The Armed Republic of Mershistan is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by Michael Schieleberg with a fair hand, and notable for its daily referendums, infamous sell-swords, and multi-spousal wedding ceremonies. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic, humorless population of 4.286 billion Mershistanians live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The minute, corrupt, liberal, pro-business, outspoken government, or what there is of one, is primarily concerned with Industry, although Defense is also considered important, while Environment and Law & Order receive no funds. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Mersh City. Income tax is unheard of.

The frighteningly efficient Mershistanian economy, worth a remarkable 1,437 trillion cryptodollars a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is broadly diversified and led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Soda Sales, and Gambling. Average income is an amazing 335,344 cryptodollars, with the richest citizens earning 9.0 times as much as the poorest.

4-year-olds are often found reminiscing about the 'good old days', the parliament doubled in size recently, Animal Liberationists are regularly arrested, and trust-fund babies line up for places in community college. Crime, especially youth-related, is so common that it is unusual to encounter someone following the law, probably because of the absence of a police force. Mershistan's national animal is the bullfrog, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Buc-ee's.

Mershistan is ranked 436^th in the world and 10^th in The East Pacific for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 27,661.26 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.