The Crown Republic of Erycina is a titanic, cultured nation, ruled by Mrs Dawson with an even hand, and renowned for its national health service, state-planned economy, and keen interest in outer space. The compassionate population of 15.934 billion Erycinans 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 medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Westhold. The average income tax rate is 67.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Erycinan economy, worth a remarkable 2,993 trillion Ercoes a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is broadly diversified, is led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Retail, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 187,875 Ercoes, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Public footpaths are being slowly eroded by the burgeoning number of ramblers, all statues and paintings of dogs are being destroyed to avoid offending cat-lovers, they say that Erycinans made a dessert and called it peace, and children's bedrooms are often decorated with posters of successful accountants. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Erycina's national animal is the Lion, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Erycina is ranked 10,311^th in the world and 78^th in The Leftist Assembly for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 419.87 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.