Politics

Overview
Politics among the Star Traders is complex and confusing to new Captains. Each of the Factions has a stake in their territory, economies, trade goods, espionage, and even black markets as well as the machinations of the other Factions. Contacts of all types, not just the Contacts you start with and gain throughout your career, are all engaged in one or multiple conflicts simultaneously. Contacts use these opportunities to hire Star Traders such as you for various missions which will hopefully garner them respect and Influence. You might even personally be the target of another Star Trader's (NPC) mission. This political simulator is at the heart of many of the game mechanics that run the entire galaxy. Contacts have motivations just like your Captain and crew do.

The key players within the galactic political simulation are Shalun Law, Central Database, and the Senate.

Syndicate Board of Directors
The board consists of princes of every planet called Syndicate Judges. They direct the Syndicate's spacing activities as well as well as the leaders of the cohorts. The head of the board is the all powerful Syndicate President who is elected by the people of the factions. The winning faction controls the Syndicate Core. Cross-voting is quite common.

Clan bodies
There is no unified clan body. Each clan has its own independent body of its dominant family such as the Shethi of Steel Song.

Senate
The Senate consists of an appointed or elected prince of the ruling faction of every zone as well as Templar appointed ones and the leaders of every clan and the Syndicate President. Syndicates prefer elected leaders and clans prefer appointed leaders.