Shikishima
17-10-2006, 04:15
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001h3g5
Geography
Physical Elements
Area: 6.78 million square kilometers
Biome diversity:
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001krce
Natural points of note: Zhuo Xiao Mountains (central interior), Niflheim Mountains (eastern central interior), Seven Sisters (northeastern mountains), The Barrens (desert)
Islands: Vestreyja, Austureyja (literally “western island” and “eastern island”)
Rivers: Dragon, Giant, Unicorn, Naga, Qi-Lin
Nautical claims: 22.224 kilometers from shore for territorial claims; 370.4 kilometers from shore for exclusive economic zone claims
Land use: 91% arable land (27% terraced mountain terrain); usage of arable land 59%
Natural resources--
Mining: platinum, tin, uranium, boron, tungsten, scandium, iridium, osmium, aluminum, molybdenum, manganese
Other: timber (coniferous and deciduous), fishing (shore-based, limited oceanic and deep oceanic), energy (nuclear, hydroelectric)
Natural hazards: The northeastern desert and mountain regions suffer occasional small-scale earthquakes. Lowlands and wetlands experience some flooding during overly rainy seasons or from large melts in the mountains. Rarer is ash and other effluvia from eruptions in the neighboring Dominion of Debilitating Pain that is blown over the western and southwestern coastal areas.
Political Elements
Location: Southern coast of Elysia
Neighbors: The Corporate Dictatorship of Red Tide2 (eastern border), The Grand United Duchy of Aragan (northwestern border), The Free Land of Umeltia (northeastern border), The Dominion of Debilitating Pain (large volcanic island off southwestern shore)
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001qh84
Military: There is no standing military in Shikishima. However, every adult member of the citizenry is considered a member of the military. Should a need arise for a military action, the citizenry will follow their battle training to address the threat. This system handles all military actions from a local town-to-town scale all the way to an international one. Military equipment is warehoused in several classified depot sites throughout the land. Naval vessels are utilized for civilian patrol functions at all times.
Government Structure
Official long name of nation: Federation of Shikishima
Common short name: Shikishima; ‘Shima (slang usage)
Governmental type: Benevolent technocratic anarchy
United Nations Classification: Iron Fist Socialists
This classification by the United Nations is in fact a misnomer due to the organization’s viewpoint for non-democratic states. Because of the nature of ‘Shiman society, the United Nations has viewed the societal tenets of community-building as being socialist in nature and regarded the leadership in control as “ruling with an iron fist” because they have not been put into power in popular elections. Since the chosen governmental form does not require elections, the United Nations has assumed them to be outlawed. This refusal to change opinion to one based on the actual facts has caused a strained relationship between Shikishima and the United Nations, prompting that nation to take an active position of refusal to join the multinational body.
Legal system: The Covenant
The Covenant is a legal document drafted by the original colony settlers, the equivalent of a constitution. It takes its function and ideals from the document of the same name proposed by author Robert Heinlein as well as incorporating those of author Daniel Quinn and other so-called “neotribalist” proponents. The Covenant covers and secures all freedoms whether they are civil, sexual, reproductive, or other, for all those under its influence.
Its underlying principle is to prevent interference with individual freedom while providing restraints against actions that would harm others. Even acts specifically prohibited would not be prosecuted if only the person committing the act was harmed. The Covenant protects against individuals passing judgment on others and acting on those judgments; this is a reaction to the overly controlling and meddling nature of other governmental forms. It rejects the concept of "justice" and is based instead on observable effects of actions. There are, of course situations where the harm of another is duly authorized and noted, most notably in situations of self-defense and the occasional duel of and for honor. While generally accepted under Covenant law, these elements are more the purview of the local customs of the individual sectors, cities and towns.
Because of the Covenant’s guarantee of individual freedoms, it is also used to guarantee the freedoms of larger groups by the statement that there is no “one right way to live” and, in the one specific general mention of illegality in the entire document, declares that any group that attempts to impress its way of life on another by force or subversion is in violation of the Covenant.
