The Democratic States of Asali is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its punitive income tax rates, devotion to social welfare, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, democratic population of 7 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, Education, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 73.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The basket case Asalian economy, worth 70.6 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 Basket Weaving industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Cheese Exports. Average income is 10,091 Bobs, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The national anthem is a rather effective sleeping aid, organ donation rates have hit a new low, drills and shovels have been banned as the government cracks down on any means of fracking, and graffiti graces every city's streets. 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 40,445^th in the world and 459^th in The Leftist Assembly for Most Compassionate Citizens, scoring 49.62 on the Kitten Softness Rating.