Nation/Branketun

The Empire of Branketun is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by Stephen Erikson and King Erwyn II with an even hand, and remarkable for its ubiquitous missile silos, national health service, and suspicion of poets. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 3.295 billion Branketunians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The large, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Education, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Branketun City. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 71.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Branketunian economy, worth 353 trillion Leaves a year, is quite specialized and dominated by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Retail, Arms Manufacturing, and Woodchip Exports. Black market activity is extensive. Average income is an impressive 107,379 Leaves, with the richest citizens earning 7.3 times as much as the poorest.

Children have lost interest in toy guns in favor of toy meth lab kits, politicians stage photo ops featuring barely functional fighter jets, Branketun's army is full of two-metre tall super-soldiers, and airport security is provided by private companies. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Branketun's national animal is the Bear.

Branketun is ranked 55,804th in the world and 2,131st in Osiris for Largest Manufacturing Sector, scoring 8,578.76 on the Gooback-Jerbs Productivity Index.