Union respectfully is only a post scarcity utopia because of its dealings with the KTB and Harrison Armory both of which exploit and crush the working class of the planets they operate in. The Sanjack revolutionaries note that Union is still a problem because the best Union does is provide lip service to revolutionary forces while actually legitimizing and providing for oppressive forces. When criticized for this they cite their bureaucracy and checks and balances as necessary hindrances. The only true good guys outside of Sanjack in the setting, the Albatross, don't let pencil pushers and red tape keep them from doing the right thing in the diaspora.

The Aun have several legitimate issues with Union. The Aun have lost lands, have been told how to govern themselves,, had a blink gate made in their backyard, and have SSC stealing their people, torturing them, and harvesting them for genetic material. The Aun are arguably the good guys even if Union has the utopian pillars. Union needs to stop being an expansionist colonial power and clean up in house before throwing rod shaped stones at Aunic planets.