The Avant-Garde Commonwealth of Ascended Union is a huge, safe nation, ruled by Founder Ulysses with an even hand, and renowned for its smutty television, otherworldly petting zoo, and compulsory military service. The hard-nosed, hard-working, devout population of 946 million Ascended Citizens 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 Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Enoch. The average income tax rate is 68.1%.

The frighteningly efficient Ascended Citizen economy, worth 117 trillion Energy Credits a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Information Technology. Average income is an impressive 123,686 Energy Credits, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.7 times as much as the poorest.

Health inspectors are seen eating black truffle fondue with their bottled water, the Ascended Union Enquirer offers weekly cash prizes for 'most blasphemous song, story, or cartoon', Founder Ulysses has been known to make speeches in fishing waders, and restaurant owners fear visits from government officials more than the actual food critics. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ascended Union's national animal is the Imperial Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Ascended Union is ranked 106,079^th in the world and 761^st in 10000 Islands for Most Pro-Market, scoring 46.44 on the Rand Index.