Commonalitarianism
05-03-2006, 16:03
Note: Please let me know how it reads and point out any critical mistakes or problems. I have always wanted to write a bit of science fiction. The setting is near future tech, very hard science fiction. Things must be technically possible in the near future. This is not space age technology, but sea age technology, which I think will happen before the space age. Not too many people write about this. I have not included background statistics. These are available through the nationstates calculator.
History
The Commonalitarianism started as a group of free floating barges in the Paxarific Ocean in the 1930s.
It was a mix of refugees, free thinkers, and industrialists seeking refuge on the high seas. There was a wide mix of nationalities Ming, Cruonian, Americonie, Britonian, Ohyayian, and Paxarian. Many had come to escape the incessant warfare on the mainland. Their countries had collapsed from war, or they had escaped from corporate police states. Still others came from failed political or social experiments. It was the "wild west" of the seas. There was little order at first. Rogue industrialists took advantage of the chaos and lack of taxes to bring in automotive barges. The refugees formed a pool of cheap labor.
Then an event happened, a young boy, Milton Toast, was caught in the crossfire of rival gangs on the barges. This event led to the formation of the first civic self protection organizations. There were no police. The citizens began to form groups to take back the barges. These were not political groups at first. First these associations approached local business people, they received some help from the Cruon familiy, but little help from other families. It had gotten so bad that children as young as six were being recruited for rum running, bootlegging and murder ( This is the 1930s). The civic associations became desperate and approached the two large criminal syndicates Ming and Bonanni to help them "take back the streets". Both Ming and Bonanni retain some of their heavy handed criminal syndicate tactics to this day.
Unexpectedly tired of the chaos, the crime syndicates agreed to help. Thus the barge wars started. A bloody period of three years where the civic associations and crime syndicates fought the barge gangs and smaller syndicates for control of the streets and businesses. The civic associations won. A few months after the wars, the civic associations decided to hold a week long summit. They called the summit, the "Citizens Assembly" to make life better and invited the Cruon Family and the Ming and Bonanni Syndicates. They were going to legitimize the criminal syndicates as large businesses.
During the time of the assembly, Bob Blithe, owner of the automotive barges decided to leave. He feared he might get government and taxation if he stayed. However, he made the mistake of not leaving quietly in the middle of the night. He told all the people who worked on the automotive barges they had to go home. Two thirds of the population worked there. They learned quickly that he planned to not come back.
The workers on the barges rioted overpowering the security guards, they took most of the barges, tossing many of the middle and senior management into the ocean. One of the barges went down in flames. Bob Blithe became enraged. He hired mercenaries to get the automotive barges back, telling them it would be easy to do. They arrived in several days. When the mercenaries tried to take the automotive barges, the civic protective associations and syndicates recently armed from the "barge wars" joined in driving off the mercenaries. Bob Blithe hired two more rounds of mercenaries to take back the barges. During this time, the "Citizens Assembly" (a combination of the criminal syndicates and civic protection associations) and automotive workers went around in press gangs and forced everyone between 16 to 30 to join in defending the barges. This became a permanent practice. Everyone is conscripted between the ages of 18 and 21. One of the barges was also converted into a light arms manufacturing plant.
In a fit of pride, the now formed “Citizens Assembly”, tried to nationalize the barges. However, the remaining technical union members and management were the only ones capable of running the factories. The citizens realized this and came up with a compromise, it would be partially government owned and partially union and management run. The government would own stock in the company and so would the union, management and workers. The first PPC-- Public Private Consortium, Dynamic Motors was born.
During one of the attacks a rocket hit a small fishing cooperative, a young man name Demian (an alternate version of R. Buckminster Fuller) convinced the fishery to build a metal dome of his design to protect the fishery. This became a popular design and it started to spread around the city. The Citizens Assembly awarded Demian an architectural scholarship for his achievement. He became obsessed with building a giant domed city while in architectural school. Demian was kicked out of school at the end of his final year because of this. He had proved himself to be an exceptional speaker and would occasionally take over classes with his oratory.
There was a short period of peace where the barges formed into a kind of direct democracy, an open forum-- (which people started calling the Commons) where the Citizens Assembly debated issues, Civic Protective Associations watched the streets, and the three large crime syndicates were legitimized as registered business enterprises; Cruon Commercial House, Bonanni Commercial House, and Ming Commercial House, a civil defense force was created, and there was freedom to practice what you wanted.
Shortly after Demian returned a turning point in Commonalitarianism history occurred. The religious theocracy which the city was anchored off of changed. A new leader named Harbringer Rose came to power who denounced the Commonalitarianism as a "Cesspit of vice, a place of little virtue which should be burned to the ground." He threatened to bomb it out of existence. But, luckily the Commonalitarianism provided a large portion of the automobiles to the Theocracy of Fudd. The “Citizens Assembly” managed to convince Fudd that they would move out of their waters. The only place to go was into the high seas. The country on the right side of Fudd was the Military Slave State of Begone, and the country on the left was the Hippy Commune State of Oh Yah and neither one wanted them in their waters.
It was at this point that Demian intervened. In a fit of wild enthusiasm and demagoguery, he showed the Citizens Assembly his plans which he had been working on the last five years for changing barges into a giant domed city. It was a way they could survive out on the deep seas. After looking over the designs which turned out to be technically feasible (this is after all is an alternate version of R. Buckminster Fuller), they began building the city. Many of the assets, except for the automobile barges were sold off and they built a huge dome, sea wall, floating interlinked submersible air pods and other architectural supports to make the barges into a city, as well as the first fish farms and hydroponic gardens so they would have food on the open ocean. It was a monumental project, but Harbringer Rose, amazed by their industry let them finish it and leave.
The Long Peace-- 1950-1970
Because of their small size and travel into the deep ocean they were mostly ignored. This was a period in history called the “long peace”.
1950s
The first initiative of the Commonalitarianism was to survive. Aquaculture was developed extensively including fish farms, kelp farms, pearl and coral culturing, and other marine industries. Also sea technology to survive out on the ocean became necessary, sea water purification systems, navigational technologies, and many other oceanic technologies were developed. Oil was a major problem. It simply was too costly to buy in massive quantities by the Commonalitarianism. In 1951, tidal generators and ocean wind farms were first built in the Commonalitarianism, in 1953 kelp ethanol was discovered by a Doctor Max Klinger. By 1955 major initiatives were in place to develop under sea mining, construction and submarine technologies. There was some trade for raw materials for automobiles produced on the barges. Also it served as a haven for offshore banking, high seas piracy, and other activities.
1960s
In the 1960s the Hippy Commune Ecotopian Country of Oh Yay was invaded by the Military Slave State of Begone. Many fled to the Commonalitarianism taking their assets with them. This led to the first state military conflict in the Commonalitarianism. The Begonians sent a small task force to attack the city. The only defenses the Commonalitarianism could muster were some tourist minisubs which they packed with high explosives, a few transport ferries with armored steel plates, and lots of pirate speedboats; pirates used the Commonalitarianism as a haven at the time. Begone expecting little resistance, had their task force overrun by over a hundred heavily armed pirate speedboats with over seven hundred men at night which boarded and took many of the ships. The other ships were blown up by several tourist minisubs packed with explosives. This established the Commonalitarianism navy. Begone became embroiled in a war with the Theocracy of Fudd and had to withdraw from attacking the Commonalitarianism again. This war was to last 12 years and end in a stalemate with millions dead.
The Ohyayians established a system of communal restaurants, cafes, and markets throughout the Commonalitarianism as well as increased the industry of "pharmaceuticals" which are not illegal in the Commonalitarianism. Abouth this time the Sanctuary Movement was established to bring intellectuals and scientists from "repressive" regimes into the country. They stole scientists and intellectuals from Fudd and Begone. This is a private secretive effort not controlled by the government. It is not an armed secret government organization. A national shared television network for Civil Assembly auditoriums was built. The second sea going city of Commonalitarianism was built, Beauty which functioned as its own city state. The Ohyayians brought advanced ecological techniques as well; bioshelter ecological sewage treatment plants, advanced recycling technology, multistory integrated organic farms, mini intensive rice plots, and biospheric technologies.
1970s
Major breakthroughs in undersea mining and deep sea submersibles. Polymetallic sea nodule mining proves to be successful vastly increasing the metallic resources of the Commonalitarianism. This leads to a major industrial boom in sea construction. High pressure super dense hulls and underwater life support systems developed for submarines. First undersea geothermal energy plant developed near volcanic vents. Advanced recycling grinders and metal shredder reprocessors developed.
1980s
Mass production of civilian cargo and transport submarines begins. Breakthroughs in electromagnetic research occur leading to new materials and technology. Development of first alternative fuel and hybrid automobile technology for foreign export. The Ohyayians and Americonies start the Ecotechnic movement a group focused on joining science with practical ecology. First kelp biorefinery built diversifying kelp production into kelp ethanol, kelp biopolymers, and other industrial materials.
