The Democratic Republic of Hamstershire is a massive, socially progressive nation, renowned for its compulsory military service and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, democratic population of 4.073 billion Hamstershireans have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Welfare, Healthcare, and Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 15.0%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Hamstershirean economy, worth 185 trillion Pelets a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Arms Manufacturing, and Cheese Exports. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 45,644 Pelets, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest.

Euthanasia is legal, voting is voluntary, and the alarmingly racist TV show 'Bigtopians Say the Darndest Things' is a hit. Crime, especially youth-related, is well under control. Hamstershire's national animal is the Hamster Knight, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Hamstershire is ranked 126,346^th in the world and 53^rd in England for Safest, scoring 71.24 on the Bubble-Rapp Safety Rating.