The legend of Shastessia and Medokos concerns a pair of semi-mythological twins (for whom a pair of planets in the Nimbus ClusterвЂ™s Mesana system were named) who ruled neighbouring city-states, and had a lifelong dialog regarding the best form of government вЂ“ Shastessia advocating democracy, while Medokos preferred a more authoritarian structure. A number of references and descriptions of democratic theory exist in early folklore and surviving writings. A common term for these was Senate, and вЂњfor Senate and PeopleвЂќ is still used by some asari as a colloquialism, equivalent to the human вЂњfor King and CountryвЂќ.ДЄlthough the origins of the total democratic model, as a theory, are obscure, in many Republics the idea was regarded as desirable well before technology permitted it, with Senates and the like being seen as the best possible alternative given existing limitations. Prior to the establishment of the electronic infrastructure necessary for e-democracy, the powers of government were typically invested in a variety of councils of matriarchs and other influential figures, endorsed by the populations they represented. Given the difficulties of procedure inherent in direct dealings between such a democracy and the reprersentative/hierarchical governments of other species, the Asari Republics Diplomatic Service serves many of the procedural functions of a hierarchical government with regard to interstellar affairs. Generally the process stops short of being an effective rule by Matriarchs, though, as many Matriarchs actively encourage younger asari to analyse and critique the contributions of their elders in political circles it is often considered disrespectful to advocate anotherвЂ™s position, even that of a Matriarch, without having thoroughly explored it first. In practice though, Matriarchs are hugely influential in setting Republican policy вЂ“ while having no greater absolute authority than any other citizen, MatriarchsвЂ™ centuries of experience are shown great deference by the vast majority of asari, and where Matriarchs involve themselves in an issue, the discussion tends to revolve around exploring the merits of one MatriarchвЂ™s position against another. There are no political officials or representatives, nor any individuals or groups with special authority or right of veto. Every adult citizen (including naturalised non-asari citizens) is able to access virtual legislative chambers вЂ“ akin to extranet chat rooms in basic function вЂ“ where opinions are shared and their merits debated, and ultimately political policy set by the direct consensus of the citizens themselves. The cornerstone of the Asari Republics is their practice of absolute democracy, made possible by dedicated communications infrastructure. The current Councilor is Irissa TвЂ™Aes, replacing Councilor Tevos Araeus, who stepped down to the position of Ambassador following the postwar reactivation of the mass relays. The only notable exception to this practice is the RepublicsвЂ™ representative on the Citadel Council. The Republican structure of government has no appointed leaders as such given the enormous deference they are shown, foreign governments typically look to the public statements of influential Matriarchs as indicators of the political direction of the asari people as a whole. Their military fleets patrol shipping lanes and colony space against smugglers arriving from the Attican Traverse. Easily the most economically powerful sector of the galaxy, the asari worlds of Outer Council Space traditionally used their financial clout to keep the galactic market stable.

While the asariвЂ™s elcor neighbours are content with their home system and a small handful of colonies, the asari have settlements across the territory. The Asari Republics are collectively one of the major nations in Citadel Space actually a coalition of asari republican governments with a tradition of true and total democracy.

Asari homeworld