neighbour being tens of thousands of lightyears away. Efforts are currently being made by the DCA to rectify this. Despite this distance, the ARCS is quite advanced technologically, with access to spacefaring technologies and medium-range [[FTL Travel|FTL]] travel. Although its fleet is small, the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network makes systems difficult to attack, and was vital for ARCS survival against the [[Thalian Empire]].

== Government and Politics ==
The Tirqan Cooperative system is loosely based on the ideas of unified system power and the 'Ascendant Layer Theory' of governance. As the authority of a governing body rises (ascending through the layers), the number of participants decreases; for example, the lowest layer comprises of Cooperative Councils elected by the whole public, whilst the highest layer consists of the senior branches of the Party elected internally. Ideologically, it is essentially a mix between meritocratic principles and loyalty to the state. The highest layer of state authority is the Central Alignment Congress, working under the leadership of the [[Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy]].

=== Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory ===
[[File:Traditional Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|Layered Spire model of TALT]]
Developed by the [[Council of Ten]], the '''Ascendant Layer''' philosophy is the foundational theory on which the government of the CCT was based upon until the 550 reforms. It outlines the principle structure of the state government with particular emphasis on the scaling of powers and specifying who should have power, and where. ALT can be summarised as the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the supreme authority of the state, and oversee every chamber subordinate to it.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as an intermediary body between local authorities and the DCA, and holds elective power over the Party Presidium.
* The First Party Officer is assigned to oversee the ministries of governance, and mediates between the CCT and DCA.
* 'Exclusion Territories', defined by the Council of Ten as 'autonomous or conquered territories not usually administered', fall under the oversight of Congress and are represented in an Assembly.
* Each Cooperative maintains a system-wide assembly (later renamed to Conference), supported by councils responsible for planetary governance.
* The size of governing bodies decreases at each layer, ensuring no body is larger than those on the layer beneath them.

A simple way of representing this theory is through a 'Layered Spire' model (seen on the left). This theory has been built upon and adjusted across centuries, eventually being replaced with the New Ascendant Layer Theory philosophy in the Constitutional Reforms of 550. Traditionalists criticise the change in philosophy, arguing it 'breaks the fundamental purpose of the nation', though reformists argue that 'tradition cannot outweigh a failing system'. The first elections for this system were held in the New Year of 551, and have so far proved successful.

==== 'New Ascendant Layer Theory' ====
[[File:New Ascendant Layer Theory.png|left|thumb|308x308px|New Ascendant Layer Theory]]
Built from the foundations of the Traditional ALT, New Ascendant Layer Theory outlines a more decentralized structure of government in comparison to the Council of Ten's principles. This new philosophy is the culmination of a series of reforms undertaken by the moderate-reformist DCA after the Thalos Wars. Slow response to conflict during the Wars led to a general realisation within Congress and the DCA that the CCT's political system was too inefficient to coordinate rapidly during a national crisis. NALT can be summarised with the following points:

* The Party and its senior branches are the overseers of the whole state, and are capable of enacting emergency powers during 'periods of great crisis'.
* The Central Alignment Congress acts as the highest layer of administration, meeting to discuss nation-level legislation.
* As well as overseeing the High Ministries, the First Party Officer also acts as the party's representative to foreign nations.
* Cooperatives change labels to become 'Cooperative Societies' to 'promote similarities'.
* Sectoral Assemblies are introduced as an intermediary between Congress and Conferences, with Congressional representatives now categorised into sectors.
* Exclusion Territories are full participants in congress, with exclusion from certain national policies, and function similarly to Cooperative Societies.
* Single-body cooperatives now bypass the Council system and are directly controlled by their Conferences.
* The Executive Director's role becomes increasingly symbolic, still acting as head of the Cabinet but otherwise doesn't possess national power.
* Congress now holds greater power than the party presidium and can nominate non-DCA candidates, though they must undergo intense screening.
NALT is also argued by scholars to be much more adaptable for national expansion, an increasingly important factor given the return to expansionist policies by the DCA after the Thalos Wars.

==== Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy ====
[[File:DCAFinalLogo.png|left|thumb|206x206px|Emblem of the DCA]]
The '''Directory of Cooperative Ascendancy''' (DCA) is the founding and dominant political party of the Combined Cooperatives. It is the nominal successor to the Social Acceleration Party of the United Tir Republic, formed shortly before the party's collapse upon the declaration of the ARCS. The head of the party, the [[Executive Director of The Combined Cooperatives of Tir’qa|Executive Director]], becomes Head of State until either their death, resignation, or removal on grounds of unfitness to lead. At the top of the party is the [[Executive Director’s Cabinet|Director’s Cabinet]], composed of ten chiefs (and the Executive Director). It is elected internally at [[Ascendancy Conventions]], typically upon the resignation of a member or accession of a new Executive Director. Until 550, the Director’s Cabinet also nominated candidates for the [[Cooperative Presidium]], the [[Director General]], and First Party Officer. As a result, the party was effectively led as a power-sharing arrangement between the Director’s Cabinet and Cooperative Presidium. This has since changed however: the 550 reforms significantly increased congressional power, transferring nomination power to the chamber. An Executive Director has veto power over both bodies in the party, however, its practical significance was greatly reduced after the Second Constitution.

The DCA had previously maintained control over Tirqa through the ability to appoint its own members to positions of government without traditional elections. A significant point of contention in this system was that neither planetary populations nor lower party members are able to have any role in these decisions. However, the state's victories in the [[Thalos Wars]], alongside the success of the social and economic reforms of the Second Constitution, largely suppressed any dissent. Later reforms have placed the party in a more symbolic role, giving the cooperatives power of nomination to positions of government. Unrest is also reduced by the entry method into the Cooperatives - systems have historically entered the ARCS through formal agreement, rather than through war or submission (the exception being Thalos), and so a general sense of 'unity' is held. Although other parties now exist, almost all senior positions of governance are held by members of the DCA. Previously, the Executive Director also held the position of President of the Central Alignment Congress, though the Second Constitution split these two positions and prohibited one individual from holding both. Most institutions are overseen by a Party Officer, though direct intervention in lower-level or local administration is rare.

Some analysts divide the DCA into three 'wings' - the reformists (those who pushed for actions such as the Second Constitution, and are typically considered advocates for decentralisation), the moderates, and the centralists (looking to bring the ARCS under one, single authority). As of current day, the DCA is mostly led by a moderate-reformist coalition.

==== Central Alignment Congress ====
[[File:Congress Tir'qa V2.png|left|thumb|250x250px|Composition of Congress]]
The '''Central Alignment Congress''', often informally referred to as the '''Combined Congress''', is nominally the highest layer of state authority in the ARCS (outside of the DCA and its Presidium) and has been for most of its history, with its size and powers evolving as the nation expanded. It is headed by a President. Initially an advisory body to the Executive Director, being described by critics as a near-puppet administration, the Congress has since had its’ functions significantly expanded. It holds legislative power over economic and budgeting decisions, with one of its’ most significant decisions being the passing of the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs). Furthermore, it directly oversees the administration of law and appoints members to the courts, and also elects members to the Cooperative Presidium as nominated by the Director’s Cabinet. This dual model - the DCA nominating the Presidium but the CAC electing it - is often considered a controversial system. This can lead to internal tension and a conflict of interest, as evidenced with the Executive Director's intervention in the [[New Century Crisis]], wherein the CAC deadlocked upon the resignation of the 18th Executive Director. Its chamber oversees a massive bureaucracy responsible for maintaining control over 20 star systems. As a result, much of the decision making is limited to state-wide matters, whereas administration of internal affairs is mostly left to the Cooperative Assembly or local Cooperative Councils. Therefore, the designation of 'Highest Layer' is considered by some scholars as outdated - although the Congress initially held total power, the expansion of the Cooperative over centuries and the reforms of the Second Constitution have led to more of its duties being delegated.

The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to further streamline Congress-level bureaucracy. Most significantly, the redistricting of the regions of Tir'qa allowed for Congress to be split by both cooperative and region. This allows for Congress to split into Sectoral Assemblies for legislation that may only affect select regions of Tir'qa, further pushing decentralisation and allowing for the CAC to scale to the growing population with minimal issue. The 'New Congress', elected at the start of 551, is much larger than previous - currently possessing 548 representatives. However, full Congress sessions are rare, and are reserved for national-level legislation or emergencies. Each cooperative is allocated representatives proportional to population, at a ratio of approximately 1:70,000,000 citizens. As a result of their Exclusion Territory status, systems from the former Thalian Empire can veto national-level policy, and assemble in their own Sectoral Assembly. These Sectoral Assemblies are held in the capital planet of the relevant sector or - in the case of multi-sector debate - the closest. Senior members and centralists within the party criticise the new system, arguing that it breaks the traditional Ascendant Layer Theory that the Constitution is based upon. The success of the 551 New Year elections and initial Sectoral Assemblies have cast doubt on this viewpoint for many moderates however.

Congress is expected to increase in size as the nation colonises further systems, with space for up to 600 representatives accounted for in NALT.

