I recently plopped down the money for all of the Handbooks. Reading through them in the science and tech sections, there are some statements that have changed a little of my perception about the individual states and their tech by 3025. I was hoping that other forum members could clear it up. This doesn't have to do so much with military technology, but rather with the tech available to individuals and infrastructure.
I think the best way I can sum up the Successor States is in regards to a cup of coffee as made by the average household.
Capellan Confederation -- Economic models aside, the CC has been the most severely beaten state. It has lost several worlds with industry and resources, which hampers the ability to keep more sophisticated domestic technology available. Tech may be relatively homogeneous throughout the Confederation due to economic models. Coffee would likely be made in a percolator if even available, and would be pre-ground Maxwell House or Folgers.
Draconis Combine -- Most of the economy is geared toward keeping the DCMS going - even more so than other states. A fairly consistent level of tech available throughout, but nothing particularly stellar. Yet because of social norms, no one seems to be that bothered by it. Pre-ground, state-branded generic coffee would be made in a percolator.
Federated Suns -- The most diversity. Although performing well up until the 1st SW in gradual improvements, the years have not been kind. Any advancements and high-tech infrastructure made available on poorer worlds quickly vanished after the industry to support them disappeared due to extensive -- but temporary -- military advances by the CCAF and DCMS. On the richer worlds, practically any coffee roasted any way you wanted would be available and could be made in any way you chose: whether a full-blown Italian espresso machine or your average Mr. Coffee drip-machine. On poorer worlds... well, you'd be lucky to have any coffee at all. A middle-of-the-road world would be using a drip and filter machine. I imagine this similar to Britain and Western Europe wherein cities could be quite ritzy and cultural, but once you get to the countryside, the differences are dramatic.
Free Worlds League -- Also a lot of diversity among worlds, but due to an economy with extensive wealth from trade you could find much in the way of different coffee roasts. On most worlds, you could find drip coffee makers. Extensive industry available, but many factories producing with limited output as resources are limited. Breakdowns in industry are frequent, which means access to coffee makers can be sporadic.
Lyran Commonwealth -- Consistently higher tech than the other states. Although dedicated smart-tech coffee makers that interface with a personal device are available, most people have simple higher-end drip makers that may or may not perform better than a Mr. Coffee. However, much like a BMW, they are always in the shop getting fixed. They have relatively high industry output and actual production compared to other states, but significantly decreased in complexity and numbers from the Star League era. The Lyran Commonwealth is also in an odd position in that many of its worlds that were damaged in the Succession Wars have been territorial loses (compared to the Federated Suns where damaged worlds were regained later). Success through mediocrity.