1990s
1990-- Undersea jet technology developed making it possible to have fast sea transportation and bringing Commonalitarianism closer together. An undersea ramjet is developed making very fast transportation between the different cities of the Commonalitarianism possible . 1995-- Wireless Internet Technology allows the Commonalitarianism to build an electronic commons to connect all allied city states together in a huge Virtual Private Network built for the common use of all citizens. This effectively interconnects the political process in all the floating cities in the Commonalitarianism. Further all political information is loaded onto the Virtual Private Network, effectively creating a second layer of government for citizens. In 1998 Trench Town in the Marianis trench is built, the first undersea town in Commonalitarianism. It is growing very fast . Rumors exist of large undersea military base.
2000
The Commonalitarianism begans a major trade initiative to open trade, scientific, and cultural exchange. They remain military isolationist with a strong bent towards trade. They establish sea routes for trade and begin to expand their global presence. They are involved in open trade as well as illegal trade with many countries. Clear panel solar technology developed.
The Modern Era:
Territory: The Commonalitarianism claims travel and ownership rights to all of the Paxarific Ocean covering 15.57 million square kilometers. It claims all the Paxarific ocean to the edge of 300 nautical miles from land. It also claims many small uninhabited islands, volcanos, and coral reefs in the Paxarific ocean. We also claim mining rights to the ocean floor for polymetallic nodules and methane hydrates.
Environmental Problems: Overfishing, Ocean Dumping, OTEC energy generators, and Marine Habitat Preservation.
Environmental Hazards: Typhoons, Earthquakes, Tidal Waves, Storms, Volcanic Eruptions
Resources: Polymetallic Nodules-- Cobalt, iron, copper, manganese. Aquaculture-- Fish, Shrimp, Kelp, Kelp Ethanol, Cultured Pearls, Cultured Coral, Gravel, Sand, Pet Fish. Some small jungle islands have uranium deposits which is being enriched. Recycled steel and titanium from sunken ships. Wind farm, solar farm, water tidal generators are exported. Magnesium extracted from seawater. We currently have access to undersea oil and gas deposits but have not developed them.
Education: Mandatory education to high school. Three year military conscription service includes equivalent training to 2 year Associate of Arts Degree or a 2 year technical degree. (All citizens) There is a military academy at Liberty Arcology. There is also the Marianis Engineering College and Technical School in Trenchtown in the Marianis Trench. School of Media studies opened in Beauty Arcology covers politics, media, communications, political spin, and broadcasting over internet, radio, and television.
Technology: The Commonalitarianism has a small space station now. It is starting to conduct scientific research in space. The Commonalitarianism has begun a marine life repopulation program for endangered species using biotechnology. It has started by cloning the Galapagos Turtle. It has also begun reintroducing some recently extinct marine species. Cloning vats were acquired from Raven Corps. They are being used to make advanced bacterial and cellular structures—bioplastics, toxic waste cleaners, biodiesel algae. The Commonalitarianism is a world leader in producing clean alternative energy. Three deep sea laboratories the first of their kind have been built to study the deep ocean.
Military: The Commonalitarianism is somewhat isolationist. They are zealous of their borders which are basically undefinable according to current international law. They have problems with piracy. Sometimes unknowingly nuclear submarines approach their cities too closely because they are operating in "international" waters. Sometimes they will attack countries which use nuclear weapons near them. They have launched a massive tracking network of satellites, balloons, and underwater drones to track this problem. They have nuclear weapons to counter the problem of the wandering submarines in their territory. They have mostly kept silent on this problem. It may lead to a deadly international incident. The nuclear submarine problem has led them to recently build a fleet of state of the art submarine carriers. Their military is mostly a Civil Navy. Until recently there was no central command, each allied city state armed itself. They have been purchasing large amounts of aircraft. They are also buying amphibious armor. They have lots of armored trucks which Dynamic Motors, PPC produces for export.
Conscription Structure: The Commonalitarianism uses both military and non-military conscription. The conscription structure consists of three years. Conscription is between 18 and 21 which represents 12% of the population. There is also a 2 week training period every year which citizens under 50 go through to refresh their military abilities. The first year is intensive military training in the armed forces. Then the conscriptee has a choice, either stay in the military or join one of the semi-military brigades which are often not paid for by the military. The first year is also remedial. Everyone is forced to learn up through high school equivalency.
The military Structure is:
Citizen Militia-- Infantry
Citizen Surface-- Navy--
Citizen Submarine
Citizen Air Corps-- Air Force
Citizen Mechanized Corps-- Tanks
Citizen Chemistry Corps-- Psychopharmological Warfare and Chemical Warfare.
Department of Economic Warfare-- Covers espionage, psychological, political,
and economic warfare.
The brigades are:
Construction Brigade: Responsible for military engineering and civil maintenance of cities and public structures. This includes keeping up the domes and fortifications of the floating cities. 1 year intensive training and 1 year apprenticeship.
Civil Police Corps: 1 year intensive police academy training, then 1 year apprenticeship. There is also a paramilitary arm of the police which covers piracy-- road and ship, port security, and anti-terrorism. These police are very heavily armed, and some say more patriotic and dangerous than the regular troops.
Hospital Brigade: 1 year intensive hospital training, then 1 year apprenticeship in hospitals. Equivalent to LPN.
Relief Corps: 1 year training, plus 1 year apprenticeship in disaster help and planning. Combines several different services. Fire, Flood, Tidalwave, Volcanos.
Civil Defense: 1 year training, 1 year apprenticeship, civil defense functions. Lightly armed. Preparing for chemical, biological, and nuclear defenes. Handles city defense drills, gas masks, nuclear attack, etc.
The Weapons Available To the Commonalitarianism
Airforce:
The Commonalitarianism has bought and rebuilt Yak 38s into a new kind of fighter,
The Yak Lightning. They also have large numbers of siege choppers purchased from Raven Corps as well as a smattering of attack helicopters. In addition, they have high altitude air defense balloons capable of shooting down aircraft and satellites—these balloons build a radar network.
Space Force: The Commonalitarianism currently has 12 assorted satellites in orbit for tracking imaging, radar, and other purposes. They also have 10 inexpensive high altitude balloons for tracking. The satellites are launched from a railgun platform near Liberty Arcology.
Infantry: The standard infantry weapon carries a modified gas fired automatic rifle that has an electromagnetic acceleration barrel to increase the speed of the projectile. They often wear gas masks and a kind of mesh weave spidersilk body armor with ceramic and carbon nanotube inserts. The standard platoon is a 10 person unit with a communications officer, commander and two heavy weapons officers which can carry a variety of lethal weapons, SMAW, stinger, or rapid fire 6 shot grenade launcher. They are trained intensely in mobile fast attack methods. Many have learned boarding attack methods for entering ships quickly. They have a variety of boarding methods they can use, shoulder launched grapple, foldable scaling ladders, magnetic pads for hands and feet to climb hulls.
Navy: The navy has a large number of submersibles. Many of which are 120 ton stealthed transport submersibles to carry men, armor, and equipment anywhere in the world. They use non-nuclear biodiesel air independent propulsion submarines to reduce costs. They currently have 10 submarines capable of launching cruise missiles. There are also rumors of two submarine carrier mother ships which have 2 man fighter attack craft, underwater attack drones, and other advanced systems. There has been a recent push to build a lot of cheap underwater attack drone minisubs. The standard ship of the line is a rebuilt civilian 120 meter armored catamaran which has modular designs, transport, stealth attack boat, missile boat, drone torpedo and mine layer. They do not have a massive ship navy.
Armor: The Commonalitarianism has rebuilt the Type 99 Amphibious tank for its own purposes into an ultramodern amphibious light tank. They also have rebuilt the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle . In addition, they have an amphibious large armored military truck with light weapons.
Office of Economic Warfare: The army has specialists at its disposal who can design blockades , do light cyber warfare, and perform economic and military espionage.
Special Division: Black budget. There are at least two psychopharmological warfare laboratories in the Commonalitarianism which can produce both chemical weapons and pharmacological weapons. Agents are trained in their use. There is also a hidden facility making industrial destruction bacteria. The Commonalitarianism has access to nukes. They have recovered at least two nuclear warheads from the ocean. There are rumors of a giant flying triangle craft as well as an undersea base for submarines.
Cities: The cities have armored domes and have above water railgun and missile batteries with defensive weaponry. Underwater, they have supercavitation cannons, depth charge racks, and jet torpedo racks. They have high frequency microwave antihoming towers in the cities to protect against missiles and torpedos. They are working on an electric discharge defense system to destroy missiles.
Each city has a Grange broken into several buildings to avoid being easily destroyed-- a kind of mutual military association and training grounds. There are also small arms depots built into the police buildings in case of invasion.
Tracking Network:There is a tracking network that is both civilian and military, it combines submersible monitoring drones, high altitude balloons, and satellites to create a network to cover large areas around the Commonalitarianism cities. Ostensibly the tracking network is to monitor the weather, sea life, and fisheries.
