The Most Serene Republic of Puppet State 280 is a colossal, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, irreverence towards religion, and absence of drug laws. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 4.108 billion Puppet State 280ians live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The minute, liberal, pro-business, outspoken government, or what there is of one, juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Defense, and Industry. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 4.8%.

The strong Puppet State 280ian economy, worth 213 trillion pounds a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is broadly diversified and led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Retail, Arms Manufacturing, and Furniture Restoration. Average income is 51,731 pounds, but there is a vast disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 333,416 per year while the poor average 3,242, a ratio of 102 to 1.

The tenet of free speech is held dear, surveillance cameras are banned, scientists regularly clone human beings for research purposes, and the government has officially clarified that "wee on your hands to save time" does not count as proper hygiene. Crime is a major problem, probably because of the absence of a police force. Puppet State 280's national animal is the dove, which can occasionally be seen dodging aircraft in the nation's cities.

Puppet State 280 is ranked 82,782^nd in the world and 3^rd in Silly for Smartest Citizens, with 38.51 quips per hour.