Okay, I'm bored and have been on a Star Wars kick lately. If you had to be a group from any of the Original Star Wars movies, which I limited it to because I think I might make a separate poll for Old Republic era factions later.
The Galactic Empire: A human-centric militaristic state governed by the Emperor and his cadre of advisors and governors. The Empire is a ruthless, expansionist government hell-bent on keeping its hold on power. However, despite its ruthlessness, it serves a function not unlike the Roman Empire in history. While the Republic credit had been a weakened currency rarely accepted outside of the Galactic Core, the Imperial Credit that replaced it was ubiquitously accepted throughout the Empire, obviously indicative of a stronger, improved economic situation under the Empire (probably stimulated by military buildup). Though parts of the Empire run efficiently, others are not so lucky and fall under the control of corrupt, despotic, or incompetent rulers. There is also an unspoken rule that the Empire will work harder to preserve its territories and interests in the Mid Rim and Galactic Core whereas the Outer Rim, the farthest-flung outposts of Imperial authority, are not so lucky.
The Rebel Alliance: A patchwork of various dissatisfied aliens and other humans hoping to restore the Republic. The Rebel Alliance is loosely governed by both a political head of state and the head of its military. While the Alliance's navy is strong enough to defeat the Imperial Navy in battles, by sheer production capacity and firepower, they often find themselves outgunned and outmanned. The Rebellion is arguably much more likeable than the Empire given its commitment to fair treatment of all races, human or not.
Unaligned: These are individuals who choose to take no definitive stance for either side, or even to exploit the fighting between the two. The unaligned faction represents everyone from apathetic citizens not caring about who governs them to crime syndicates willing to hire themselves out to whoever will let them practice their illicit trade, many a smuggler benefits from strict Imperial controls on trade and thus has an incentive to preserve such a status quo. However, Imperial order in some cases throws a wrench in the gears of criminal operations, and inherently freedom-loving smugglers may be motivated by higher goals than credits.
Edit: In case you can't tell what faction I selected, check my avatar.
The Galactic Empire: A human-centric militaristic state governed by the Emperor and his cadre of advisors and governors. The Empire is a ruthless, expansionist government hell-bent on keeping its hold on power. However, despite its ruthlessness, it serves a function not unlike the Roman Empire in history. While the Republic credit had been a weakened currency rarely accepted outside of the Galactic Core, the Imperial Credit that replaced it was ubiquitously accepted throughout the Empire, obviously indicative of a stronger, improved economic situation under the Empire (probably stimulated by military buildup). Though parts of the Empire run efficiently, others are not so lucky and fall under the control of corrupt, despotic, or incompetent rulers. There is also an unspoken rule that the Empire will work harder to preserve its territories and interests in the Mid Rim and Galactic Core whereas the Outer Rim, the farthest-flung outposts of Imperial authority, are not so lucky.
The Rebel Alliance: A patchwork of various dissatisfied aliens and other humans hoping to restore the Republic. The Rebel Alliance is loosely governed by both a political head of state and the head of its military. While the Alliance's navy is strong enough to defeat the Imperial Navy in battles, by sheer production capacity and firepower, they often find themselves outgunned and outmanned. The Rebellion is arguably much more likeable than the Empire given its commitment to fair treatment of all races, human or not.
Unaligned: These are individuals who choose to take no definitive stance for either side, or even to exploit the fighting between the two. The unaligned faction represents everyone from apathetic citizens not caring about who governs them to crime syndicates willing to hire themselves out to whoever will let them practice their illicit trade, many a smuggler benefits from strict Imperial controls on trade and thus has an incentive to preserve such a status quo. However, Imperial order in some cases throws a wrench in the gears of criminal operations, and inherently freedom-loving smugglers may be motivated by higher goals than credits.
Edit: In case you can't tell what faction I selected, check my avatar.