Police: There is a military wing of the police department. It is called the Anti-Piracy Brigades. They deal with port security, anti-terrorism, and anti-piracy operations. Because of this they are very patriotic and heavily armed. They have large numbers of armed patrol boats, some interceptor craft, a few helicopters, and even have an anti-road piracy division for road incidents inside the cities. The antipiracy police wear combat leathers—a leather suit with a quilted Teflon lining, and carry automatic combat shotguns for more dangerous duties Smasher AA12s
Police and crime: There are a number of problems with road piracy or carjackings late at night. This has caused the Commonalitarianism to develop high speed armored night patrol police cars and patrol boats as well as the antipiracy brigades. There is a well developed nonlethal arsenal in the Commonalitarianism to deal with protesters and pirates. Tariffs are high so there is also some smuggling. Some crime has become institutionalized. There is a decent amount of government corruption with bribery and payoffs. The government also hires hackers to attack enemy nations and is directly involved in supporting both corporate and military espionage against foreign powers. This is idolized on television and in the media. Also the drug trade is partially legal and export to foreign countries is covertly supported by the government. The government hires freebooters and privateers to take enemy nations vessels. Prisons are called “Rehabilitation Centers”, they partially pay for themselves by requiring prisoners to work for their keep doing light manufacturing. A frightenting new agency has come into being called the “Department of Mental Hygiene which people can be reported to for forced “counseling” and “rehabilitation”. They current have problems with terrorists—specifically the “Red Sons of Tilea” moving to the Commonalitarianism.
Culture: The Commonalitarianism has had limited contact with the outside world. They have spent a bit too much time on the high seas. Therefore many aspects of culture have varied wildly from other nations. The Commonalitarianism values its botanic gardens, flower gardens, public vegetable gardens, and public parks highly. These are designed both for beautification, and an ecosystem to maintain the Commonalitarianism without having to import food and water. These are very carefully cultivated and tended. Much of the material has to be imported. There are bicycle paths and small artificial lagoons for boating. In addition two of the Commonalitarianism cities have artificial hunting for ducks and deer. Fishing is very popular in the parks as well on the boating lagoons. Also there is a system of cafes and small restaurants which serve a wide variety of aquaculture and green house products. It is possible to buy mild "over the counter pharmaceuticals" in the cafes. Music has taken a kind of strange turn. There is tremendous variety of electronic music with sounds that are not normally found on the mainland. Coffee is a very popular imported drink. There are a huge number of small registered family cooperatives which is one of the not so visible mainstays of the Commonalitarianism. Paper is an expensive imported product so most literature is disseminated online. Poetry is extremely popular in the Commonalitarianism, so is History, Crime Literature, Mysteries and Military Literature.
Beauty Arcology has built a large aquarium and aquatic research center. Beaches have been privatized on several small islands and made it into resorts in the Pacific. There is a national beauty and health contest for men and women, Miss Natural Commonalitarianism, and Mister Natural Commonalitarianism.
Trench Town in the Mariana Trench has a Museum of Recovered Sea Objects that includes ships from many different eras.
Public Transportation: There is a system of rolling elevated covered walkways in most cities. They go about 10 MPH and are good for quick trips.
There is freedom of Religion: The Commonalitarianism has developed some changes in religion as well. The First Universal Church of Deism makes up 10% of the population, Also the New Harmonites have gained a foothold here as well 5% of the population. A dangerous sect has come up it is called The Church of Human Uplift with a charismatic prophet. She proposes uplifting man to enlightenment through genetic engineering 1% and is prepared to use violence to do it. The main religious grouping is an even split between buddhism 30%, and christianity 30%. There are a few other groups as well, islam 5%, atheist 5%, other 4%.
Politics: The Commonalitarianism is a direct democracy. It is one man one vote. Issues are voted for directly in a public forum. Issues are debated both in the electronic commons and the Citizens Assembly. They both can interact through video and audio channels. All non-classified government information is available through an electronic commons on issues. Voters have the choice of registering their votes either through the electronic commons or at the Citizens Assembly. The electronic commons is a massive Virtual Private Network which is readily available in many areas of the Commonalitariarnism. It is hardened against attack and only available to citizens. It is not connected to the internet and has a different set of protocols. Citizens in addition to voting can be called up to serve on government committees by either partition if no specialty is needed, or by technical knowledge. This is generally done through the electronic commons with some meetings in the assembly. The Sanctuary Movement has grown considerably, it has bought pirate radio, satellite television, and internet access and began beaming programs on worker capitalism, freedom, and immigration for scientists and intellectuals. The Ecotechnic Institute is opened by Green Trees environmentalist party and other environmental groups in response to building of OTEC plants-- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plants. The Ecotechnic institute is a combination of political, ecological, and scientific think tank to support ecological viewpoint.
Some Political Quotes:
"Businessmen are soldiers for commerce in suits and ties."-- Amara Cruon,
Trade Minister
"We will spread worker capitalism in every nation and in every town on earth."
Amara Cruon, Trade Minister
"A just economy leads to greater riches for all."
Amara Cruon, Trade Minister
"The Citizens Assembly has a right to kick out any person in the Commonalitarianism just like the Athenians and the Romans did."
Myles Ming Brown, Commonarch
"We will eventually be able to sweep the seas of the scourge of stealthed nuclear submarines and be able to live in peace."
Myles Ming Brown, Commonarch
"Protect your borders quietly with a hammer, reach out to get trade with an open palm and a sack of time credits."
Myles Ming Brown, Commonarch
"The best government is the government which creates citizens capable of governing themselves, standing up for themselves, and building a better tomorrow without the need of excessive government interference."-- Deena Brown, First Mother of the Citizens Assembly
National Anthem
Based on Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean
O Commonalitarianism, the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandate makes heroes assemble
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy Banner Makes Tyranny Tremble
When born by the tortoise
When born by the tortoise
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When born by the tortoise
The wine cup, the wine cup bring hither,
And fill you it true to the brim!
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor the star of their glory grow dim!
May the civil assembly united never sever,
Their honor prove true,
The militia and navy forever.
Three cheers for the tortoise
Three cheers for the tortoise
Freedom and truth forever.
Commonalitarianism, the pride of the ocean,
And so of a truth shall she be.
While true in her loyal devotion,
To all that is noble and free:
The fire that glows in her story,
Still burns in the hearts of her sons,
And her flag shall still lead her to glory,
When duty shall march with her guns.
Three cheers for the tortoise
Three cheers for the tortoise
Freedom and truth forever.
Economy: This is a worker ownership society. Most companies are organized around direct stock ownership, or cooperative ownership of companies either by families, unions, or individuals. There are three large registered family syndicates-- Cruon, Ming, and Bonanni. Cruon is focused on energy and aquaculture. Ming Commercial House is a dangerous company, it produces most of the small arms and police supplies in the Commonalitarianism, supports mercenary companies, funds freebooting and privateering, and is involved in corporate espionage. It does not yet sell outside the Commonalitarianism. Bonanni is focused on durable goods and construction. Companies are not given a huge amount of "rights" like modern corporations. Companies are viewed suspiciously as businesses not people. This is due to the experience of many of the citizens with the Corporate Slave State of Begone, especially the hippy communes of Ohyayians. There are two exceptions to this. The government is a civil service meritocracy with standardized testing. Also many essential industries are PPCs-- Private Public Consortiums a mix of government, family, union or cooperative ownership. This includes the automobile industry, pharmacies, and hospitals so far. Many companies are focused on very efficient uses of resources and lean manufacturing because of the limited supplies of land based goods like wood and fertilizer. There is also a strong environmental movement which forces companies to use green technology. The energy base of the economy is mostly renewable. There is an emphasis on trading for raw materials which the Commonalitarianism has a lack of wood, gold, cattle, crops, gems and other land based resources. The Commonalitarianism also trades for technology.
The Cities: Each city is designed to hold 4 million people very comfortably. Liberty Arcology is a conglomeration of 5 cities linked together or 20 million people.
Airways:
Kai a rising Paxarific Islander industrialist has bought out Commonways Airlines. Kai says it just wasn't doing much. At Kai Commercial House, RFS-- Registered Family Syndicate we thought we could make something decent out of ourways. We just purchased two Aeroscroft jet balloon liners for the skies. These will be able to ferry large amounts of passengers between our cities in comfort and ease. We are also starting a production company for rescue and transport helicopters as well as long range private transportation. We think this will be a tremendous boon to the economy.
Industry:
These are some of the Industrial Companies in The Commonalitarianism that sell to the outside world.
Cruon Commercial House-- RFS-- Registered Family Syndicate, Energy Production, Aquaculture
Dynamic Motors-- PPC-- Public Private Consortium, Automobiles including Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Police Vehicles, Armored Vehicles, Wide Variety of Boats, and a wide variety of motorized equipment. They also have a satellite launch business and are involved in manufacturing space equipment for the Commonalitarianism.
Kai Commercial House-- Blimp and helicopter air transportation.
International Ownership Bank of Commonalitarianism-- Loans for Worker Owned Business and Technology Companies.
International Undersea Salvage Cooperative-- Salvage of undersea materials, includes military salvage of biological, nuclear, chemical materials. Recycling of salvaged material. Recycling of imported scrap material.
Marianis Industries, RUS-- Registered Union Syndicate-- Submarine Transport, Underwater Mining, and Underwater Construction
Commonalitarianism Items For Sale:
Bonanni Commercial House, RFS-- Registered Family Syndicate
Sand-- Masonry $30 per ton, Silicon Carbide $500 per ton
Gravel-- By the ton Industrial $30 per ton, Decorative $50 per ton.
Marianis Syndicate, RUS-- Registered Union Syndicate
Transport Submarines
The transport submarines are purely for civilian purposes and run at 12 knots all electric.
