From the introduction:
In the Earth Union, the last decade has been a period of unprecedented prosperity and peace, in which diplomacy and scientific progress have replaced barbarism and war. In the wake of this renewed peace, science and technology have made an incredible leap forward in a matter of years. Almost all known diseases have been eradicated and the quality of life has drastically improved; old cars have been replaced worldwide by DCS (acronym for domestic class spaceship, or small spaceships flying at low altitude); implants and genetic “improvements” are within the reach of every budget – although obviously the most incredible treatments are still the prerogative of the rich. The old religions have been abandoned in favor of the cult of The One Who Has Many Names – a benevolent god, who preaches peace and concord and has their sanctuary in the sciences. The known world, for the first time since monkeys came down from the trees, is at peace.