 

=== The High Ministries ===
In order to retain efficient governance and prevent bloated bureaucracy, the government of the Combined Cooperatives is split into 'High Ministries' under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress. Officials are also elected and assigned by the CAC. Each High Ministry is responsible for specific task administration (such as healthcare or law), and all oversee their equivalent organisations in the Cooperative Councils. They are all led by a High Minister.

==== High Ministry of Economic Acceleration ====
The '''High Ministry of Economic Acceleration''' is the governing division responsible for the ARCS's financial and economic ventures. One of its primary duties is implementing the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs (CITDPs), a series of projects that aim to follow a decentralised-planned economy model. Other responsibilities of this administration include managing state-owned companies, outlining government budgets (to then be passed through Congress), and providing resources to the economic sectors of the Cooperative Councils.

===== State Exchequer =====
A significant wing of the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration is dedicated to the financial management of the ARCS under the '''State Exchequer'''. This body is effectively independent of the HMEA, though both were merged after the Second Constitution to 'enhance the efficiency of funds delivery to vital economic projects'. The responsibilities of the State Exchequer include the printing of the J'onn (state currency), debt management, and financing the central government and its divisions. While possessing some financial power over individual cooperatives, most are financially autonomous, and the Exchequer exists to deliver emergency aid in times of crisis.

==== High Ministry of Citizen Welfare ====
The '''High Ministry of Citizen Welfare''' is charged with the implementation of policies relating to healthcare, education, and interplanetary infrastructure (i.e. spaceports). This tripartite of responsibilities lead to it being divided into three 'Lesser Ministries', with each being overseen and budgeted by the HMCW as a whole. As a result of the reduced centralisation of the Second Constitution, much of the duties of this chamber have been delegated to the Cooperative Councils, with the HMCW being tasked to ensure that policies are delivered equally across cooperatives. Planetary infrastructure (such as roads or water networks) are the sole responsibility of the Councils, a policy met with mostly positive reception by scholars, who find that giving greater control of welfare to councils allows for better adaptation of services to a host planet.

===== Education in the ARCS =====
The Second Constitution requires the nation to have a unified, national curriculum overseen and regularly updated by the HMCW. As a result, the education system within the Combined Cooperatives, despite the scale and population, is impressively standardised, with high literacy rates across all 19 cooperatives. The National Curriculum of the ARCS makes study of the Tir'qan Standard, History, and Applied Innovation - the ARCS's term for science and technology - statutory, whilst also providing autonomy for local authorities to teach based on their own culture and requirements. Gun'ir, as the poorest of the cooperatives, typically records the lowest attainment and progression rates, though these remain significantly improved compared to statistics produced under previously heavily autonomous system of the First Constitution.

==== High Ministry of Coordinated Defence ====
[[File:CooperativeNavalEnsign.png|thumb|237x237px|Ensign of the Naval Division]]
''See [[Armed Forces of The CCT]] and [[Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network]]''

Credited for the revolutionary system now known as the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network (CISDN), the '''High Ministry of Coordinated Defence''' holds power over the military doctrine of the ARCS. Many of the DCA's veteran military officials from the Outer Tir'qa Campaigns now staff this body. The HMCD coordinates operations between the branches of the Forces of Ascendancy.

* Surface Division (land forces)
* Support Division (air and sea forces)
* Naval Division (space forces)

An additional role of the HMCD is the administration of internal security, managing the Directory Suppression Forces (specialised riot police not liable to local governments) and ensuring cooperatives are protected from threats of insurrection or rebellion.

==== High Ministry of Applied Innovation ====
The High Ministry of Applied Innovation is the ministry of the ARCS tasked with achieving Directory-issued scientific and technological advancements. These are achieved through a network of laboratories and testing facilities spread across the inhabited bodies of the ARCS. Their headquarters - and largest testing facility - is the [[Citadel]], a large spire-shaped space station orbiting New Tir'qa. It is the largest inhabited satellite within the nation, hosting over ten thousand scientists and research staff. Project focuses can range greatly, including sectors such as medicine, physics, and weapons projects.

==== High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs ====
A rising force in the CAC's Ministries, the High Ministry of Extrasolar Affairs is nominally responsible for managing state relations with foreign governments. This includes typical actions such as trade agreements, treaties of cooperation, and negotiating peace in wartime. During the interwar period, the department decreased in capability and took on an almost symbolic role, as the ARCS had effectively conquered its only close neighbour. Its most significant legislation during this period was the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement and its later renegotiations, bringing an end to the Thalos Wars and establishing the region as an Exclusion Territory. The Constitutional Reforms of 550 sought to expand this department significantly, with the establishment of the Union of Cooperative Societies making foreign relations highly important. First Party Officers now act as foreign representatives for this department, whilst its High Minister controls the offices. A secondary role of the HMEA is the maintaining of inter-state relations between cooperatives.

==== High Ministry of Justice and Order ====
''See [[Law in the Combined Cooperatives]]''

Uniquely the only High Ministry to not fall under the oversight of the Central Alignment Congress, the High Ministry of Justice and Order acts as the enforcing body of both the Supreme and Common Law. It elects staff to the Common Tribunal, nominates candidates to the DCA for the Ascendent Tribunal, and processes court cases across relevant governing branches. It also holds the power of budgeting and deploying state-funded police forces across the nation, whilst also overseeing day-to-day order across inhabited territories. Riot police do not fall under its' direct jurisdiction, though the HMJO is liable for ensuring their correct deployment if the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence deems it necessary on a planet.

=== Judicial System ===
Within the central governance of the Combined Cooperatives, judicial power is held by two courts. Together, they adjudicate constitutional matters, arbitrate disputes between regional and national authorities, and rule on cases concerning the Supreme Law of the state. Their rulings are enforced by the High Ministry of Justice and Order, a branch of government under their direct oversight.

The highest judicial body in the nation is the '''Ascendant Tribunal,''' consisting of ten 'Overseers' - who serve for life - one of whom is appointed Principal Overseer. This court is responsible for interpretation of the Constitution, adjudicating matters concerning the Supreme Law, and ruling on cases involving officials within government or the DCA. Below it operates the '''Common Tribunal''', hearing appeals from local courts, adjudicating the People's Law, and acting as an intermediary between local courts and the Ascendant Tribunal.

=== Sectoral and Local Government ===
[[File:PopulationTableTirqa.png|left|thumb|305x305px|Member Systems (Colour Coded to Sectors)]]
[[File:Tir'qa Regions V2.png|thumb|Administrative Sectors, with Sectoral Capitals ]]The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa is comprised of 22 star systems, each organised into a 'Cooperative Society'. Every Society is assigned to an Administrative Sector and given a number of representatives in Congress, typically proportional to their population. These Congressional Representatives speak for both their sectors and their cooperatives, and attend both Sectoral Assemblies and the CAC. Sectoral Assemblies address legislation at a regional level, most commonly matters regarding trade and joint economic projects as part of national CITDPs. Cooperative Societies are typically named after their largest inhabited settlement.

==== Cooperative Conventions ====
Below Congress and the Sectoral Assemblies are the Cooperative Conventions. Each planet within a cooperative elects representatives for their local Cooperative Convention, whose chamber puts forwards acts or reforms that are then approved, denied or revised by either Sectoral Assemblies or Congress. At the lowest level of ARCS governance lie the Cooperative Councils - the authorities that oversee each individual inhabited body within a cooperative. Councils are responsible for the administration of domestic services such as education, law, healthcare and infrastructure. In multi-body systems, Councils are subject to the authority of - and are budgeted by - their Cooperative Convention. Single-body systems such as Yvel and Gun'ir are directly governed by their Cooperative Conventions, preventing inflated bureaucracy.

==== Distribution of Authorities ====
On the left of this text is a table that displays Cooperative Societies, their inhabited bodies, prominent species, and populations in order of their integration into the ARCS. Each is colour-coded to their Sectoral Assemblies (see map on the right), with home planets listed in blue and colonies in white. Due to the recent revisions to these boundaries, the order of settlement is no longer reflected by systems' sectors. Bodies tagged with an M represent inhabited moons, with Ithqor uniquely being the sole system to exclusively be comprised of colonies on moons.

Xir, Arc, and New Kelth are the most recent cooperatives to be integrated into the ARCS. These systems were discovered after the Thalos Wars during expeditions intended to find diplomatic connections, and were later settled by Congress-funded expeditions. A majority of their populations are comprised of civilians displaced by the conflict and former soldiers as part of the Veteran Compensation Program.

