[VV] Nations

Starting off with one of the major Second Tier powers: The Unity.

  The Unity controls several worlds, and is large and powerful for a
Second Tier nation.  The society is divided into two main classes,
which could be called Priests and Peasants.  The Priests are committed
to human evolution and work towards that end by genetic manipulation
and eugenics; they think of living things as tools and/or art, and
have no hesitation about modifying what's useful, and terminating
what's not.  "Priests" may not be the best possible term, since
there's nothing of organized religion in it, but they do regard "the
Blind, Impersonal Force which is Guiding our Ultimate Evolution" as
something of a god and I didn't want to use "Party Member".  May come
up with a better nomenclature later.
The Peasants are there to serve the Unity--definitely not the other
way round.
  They export art works, pharmaceuticals, foods, and gene-tailored
organisms, including humans.  They import weapons and a variety of
products which require high-tech.

The Unity Bureau of Special Services is considered one of the best
intelligence agencies around.  The Unity Navy (using NAC minis) and
Planetary Forces both suffer from internal rivalries, but are large,
skilled, and well equipped for their tech level.

Sources of inspiration: Victorian-era China, Cetaganda (Lois Bujold),
That Hideous Strength (CS Lewis), Courtship Rite (Kingsbury), the
USSR, and others.