Institutions and Government
Much of the station is an Earth Alliance (and later, Interstellar Alliance) military installation, and as such those sections are under the direct control of the military commandant of Babylon 5, who is usually an EarthForce officer of command rank. During the Earth Alliance era, Earth security forces also served as police; upon Babylon 5's declaration of independence in season three, these became Babylon 5 security forces and ceased to wear EarthForce uniforms. Later, their duties were taken over by Interstellar Alliance forces. That said, much of the affairs of the station were governed by the Babylon 5 Council as well as other institutions.
The known commanders of the station during the series run are:
- 2257-2258:
- Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, commanding officer
- Lieutenant Commander Laurel Takashima, first officer (2257)
- Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova, first officer (2258)
- 2259-2261:
- Captain John Sheridan, commanding officer
- Commander Susan Ivanova, first officer
- 2262-unknown:
- Captain Elizabeth Lochley, commanding officer
- It is unknown who Lochley's XO (executive officer) actually was, although Lieutenant David Corwin appeared to fill this role in Season 5, set in 2262
- 2272:
- Colonel Elizabeth Lochley, commanding officer
- 2281:
- Commander William Nils, commanding officer ("Sleeping in Light")
The Babylon 5 Council was set up along with the station, and consists of the station commander (who is ex officio Chairman of the Council and representative of the Earth Alliance) and the ambassadors of the four other Great Powers:
- Centauri Republic
- Narn Regime
- Minbari Federation
- Vorlon Empire
The Vorlon seat was removed upon their departure from the galaxy. When Babylon 5 declared independence, the station commandant continued to sit on the Council, representing humanity in general rather than the Earth Alliance in particular. The Babylon 5 Assembly includes the whole Council and adds a single collective vote to the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. The Council and Assembly concern themselves both with matters of station operation and of interstellar diplomacy.
Upon the dissolution of the League and the establishment of the Interstellar Alliance, the Council's structure changed somewhat, but not significantly.
This setup appears inspired by the United Nations and its Security Council.
Read more about this topic: Babylon 5 (space Station)
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