=== Second Constitution, 550 Reforms and Separation of Powers ===
The First Constitution, published upon the CCT's declaration in 11CE, did not limit the powers of the DCA or its senior bodies. Separation of powers did not exist, instead power was unified through the Central Alignment Congress and the Cooperative Presidium. Lasting for just over two centuries, the system it created was prone to extreme power struggles between the appointments of Executive Directors, whose powers created what analysts often described as a near-totalitarian state. This system would start to deteriorate as the state grew. The turning point came with the introduction of Yvel as the thirteenth system, pushing the number of representatives in Congress to over 100 for the first time. For party members, the Congress appeared increasingly unable to manage the rapidly expanding state. These factors, alongside increasing criticism from the growing reformist faction (referred to as the Reformist Ascendants) in the DCA, led to a split in the party. With both the Presidium and Congress at a deadlock, the reformists would begin the [[General Strike of 271]]. This strike, timed specifically on the marking of the nation's 270th anniversary, ground industries and entire systems to a halt, leaving the DCA in an unsustainable position. The Second Constitution was published in October of that year, ratified by both the CAC and Presidium in December, and adopted in the New Year of 272. The key changes were:

* The separation of powers, giving the Congress and Presidium more independent roles, and also introducing a lower court.
* Requiring Presidium election by Congress (with Cabinet nomination still in place)
* Introduction of Cooperative Councils, reducing the power of Cooperative Assemblies (and renaming them to 'Cooperative Conferences' and providing systems some autonomy
* Limits on the veto powers of the Executive Director, restructuring them to reflect 'emergency interventions' rather than direct control
* Redesignation of the Capital from Tir'qa to Kelth, with the purpose of promoting 'neutral governance'.
* Separating the Executive Director and Alignment Executive to two individuals (the Executive Director previously held both by default).

Though revisions have been made across the decades after, the Second Constitution remains the current basis of supreme law and governance, and Congress has retained effective control. The most significant revision to the Second Constitution occurred in a series of reforms across the year 550, wherein governing philosophy would be restructured to fit the reformist New Ascendant Layer Theory. This included an expansion of Congress from just over 200 to 548 members to better represent less populated cooperatives, while also dividing Congress into 'sectors' in order to increase efficiency and counteract the enormous increase in numbers. Sectoral Assemblies replaced many congressional functions, mitigating the need for a full meeting of the chamber in system-level matters. Many scholars now see the CAC as more powerful than the DCA, citing the decentralisation policies undertaken by the moderate-reformist coalition in the post-war period. The 550 Reforms would conclude with the renaming of the nation to the '''Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies.'''

== History ==

=== Federalisation of Tir'qa and Early Exploration ===
The DCA dates the federalisation of the planet of Tir'qa to the New Year of 224BCE, in line with the proclamation of the [[United Tir Republic]]. This was a multi-party confederal democracy, though it was controlled by the Social Acceleration Party for the majority of its existence. In 157BCE, the UTR would establish its first permanent extraplanetary colony, on the planet Atlei. Whilst not naturally habitable above-ground, the cave networks of Atlei possessed a unique environment that allowed for life to be sustained, so much of the planet's immigrant population lives underground.

Exploration by the UTR's Space Corps continued across the next century, discovering (and subsequently colonising) the systems of Kelth and Wa'ja. Suffering from overpopulation, the UTR encouraged many citizens to immigrate to these new colony systems, leading to rapid population growth into the billions across the three systems. The rapid growth in population coincided with an economic 'golden age', leading to the rapid development of these colonies into self-sustaining, planetary governments. Scholars of the period called for increased autonomy as a result, with some radicals calling for total independence from Tir'qa. These sentiments would lead to the creation of the [[Triple Cooperative]] in 96BCE.

=== Expansion to Phall ===
From its founding through to the Common Era, the Triple Cooperative government under the newly formed SAP-DCA coalition continued efforts to expand onto new planets and systems. First would be the Three Moons of Ithqor in 84BCE, followed by Gun'ir five years later and finally the Vek System in 19BCE. The Gun'ir colony became a home for the lower classes within the Triple Cooperative, as it possessed a thriving and constantly growing rural economy. At this point, Tir'qa had effectively become a complex megacity spread across its two continents, with only a small natural 'green belt' remaining. Therefore, the 'natural beauty' of the newer colonies became a part of the mass appeal for expansion.

The Triple Cooperative encountered the Kobun peoples upon arriving at Rhee in 4BCE. This was the first time that colonists had encountered a classified 'intelligent' species, and communication was soon established between the Tir and Kobun. A significant consequence of this event was the creation of the Tir'qan Standard, a lingua franca of mixed dialects that later evolved into the official language of the Combined Cooperatives (and later ARCS). After thorough negotiations across two years, Phall would eventually be integrated into the Triple Cooperative as an autonomous region under its 'protection'. The TrC provided technological and economic aid to Phall in exchange for the rich resources of their planet, particularly considering their large reserves of starship fuel.

=== Extragalactic Contact ===
Shortly after the turn into the Common Era, a TrC expedition ventured beyond the 'borders' of the galaxy and reach the planet of Ulqari, home of the Drapnids. Initial contact was hostile - the Ulqari peoples were not as industrially or scientifically advanced as the Tir or Kobun, leading to a much more difficult process of understanding the Tir'qan standard. After roughly a decade, and the beginnings of the colonisation of a nearby planet in their system, the governments of the Drapnid civilisation would agree to join the Triple Cooperative. At this point, the TrC was becoming inflated in scale, and calls for reorganisation began to rise significantly. Analysts consider the integration of Ulqari to be the 'beginning of the end' for the Social Action Party, whose coalition with the DCA began to collapse as the latter became far larger and more popular.

=== Proclamation at New Tir'qa ===
In late 10CE, during the Ninth Rotation of the [[Tir'qan Calendar]], the DCA overthrew the SAP to become the sole governing party of the TrC. Shortly after the New Year of 11CE, the Party made the [[Proclamation at New Tir'qa]]. This speech included the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, marking the end of the Triple Cooperative. The state turned into a de facto [[Communal Dictatorship]] with the Executive Director as head of state. A small circle of intellectuals, referred to as the [[Council of Ten]], began writing the First Constitution under their Ascendant Layer Theory. During this period, the [[Provisional Government of Tir'qa]] would lead the developing systems.

The [[First Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa|First Constitution]] underwent multiple drafts and revisions before being published in 22CE. Key systems would be established as part of this document, such as the Central Alignment Congress and its connection to the Party Presidium. Crucially, these powers were not entirely separated, and most decision-making came from the Party Presidium and Executive Director. Colonisation slowed down under the Provisional Government, with Vajax being discovered under their governance (though it wouldn't host a colony until the Drapnid Expedition of 175) and formerly private expeditions into Faqare and Hiij systems being converted into full cooperative governments.

=== The Great Reconstruction ===
After the publishing of the First Constitution, a two-century long period known as 'The Great Reconstruction' (or 'The Long Peace' by some scholars) began, wherein the CCT would have its focus on establishing the new governing bodies and advancing the newly established 'Cooperatives' to be technologically level with Tir'qa, Kelth and Wa'ja. Most contemporary researchers consider this to have been achieved to moderate success, though opposing arguments speak of inequalities in the implementation of these policies, citing Gun'ir remaining statistically much poorer than the rest of the cooperatives even to this day. Formal expansion of the state would be halted during this period as well, only resuming after the discovery of Astir'a by an off-course scientific vessel in 239.

This period came to an end after the integration of Y'vel (and the Rhee) into the CCT in 265, exposing a bloated bureaucracy and a split in the DCA.

=== General Strike of 271 and The Second Reconstruction ===
''For further details on the Second Constitution, see Government and Politics.''

The Cooperative of Yvel grew the Central Alignment Congress to 'a size beyond reasonable efficiency or function', leading to increased deadlocks between itself and the Presidium. This effectively resulted in legislative paralysis and exposed key flaws in the authoritarian system posed by the First Constitution. Reformist Ascendants within the DCA called for a General Strike with their growing popularity, starting in mid-271 and lasting for just over three months. This would lead to the publishing of the Second Constitution in October of that year, and its ratification in 272.

The period after the strike, roughly a century long, would be contemporarily referred to as 'The Second Reconstruction'. This period saw the full implementation of the Second Constitution's reforms, building a more moderate state in line with the ideals of a Communal Republic and New Ascendant Layer Theory.

=== Contact with the Thalian Empire ===
Upon the end of The Second Reconstruction, the CAC approved of resumed expansion into new systems. First in this new series of expeditions would be Lomun and its two planets in 393, followed by Banthua in 401 and - after a short hiatus to develop the new cooperative - Kovaxi'i in 438. These newer cooperatives are much more diverse than those established prior, on account of the reformed DCA making increased efforts to integrate all four Core Species into their extrasolar expeditions. It was after the full integration of the Kovaxi'i cooperative that the CCT would be contacted by the Thalian Empire (also referred to as Thalos, after their capital system).

Relations were strained from the beginning, as the Thalian Empire put forward a historical claim to the CCT's new cooperative. This claim was opposed by the DCA, whose counterargument lay in the fact that no Thalian presence was found during their expeditions and colonisation of the system. This led to the outbreak of a series of conflicts referred to as the [[Thalos Wars]] in 455.