The only responses to violation of the Covenant are the Two Alternatives: either "reorientation" in the form of psychological treatment to retrain antisocial tendencies or banishment from Shikishima. No "punishment" is permitted; the government is no more allowed to pass judgment and impose harm than are individuals. Those who have been found in violation of the Covenant and choose exile rather than reorientation are swiftly deposited with their effects outside the national borders. The concept behind this treatment is that the government has no right to "punish" its members, but an individual who is unwilling to abide by society's agreements may be ejected from the society. Exiles may re-enter the Covenant if they are willing to submit to psychological reorientation. This process is unlike psychology practiced in most other nations. It does not start with a preconceived notion of how a person “should be” and actively twisting the person to fit that idea as with the common practice. Instead, the process is largely a guided process of self-examination by the violator that continues until he or she realizes that they are fit to rejoin society.
Governmental Branches: None
There is no government in Shikishima as the term is used in the rest of the world. The closest analogue to a “ruling body” is the Covenant Advisory Panel. This panel is comprised of seven individuals, one from each sector, one of whom is chosen to hold the title of Administrator a priori. The choice of the delegate is left to each sector to determine for themselves, as is the method used. As example, Baijie Sector chooses its delegate with a weeklong challenge that involved the creation of art, reading of poetry, and ritualistic combat; conversely, Ogura Sector utilizes a physical competition similar to the Olympics.
Much as supreme courts in democracies rule upon matters concerning constitutional interpretations, so does the Advisory Panel adjudicate upon matters concerning the application of the Covenant. Violators stand before the Advisory Panel when they are given the Two Alternatives, any member of the panel may conduct international affairs with full credit, and while all interpretations are nationally enforceable, it is with the full knowledge that every citizen is a signatory of the Covenant. Lesser issues are left to the individual sectors, cities and towns to address directly for their own populations. This accounts for the great subcultural diversity within the nation.
The more delicate intricacies of what passes for ‘Shiman “politics” is deeply rooted in the seemingly intangible nature of the ‘Shiman internal currency system.
Economy
Type: Competency-based free market variant
Currency: Gonk [GNK] (External); competency (internal)
Shikishima is an oddity in that there are two separate currency elements, one for external use in areas of the world where a tangible coin is necessary to conduct transactions and one for internal use in a highly irregular form.
The internal currency is in fact knowledge and skills; the more competent you are in a given area, the “richer” you are. The populace is highly noted for being experts in every field possible, and one person is often well versed in a variety of tasks. A simple example is a man painting a fence. He paints the fence because he is a painter, he sees the fence needs painting, and he wants to see a good job done. The people whose fence it is run a bar, play the trumpet, and fix plumbing. By painting the fence, he has “paid” for any drinks he might have at the bar, any trumpet lessons he or his family might take, or any plumbing problems that require attention. This of course is a highly simplified example that seems to imply a barter system. However, the bartering is not done on a scale of “so much work for so many items.” It is instead on a scale of “this is required to be done and I know how to do it, so I will, and than way I may reap the benefits of the work of others.”
This form of currency has an impact on all facet of society. People do not worry about being paid what they are worth; what they are worth is what they know. A man walking down the street may have expert-level skills in painting, playing the violin, nuclear physics, and woodworking. He may also have lesser skills in writing plays, building boats, and sewing clothing. Because of this, people in leadership positions are put there because they know the best and others are willing to accede to their competency. Should another person come along who is more competent, they will then become the leader in an orderly transition of power. This causes great annoyance in the field of international relations when the ‘Shiman national leadership changes on a frequent basis.
Because other nations do not recognize the currency of competency, a monetary device has been developed for external usage. The gonk is used as a “go-between” between domestic and foreign currencies. A citizen traveling abroad will declare his knowledge as being “worth” a certain amount of gonk, which is then allocated to the traveler for usage aboard. Since no citizen can lose competency, no one is poor, and so obtaining ample funds for foreign use presents no difficulty. In the field of international trade, the gonk is widely traded in several nations due to the demand for the high quality ‘Shiman products. The resulting payments of other nations in gonk are kept in the national coin storage facility, where it is accessible to all citizens. Since the national treasury is based upon the knowledge and products of its citizenry, and since as previously stated, the citizenry cannot be rendered destitute, the ‘Shiman government is always and forever solvent.