$3 million for a 40 ton submarine,
$6 million for an 80 ton submarine
$9 million for a 120 ton submarine.
$300,000 for a four man four ton personal submersible.
Dynamic Motors, PPC
Electromagnetic railgun satellite launch $15 million-- for a payload of up to 1000 kilograms. Flat rate. No military equipment. Fully inspected, neutron scanned for biological agents, chemical agents, nuclear, drug aerosols, explosives, electro-magnetic pulse weaponry.
Automobiles
Plug in electric hybrid electric flexible fuel vehicles either gasoline/ethanol or biodiesel/diesel.
The cat a 4 door sedan, $20,000 time credits
The elephant a 4X4 $30,000 time credits
Amphibious Elephant $50,000 time credits 100 KPH land/ 20 KPH water
The Shark -- A convertible $30,000 time credits
The turtle a 4 door family station wagon, $25,000 time credits
The Mick Truck, A flat bed 18 wheeler truck. $80,000 time credits -- trailer is separate.
The Slammer-- an armored military truck $150,000 time credits Amphibious Slammer $180,000—Able to travel on water up to 20 KPH—15 MPH
The Long John-- A civilian bus $140,000 time credits.
We have just added a new vehicle--
The Smith-- a motorcycle for your traveling enjoyment $10,000 time credits.
Armored Car Production Starts
Ceramic Composite Lined-- harder and lighter than steel, Bulletproof hardened windows, Fire Resistant, paint resistant, light refractive black coating. Solid Puncture Resistant Tires, Key Code Lock, Full under armour. Tinted Windows. We have a full line of armored cars for executive and diplomatic protection. These are also plug in hybrid flexible fuel vehicles. The top of the line.
The Manta-- 4 Door Armored Luxury Car $180,000 time credits.
The Elephant-- 4 Door Armored Van $190,000 time credits.
Amphibious 4X4 Aluminum Hull and Wheels 20 MPH Water/ 80 MPH Land.-- $50,000
All of our cars come with a four year warranty on parts and service.
Cruon Commercial House , RFS- Registered Family Syndicate Fish farms:
Tilapia 7 million tons -- $2400 per ton wholesale.
Shrimp 1 million tons -- $5600 per ton wholesale.
Cultured Pearls -- $11.5 million per ton -- 10 tons available.
Pet Fish Store—Chain $1.5 million to open franchise. Corals, squids, fishes, sharks, etc.
Offshore Wind Farms-- $1 million per megawatt.
Tidal energy generation turbines-- $3 million per megawatt.
Solar production farms $3.5 million per megawatt.
Kelp ethanol-- comes in kelp biopolymer barrels-- $100 per barrel (50 gallon capacity) 1 million barrels currently available for export. Supply is limited.
International Ownership Bank of Commonalitarianism
We are providing loans and credit to form worked owned businesses. Some examples of this are Union Syndicates, ESOCs-- Employee Stock Ownership Companies, Family Syndicates, Cooperatives, and any directly family owned business.
We are also interested in providing funding so unions can buy their companies, providing funding to help employees buy closing plants, providing funds for employees to buy government companies that are being privatized. This is all subject to financial qualifications.
Credit, Financial History, Worker Background, Time Reliability, and Financial Assets will be checked.
We do not provide grants.
We are partnered with the following international organizations and companies Mondragon Cooperative Corporation, Science Applications International, Syndicate Bank, and the International Employee Ownership Initiative.
Our bank also has a venture capital arm for new technology ventures interested in forming worker owned or family syndicate companies.
We are currently providing funding in:
Alternative Energy--
Specifically Hydrogen Energy,
Improving Oceanic Tidal Generators
Solar Technology
High Durability Wind Barges
Sea Technology
Submarine Technology
Fisheries
Deep Sea Mining
Construction Robotics
Automotive
Alternative Fuel Vehicles-- Trucks, Big Rigs, Passenger Vehicles
Armored Vehicles
Special Issues:
Ceramic Composites
Electromagnetic Technology
For inquiries Contact:
First International Ownership Bank of the Commonalitarianism
50 Happy Lane Barge, Commercial District
Liberty Arcology, Commonalitarianism
Direct Democratic Commonality
Marianis College will help you prepare for an excellent well paying job. The Commonalitarianism economy is booming. There is a need for underwater welders, oceanic engineers, arcology planners, submarine transport experts, and many other jobs.
Marianis College offers five year degrees in:
Oceanic Engineering
Arcology Engineering
Maritime Management
Industrial Managment
Cooperative Planning
Fishery Management
Automotive Design
Automotive Engineering
Water Recreation
Oceanic Energy Management
Technical Degrees In:
Underwater Welding
Ship Construction
Submarine Transport
Automotive Assembly
Construction Robotics
Arcology Construction
Deep Sea Construction
Marianis College offers special credits for officers of the civil navy.
We take international students.
Marianis Engineering College And Technical School
Admissions Department
College Town
Marianis Trench, Commonalitarianism
Direct Democratic Commonality
Beauty Arcology School of New Media Studies and Politics . The School of New Media Studies and Politics offers classes in politics, communications, broadcasting, and new media. We will teach you all the different aspects of modern communication. We need broadcasters and specialists in political analysis.
Degrees
Politics
International Political Analysis
Politics of Freedom
Media
Broadcast Engineering
Broadcasting
Streaming Radio and Television Broadcasting over the Internet
Radio Engineering
Communications
Speech Communication
Media Analysis
Admissions
Beauty Archology School of New Media and Communications
125 Beauty Walkway
New Town, Beauty Arcology
Direct Democratic Commonality
We have decided to enter into manufacturing competition with the nation of Tiborita and are building a
a new class of Freedom Ship.
Freedom Ship Mark 2.
Freedom Ships twenty-five decks house residential space, a library, schools, and a first-class hospital in addition to retail and wholesale shops, banks, hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities, gymnasium, martial arts center, international art gallery, casinos, offices, warehouses, and light manufacturing and assembly enterprises. A seawater purification plant is built into this facility. There is also a recycling center, and waste reprocessing center allowing for close to complete reclamation of waste. The waste is processed into fertilizer to maintain the parks and gardens. It is also used in the small botanical garden inside the ship. The recycling center processes used metal for the light assembly plants. The police center bunker inside the ship provides for protection of its citizens and preparation drills against piracy. There is also a small recruiting station for the military with a mutual association for the different services available. A ferryboat transportation system provides departures every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, to 3 or more local cities giving ship residents access to the local neighborhood and up to 30,000 land-based residents a chance to spend a day on the ship. The windows on the ship are made of a clear solar cell material able to resist typhoon force or greater winds providing power to the ship making it require little outside power sources. The windows can resist most all small arms fire. Also a submarine dock is available for up to four tourist or transportation submarines.
A virtual private network is built throughout the ship. This virtual private computer network provides cheap VOIP telephone service, international satellite cable television access, and has optional secure access to the internet through a separate channel.
Parks and promenades boast waterfalls, ponds, and extensive landscaping. Ours includes a small botanical garden. Most levels feature large saltwater aquariums. Included is a small marine science center for oceanic research. In addition, there is an aquaculture center for growing fish, and sea vegetables. There are small hydroponic gardens to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. There is also a pleasure district for gambling and relaxing activities. The shopping mall, one of the world's largest, is also one of its most beautiful. Portions are dedicated to individual countries, featuring culturally characteristic architectures. There is also a weekend flea market and an open space for small business kiosks. The 100-foot-wide main deck leads to a marina at the stern. There are over 200 acres of open area for recreation and relaxation. Included is a small artificial lake stocked from our aquariums for fishing. Also there is a small firing range to practice target shooting. Small electric transport with recharger stations are available throughout the ship. There are also bicycle paths in the recreational areas for recreational riding.
The vessel's flat bottom hull construction, along with its extraordinary size, results in unmatched and unprecedented stability providing a smooth ride in the roughest seas. The safety of the vessel is enhanced by the use of 600 individual air/water tight hull sections. These hull sections are coated with a light hard ceramic armored coating to prevent damage from other ships bumping into the ship. Extensive use of 4 hour rated firebreaks between decks areas within the decks enhance fire safety. The ship is virtually fireproof. The electro-static ventilation system supplies uncontaminated, filtered and purified air. It has automatic detectors for chemical and biological agents and will automatically locate the presence of such agents in any part of the ship. There is an entry processing center for incoming travellers. This includes a series of checkpoints for bombs, biological agents, and other material which you wish to be checked for.
The ship's design accepts up to 40,000 full time residents, 30,000 daily visitors, 10,000 nightly hotel guests, and 20,000 full time crew. This population of 100,000 people provides a wealth of talent and diversity for the private businesses aboard the ship and to those they visit daily on their adventures ashore.
Freedom Ship has a flight deck can accept are turboprop aircraft in the 38 to 40-passenger range. While fixed wing aircraft are economically and strategically more practical we can eliminate the landing strips and replace them with helicopter pads and a large recreation facility for the residents if you wish. A retractable dome is available to seal the landing pad against hurricanes and typhoons.
length: 4,500 feet, width: 750 feet, height: 350 feet
price: $12,000,000,000
We also have a cooperative buy in plan where permanent residents can buy shares for $300,000 a piece, a maximum of 3 shares can be purchased at any given time. There is a maintenance fee of $400 per month per share to keep the residential areas in the ship in order. If we collect 40,000 shares in your market we will build a new ship for you. This is especially good for overcrowded countries.