=== Fight for Survival ===
''Main Article: [[Thalos Wars]].''
[[File:Tir'qa-Thalian Border Neater Edition.png|thumb|219x219px|Approximate Pre-War Borders]]

==== Loss of Kovaxi'i and Faqare ====
Thalos, though much smaller in size compared to the CCT, was far superior technologically and possessed a formal fleet. The Cooperatives did possess armed vessels, however due to a lack of traditional warfare they had never been properly centralised by the High Ministry of Cooperated Defence. As a result, Kovaxi'i and Faqare were quickly overrun with their local defences decimated. The rapid collapse of the Lower-Centre region exposed the Core Systems - the nation's historical heartland - to attack, with Kelth being chosen as the Empire's first target. Upon hearing of Thalian successes, the DCA hastily brought together a converted merchant fleet to defend Kelth. Meanwhile, the HMCD began the deployment of their long-term research project - the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. These platforms effectively stalled the Thalian Navy for long enough to allow the CCT to produce a fighting force. The size and resource advantage of the cooperatives allowed them to replace their losses far faster than Thalos, beginning a long war of attrition.

Kelth was put under a [[Siege of Kelth|twenty year siege]] as the Combined Cooperatives began rapidly developing their Naval Division into formal 'Naval Units'. In 477, the Naval Division began its first major offensive of the war and - whilst casualties were high - the Thalian fleet was pushed back to Faqare, freeing Kelth from the blockade. This victory ended what contemporary scholars refer to as the First Thalos War, and the two sides signed a one-month ceasefire to recover their wounded. Whilst this peace was honoured, the war quickly resumed upon its expiration

==== Push to Faqare ====
The Naval Division would commence a surprise attack on Faqare shortly after the Kelth attack and successfully defeat the garrison there, retaking the planet and re-establishing the Cooperative government. Thalos caused minimal population damage to the planets, though the Thalian government did destroy much of their production capacity as part of a scorched earth campaign. This repair period suspended the CCT's advance for shortly over a year, and the casualty toll from the Kelth siege and Faqare attack made a Thalian counteroffensive logistically impossible. Recapturing Faqare would mark the start of the Second Thalos War, often considered the turning point of the conflict by historians.

==== Return to Kovaxi'i and Invasion of Thalian Space ====
Upon completion of the reconstruction of Faqaran industries, and the deployment of a CISDN Defence Platform to the planet, the Naval Division gathered their forces - including a newly constructed dreadnought class vessel - and issued a full-scale attack to recapture Kovaxi'i. The Battle for Kovaxi'i was the largest of the war, involving nearly one thousand vessels, of which over four hundred would be destroyed between both sides. Despite outnumbering the Naval Division, Thalian forces would eventually be forced to retreat upon the destruction of their largest ship by the CCT's dreadnought. Unlike prior victories, no break was taken, and the Naval Division pushed into Thalian Space for the first time in the war, quickly capturing Draxil Prime. Thalos would attempt a last-ditch second attack on Kelth, though the local garrison and CISDN platforms were able to repel the Thalian navy.
[[File:Thalos Exclusion Zone Neater Edition.png|thumb|231x231px|Thalos Exclusion Zone (Prior to Reforms)]]

==== Capture of Eelyn and Invasion of Thalos-5 ====
After a brief pause to begin the integration of Draxil Prime, the Naval Division continued its offensive into the Eelyn system. Though not densely populated, the planet was home to critical resources used for the construction of the Thalian Navy. The defence of the planet was fierce, with damaged Thalian vessels resorting to ramming Cooperative ships to cause as many casualties as possible. After a long series of battles across early 480, Eelyn would fall to the Cooperatives, and the Thalian Navy was almost completely destroyed. Eelyn was used as a staging ground for the invasion of Thalos-5, with converted blockade-running vessels dropping Land Units to infiltrate the planet. Tir'qan land forces outmatched the Thalians significantly, leading to a prolonged series of victories on the ground. Though DCA records claim minimal civilian casualties, witnesses and critics claim that some divisions underwent 'revenge campaigns' over the Kelth siege.

==== Thalian Surrender ====
The Thalian Empire surrendered to the CCT in early 481, ending the Thalos Wars. The systems captured by Tir'qa would be integrated into the nation as full member cooperatives, whilst the Thalos system came under occupation as an Exclusion Territory. Though initially hostile to the occupation, the Thalian population eventually came to accept the terms upon the DCA offering additional concessions, such as calling off a proposed direct occupation of Thalos-3. Thalos-5, however, controversially remained under direct Tir'qan military occupation until amendments were made to the Kovaxi'i Peace Settlement.

=== Post-War Recovery and Current Day ===
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa, with 19 member cooperatives in total, now sits at a population of over 37 billion across its four Core Species and the Thalian Exclusion territory. Losses from the Thalos War took an immense amount of time to recover, and the economic damage can still be felt in the occupied zones, though their situation has improved substantially. Much of the nation unaffected experienced a post-war economic boom, surprising analysts, often credited to the number of jobs created by the rapid industrialisation of the Northeast.

Scars from the Thalos Wars changed the attitudes of the DCA greatly. The historically isolationist foreign policy was replaced by significant investments in expeditions to search for extrasolar allies. Many senior members of Congress began advocating for the spread of the Tir'qan Cooperative system to other societies, with many quoting 'not another Kelth'. First contact was made with the [[Commonwealth of Independent Systems]] in 549 during a party-sanctioned survey of the region, establishing freedom of movement. This survey was later joined by the envoy of the First Party Officer, entering Hunyan Collective space in 550 after months of exploration. The two governments signed the Treaty of Hunya-Primos after establishing formal contact, committing both to mutual assistance in defence and research. A year later, a treaty would be signed with the nearby [[Yeqwiqu]], establishing the [[Union of Cooperative Societies]]. This would coincide with the implementation of the Reforms of 550, decentralising much of Tir'qan governance. In 551, the nation would be renamed.

== Military ==
Initially acting under the direct orders of the DCA, the Forces of Ascendancy (FoA) has undergone significant reform since the declaration of the Combined Cooperatives. As part of the Second Constitution, army command was devolved and split across the Party and the High Ministry of Coordinated Defence. Not including Party Militia, of which are wholly commanded by the DCA, the FoA is comprised of three 'divisions' and the CISDN.

==== Surface Division ====
The Surface Division of the Forces of Ascendancy encompasses all land units deployed by the HMCD, of which are split into four 'Units'. The '<nowiki/>'''Infantry Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all non-specialist land personnel within the army, the '<nowiki/>'''Specialist Unit'''<nowiki/>' consists of all special forces units (such as the Marine Raiders), the '<nowiki/>'''Mechanised Unit'''<nowiki/>' oversees all armoured units within the Surface Division, and the ''''Logistics Unit'''<nowiki/>' commands any vehicles or systems used to supply the rest of the Forces of Ascendancy. Citizens of cooperatives are expected to complete a year of mandatory service in the Surface Division at, or by, the age of 25. As a result, the ARCS's Surface Reserve is quite large, although relatively inexperienced due to a lack of recent, large-scale land campaigns.

==== Support Division ====
[[File:CombineDefenseCitadel.png|thumb|232x232px|A CISDN Defence Platform]]The Support Division of the Forces of Ascendancy comprises of two Units. The '<nowiki/>'''Air Unit'''<nowiki/>' includes all in-atmosphere air forces within the army, and is largely made up of drone forces due to the recommitment of resources to out-of-atmosphere naval combat. These drones can hold a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to close air support. Secondary to this, and also the smallest Unit of the FoA, is the ''''Sea Unit'''<nowiki/>', a loose union of any ocean water navies held by Cooperatives. Few formal Sea Units exist, with most planets only holding merchant navies on account of being almost entirely federalized.
==== Naval Division ====
The Naval Division of the Forces of Ascendancy is responsible for the coordination of the ARCS's space fleet in line with the Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network. Though small, only numbering at approximately 400 manned vessels, the ''''Naval Units'''<nowiki/>' are held highly in Tirq'an culture, on account of their victories during the Thalos Wars despite being heavily outgunned. This Division has experienced accelerated growth over the last century, with plans for the High Ministry of Applied Innovation to improve upon FTL technologies significantly and streamline vessel production. The CCN Ascendancy is the largest, and only dreadnought class, vessel in the fleet.

==== Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network ====
The Cooperative Integrated Systems Defence Network is a series of defence platforms placed in synchronous orbit around planets and key facilities in the ARCS. Most planets have at least two, with more being deployed in the border regions. These stations are equipped with command modules capable of coordinating up to 2,500 interceptor drones, deployed from hangars across ring-like structures. They also hold a number of both automated and manned turrets, with the most significant weapon being the rotatable MAG (Mass Acceleration Gun) on the platform's centre. The MAG is capable of piercing the hulls of some of the most durable ships the ARCS has come against.

== Economy ==
The Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa follows a decentralized command economy operated by Congress and the High Ministry of Economic Acceleration. Much of its economic direction is determined by the Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs - targets that are set approximately every seven years. This system has been in place since the establishment of the ARCS, though the scope of the targets have increased exponentially as the size of the state has increased. Much of the state's directed economic output is committed to the development of lesser cooperatives and colony planets, a policy opposed by some critics who argue that a planet's resources should be committed to itself, not another.