Industries and agriculture: mining, shipping, electronics, automotive, raw materials processing, information systems, aircraft, fishing, tourism; rice, wheat, corn, edible fruits and vegetables, cotton, beef and other meat products, dairy products, spirits
Most products are created by major automation and robot control, leaving the populace to focus upon higher pursuits if they do not wish to undertake agro-industrial affairs. There is no stigma against doing so or not doing so.
Workforce distribution: Variable
Due to the nature of the Shikishiman economy, it is impossible to accurately assign or predict workforce ratios.
Unemployment: None
Due to the nature of the Shikishiman economy, it is impossible to assign any sense of unemployment.
Income tax: None
Since the cultural imperative is “giving support to get support,” the United Nations sees this as a form of high income tax. Since there is no income, there cannot be any taxation.
Tourism: The tourist trade is a high draw for foreigners as Shikishima’s natural wonders and cultural elements bring a great many people. Upon entry into Shikishima, a tourist is required to sign a statement to the effect that while their own cultural laws and beliefs will be respected, that they are temporarily subject to a wide umbrella coverage by the Covenant that guarantees their rights but allows for a nominal reaction by the citizenry under Covenant terms. This is a way to minimize problems and errors, and keeps those who enter for the sole purpose of instigating problems from doing so lest they suffer the consequences. The most baffling part is the nature of the economy; many foreigners simply cannot cope with the lack of “payment for services” and will insist upon paying in coin. Any foreign coin received is then deposited in the national coin storage facility.
Transportation:
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001p57y
The Trans-Elysia Advanced Railway System (TEARS) terminates a spur in the city of Shikura, located in Baijie Sector. The spur connects with a chunnel that connects with the island nation known as The Dominion of Debilitating Pain. A smaller version of the TEARS bullet train works the chunnel loop.
Culture And Society
Languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Icelandic, Hindi, Japanese (in decreasing order of national usage); local dialects
Average life expectancy: 93.2 years (female), 89.6 years (male)
Religions: All religions are welcome in Shikishima. None have any widespread influence.
Ethnic diversities: The diversity of genetic ethnicities is not recorded in Shikishima. Any form of ethnic group is based upon local cultural diversity, and there are far too many divisions to list.
Literacy rate: 100%
Cultural notes: As stated previously, the primary ‘Shiman cultural believe can be boiled down to two simple statements: “Give support to get support” and “There is no one right way to live.” These are most visible in the governmental form that allows for each town or city to choose the way of existence is best for them. These smaller division work together at the sector level to form a network to support each other as need be for various reasons including but not limited to trade, defense, cultural exchanges, and regional projects. One level up, the seven sectors create a larger national support network. No one city or town has more or less influence than any other in its sector; similarly, each sector is equal in status at the national level. Sectors are named after the largest city in each one.
The statement of “give support to get support” is shown more dramatically in the local and personal levels of ‘Shiman culture. No one person runs a business or performs a service for personal gain. They do gain respect of their neighbors and gain more knowledge (which in turn makes them “richer” in the sense of the internal currency) but it is all a matter of support. All citizens understand and firmly believe that they and others will make payment for their needs by providing the services they are best at. Many citizens meet tourist who talk of “how wonderful it must be to simply laze about and do nothing” yet still receive food and services. To the ‘Shiman peoples, this is a very foreign concept. To do nothing is to be intentionally and willfully poor, and an insult to the rest of the community. It is noted that while there are occasionally people who hold to this belief, they are very rare—perhaps one every five generations—and they do not last very long, for they either get themselves killed for socially unacceptable behavior of violate the Covenant and are willingly exiled.
The idea that “there is no one right way to live”—which is also the national motto—is revealed in the myriad tribal natures of the towns and cities. The individual freedoms guaranteed by the Covenant allow for each area to have its own laws and customs; unsurprisingly (to the ‘Shimans, but very surprisingly to foreigners) the vast majority of the laws across the land are extremely similar in nature and intent. Another surprise to foreigners is that the word “illegal” has no meaning to the ‘Shiman cultures. Laws in the nation prohibit nothing; all laws lay out the explicit details of what is to occur should some situation arise. For example, murder, adultery, assault, theft, all of these and more are not illegal; however, should a murder, adulteration, assault, or theft occur, there are specific actions that are to be taken that ensure that the integrity of the culture is preserved. Again, it is not much of a surprise that there is not much in the way of “rule breaking” that goes on. It is not unheard of, but it is not a common occurrence. The only item that could be considered illegal in the widely used sense is the concept of totalitarian agriculture; even then, this is not so much outlawed as given a cross-cultural taboo due to the knowledge of the effects of that model.