History
The Commonalitarianism started as a group of free floating barges in the Paxarific Ocean in the 1930s.
It was a mix of refugees, free thinkers, and industrialists seeking refuge on the high seas. There was a wide mix of nationalities Ming, Cruonian, Americonie, Britonian, Ohyayian, and Paxarian. Many had come to escape the incessant warfare on the mainland. Their countries had collapsed from war, or they had escaped from corporate police states. Still others came from failed political or social experiments. It was the "wild west" of the seas. There was little order at first. Rogue industrialists took advantage of the chaos and lack of taxes to bring in automotive barges. The refugees formed a pool of cheap labor.
Then an event happened, a young boy, Milton Toast, was caught in the crossfire of rival gangs on the barges. This event led to the formation of the first civic self protection organizations. There were no police. The citizens began to form groups to take back the barges. These were not political groups at first. First these associations approached local business people, they received some help from the Cruon familiy, but little help from other families. It had gotten so bad that children as young as six were being recruited for rum running, bootlegging and murder ( This is the 1930s). The civic associations became desperate and approached the two large criminal syndicates Ming and Bonanni to help them "take back the streets". Both Ming and Bonanni retain some of their heavy handed criminal syndicate tactics to this day.
Unexpectedly tired of the chaos, the crime syndicates agreed to help. Thus the barge wars started. A bloody period of three years where the civic associations and crime syndicates fought the barge gangs and smaller syndicates for control of the streets and businesses. The civic associations won. A few months after the wars, the civic associations decided to hold a week long summit. They called the summit, the "Citizens Assembly" to make life better and invited the Cruon Family and the Ming and Bonanni Syndicates. They were going to legitimize the criminal syndicates as large businesses.
During the time of the assembly, Bob Blithe, owner of the automotive barges decided to leave. He feared he might get government and taxation if he stayed. However, he made the mistake of not leaving quietly in the middle of the night. He told all the people who worked on the automotive barges they had to go home. Two thirds of the population worked there. They learned quickly that he planned to not come back.
The workers on the barges rioted overpowering the security guards, they took most of the barges, tossing many of the middle and senior management into the ocean. One of the barges went down in flames. Bob Blithe became enraged. He hired mercenaries to get the automotive barges back, telling them it would be easy to do. They arrived in several days. When the mercenaries tried to take the automotive barges, the civic protective associations and syndicates recently armed from the "barge wars" joined in driving off the mercenaries. Bob Blithe hired two more rounds of mercenaries to take back the barges. During this time, the "Citizens Assembly" (a combination of the criminal syndicates and civic protection associations) and automotive workers went around in press gangs and forced everyone between 16 to 30 to join in defending the barges. This became a permanent practice. Everyone is conscripted between the ages of 18 and 21. One of the barges was also converted into a light arms manufacturing plant.
In a fit of pride, the now formed “Citizens Assembly”, tried to nationalize the barges. However, the remaining technical union members and management were the only ones capable of running the factories. The citizens realized this and came up with a compromise, it would be partially government owned and partially union and management run. The government would own stock in the company and so would the union, management and workers. The first PPC-- Public Private Consortium, Dynamic Motors was born.
During one of the attacks a rocket hit a small fishing cooperative, a young man name Demian (an alternate version of R. Buckminster Fuller) convinced the fishery to build a metal dome of his design to protect the fishery. This became a popular design and it started to spread around the city. The Citizens Assembly awarded Demian an architectural scholarship for his achievement. He became obsessed with building a giant domed city while in architectural school. Demian was kicked out of school at the end of his final year because of this. He had proved himself to be an exceptional speaker and would occasionally take over classes with his oratory.
There was a short period of peace where the barges formed into a kind of direct democracy, an open forum-- (which people started calling the Commons) where the Citizens Assembly debated issues, Civic Protective Associations watched the streets, and the three large crime syndicates were legitimized as registered business enterprises; Cruon Commercial House, Bonanni Commercial House, and Ming Commercial House, a civil defense force was created, and there was freedom to practice what you wanted.
Shortly after Demian returned a turning point in Commonalitarianism history occurred. The religious theocracy which the city was anchored off of changed. A new leader named Harbringer Rose came to power who denounced the Commonalitarianism as a "Cesspit of vice, a place of little virtue which should be burned to the ground." He threatened to bomb it out of existence. But, luckily the Commonalitarianism provided a large portion of the automobiles to the Theocracy of Fudd. The “Citizens Assembly” managed to convince Fudd that they would move out of their waters. The only place to go was into the high seas. The country on the right side of Fudd was the Military Slave State of Begone, and the country on the left was the Hippy Commune State of Oh Yah and neither one wanted them in their waters.
It was at this point that Demian intervened. In a fit of wild enthusiasm and demagoguery, he showed the Citizens Assembly his plans which he had been working on the last five years for changing barges into a giant domed city. It was a way they could survive out on the deep seas. After looking over the designs which turned out to be technically feasible (this is after all is an alternate version of R. Buckminster Fuller), they began building the city. Many of the assets, except for the automobile barges were sold off and they built a huge dome, sea wall, floating interlinked submersible air pods and other architectural supports to make the barges into a city, as well as the first fish farms and hydroponic gardens so they would have food on the open ocean. It was a monumental project, but Harbringer Rose, amazed by their industry let them finish it and leave.
The Long Peace-- 1950-1970
Because of their small size and travel into the deep ocean they were mostly ignored. This was a period in history called the “long peace”.
1950s
The first initiative of the Commonalitarianism was to survive. Aquaculture was developed extensively including fish farms, kelp farms, pearl and coral culturing, and other marine industries. Also sea technology to survive out on the ocean became necessary, sea water purification systems, navigational technologies, and many other oceanic technologies were developed. Oil was a major problem. It simply was too costly to buy in massive quantities by the Commonalitarianism. In 1951, tidal generators and ocean wind farms were first built in the Commonalitarianism, in 1953 kelp ethanol was discovered by a Doctor Max Klinger. By 1955 major initiatives were in place to develop under sea mining, construction and submarine technologies. There was some trade for raw materials for automobiles produced on the barges. Also it served as a haven for offshore banking, high seas piracy, and other activities.
1960s
In the 1960s the Hippy Commune Ecotopian Country of Oh Yay was invaded by the Military Slave State of Begone. Many fled to the Commonalitarianism taking their assets with them. This led to the first state military conflict in the Commonalitarianism. The Begonians sent a small task force to attack the city. The only defenses the Commonalitarianism could muster were some tourist minisubs which they packed with high explosives, a few transport ferries with armored steel plates, and lots of pirate speedboats; pirates used the Commonalitarianism as a haven at the time. Begone expecting little resistance, had their task force overrun by over a hundred heavily armed pirate speedboats with over seven hundred men at night which boarded and took many of the ships. The other ships were blown up by several tourist minisubs packed with explosives. This established the Commonalitarianism navy. Begone became embroiled in a war with the Theocracy of Fudd and had to withdraw from attacking the Commonalitarianism again. This war was to last 12 years and end in a stalemate with millions dead.
The Ohyayians established a system of communal restaurants, cafes, and markets throughout the Commonalitarianism as well as increased the industry of "pharmaceuticals" which are not illegal in the Commonalitarianism. Abouth this time the Sanctuary Movement was established to bring intellectuals and scientists from "repressive" regimes into the country. They stole scientists and intellectuals from Fudd and Begone. This is a private secretive effort not controlled by the government. It is not an armed secret government organization. A national shared television network for Civil Assembly auditoriums was built. The second sea going city of Commonalitarianism was built, Beauty which functioned as its own city state. The Ohyayians brought advanced ecological techniques as well; bioshelter ecological sewage treatment plants, advanced recycling technology, multistory integrated organic farms, mini intensive rice plots, and biospheric technologies.
1970s
Major breakthroughs in undersea mining and deep sea submersibles. Polymetallic sea nodule mining proves to be successful vastly increasing the metallic resources of the Commonalitarianism. This leads to a major industrial boom in sea construction. High pressure super dense hulls and underwater life support systems developed for submarines. First undersea geothermal energy plant developed near volcanic vents. Advanced recycling grinders and metal shredder reprocessors developed.
1980s
Mass production of civilian cargo and transport submarines begins. Breakthroughs in electromagnetic research occur leading to new materials and technology. Development of first alternative fuel and hybrid automobile technology for foreign export. The Ohyayians and Americonies start the Ecotechnic movement a group focused on joining science with practical ecology. First kelp biorefinery built diversifying kelp production into kelp ethanol, kelp biopolymers, and other industrial materials.
1990s
1990-- Undersea jet technology developed making it possible to have fast sea transportation and bringing Commonalitarianism closer together. An undersea ramjet is developed making very fast transportation between the different cities of the Commonalitarianism possible . 1995-- Wireless Internet Technology allows the Commonalitarianism to build an electronic commons to connect all allied city states together in a huge Virtual Private Network built for the common use of all citizens. This effectively interconnects the political process in all the floating cities in the Commonalitarianism. Further all political information is loaded onto the Virtual Private Network, effectively creating a second layer of government for citizens. In 1998 Trench Town in the Marianis trench is built, the first undersea town in Commonalitarianism. It is growing very fast . Rumors exist of large undersea military base.