Outside of the CITDPs, the individual cooperatives are effectively economically independent and function under a mixed economy model. Many industries within the cooperatives are state-owned, and privatisation was significantly limited to approximately 20% of enterprises in the ARCS. The 550 Reforms loosened these regulations slightly, allowing privatisation to rise to approximately 35%. This number is kept low through generous buyout packages given by the government during integration of new cooperatives, alongside a rigorous approval process required to establish a company for personal profit. Thalos-3 and 5, having recently been conquered, are excluded from this policy as part of their status as Exclusion Territories.

== Demographics ==
The population of the Combined Cooperatives is spread unevenly across its nineteen systems, with the largest populations centred in the Core Systems of Tir'qa, Kelth, and Wa'ja. Thalos is also heavily populated by its own species, owed heavily to its prior existence as an independent empire. Demographic politics are shaped heavily around the five recognised Core Species, and the dominance of the Tir on account of their historical settlement.

=== Core Species ===
The Second Constitution of the Combined Cooperatives of Tir'qa defines five 'Core Species' as possessing citizenship status under ARCS law.

* Tir - native to Tir'qa
* Kobuns - native to Phall
* Rhee - native to Yvel
* Drapnids - native to Ulqari
* Thalians - native to Thalos-5

These species are spread across the systems of the Combined Cooperatives, with early expansion driven by Tir-led colonisation from Tir'qa and subsequent migration into Kelth and Wa'ja following the Tir'qan Population Crisis. Due to factors such as their early development of spacefaring technologies, the Tir remain the largest demographic group within the Cooperatives by a substantial margin. The most significant Thalian population centres are found within systems integrated after the Thalos Wars, having been designated a Core Species following the 522 Constitutional Amendments. This change of status continues to be controversial among the reformist factions of the DCA, who find the Thalos systems' occupation to be contradictory to their status as citizens.

=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship within the Combined Cooperatives follows a dual-layer system, distinguishing between National Citizenship and Cooperative Citizenship. As a result, holding ARCS National Citizenship does not automatically grant full citizenship rights in every member cooperative. Typically, holding both forms gives an individual the best chance for social, educational, and work opportunities in their given cooperative.

==== National Citizenship ====
National Citizenship within the ARCS is organised around the membership of cooperatives rather than specific species identity. Under the Second Constitution, any individual belonging to a recognised Core Species and born within a member cooperative after 272CE is automatically granted full citizenship rights, regardless of their system of residence. In systems integrated after the declaration of the ARCS, or for those born before 272CE, citizenship is typically granted through a legal process undertaken at designated citizenship centres. Furthermore, citizenship centres also standardised prior documentation, preventing the emergence of a large 'non-citizen' population following the reforms.

In practice, the structures of local cooperatives can limit access to opportunities such as political representation and social mobility. Critics have argued that Tir dominance in the older Core Systems often restricts opportunities for other Core Species, despite their formal equality under the Supreme Law.

==== Cooperative Citizenship ====
An individual born within a cooperative to at least one parent possessing cooperative citizenship automatically becomes a citizen of that cooperative. Those seeking Cooperative Citizenship without birth status must undergo a rigorous application process, including a review by at least one Officer of the DCA and approval from the local Cooperative Council.

Although living in a cooperative without citizenship to it is possible, it can severely limit access to employment and living opportunities, including critical services such as entitlement to social housing. In times of crisis, this process may be suspended or bypassed, such as during the refugee crisis of the Thalos War.

=== Population Distribution ===
[[File:Tir'qa Planet.png|thumb|235x235px|Tir'qa, the most populous planet.]]
''See Member Systems and Local Government for population distribution by Cooperative.''

Population distribution in the ARCS roughly reflects the order of Tir'qan expansions, with the oldest cooperatives remaining the most populous and having the largest representative count in the CAC. Tir-led settlement, especially in the earlier periods of expansion, has ensured that they have remained the largest species demographic across the nation, and within most cooperatives, despite the integration of the other Core Species before expansion was completed.

==== Settlement of the Northern Systems ====
Astir'a and Lomun maintain unusually high population counts despite being in the distant, historically underdeveloped North of the state. Their rapid growth is commonly attributed to the Emergency Northern Resettlement program, passed as a response to the mass displacement of civilians from the South-Centre following the outbreak of the Thalos Wars. These two systems were selected due to their settled planets being designated as 'highly habitable', with resource abundance, naturally breathable atmospheres, and growing local economies. While initially intended as a temporary measure, many evacuees chose to remain in the North, leading to a permanent demographic shift. The once Rhee-dominant planets now host a more diverse range of species. Initially dismissed by some officials as 'excess territory', with much development being left to the Rhee of Yvel, the North now receives significantly greater investment from the central government. A key example is the greater inclusion of the Northern systems in the recovery-focused Cooperative Industrial and Technological Development Programs after the Thalos Wars.

==== Extragalactic Space ====
Ulqari and Vajax are the only two systems controlled by Tir'qa officially located 'outside' the defined borders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Uniquely, this makes them the only two systems to lack a significant Tir population, with Vajax being a direct Drapnid colony rather than a Tir-founded settlement. New Tir'qa, in the Ulqari system, initially hosted a significant Tir population, however the group have gradually been outnumbered by Drapnid and Kobun settlers over time. Neither system accepted proposals from the central government to be used as relief bases during the Thalos Wars, citing cause for concern over supply strain and navigational difficulty for larger vessels. This led to Northern systems being selected instead.

=== Languages ===
Due to the comparatively early federalisation of Tir'qa to the other species' planets of the ARCS, along with the Tir leading the majority of colonialisation efforts, their dialect was used as a baseline for the national language. The national language of the Combined Cooperatives is an evolution of the lingua franca created to establish communications between the state and the species it encountered. This language would later be known as the Tir'qan Standard.

==== Tir'qan Standard ====
Tir'qan Standard is mixed linguistically, incorporating elements from the languages of the first four Core Species, whilst retaining the grammatical base of Tir dialects. Most structural vocabulary, including preposition or conjunction equivalents, as well as many common verbs, originate from Tirqi. Contrastingly, many nouns, technical terms and idiomatic expressions derive from the Kobun, Rhee and Drapnid languages. The linguistic influence of each species generally declines according to their order of integration, with Kobun vocabulary being almost ten times as common in the Standard as Drapnid vocabulary.

==== Mixed Dialects ====
By law, all government-funded broadcasts and infrastructure featuring text must be translated into both Tir'qan Standard and the planet's home dialect, where applicable. As a result, many colonised planets have developed mixed, localised dialects shaped by the proportion of species present. The most visible example of this is Vajax which, despite being a fully integrated cooperative, speaks almost exclusively in the Ulqari tongue with linguists observing slang derived from Yvel languages. This is attributed to both its distance from Tir'qa, being one of the furthest systems from the Core, and also being founded by Drapnid colonists rather than a typical Tir expedition.

{{CountryNavbox}}
[[Category:Alfie's Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]
[[Category:Unknown Space Nations]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Delta Quadrant Nations]]

Union of Cooperative Societies

2026-05-16T19:02:57Z

HowTheAlf: Created page with "The Union of Cooperative Societies is a political/economic alliance between four interstellar societies, alongside one partial-participant observer state, across the southern Milky Way. TBC. {{Alliance|name=Union of Cooperative Societies|image1=UCS Flag.png|abbreviation=UCS|type=Political and Economic Union Military Alliance (Optional Protocol)|headquarters=*New Kelth *Yeqwiqu|founders=*Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societ..."

The Union of Cooperative Societies is a political/economic alliance between four [[Countries/Extrasolar|interstellar societies]], alongside one partial-participant observer state, across the southern [[Milky Way]]. TBC.

{{Alliance|name=Union of Cooperative Societies|image1=UCS Flag.png|abbreviation=UCS|type=Political and Economic Union 
Military Alliance (Optional Protocol)|headquarters=*[[New Kelth]]
*[[Yeqwiqu]]|founders=*[[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]
*[[Hunyan Collective]]
*[[Yeqwiqu Collective]]|leaders=|member states=*Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies
*Hunyan Collective
*Yeqwiqu Collective
*[[The Glasen Union]]|observer states=[[Union of Xarin]]|founded=551}}

File:UCS Flag.png

2026-05-16T18:49:26Z

HowTheAlf:

Countries/Extrasolar

2026-05-16T18:16:01Z

HowTheAlf: flag update for tir'qa

__NOTOC__
{{CountryNavbox}}
<center>
==Map==
[[File:galaxymap.png|center|thumb|630x630px]]
==List of Extrasolar Nations==
The following is a catalogue of named civilizations that can be found beyond the Alpha Sol System, with most being situated in the primary setting of the Milky Way Galaxy and the fewer extragalactic factions being represented in their own galaxies' tabs. As may be expected from civilizations large enough to often span across multiple Star Systems, this page depicts the 'highest' coherent federated governments that exist below the level of diplomatic alliances. Within nearly all of these governments there can be found countless smaller local governments ranging from larger regions, to local 'sectors', to systems, to individual planets, and even regions on planets which each act with varying degrees of autonomy from their larger counterparts, with many interstellar civilizations even having countless essentially independent societies operating underneath their purview. These circumstances exist primarily due to the necessity of [[FTL Travel]], and the difficulty of consistent and 'live' [[FTL Communication]], forcing most interstellar governments who don't have the necessary workarounds developed or are too large for said workarounds to be implemented to function under a system of regional autonomy and self-governance in a largely confederated manner, aside from being capable of preventing their constituents of leaving the confederations of course.<tabber>
|-|Milky Way
===Current Extrasolar Nations within the Galaxy==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
!Alignment
|-
|[[File:abyssalenclave.png|frameless|left|112x112px]]
|[[Abyssal Enclave]]
|Parasitic Hivemind
|[[Abyssa]]
|
*[[Abyssans]]
*(Various...)
|Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:galacticcollective.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Administrative Collective of Voroltassa]]
|Cyberocracy
|[[Voroltas]]
|[[Vorollans]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[CGA]] Protectorate
|-
|[[File:aitrakszik.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Aitraxikan Realm]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Aitraxia]]
|[[Aitraxikans]]
|
*Center Rim
*Gamma Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Annadonians|Annadonian Civilization]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|[[Annadonia]]
|[[Annadonians]]
|Deep Space, Alpha Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:aris.png|frameless|left|112x112px]]
|[[Autonomous Replicative Intelligence System|ARIS Holdings]]
|Machine Intelligence
|[[Yalgh]]
|[[Artificial Intelligence]]
|
*Alpha Quadrant
*Inner Rim, Center Rim, Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:MACP Emblem.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Ascendant Republic of Cooperative Societies]]
|Communal Republic
|[[Tirqa]]
|
*[[Tirqi]] (Majority)
*[[Kobuns]]
*[[Rhee]]
*[[Drapnids]]
|Unknown Space
|[[Union of Cooperative Societies]]
|-
|
|[[Automated Service Network for Intelligent Resource division|ASNIR]]
|Machine Intelligence (Rogue Servitor)
|[[Segnis]]
|[[Segnosians]]
|Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Bathik Space]]
|Trade League
|[[Baimat]]
|[[Pithikits]]
|Center Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Bayuda]]
|Theocratic Republic
|[[Tridacta]]
|[[Bayudans]]
|Deep Core, Core Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Beffelin Collective]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Beffel]]
|[[Beffelins]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Besaiman Commune]]
|Communal Republic
|[[Ojaima]]
|[[Besaimans]], Others
|
*Deep Core
*Core Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Biyanic Collective]]
|Machine Intelligence
|[[Biogana]]
|
*[[Artificial Intelligence]]*
*[[Biyanic Biocomputers]]
|Outer Rim, Gamma Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:byennia.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Byennia]]
|
*Cyberocracy
*Technocratic Dictatorship
|[[Davah]]
|[[Byennis]]
|Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:centralgalacticadministration.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Central Galactic Administration]]*
|Machine Intelligence
|[[G-Redoubt-3]]
|[[Artificial Intelligence]]
|
*Deep Core
*Inner Rim
*Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Cevonian Union]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|[[Cevonov]]
|[[Cevonians]]
|Outer Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|
|[[Colonial Union of Garoga]]
|Technocratic Dictatorship
|[[Garoga]]
|[[Garogans]], Others
|
*Inner Rim, Outer Core
*Alpha Quadrant, Beta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Commonwealth of Getill]]
|Communal Republic
|[[Getella]]
|[[Getillans]]
|Outer Rim
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:galacticcommunity.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Community Mandate of Ordellia]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Ordellia]]
|Various
|Inner Core
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:galacticcommunity.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Community Mandate of Varinn Space]]
|Military Junta
|[[Borsaito]]*
|Various
|
*Outer Rim, Unknown Space
*Gamma Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Concordian Protectorate]]<ref>Protectorate of the [[Tethylian Federation]]</ref>
|Representative Democracy
|[[Concordia]]
|[[Concordians]], Others
|
*Deep Core
*Core Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:clr.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Confederation of the Lower Rim]]
|
*Confederation
*Stratocracy
|[[Yulneia]]
|
*[[Ankokans]]
*[[Kourans]]
*[[Terrians]]
*[[Trazians]]
*[[Yulneians]]
|
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:CMC.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Corporate Management Commission]]
|Machine Intelligence (Rogue Corporate AI / Paperclip Maximiser)
|[[Kathostolis]]
|N/A
|Beta, Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:yarrencult.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Cult of Yarren]]
|Theocratic Dictatorship
|[[Yarren]]
|[[Yarrenians]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:deadlinglogo.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Deadling Realm]]
|Despotic Empire
|[[Khandzra]]
|[[Deadlings]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:blargrepublic.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Deipat Emergency Government]]
|Military Junta
|[[Deipat]]
|[[Blargs]], [[Beacons]]
|Inner Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]] Observer
|-
|[[File:diadem.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Diadem Society]]
|Communal Republic
|[[Fales]]
|[[Androids]]
|Deep Core
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Dorian Chorodia]]
|Oligarchy
|[[Doria]]
|[[Dorian Demigods]]
|Deep Space/Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Empire of Goztika]]
|Despotic Empire
|[[Birnasta]]
|[[Goztics]]
|
*Inner Rim, Outer Core
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Empire of Kailanya]]
|Feudal Empire
|[[Ka'eita]]
|[[Kailanyans]]
|
*Mid Rim, Outer Rim
*Delta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:twelvesuns.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Empire of the Twelve Suns]]
|Confederation
|[[Antares]]
|(Various...)
|
*Inner Core
*Outer Core
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:empyrium.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Empyrium]]
|Despotic Empire
|
*[[San Prime]]
*[[Rysolith]] (Greater Empyrium)
*[[Alkid]] (Lesser Empyrium)
*[[Primio]] (Universal Space)
*[[Deira-4]] (Western Reaches)
|[[Empyrians]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Ethelian Commonwealth]]
|Direct Democracy
|[[Ethelia]]
|[[Ethelians]]
|
*Outer Core
*Inner Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Federated Gerrick Hives]]
|Council of Hives
|[[Geria]]
|[[Gerricks]]
|
*Center Rim, Inner Rim
*Delta Quadrant, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:followersofirton.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Followers of Irton]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|[[Ulaacant]]
|
*[[Protoss]]
*[[Zerg-Protoss Hybrids]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:arrian.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Free Arrian League]]
|Trade League
|[[Arria]]
|[[Arrians]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Delta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:galacticconfederation.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Second Galactic Federation|Galactic Federation]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Algol]]
|Various
|
*Deep Core
*Inner Core
*Outer Core
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:galangaflag.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Galanga Republic]]
|Constitutional Dictatorship
|[[Ksen]]
|[[Galangans]]
|Outer Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Gennossa]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Vanastra]]
|[[Genossans]]
|Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:glasenunion.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Glasen Union]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|[[Glase]]
|[[Glasens]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:gjisk.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Gjisk State]]
|Plutocratic Oligarchy
|[[Jixas]]
|[[Gjisens]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Delta Quadrant, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:HAWK_2.4_alpha.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[HAWK Claim]]
|Machine Intelligence
|N/A
|N/A
|
* Deep Core
* Various other systems across the galaxy
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:sczielska.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Hegemony of Sczielska]]
|
*Military Junta
*Confederation
|[[Ziel]]
|[[Zielskans]]
|Center Rim & Mid Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Holy Kingdom of Naztia]]
|Theocratic Monarchy
|[[Nazta]]
|[[Naztians]]
|
*Inner Core, Outer Core
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Hildarians|Hildarian Civilization]]
|Pre-Industrial Civilization
|[[Hildare]]
|[[Hildarians]]
|Outer Rim, Beta Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:hunyans.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Hunyan Collective]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|[[Hunya-Primos]]
