The Principality of Parentheses is a colossal, efficient nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, keen interest in outer space, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-nosed, cynical, humorless population of 2.762 billion Parenthesesians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Nooga. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 52.1%.

The frighteningly efficient Parenthesesian economy, worth 361 trillion legendaries a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Woodchip Exports, and Furniture Restoration. Black market activity is extensive. Average income is an impressive 130,921 legendaries, with the richest citizens earning 8.2 times as much as the poorest.

The annual government yacht trip is sponsored by criminal syndicates, politicians have tenure, Leader has no checks and balances after the upper house was abolished, and the rich are once again pinching pennies. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Parentheses's national animal is the puppet, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Parentheses is ranked 207,817^th in the world and 291^st in International Puppet Storage for Safest, scoring 56.61 on the Bubble-Rapp Safety Rating.