The Enclave takes pride in being the last bastion of pure, unmutated humanity, aside from the unopened Vaults, and being the most technologically advanced faction in the wasteland. Because of the effects of radiation and the Forced Evolutionary Virus on the people of the Wasteland, members of the Enclave generally do not consider them to be human any more, even if they look no less human than they do. They, as well as other mutated creatures, like super mutants and ghouls, are considered to be sub-humans that are at best to be used as slaves, and at worst eradicated so that "true humanity" could take their place as the "real" nation of America.
While the Enclave and its armed forces claim to be the official continuation of the pre-War United States government and the U.S. Army, the extent to which the Enclave truly represents the Government is a matter of debate.

The government is headed by a President, and, according to the speeches made on Enclave Radio, there is some form of Congress. The Enclave's scientists continue to do research on armor (e.g. the advanced power armor) and weapons after the War and thus are better equipped than the Brotherhood of Steel, who only have U.S. Military standard issue left over from when the Great War broke out. The Enclave also has access to one of the last supplies of fossil fuel in the world and the advanced Vertibird aircraft.