2000
The Commonalitarianism begans a major trade initiative to open trade, scientific, and cultural exchange. They remain military isolationist with a strong bent towards trade. They establish sea routes for trade and begin to expand their global presence. They are involved in open trade as well as illegal trade with many countries. Clear panel solar technology developed.
The Modern Era:
Territory: The Commonalitarianism claims travel and ownership rights to all of the Paxarific Ocean covering 15.57 million square kilometers. It claims all the Paxarific ocean to the edge of 300 nautical miles from land. It also claims many small uninhabited islands, volcanos, and coral reefs in the Paxarific ocean. We also claim mining rights to the ocean floor for polymetallic nodules and methane hydrates.
Environmental Problems: Overfishing, Ocean Dumping, OTEC energy generators, and Marine Habitat Preservation.
Environmental Hazards: Typhoons, Earthquakes, Tidal Waves, Storms, Volcanic Eruptions
Resources: Polymetallic Nodules-- Cobalt, iron, copper, manganese. Aquaculture-- Fish, Shrimp, Kelp, Kelp Ethanol, Cultured Pearls, Cultured Coral, Gravel, Sand, Pet Fish. Some small jungle islands have uranium deposits which is being enriched. Recycled steel and titanium from sunken ships. Wind farm, solar farm, water tidal generators are exported. Magnesium extracted from seawater. We currently have access to undersea oil and gas deposits but have not developed them.
Education: Mandatory education to high school. Three year military conscription service includes equivalent training to 2 year Associate of Arts Degree or a 2 year technical degree. (All citizens) There is a military academy at Liberty Arcology. There is also the Marianis Engineering College and Technical School in Trenchtown in the Marianis Trench. School of Media studies opened in Beauty Arcology covers politics, media, communications, political spin, and broadcasting over internet, radio, and television.
Technology: The Commonalitarianism has a small space station now. It is starting to conduct scientific research in space. The Commonalitarianism has begun a marine life repopulation program for endangered species using biotechnology. It has started by cloning the Galapagos Turtle. It has also begun reintroducing some recently extinct marine species. Cloning vats were acquired from Raven Corps. They are being used to make advanced bacterial and cellular structures—bioplastics, toxic waste cleaners, biodiesel algae. The Commonalitarianism is a world leader in producing clean alternative energy. Three deep sea laboratories the first of their kind have been built to study the deep ocean.
Military: The Commonalitarianism is somewhat isolationist. They are zealous of their borders which are basically undefinable according to current international law. They have problems with piracy. Sometimes unknowingly nuclear submarines approach their cities too closely because they are operating in "international" waters. Sometimes they will attack countries which use nuclear weapons near them. They have launched a massive tracking network of satellites, balloons, and underwater drones to track this problem. They have nuclear weapons to counter the problem of the wandering submarines in their territory. They have mostly kept silent on this problem. It may lead to a deadly international incident. The nuclear submarine problem has led them to recently build a fleet of state of the art submarine carriers. Their military is mostly a Civil Navy. Until recently there was no central command, each allied city state armed itself. They have been purchasing large amounts of aircraft. They are also buying amphibious armor. They have lots of armored trucks which Dynamic Motors, PPC produces for export.
Conscription Structure: The Commonalitarianism uses both military and non-military conscription. The conscription structure consists of three years. Conscription is between 18 and 21 which represents 12% of the population. There is also a 2 week training period every year which citizens under 50 go through to refresh their military abilities. The first year is intensive military training in the armed forces. Then the conscriptee has a choice, either stay in the military or join one of the semi-military brigades which are often not paid for by the military. The first year is also remedial. Everyone is forced to learn up through high school equivalency.
The military Structure is:
Citizen Militia-- Infantry
Citizen Surface-- Navy--
Citizen Submarine
Citizen Air Corps-- Air Force
Citizen Mechanized Corps-- Tanks
Citizen Chemistry Corps-- Psychopharmological Warfare and Chemical Warfare.
Department of Economic Warfare-- Covers espionage, psychological, political,
and economic warfare.
The brigades are:
Construction Brigade: Responsible for military engineering and civil maintenance of cities and public structures. This includes keeping up the domes and fortifications of the floating cities. 1 year intensive training and 1 year apprenticeship.
Civil Police Corps: 1 year intensive police academy training, then 1 year apprenticeship. There is also a paramilitary arm of the police which covers piracy-- road and ship, port security, and anti-terrorism. These police are very heavily armed, and some say more patriotic and dangerous than the regular troops.
Hospital Brigade: 1 year intensive hospital training, then 1 year apprenticeship in hospitals. Equivalent to LPN.
Relief Corps: 1 year training, plus 1 year apprenticeship in disaster help and planning. Combines several different services. Fire, Flood, Tidalwave, Volcanos.
Civil Defense: 1 year training, 1 year apprenticeship, civil defense functions. Lightly armed. Preparing for chemical, biological, and nuclear defenes. Handles city defense drills, gas masks, nuclear attack, etc.
The Weapons Available To the Commonalitarianism
Airforce:
The Commonalitarianism has bought and rebuilt Yak 38s into a new kind of fighter,
The Yak Lightning. They also have large numbers of siege choppers purchased from Raven Corps as well as a smattering of attack helicopters. In addition, they have high altitude air defense balloons capable of shooting down aircraft and satellites—these balloons build a radar network.
Space Force: The Commonalitarianism currently has 12 assorted satellites in orbit for tracking imaging, radar, and other purposes. They also have 10 inexpensive high altitude balloons for tracking. The satellites are launched from a railgun platform near Liberty Arcology.
Infantry: The standard infantry weapon carries a modified gas fired automatic rifle that has an electromagnetic acceleration barrel to increase the speed of the projectile. They often wear gas masks and a kind of mesh weave spidersilk body armor with ceramic and carbon nanotube inserts. The standard platoon is a 10 person unit with a communications officer, commander and two heavy weapons officers which can carry a variety of lethal weapons, SMAW, stinger, or rapid fire 6 shot grenade launcher. They are trained intensely in mobile fast attack methods. Many have learned boarding attack methods for entering ships quickly. They have a variety of boarding methods they can use, shoulder launched grapple, foldable scaling ladders, magnetic pads for hands and feet to climb hulls.
Navy: The navy has a large number of submersibles. Many of which are 120 ton stealthed transport submersibles to carry men, armor, and equipment anywhere in the world. They use non-nuclear biodiesel air independent propulsion submarines to reduce costs. They currently have 10 submarines capable of launching cruise missiles. There are also rumors of two submarine carrier mother ships which have 2 man fighter attack craft, underwater attack drones, and other advanced systems. There has been a recent push to build a lot of cheap underwater attack drone minisubs. The standard ship of the line is a rebuilt civilian 120 meter armored catamaran which has modular designs, transport, stealth attack boat, missile boat, drone torpedo and mine layer. They do not have a massive ship navy.
Armor: The Commonalitarianism has rebuilt the Type 99 Amphibious tank for its own purposes into an ultramodern amphibious light tank. They also have rebuilt the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle . In addition, they have an amphibious large armored military truck with light weapons.
Office of Economic Warfare: The army has specialists at its disposal who can design blockades , do light cyber warfare, and perform economic and military espionage.
Special Division: Black budget. There are at least two psychopharmological warfare laboratories in the Commonalitarianism which can produce both chemical weapons and pharmacological weapons. Agents are trained in their use. There is also a hidden facility making industrial destruction bacteria. The Commonalitarianism has access to nukes. They have recovered at least two nuclear warheads from the ocean. There are rumors of a giant flying triangle craft as well as an undersea base for submarines.
Cities: The cities have armored domes and have above water railgun and missile batteries with defensive weaponry. Underwater, they have supercavitation cannons, depth charge racks, and jet torpedo racks. They have high frequency microwave antihoming towers in the cities to protect against missiles and torpedos. They are working on an electric discharge defense system to destroy missiles.
Each city has a Grange broken into several buildings to avoid being easily destroyed-- a kind of mutual military association and training grounds. There are also small arms depots built into the police buildings in case of invasion.
Tracking Network:There is a tracking network that is both civilian and military, it combines submersible monitoring drones, high altitude balloons, and satellites to create a network to cover large areas around the Commonalitarianism cities. Ostensibly the tracking network is to monitor the weather, sea life, and fisheries.
Police: There is a military wing of the police department. It is called the Anti-Piracy Brigades. They deal with port security, anti-terrorism, and anti-piracy operations. Because of this they are very patriotic and heavily armed. They have large numbers of armed patrol boats, some interceptor craft, a few helicopters, and even have an anti-road piracy division for road incidents inside the cities. The antipiracy police wear combat leathers—a leather suit with a quilted Teflon lining, and carry automatic combat shotguns for more dangerous duties Smasher AA12s
Police and crime: There are a number of problems with road piracy or carjackings late at night. This has caused the Commonalitarianism to develop high speed armored night patrol police cars and patrol boats as well as the antipiracy brigades. There is a well developed nonlethal arsenal in the Commonalitarianism to deal with protesters and pirates. Tariffs are high so there is also some smuggling. Some crime has become institutionalized. There is a decent amount of government corruption with bribery and payoffs. The government also hires hackers to attack enemy nations and is directly involved in supporting both corporate and military espionage against foreign powers. This is idolized on television and in the media. Also the drug trade is partially legal and export to foreign countries is covertly supported by the government. The government hires freebooters and privateers to take enemy nations vessels. Prisons are called “Rehabilitation Centers”, they partially pay for themselves by requiring prisoners to work for their keep doing light manufacturing. A frightenting new agency has come into being called the “Department of Mental Hygiene which people can be reported to for forced “counseling” and “rehabilitation”. They current have problems with terrorists—specifically the “Red Sons of Tilea” moving to the Commonalitarianism.