|[[Hunyans]]
|Center Rim
|[[Union of Cooperative Societies]]
|-
|
|[[Hyacinthan Realm of Neurith-Urhn]]
|Theocratic Dictatorship
|[[Urhn]]
|[[Neuriths]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Icy|Icy Civilization]]
|Pre-Industrial Civilization
|[[Ice Cube Planet]]
|[[Icy]]
|Outer Rim, Gamma Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:iljisen.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Iliseni Swarm]]
|Bandit Kingdom
|[[Iljisen]]
|Outer Rim, Gamma Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:ilyena.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Ilyena Domain]]
|Criminal Syndicate
|[[Nal-Ilyena]]
|
*[[Ilyanans]]
*(Various...)
|
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:kinglogo.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Imperium of Kings]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Planet-1C]]
|[[Kings]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:blargkingdom.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Invincible Junta of Gavarra]]
|Bandit Kingdom
|[[Gavarra]]
|[[Blargs]]
|Center Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Iqanni State of Gissenia]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|[[Gissen]]
|[[Gissenians]]
|
*Center Rim, Inner Rim
*Delta Quadrant, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Jongya Space]]
|Constitutional Dictatorship
|[[Jumaing]]
|[[Zaphrets]]
|Mid Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:kaiton.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Kaiton Hegemony]]
|(Individualistic) Machine Intelligence
|[[Kalthon]]
|[[Androids]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Kelnasian Union State]]
|Council of Clans
|[[Autter-Kelnas]]
|[[Kelnasians]]
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|
|[[Kanashi|Kanashian Societies]]
|
|[[Kanashi]]
|[[Deadlings]], [[Humans]], [[Sapient Corvids]]
|Center Rim
|Pre-FTL Civilization (Under [[Accord]] Protection)
|-
|[[File:kephinerealm.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Kephine Realm]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Kephis]]
|[[Kephians]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:keonnanconfederacy.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Keonnan Confederacy]]
|Council of Hives
|[[Keonnos]]
|[[Keonnans]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Khalleeian Union]]
|Martial Dictatorship
|[[Khalleeh]]
|[[Khalleeians]]
|Unknown Space, Gamma Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|
|[[Kildani Republic]]
|Plutocratic Oligarchy
|[[Kildan]]
|[[Kildanians]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:leaguefc.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Kingdom of Thodia]]
|
*Elective Monarchy
*Military Junta
|[[Thodis]]
|[[Thodians]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Delta Quadrant, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:kintu.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Kintu Empire]]
|
*Military Junta
*Ceremonial Monarchy
|[[Vrchatia]]
|[[Ugandan Knuckles]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:zkarruh.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Ku-hamn-ih]]
|Machine Intelligence
|[[Z-karr-ah]]
|[[Qu Nanodrones]]
|Outer Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:kupulari.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Kupulari]]
|(None)
|[[Kupulis]]
|[[Kupularians]]
|Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Laconian Union]]
|Confederation
|[[Laconia]]
|[[Empyreans]]
|
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Limoan Space]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Taros-prime]]
|[[Limoans]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Listan Directorate]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Munn]]
|[[Listans]]
|Mid Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Mighu Colonies]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|[[Yuggoth]]
|[[Mighuans]]
|Inner Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Nairilluan Collective]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Nair-Sollus]]
|[[Nairilluans]]
|Unknown Space, Gamma Quadrant
|
*[[Galactic Community]]
*[[Second Galactic Federation]] Protectorate
|-
|[[File:nationx.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Nation-X]]
|Constitutional Dictatorship
|[[Planet-X]]
|[[Ekkusans]]
|Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:nebulae.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Nebularian Ascendancy]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Nebiula]]
|[[Nebularians]]
|
*Unknown Space, Outer Rim, Mid Rim
*Delta Quadrant, Gamma Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:combine.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Neuvum Combine]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Neuvum]] & [[Voluna]]
|[[Volunans]]
|
*Center Rim
*Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:twelvesuns.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Noctovar Redoubt]]
|Military Junta
|[[Noctovar]]
|(Various...)
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Norsans|Norsan Civilization]]
|
|[[Nors]]
|[[Norsans]]
|Center Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Pre-Industrial Civilization
|-
|
|[[Orkanians|Orkanian Civilization]]
|
|[[Aucturn]]
|[[Orkanians]]
|Deep Core
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|
|[[People's Confederacy of Jakanyx]]
|Pacifist Democracy
|[[Vazstix]]
|[[Jakanyxians]], Others
|
*Inner Rim, Outer Core
*Delta Quadrant, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[Plutsarya Space]]
|Criminal Syndicate
|[[Mairuu]]
|[[Shaidotais]]
|Mid Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Pnidleians|Pnidleian Civilization]]
|Feudal Empire
|[[Pnidleethon]]
|[[Pnidleians]]
|Outer Rim, Beta Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:selgina.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Princedom of Selgina]]
|Despotic Empire
|[[Selgina]]
|[[Selginans]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:protoss.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Protoss Empire]]
|Theocratic Republic
|[[Aiur]]
|[[Protoss]]
|
*Outer Core
*Inner Rim
*Center Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:Rolisica.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Rolisican Space]]
|Direct Democracy
|[[Rolisica]]
|[[Roliscans]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Saiborian Empire]]
|Feudal Empire
|[[Saibor]]
|[[Saiborians]]
|Outer Rim, Gamma Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:blargrepublic.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Sannona Reorganized Government]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Sannona]]
|[[Blargs]]
|Center Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]] Observer
|-
|
|[[Saratian Directorate]]
|Trade League
|[[Sarato]]
|[[Saratians]]
|Unknown Space, Delta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:morellia.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Second Morellian Empire]]
|Military Dictatorship
|[[Morellia]]
|[[Morellians]], Others
|
*Inner Rim, Outer Core
*Delta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:chimera.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Secunda Chimaera]]
|Martial Dictatorship
|[[Chandros]]
|[[Chimerans]]
|
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Shui State]]
|Bandit Kingdom
|[[Shaggai]]
|[[Shuians]]
|Unknown Space, Gamma Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:sacredunionofskantos.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Skantos|Skantoan Societies]]
|
|[[Skantos]]
|[[Omkha]], [[Praxtin]], [[Skantoans]], Others
|Mid Rim
|Pre-FTL Civilization (Under [[Accord]] Protection)
|-
|[[File:sliceflag.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Slecian Union]]
|Trade League
|[[Slecia]]
|[[Slecians]]
|
*Center Rim
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:solaryaflag.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Solaryan Confederation]]
|Council of Clans
|[[Solarya]]
|[[Solaryans]]
|Unknown Space, Delta Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[State of Yeinathia]]
|Technocratic Dictatorship
|[[Yeinath]]
|[[Yeinathians]]
|
*Center Rim, Mid Rim
*Delta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:astrum.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Stellar Union of Astrum]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Astria]]
|[[Humans]]
|
*Outer Rim
*Gamma Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Syllian Collective]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Fyr-Syl]]
|[[Syllians]]
|Outer Rim, Gamma Quadrant
|
*[[Galactic Community]]
*[[Second Galactic Federation]] Protectorate
|-
|[[File:terzan2flag.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Terzan Coalition]]
|
*Theocratic Oligarchy
*Confederation
|[[Lesath]]
|(Various...)
|
*Deep Core
*Inner Core
*Outer Core
*Inner Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:corefederation.png|120x120px|left|frameless]]
|[[Tethylian Federation]]
|Representative Democracy
|[[Tethyl]]
|[[Tethylians]]
|
*Inner Core, Deep Core
*Core Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:covenant.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[The Covenant]]
|Theocratic Republic
|[[Sanghelios]]
|(Various...)
|Mid Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:chords.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[The Chords]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|[[Venteres]]
|[[Chords]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:fifthrace.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[The Fifth Race]]
|Collective Consciousness
|
|
*[[Fifth Race]]
*[[Tarosians]]
|
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Theldic Sovereign Union]]
|Constitutional Dictatorship
|[[Strastra]]
|[[Theldians]]
|Outer Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:pisungallsymbol.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Pisungall Space|The Pisungall]]
|Parasitic Hivemind
|[[Pisura]]
|[[The Pisungall]]
|
*Unknown Space
*Various small hidden groups.
**Center Rim
**Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:thronusregni.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Thronus-Regni]]
|Divine Empire
|[[Nova-Selkat]]
|[[Deities]]
|Deep Core
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Tobinu]]
|Pacifist Democracy
|[[Pumnikel]]
|[[Toshibes]]
|Deep Core
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Unified Collective of Aidaei]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Eietta]]
