The Dakotas were able to prepare and weather the collapse better than other areas of the USA. There was a more homogenous population that was much less a risk of racial tension than other states and areas. There was a low population density and general remoteness allowed survivors to have time to prepare for what events that started on the coasts and moved inland. The area was primarily agricultural with reserves of petroleum and coal giving good resources for survival. Still in the global collapse the Dakotas fell.
The inspired leadership of Jessica Batchwell and her colleagues brought the Dakotas back from the abyss, her party had relocated from Indiana and began the rebuilding of the Dakotas with the aid of the National Guards of Camp Grafton on Devil’s Lake. Starting with many of the farmers the alliance grew. This unlikely comporimse worked and slowly order was restored and co-operation fostered. Over time this conservative area became more and more left leaning under Batchwell 's influence till today it is a liberal progressive area with resources ploughed in to education and healthcare.
The individual settlements send representatives to the Co-operative Council where overall policy is decided. Only members of the Co-operative may hold positions of power and influence allowing critics to accuse the DFC of being a one-party state. The economy is an agricultural one backed by DFC backed investment in industry and high technology. Targets are set by the Co-operative Council five years in advance with local representatives tasked with encouraging successful completion of them.
Local militias are tasked with both the keeping of law and order and with home defence. A professional core of volunteer ‘Guardsmen’ back them and intervene when necessary. Critics accuse the militias of being political arms of the DFC while the ‘Guardsmen’ are effectively a secret police. The DFC denies this arguing that they are apolitical.
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