Culture: The Commonalitarianism has had limited contact with the outside world. They have spent a bit too much time on the high seas. Therefore many aspects of culture have varied wildly from other nations. The Commonalitarianism values its botanic gardens, flower gardens, public vegetable gardens, and public parks highly. These are designed both for beautification, and an ecosystem to maintain the Commonalitarianism without having to import food and water. These are very carefully cultivated and tended. Much of the material has to be imported. There are bicycle paths and small artificial lagoons for boating. In addition two of the Commonalitarianism cities have artificial hunting for ducks and deer. Fishing is very popular in the parks as well on the boating lagoons. Also there is a system of cafes and small restaurants which serve a wide variety of aquaculture and green house products. It is possible to buy mild "over the counter pharmaceuticals" in the cafes. Music has taken a kind of strange turn. There is tremendous variety of electronic music with sounds that are not normally found on the mainland. Coffee is a very popular imported drink. There are a huge number of small registered family cooperatives which is one of the not so visible mainstays of the Commonalitarianism. Paper is an expensive imported product so most literature is disseminated online. Poetry is extremely popular in the Commonalitarianism, so is History, Crime Literature, Mysteries and Military Literature.
Beauty Arcology has built a large aquarium and aquatic research center. Beaches have been privatized on several small islands and made it into resorts in the Pacific. There is a national beauty and health contest for men and women, Miss Natural Commonalitarianism, and Mister Natural Commonalitarianism.
Trench Town in the Mariana Trench has a Museum of Recovered Sea Objects that includes ships from many different eras.
Public Transportation: There is a system of rolling elevated covered walkways in most cities. They go about 10 MPH and are good for quick trips.
There is freedom of Religion: The Commonalitarianism has developed some changes in religion as well. The First Universal Church of Deism makes up 10% of the population, Also the New Harmonites have gained a foothold here as well 5% of the population. A dangerous sect has come up it is called The Church of Human Uplift with a charismatic prophet. She proposes uplifting man to enlightenment through genetic engineering 1% and is prepared to use violence to do it. The main religious grouping is an even split between buddhism 30%, and christianity 30%. There are a few other groups as well, islam 5%, atheist 5%, other 4%.
Politics: The Commonalitarianism is a direct democracy. It is one man one vote. Issues are voted for directly in a public forum. Issues are debated both in the electronic commons and the Citizens Assembly. They both can interact through video and audio channels. All non-classified government information is available through an electronic commons on issues. Voters have the choice of registering their votes either through the electronic commons or at the Citizens Assembly. The electronic commons is a massive Virtual Private Network which is readily available in many areas of the Commonalitariarnism. It is hardened against attack and only available to citizens. It is not connected to the internet and has a different set of protocols. Citizens in addition to voting can be called up to serve on government committees by either partition if no specialty is needed, or by technical knowledge. This is generally done through the electronic commons with some meetings in the assembly. The Sanctuary Movement has grown considerably, it has bought pirate radio, satellite television, and internet access and began beaming programs on worker capitalism, freedom, and immigration for scientists and intellectuals. The Ecotechnic Institute is opened by Green Trees environmentalist party and other environmental groups in response to building of OTEC plants-- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plants. The Ecotechnic institute is a combination of political, ecological, and scientific think tank to support ecological viewpoint.
Some Political Quotes:
"Businessmen are soldiers for commerce in suits and ties."-- Amara Cruon,
Trade Minister
"We will spread worker capitalism in every nation and in every town on earth."
Amara Cruon, Trade Minister
"A just economy leads to greater riches for all."
Amara Cruon, Trade Minister
"The Citizens Assembly has a right to kick out any person in the Commonalitarianism just like the Athenians and the Romans did."
Myles Ming Brown, Commonarch
"We will eventually be able to sweep the seas of the scourge of stealthed nuclear submarines and be able to live in peace."
Myles Ming Brown, Commonarch
"Protect your borders quietly with a hammer, reach out to get trade with an open palm and a sack of time credits."
Myles Ming Brown, Commonarch
"The best government is the government which creates citizens capable of governing themselves, standing up for themselves, and building a better tomorrow without the need of excessive government interference."-- Deena Brown, First Mother of the Citizens Assembly
National Anthem
Based on Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean
O Commonalitarianism, the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandate makes heroes assemble
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy Banner Makes Tyranny Tremble
When born by the tortoise
When born by the tortoise
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When born by the tortoise
The wine cup, the wine cup bring hither,
And fill you it true to the brim!
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor the star of their glory grow dim!
May the civil assembly united never sever,
Their honor prove true,
The militia and navy forever.
Three cheers for the tortoise
Three cheers for the tortoise
Freedom and truth forever.
Commonalitarianism, the pride of the ocean,
And so of a truth shall she be.
While true in her loyal devotion,
To all that is noble and free:
The fire that glows in her story,
Still burns in the hearts of her sons,
And her flag shall still lead her to glory,
When duty shall march with her guns.
Three cheers for the tortoise
Three cheers for the tortoise
Freedom and truth forever.
Economy: This is a worker ownership society. Most companies are organized around direct stock ownership, or cooperative ownership of companies either by families, unions, or individuals. There are three large registered family syndicates-- Cruon, Ming, and Bonanni. Cruon is focused on energy and aquaculture. Ming Commercial House is a dangerous company, it produces most of the small arms and police supplies in the Commonalitarianism, supports mercenary companies, funds freebooting and privateering, and is involved in corporate espionage. It does not yet sell outside the Commonalitarianism. Bonanni is focused on durable goods and construction. Companies are not given a huge amount of "rights" like modern corporations. Companies are viewed suspiciously as businesses not people. This is due to the experience of many of the citizens with the Corporate Slave State of Begone, especially the hippy communes of Ohyayians. There are two exceptions to this. The government is a civil service meritocracy with standardized testing. Also many essential industries are PPCs-- Private Public Consortiums a mix of government, family, union or cooperative ownership. This includes the automobile industry, pharmacies, and hospitals so far. Many companies are focused on very efficient uses of resources and lean manufacturing because of the limited supplies of land based goods like wood and fertilizer. There is also a strong environmental movement which forces companies to use green technology. The energy base of the economy is mostly renewable. There is an emphasis on trading for raw materials which the Commonalitarianism has a lack of wood, gold, cattle, crops, gems and other land based resources. The Commonalitarianism also trades for technology.
The Cities: Each city is designed to hold 4 million people very comfortably. Liberty Arcology is a conglomeration of 5 cities linked together or 20 million people.
Airways:
Kai a rising Paxarific Islander industrialist has bought out Commonways Airlines. Kai says it just wasn't doing much. At Kai Commercial House, RFS-- Registered Family Syndicate we thought we could make something decent out of ourways. We just purchased two Aeroscroft jet balloon liners for the skies. These will be able to ferry large amounts of passengers between our cities in comfort and ease. We are also starting a production company for rescue and transport helicopters as well as long range private transportation. We think this will be a tremendous boon to the economy.
Industry:
These are some of the Industrial Companies in The Commonalitarianism that sell to the outside world.
Cruon Commercial House-- RFS-- Registered Family Syndicate, Energy Production, Aquaculture
Dynamic Motors-- PPC-- Public Private Consortium, Automobiles including Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Police Vehicles, Armored Vehicles, Wide Variety of Boats, and a wide variety of motorized equipment. They also have a satellite launch business and are involved in manufacturing space equipment for the Commonalitarianism.
Kai Commercial House-- Blimp and helicopter air transportation.
International Ownership Bank of Commonalitarianism-- Loans for Worker Owned Business and Technology Companies.
International Undersea Salvage Cooperative-- Salvage of undersea materials, includes military salvage of biological, nuclear, chemical materials. Recycling of salvaged material. Recycling of imported scrap material.
Marianis Industries, RUS-- Registered Union Syndicate-- Submarine Transport, Underwater Mining, and Underwater Construction
Commonalitarianism Items For Sale:
Bonanni Commercial House, RFS-- Registered Family Syndicate
Sand-- Masonry $30 per ton, Silicon Carbide $500 per ton
Gravel-- By the ton Industrial $30 per ton, Decorative $50 per ton.
Marianis Syndicate, RUS-- Registered Union Syndicate
Transport Submarines
The transport submarines are purely for civilian purposes and run at 12 knots all electric.
$3 million for a 40 ton submarine,
$6 million for an 80 ton submarine
$9 million for a 120 ton submarine.
$300,000 for a four man four ton personal submersible.