Because of the advanced technological nature of ‘Shiman society as well as the laissez-faire approach to cultural identity, education is a high priority for the populace and is vigorously pursued. Because of the currency of competency, no one ever stops educating themselves. There are educational establishments that provide education to those who wish to learn specialty skills in a wide variety of subjects; children are taught at home by real interaction with the world. They are also taught the long tradition of their cultural imperatives, the information and tales that makes each people unique and different, yet all extremely similar.
Some in the past have been believed that because the ‘Shiman people let others live as they wish, it has meant that they are easily invaded or overrun. This is a fallacy. As stated previously, every adult member of the citizenry is considered a member of the military. Often cities and towns or whole sectors will practice the “erratic retaliator” form of conflict. Raids are occasionally conducted by cultural groups against others, resulting in what to the outside observer may seem like a constant random state of internecine warfare but is in actuality an effective system of dispute resolution and uniting of “tribes.” In a similar fashion, attacks by outside forces are very easily thwarted since the entire populace is effectively always ready for war. Overall, the Shikishiman people are welcoming and tolerant of all differences but are ready, willing, and extremely able to defend their interests should the need arise.
Geography
Physical Elements
Area: 6.78 million square kilometers
Biome diversity:
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001krce
Natural points of note: Zhuo Xiao Mountains (central interior), Niflheim Mountains (eastern central interior), Seven Sisters (northeastern mountains), The Barrens (desert)
Islands: Vestreyja, Austureyja (literally “western island” and “eastern island”)
Rivers: Dragon, Giant, Unicorn, Naga, Qi-Lin
Nautical claims: 22.224 kilometers from shore for territorial claims; 370.4 kilometers from shore for exclusive economic zone claims
Land use: 91% arable land (27% terraced mountain terrain); usage of arable land 59%
Natural resources--
Mining: platinum, tin, uranium, boron, tungsten, scandium, iridium, osmium, aluminum, molybdenum, manganese
Other: timber (coniferous and deciduous), fishing (shore-based, limited oceanic and deep oceanic), energy (nuclear, hydroelectric)
Natural hazards: The northeastern desert and mountain regions suffer occasional small-scale earthquakes. Lowlands and wetlands experience some flooding during overly rainy seasons or from large melts in the mountains. Rarer is ash and other effluvia from eruptions in the neighboring Dominion of Debilitating Pain that is blown over the western and southwestern coastal areas.
Political Elements
Location: Southern coast of Elysia
Neighbors: The Corporate Dictatorship of Red Tide2 (eastern border), The Grand United Duchy of Aragan (northwestern border), The Free Land of Umeltia (northeastern border), The Dominion of Debilitating Pain (large volcanic island off southwestern shore)
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001qh84
Military: There is no standing military in Shikishima. However, every adult member of the citizenry is considered a member of the military. Should a need arise for a military action, the citizenry will follow their battle training to address the threat. This system handles all military actions from a local town-to-town scale all the way to an international one. Military equipment is warehoused in several classified depot sites throughout the land. Naval vessels are utilized for civilian patrol functions at all times.
Government Structure
Official long name of nation: Federation of Shikishima
Common short name: Shikishima; ‘Shima (slang usage)
Governmental type: Benevolent technocratic anarchy
United Nations Classification: Iron Fist Socialists
This classification by the United Nations is in fact a misnomer due to the organization’s viewpoint for non-democratic states. Because of the nature of ‘Shiman society, the United Nations has viewed the societal tenets of community-building as being socialist in nature and regarded the leadership in control as “ruling with an iron fist” because they have not been put into power in popular elections. Since the chosen governmental form does not require elections, the United Nations has assumed them to be outlawed. This refusal to change opinion to one based on the actual facts has caused a strained relationship between Shikishima and the United Nations, prompting that nation to take an active position of refusal to join the multinational body.
