Interstellar Planetary Coherence
The Interstellar Planetary Coherence (IPC) (Ankata: Lontakoba Tanakta Atkolana (LTA), also unofficially called the Interstellar Union (IU), Anadeia Union (AU), or simply the Union) was a political alliance of qualifying lifeforms in the Anadeia galaxy, and the primary ruling government of the galaxy from its establishment in [] TEC until its reorganization into the Kammakan of Houses in [] TEC.
History
In [] TEC, human Kal Smitka discovered sub-material travel, a process which allowed humans to cover massive distances impossible by normal means. This discovery spawned a massive interstellar revolution filled with exploration and settlement.
Membership
Membership to the IPC was split into two categories, each with individual requirements and allowances if granted.
Species membership
The IPC was made up of an ever-changing number of member species, constantly varied by the addition and removal of members. A species allowed this level of membership was given free access to all Coherence neutral territory, as well as all non-restricted space owned by Coherence member states. They were also allowed a seat on the Broad Council, which gave individuals participating in the Broad Council the ability to vote on resolutions of that scope. Additionally, members of this kind were provided limited protections by the Coherence Unified Legion.
Requirements
The official requirements for a species to join the IPC were split into two categories: biophysical requirements and social requirements. Biophysical requirements were the required capacities of a species to perform certain tasks, while social requirements were the required sentiments and inter-species behaviors for membership. The official requirements to become a member species of the IPC varied wildly throughout its history, leaving only two constants: metacognition and the ability to communicate. Several other requrements were added later that remained for nearly the entire duration of the IPC, most notably the necessity for a lack of species-wide intent to unjustly harm other species (the term "unjustly" was intentionally left vague so as to consider such sentiments on a case-to-case basis).
When initially established, the IPC only allowed biological intelligences to become members, the prevailing philosophy of the time being that non-biological intelligence was not truly intelligent. After overwhelming membership requests by the zephyr, the IPC eventually altered their policy to allow non-biological intelligence. Such applicants would still need to demonstrate appropriate capability in other requirements, however some additional requirements were added to prevent abuse of the membership system. Notably, assurances had to be made to prevent bad actors from creating non-biological intelligences that could be collectively modified after admission into the IPC.
State membership
The more exclusive IPC membership classification was state membership, which allowed collective governments to become members. Membership of this kind effectively integrated the member government into the unified government of the IPC, giving them a seat at the State Council, and with it the ability for members of the state to vote on resolutions of that scope. State members were also granted full protections by the Coherence Unified Legion, as well as guaranteed assistance by the militaries of other state members.
Requirements
States hoping to gain IPC state membership were required to fulfill a number of requirements, a process that often took years or decades to complete fully. These requirements were as follows:
- All species populations contributing a non-trivial portion of the applying state's total population are required to first become species members. Only such members may sit at the State Council.
- Applying state must agree and constantly uphold the agreement to allow freedom of movement for all IPC species and state members in all territories. Exceptions may be made for regions deemed by State Council to be of high importance to the security of the applying state and/or the IPC.
- Applying state must agree and constantly uphold the agreement to contribute at least 2% of applying state's military units to the Coherence Unified Legion. How these units are selected is up to applying state, however should State Council consider applying state to be intentionally providing inadequate units, applying state may be subject to reprimand and punishment. Additional compensation will be provided should applying state provide more units than required.
- Applying state must agree and constantly uphold the agreement to provide non-trivial support to any other member state under attack by an non-member state threat. Should a member state be under attack by one or more other member states, State Council will determine to whom non-trivial support will be directed by applying state.