Dynamic Motors, PPC
Electromagnetic railgun satellite launch $15 million-- for a payload of up to 1000 kilograms. Flat rate. No military equipment. Fully inspected, neutron scanned for biological agents, chemical agents, nuclear, drug aerosols, explosives, electro-magnetic pulse weaponry.
Automobiles
Plug in electric hybrid electric flexible fuel vehicles either gasoline/ethanol or biodiesel/diesel.
The cat a 4 door sedan, $20,000 time credits
The elephant a 4X4 $30,000 time credits
Amphibious Elephant $50,000 time credits 100 KPH land/ 20 KPH water
The Shark -- A convertible $30,000 time credits
The turtle a 4 door family station wagon, $25,000 time credits
The Mick Truck, A flat bed 18 wheeler truck. $80,000 time credits -- trailer is separate.
The Slammer-- an armored military truck $150,000 time credits Amphibious Slammer $180,000—Able to travel on water up to 20 KPH—15 MPH
The Long John-- A civilian bus $140,000 time credits.
We have just added a new vehicle--
The Smith-- a motorcycle for your traveling enjoyment $10,000 time credits.
Armored Car Production Starts
Ceramic Composite Lined-- harder and lighter than steel, Bulletproof hardened windows, Fire Resistant, paint resistant, light refractive black coating. Solid Puncture Resistant Tires, Key Code Lock, Full under armour. Tinted Windows. We have a full line of armored cars for executive and diplomatic protection. These are also plug in hybrid flexible fuel vehicles. The top of the line.
The Manta-- 4 Door Armored Luxury Car $180,000 time credits.
The Elephant-- 4 Door Armored Van $190,000 time credits.
Amphibious 4X4 Aluminum Hull and Wheels 20 MPH Water/ 80 MPH Land.-- $50,000
All of our cars come with a four year warranty on parts and service.
Cruon Commercial House , RFS- Registered Family Syndicate Fish farms:
Tilapia 7 million tons -- $2400 per ton wholesale.
Shrimp 1 million tons -- $5600 per ton wholesale.
Cultured Pearls -- $11.5 million per ton -- 10 tons available.
Pet Fish Store—Chain $1.5 million to open franchise. Corals, squids, fishes, sharks, etc.
Offshore Wind Farms-- $1 million per megawatt.
Tidal energy generation turbines-- $3 million per megawatt.
Solar production farms $3.5 million per megawatt.
Kelp ethanol-- comes in kelp biopolymer barrels-- $100 per barrel (50 gallon capacity) 1 million barrels currently available for export. Supply is limited.
International Ownership Bank of Commonalitarianism
We are providing loans and credit to form worked owned businesses. Some examples of this are Union Syndicates, ESOCs-- Employee Stock Ownership Companies, Family Syndicates, Cooperatives, and any directly family owned business.
We are also interested in providing funding so unions can buy their companies, providing funding to help employees buy closing plants, providing funds for employees to buy government companies that are being privatized. This is all subject to financial qualifications.
Credit, Financial History, Worker Background, Time Reliability, and Financial Assets will be checked.
We do not provide grants.
We are partnered with the following international organizations and companies Mondragon Cooperative Corporation, Science Applications International, Syndicate Bank, and the International Employee Ownership Initiative.
Our bank also has a venture capital arm for new technology ventures interested in forming worker owned or family syndicate companies.
We are currently providing funding in:
Alternative Energy--
Specifically Hydrogen Energy,
Improving Oceanic Tidal Generators
Solar Technology
High Durability Wind Barges
Sea Technology
Submarine Technology
Fisheries
Deep Sea Mining
Construction Robotics
Automotive
Alternative Fuel Vehicles-- Trucks, Big Rigs, Passenger Vehicles
Armored Vehicles
Special Issues:
Ceramic Composites
Electromagnetic Technology
For inquiries Contact:
First International Ownership Bank of the Commonalitarianism
50 Happy Lane Barge, Commercial District
Liberty Arcology, Commonalitarianism
Direct Democratic Commonality
Marianis College will help you prepare for an excellent well paying job. The Commonalitarianism economy is booming. There is a need for underwater welders, oceanic engineers, arcology planners, submarine transport experts, and many other jobs.
Marianis College offers five year degrees in:
Oceanic Engineering
Arcology Engineering
Maritime Management
Industrial Managment
Cooperative Planning
Fishery Management
Automotive Design
Automotive Engineering
Water Recreation
Oceanic Energy Management
Technical Degrees In:
Underwater Welding
Ship Construction
Submarine Transport
Automotive Assembly
Construction Robotics
Arcology Construction
Deep Sea Construction
Marianis College offers special credits for officers of the civil navy.
We take international students.
Marianis Engineering College And Technical School
Admissions Department
College Town
Marianis Trench, Commonalitarianism
Direct Democratic Commonality
Beauty Arcology School of New Media Studies and Politics . The School of New Media Studies and Politics offers classes in politics, communications, broadcasting, and new media. We will teach you all the different aspects of modern communication. We need broadcasters and specialists in political analysis.
Degrees
Politics
International Political Analysis
Politics of Freedom
Media
Broadcast Engineering
Broadcasting
Streaming Radio and Television Broadcasting over the Internet
Radio Engineering
Communications
Speech Communication
Media Analysis
Admissions
Beauty Archology School of New Media and Communications
125 Beauty Walkway
New Town, Beauty Arcology
Direct Democratic Commonality
We have decided to enter into manufacturing competition with the nation of Tiborita and are building a
a new class of Freedom Ship.
Freedom Ship Mark 2.
Freedom Ships twenty-five decks house residential space, a library, schools, and a first-class hospital in addition to retail and wholesale shops, banks, hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities, gymnasium, martial arts center, international art gallery, casinos, offices, warehouses, and light manufacturing and assembly enterprises. A seawater purification plant is built into this facility. There is also a recycling center, and waste reprocessing center allowing for close to complete reclamation of waste. The waste is processed into fertilizer to maintain the parks and gardens. It is also used in the small botanical garden inside the ship. The recycling center processes used metal for the light assembly plants. The police center bunker inside the ship provides for protection of its citizens and preparation drills against piracy. There is also a small recruiting station for the military with a mutual association for the different services available. A ferryboat transportation system provides departures every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, to 3 or more local cities giving ship residents access to the local neighborhood and up to 30,000 land-based residents a chance to spend a day on the ship. The windows on the ship are made of a clear solar cell material able to resist typhoon force or greater winds providing power to the ship making it require little outside power sources. The windows can resist most all small arms fire. Also a submarine dock is available for up to four tourist or transportation submarines.
A virtual private network is built throughout the ship. This virtual private computer network provides cheap VOIP telephone service, international satellite cable television access, and has optional secure access to the internet through a separate channel.
Parks and promenades boast waterfalls, ponds, and extensive landscaping. Ours includes a small botanical garden. Most levels feature large saltwater aquariums. Included is a small marine science center for oceanic research. In addition, there is an aquaculture center for growing fish, and sea vegetables. There are small hydroponic gardens to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. There is also a pleasure district for gambling and relaxing activities. The shopping mall, one of the world's largest, is also one of its most beautiful. Portions are dedicated to individual countries, featuring culturally characteristic architectures. There is also a weekend flea market and an open space for small business kiosks. The 100-foot-wide main deck leads to a marina at the stern. There are over 200 acres of open area for recreation and relaxation. Included is a small artificial lake stocked from our aquariums for fishing. Also there is a small firing range to practice target shooting. Small electric transport with recharger stations are available throughout the ship. There are also bicycle paths in the recreational areas for recreational riding.
The vessel's flat bottom hull construction, along with its extraordinary size, results in unmatched and unprecedented stability providing a smooth ride in the roughest seas. The safety of the vessel is enhanced by the use of 600 individual air/water tight hull sections. These hull sections are coated with a light hard ceramic armored coating to prevent damage from other ships bumping into the ship. Extensive use of 4 hour rated firebreaks between decks areas within the decks enhance fire safety. The ship is virtually fireproof. The electro-static ventilation system supplies uncontaminated, filtered and purified air. It has automatic detectors for chemical and biological agents and will automatically locate the presence of such agents in any part of the ship. There is an entry processing center for incoming travellers. This includes a series of checkpoints for bombs, biological agents, and other material which you wish to be checked for.
The ship's design accepts up to 40,000 full time residents, 30,000 daily visitors, 10,000 nightly hotel guests, and 20,000 full time crew. This population of 100,000 people provides a wealth of talent and diversity for the private businesses aboard the ship and to those they visit daily on their adventures ashore.
Freedom Ship has a flight deck can accept are turboprop aircraft in the 38 to 40-passenger range. While fixed wing aircraft are economically and strategically more practical we can eliminate the landing strips and replace them with helicopter pads and a large recreation facility for the residents if you wish. A retractable dome is available to seal the landing pad against hurricanes and typhoons.
length: 4,500 feet, width: 750 feet, height: 350 feet
price: $12,000,000,000
We also have a cooperative buy in plan where permanent residents can buy shares for $300,000 a piece, a maximum of 3 shares can be purchased at any given time. There is a maintenance fee of $400 per month per share to keep the residential areas in the ship in order. If we collect 40,000 shares in your market we will build a new ship for you. This is especially good for overcrowded countries.