Legal system: The Covenant
The Covenant is a legal document drafted by the original colony settlers, the equivalent of a constitution. It takes its function and ideals from the document of the same name proposed by author Robert Heinlein as well as incorporating those of author Daniel Quinn and other so-called “neotribalist” proponents. The Covenant covers and secures all freedoms whether they are civil, sexual, reproductive, or other, for all those under its influence.
Its underlying principle is to prevent interference with individual freedom while providing restraints against actions that would harm others. Even acts specifically prohibited would not be prosecuted if only the person committing the act was harmed. The Covenant protects against individuals passing judgment on others and acting on those judgments; this is a reaction to the overly controlling and meddling nature of other governmental forms. It rejects the concept of "justice" and is based instead on observable effects of actions. There are, of course situations where the harm of another is duly authorized and noted, most notably in situations of self-defense and the occasional duel of and for honor. While generally accepted under Covenant law, these elements are more the purview of the local customs of the individual sectors, cities and towns.
Because of the Covenant’s guarantee of individual freedoms, it is also used to guarantee the freedoms of larger groups by the statement that there is no “one right way to live” and, in the one specific general mention of illegality in the entire document, declares that any group that attempts to impress its way of life on another by force or subversion is in violation of the Covenant.
The only responses to violation of the Covenant are the Two Alternatives: either "reorientation" in the form of psychological treatment to retrain antisocial tendencies or banishment from Shikishima. No "punishment" is permitted; the government is no more allowed to pass judgment and impose harm than are individuals. Those who have been found in violation of the Covenant and choose exile rather than reorientation are swiftly deposited with their effects outside the national borders. The concept behind this treatment is that the government has no right to "punish" its members, but an individual who is unwilling to abide by society's agreements may be ejected from the society. Exiles may re-enter the Covenant if they are willing to submit to psychological reorientation. This process is unlike psychology practiced in most other nations. It does not start with a preconceived notion of how a person “should be” and actively twisting the person to fit that idea as with the common practice. Instead, the process is largely a guided process of self-examination by the violator that continues until he or she realizes that they are fit to rejoin society.
Governmental Branches: None
There is no government in Shikishima as the term is used in the rest of the world. The closest analogue to a “ruling body” is the Covenant Advisory Panel. This panel is comprised of seven individuals, one from each sector, one of whom is chosen to hold the title of Administrator a priori. The choice of the delegate is left to each sector to determine for themselves, as is the method used. As example, Baijie Sector chooses its delegate with a weeklong challenge that involved the creation of art, reading of poetry, and ritualistic combat; conversely, Ogura Sector utilizes a physical competition similar to the Olympics.
Much as supreme courts in democracies rule upon matters concerning constitutional interpretations, so does the Advisory Panel adjudicate upon matters concerning the application of the Covenant. Violators stand before the Advisory Panel when they are given the Two Alternatives, any member of the panel may conduct international affairs with full credit, and while all interpretations are nationally enforceable, it is with the full knowledge that every citizen is a signatory of the Covenant. Lesser issues are left to the individual sectors, cities and towns to address directly for their own populations. This accounts for the great subcultural diversity within the nation.
The more delicate intricacies of what passes for ‘Shiman “politics” is deeply rooted in the seemingly intangible nature of the ‘Shiman internal currency system.
Economy
Type: Competency-based free market variant
Currency: Gonk [GNK] (External); competency (internal)
Shikishima is an oddity in that there are two separate currency elements, one for external use in areas of the world where a tangible coin is necessary to conduct transactions and one for internal use in a highly irregular form.
The internal currency is in fact knowledge and skills; the more competent you are in a given area, the “richer” you are. The populace is highly noted for being experts in every field possible, and one person is often well versed in a variety of tasks. A simple example is a man painting a fence. He paints the fence because he is a painter, he sees the fence needs painting, and he wants to see a good job done. The people whose fence it is run a bar, play the trumpet, and fix plumbing. By painting the fence, he has “paid” for any drinks he might have at the bar, any trumpet lessons he or his family might take, or any plumbing problems that require attention. This of course is a highly simplified example that seems to imply a barter system. However, the bartering is not done on a scale of “so much work for so many items.” It is instead on a scale of “this is required to be done and I know how to do it, so I will, and than way I may reap the benefits of the work of others.”
