Great Power

The galactic Great Powers are the sovereign political entities in the galaxy that are recognized as the most powerful of the many states in the galaxy. This power may be derived from military power, technological advancement, or from economic power, though most members have historically had power bases founded upon all of these aspects, as well as numerous other factors.

Currently there exist four recognized Great Powers: Before its defeat in the Third Shantarak War, the Shantarak Republic was occasionally considered to rank among these as a fifth Great Power.
 * Caloctoran Hegemony: a major military power, the Hegemony is also possibly the most technologically advanced state in the galaxy, though it is frequently engaged in wars with the Thimoid Empire and its other neighbors, and suffers frequent raids from the Reapers.
 * Gorf People's Republic: primarily an economic power, the People's Republic is the smallest and least militarily powerful of the Great Powers; its power rests largely on its sheltered location in the galaxy and friendly relations with the Volkar Stellar Imperium.
 * Thimoid Empire: a major military power, the Empire is the most populous state in the galaxy and has been FTL-capable longer than the other Great Powers, though it is frequently engaged in wars with the Caloctoran Hegemony and its other neighbors.
 * Volkar Stellar Imperium: the most militarily powerful state in the galaxy, though this power is split between several competing Great Houses, which engage in frequent wars with each other and independently with their neighbors.