The Galaxy is far too vast for a single organization or entity to fully govern. Instead, civilizations fall into regional alliances or empires with a controlling interest over their region of the Galaxy. Their borders are usually defined by a connected cluster of Waypoints and the star systems they serve. Some examples found are listed below.
Central Alliance. Millenia ago, a group of civilizations near the center of the galaxy formed an alliance primarily to facilitate trade. The oldest and largest galactic government intact, its borders encompass nearly one hundred Waypoints and include over a thousand homeworlds and moons. However, things are not as they seem. The many races that make up the body of the Central Alliance agree to observe its laws under implicit threat from the more powerful members. Though the Alliance claims peace from the outset, its political structure is prone to internal strife, corruption, propaganda, and non-action. Homeworlds rarely work cohesively, instead squabbling amongst themselves in small, complex struggles. Force, threats, and bribery are common in the edges of the Alliance, especially on worlds months away from its primary Waypoint.
Dr'tellian Empire. A cluster of fifty Waypoints that border the Central Alliance fall under Dr'tellian control. Spearheaded by a mighty race of arcane tyrants, their small empire sees surprising peace under brutal but fair leadership. The bulk of their conflict stems from resource struggles of maintaining a large empire and clashes with the Central Alliance.
Zuran Union. This neighboring cluster of twenty Waypoints forms a loose union of civilizations struggling to get off their planet. They have no defining charter or political agenda aside from trade with the Central Alliance. In return for work and resources, the Alliance provides assistance in creating new Waypoints and starships.