|[[Aidaeians]], Various
|
*Mid Rim, Outer Rim
*Gamma Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:unicol.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Union Collective]]
|Assimilative Intelligence
|[[Unicol-01]]
|Various
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Union of Diprona]]
|Technocratic Democracy
|[[Diarai]]
|[[Dipronesians]]
|Outer Rim, Beta Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:xarin.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Union of Xarin]]
|Technocratic Dictatorship
|[[Xarin]]
|[[Xarins]]
|Unknown Space
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[United Clans of Elyntia]]
|Council of Clans
|[[Elyntia]]
|[[Elyntians]]
|
*Center Rim
*Delta Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[United Peoples of Kangassa]]
|Confederation
|[[Kangassa]]
|[[Kangassans]]
|
*Inner Rim
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|
|[[United Worlds of Tauia and Kaiturn]] (UWTK
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Tauia]]
|
*[[Kaiturians]]
*[[Tauians]]
|Deep Core
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:varinncollective.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Varinn Collective]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Faseict]]
|[[Infested Varinns]]
|Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]] Observer
|-
|[[File:varinn.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Varinn Empire]]
|Despotic Empire
|[[Neirn]]
|
*[[Varinns]]
*(Various Others)
|
*Unknown Space
*Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:vezcian.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Vezcian Hegemony]]
|Military Dictatorship
|[[Reiff]]
|[[Vezcians]]
|Mid Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:vorxanhives.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Matriarchy of Vortakhx|Vorxan Empire]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Vortakhx]]
|[[Vorxans]]
|
*Unknown Space, Outer Rim, Mid Rim
*Delta Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:waterbottleflag.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Wabbol Space]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Wabbol]]
|[[Wabbolans]]
|Mid Rim, Alpha Quadrant
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:weivir.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Wei'vir Realm]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Wei'vir]]
|[[Wei'virs]]
|
*Unknown Space
*Delta Quadrant
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Yaridans|Yaridan Civilization]]
|Theocratic Dictatorship
|[[Tond]]
|[[Yaridans]]
|Unknown Space, Delta Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:theaccord.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Yatan-Theian Accord]]
|Confederation
|[[Unity Station]]
|
*[[Humans]]
*[[Altairans]]
*[[Theian Natives]]
*(Others)
|
*Center Rim
*Mid Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:yelnik.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Yelnik Hivemind]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Kieln'yan]]
|[[Yelniks]]
|Mid Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|-
|[[File:aliens.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Yeqwiqu Collective]]
|Communal Republic
|[[Yeqwiqu]]
|[[Yeqwiquans]]
|
*Center Rim
*Alpha Quadrant
|[[Union of Cooperative Societies]]
|-
|
|[[Yithin Collectivity]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|[[Yith]]
|[[Yithinians]]
|Deep Core
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Zahri Empire]]
|Theocratic Monarchy
|[[Zarr]]
|[[Zahrians]]
|Unknown Space, Delta Quadrant
|Pre-FTL Civilization
|-
|[[File:zaithic.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Zaithic Kingdom]]
|Theocratic Monarchy
|[[Saeith]]
|[[Zaiths]]
|Outer Rim
|Neutral
|-
|[[File:zerg.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Zerg Collective]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Char]]
|[[Zergs]]
|Outer Rim
|[[Galactic Community]]
|}
|-|Dagda
=== Nations of the Dagda Galaxy ==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:eailaiya.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Eailaiya]]
|Technocratic Dictatorship
|[[Eaylay]]
|[[Eailaiyans]]
|Outer Rim
|-
|[[File:HAWK_2.4_alpha.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[HAWK Claim]]
|Machine Intelligence
|N/A
|N/A
|Entire Galaxy (Covertly)
|-
|[[File:thestate.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Onaxian State]]
|Communal Dictatorship
|[[Onaxus]]
|[[Onaxunians]]
|Inner Rim
|}
|-|Odin
=== Nations of the Odin Galaxy ==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
!Alignment
|-
|[[File:Frohn.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Frohn]]
|Martial Dictatorship
|[[Thrau]]
|[[Frohns]]
|Mid Rim
|[[Trofth Empire|Trofth Tributary]]
|-
|[[File:Mazth.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Mazthian Warlords]]
|Council of Warlords
|[[Vhzas]]
|[[Mazthians]]
|Outer Rim
|[[Trofth Empire|Trofth Tributary]]
|-
|[[File:Nthagi.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Nthagi]]
|Martial Dictatorship
|[[Kagia]]
|[[Nthagis]]
|
*Core Worlds
*Inner Rim
*Mid Rim
|[[Trofth Empire|Trofth Tributary]]
|-
|[[File:trofth.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Trofth Empire]]
|Bandit Kingdom
|[[Troftha]]
|
*[[Trofths]]
*(Various)
|
*Mid Rim
*Outer Rim
|[[Trofth Empire]]
|}
|-|Ra
=== Nations of the Ra Galaxy ==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|
|[[Algard Conclave]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Haktasis]]
|[[Algards]]
|Southeast Ra
|-
|
|[[Bandur Collective]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Nllu]]
|[[Bandurs]]
|East Ra
|-
|[[File:HAWK_2.4_alpha.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[HAWK Claim]]
|Machine Intelligence
|N/A
|N/A
|Entire Galaxy
|-
|
|[[Jovillian Wanderers]]
|
|[[Lulou]]
|[[Jovillians]]
|Southwest Ra
|-
|
|[[Kardas|Karda Civilization]]
|
|[[Olroc]]
|[[Kardas]]
|South Ra
|-
|
|[[Takaar Confederation]]
|Confederation
|[[Eket es tat]]
|[[Takaar]]
|Northwest Ra
|}
|-|Zeus
=== Nations of the Zeus Galaxy ==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Alignment
|-
|
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|Machine Intelligence
|[[Kiural]]
|[[Artificial Intelligence]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Eytherian Republic]]
|Representative Democracy
|[[Aethi]]
|[[Aethians]]
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Ferella Protectorate]]
|Military Dictatorship
|[[Ferella]]
|[[Ferellans]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Gailin Protectorate]]
|Council of Bureaucrats
|[[Gailin]]
|[[Gailinians]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Jarai Protectorate]]
|Constitutional Dictatorship
|[[Jarai]]
|[[Jaraians]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Nerona Protectorate]]
|Collective Consciousness
|[[Nerona]]
|[[Neronans]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Panna Protectorate]]
|Theocratic Republic
|[[Panna]]
|[[Pannians]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Relian Protectorate]]
|Plutocratic Oligarchy
|[[Relian]]
|[[Relians]]
|[[Anemoi Network]]
|-
|
|[[Tienni Republic]]
|Stratocracy
|[[Tiun]]
|[[Tiunians]]
|Neutral
|-
|
|[[Yannic Union]]
|Technocratic Democracy
|[[Yan]]
|[[Yannians]]
|Neutral
|}
|-|Andromeda
===Nations of the Andromeda Galaxy==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:jakalaika.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Jakalaika]]
|Technocratic Oligarchy
|[[Nihilantis (Andromeda)|Nihilantis]]
|[[Jakalaikans]]
|
|-
|[[File:qulogo.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[The Quhanim]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|<code>[DATA MISSING]</code>
|[[Qu]]
|
|}
|-|Universalis Prime
===Nations of the Universalis Prime Galaxy==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:universalcouncil.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Universal Council]]
|Representative Democracy
|[[Alpha Universalis]]
|(Various...)
|(Entire Galaxy)
|}
|-|Taurus-Centaurus
===Nations of the Taurus-Centaurus Galaxy==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:qulogo.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[The Quhanim]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|<code>[DATA MISSING]</code>
|[[Qu]]
|Entire Galaxy
|}
|-|Barnard's Galaxy (NGC 6822)
===Nations of Barnard's Galaxy (NGC 6822)==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:qulogo.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[The Quhanim]]
|Theocratic Oligarchy
|<code>[DATA MISSING]</code>
|[[Qu]]
|Entire Galaxy
|-
|[[File:qulogo.png|112x112px|left|frameless]]
|[[Dratopythian Holdings]]
|Theocratic Dictatorship
|<code>[DATA MISSING]</code>
|[[Dratopythia]]
|Entire Galaxy
|}
|-|Distarra Galaxy (M81)
===Nations of the Distarra Galaxy (M81)==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:astralauthority.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Great Astral Authority]]
|Imperial Order
|[[Astravold]]
|[[Astralians]]
|
|}
|-|Triangulum Galaxy
===Nations of the Triangulum Galaxy==
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Government Type
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|[[File:Zkarruh.png|frameless|alt=|left|112x112px]]
|[[Triangulum Nanodrone Swarm]]
|Machine Intelligence
|[[Puwon-2]]
|[[Qu Nanodrones]]
|Galaxy-Wide
|}
|-|Corundum Galaxy=
===Nations of the Corundum Galaxy===
[[File:corundumgalaxy2.png|center|thumb|630x630px]]
{| class="wikitable sortable article-table sortable"
|+
!Flag/Symbol
!Name
!Emanator
!Capital World
!Major Species
!Region
|-
|
|[[Luuanna]]
|[[Eno Xan]]
|Acheron
|
|Galactic Halo
|-
|
|[[Xylixi]]
|
|[[Finida]]
|
|Shadow II
|-
|
|[[Dazhim]]
|
|[[Ley]]
|
|Spiral II
|-
|
|[[Suuyao]]
|
|[[Yedax]]
|
|Main Rim
|-
|
|[[Tianxiam]]
|
|[[Iay Xemer]]
|
|Main Rim, Spiral III, Galactic Halo
|-
|
|[[Julan]]
|
|[[Raganje]]
|
|Main Rim
|-
|
|[[Enotria]]
|
|[[Enotris]]
|
|Main Rim
|-
|
|[[Tayya]]
|
|[[Jeddamm]]
|
|Outer Core
|-
|
|[[Calam Lemkeu]]
|
|[[Kelmian]]
|
|Outer Core, Main Rim
|-
|
|[[Kiidar]]
|
|[[Askiiid]]
|
|Outer Core, Deep Core
|-
|
|[[Syyin]]
|
|[[Exxkinnen]]
|
|Shadow III
|-
|
|[[Qiutiax]]
|
|[[Enqiu]]
|
|Galactic Halo, Shadow I
|-
|
|[[Ynnari]]
|
|[[Hasavad]]
|
|Shadow III
|-
|
|[[Emeriax]]
|
|[[Enanna]]
|
|Galactic Halo, Spiral I
|-
|
|[[Zuiqin]]
|
|[[Kiaodan]]
|
|Spiral I
|-
|
|[[Endai]]
|
|[[Alpha Endaia]]
|
|Main Rim
|-
|
|[[Chande]]
|
|[[Cjjam]]
|
|Galactic Halo, Spiral III
|-
|}
</tabber>
[[Category:Space]]
[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Extrasolar Countries]]