The Democratic States of Asali is a tiny, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its irreverence towards religion, devotion to social welfare, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, democratic population of 12 million Asalians are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whomever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

The enormous, socially-minded, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Welfare, Administration, and Education. The average income tax rate is 73.8%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The basket case Asalian economy, worth 124 billion Bobs a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is quite specialized, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Basket Weaving, Book Publishing, and Cheese Exports. Average income is 10,405 Bobs, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Physics lessons mostly involve talking about emotional management techniques, chipped paint can see a building condemned, genetic research is temporarily tied up in government red tape, and politicians "baring all" for the camera isn't always a figure of speech. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Asali's national animal is the Dove, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Asali is ranked 57,159^th in the world and 291^st in The Leftist Assembly for Highest Drug Use, scoring 265.73 on the Pineapple Fondness Rating.