This form of currency has an impact on all facet of society. People do not worry about being paid what they are worth; what they are worth is what they know. A man walking down the street may have expert-level skills in painting, playing the violin, nuclear physics, and woodworking. He may also have lesser skills in writing plays, building boats, and sewing clothing. Because of this, people in leadership positions are put there because they know the best and others are willing to accede to their competency. Should another person come along who is more competent, they will then become the leader in an orderly transition of power. This causes great annoyance in the field of international relations when the ‘Shiman national leadership changes on a frequent basis.
Because other nations do not recognize the currency of competency, a monetary device has been developed for external usage. The gonk is used as a “go-between” between domestic and foreign currencies. A citizen traveling abroad will declare his knowledge as being “worth” a certain amount of gonk, which is then allocated to the traveler for usage aboard. Since no citizen can lose competency, no one is poor, and so obtaining ample funds for foreign use presents no difficulty. In the field of international trade, the gonk is widely traded in several nations due to the demand for the high quality ‘Shiman products. The resulting payments of other nations in gonk are kept in the national coin storage facility, where it is accessible to all citizens. Since the national treasury is based upon the knowledge and products of its citizenry, and since as previously stated, the citizenry cannot be rendered destitute, the ‘Shiman government is always and forever solvent.
Industries and agriculture: mining, shipping, electronics, automotive, raw materials processing, information systems, aircraft, fishing, tourism; rice, wheat, corn, edible fruits and vegetables, cotton, beef and other meat products, dairy products, spirits
Most products are created by major automation and robot control, leaving the populace to focus upon higher pursuits if they do not wish to undertake agro-industrial affairs. There is no stigma against doing so or not doing so.
Workforce distribution: Variable
Due to the nature of the Shikishiman economy, it is impossible to accurately assign or predict workforce ratios.
Unemployment: None
Due to the nature of the Shikishiman economy, it is impossible to assign any sense of unemployment.
Income tax: None
Since the cultural imperative is “giving support to get support,” the United Nations sees this as a form of high income tax. Since there is no income, there cannot be any taxation.
Tourism: The tourist trade is a high draw for foreigners as Shikishima’s natural wonders and cultural elements bring a great many people. Upon entry into Shikishima, a tourist is required to sign a statement to the effect that while their own cultural laws and beliefs will be respected, that they are temporarily subject to a wide umbrella coverage by the Covenant that guarantees their rights but allows for a nominal reaction by the citizenry under Covenant terms. This is a way to minimize problems and errors, and keeps those who enter for the sole purpose of instigating problems from doing so lest they suffer the consequences. The most baffling part is the nature of the economy; many foreigners simply cannot cope with the lack of “payment for services” and will insist upon paying in coin. Any foreign coin received is then deposited in the national coin storage facility.
Transportation:
http://pics.livejournal.com/gonadsandstrife/pic/0001p57y
The Trans-Elysia Advanced Railway System (TEARS) terminates a spur in the city of Shikura, located in Baijie Sector. The spur connects with a chunnel that connects with the island nation known as The Dominion of Debilitating Pain. A smaller version of the TEARS bullet train works the chunnel loop.
Culture And Society
Languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Icelandic, Hindi, Japanese (in decreasing order of national usage); local dialects
Average life expectancy: 93.2 years (female), 89.6 years (male)
Religions: All religions are welcome in Shikishima. None have any widespread influence.
Ethnic diversities: The diversity of genetic ethnicities is not recorded in Shikishima. Any form of ethnic group is based upon local cultural diversity, and there are far too many divisions to list.
Literacy rate: 100%
Cultural notes: As stated previously, the primary ‘Shiman cultural believe can be boiled down to two simple statements: “Give support to get support” and “There is no one right way to live.” These are most visible in the governmental form that allows for each town or city to choose the way of existence is best for them. These smaller division work together at the sector level to form a network to support each other as need be for various reasons including but not limited to trade, defense, cultural exchanges, and regional projects. One level up, the seven sectors create a larger national support network. No one city or town has more or less influence than any other in its sector; similarly, each sector is equal in status at the national level. Sectors are named after the largest city in each one.
The statement of “give support to get support” is shown more dramatically in the local and personal levels of ‘Shiman culture. No one person runs a business or performs a service for personal gain. They do gain respect of their neighbors and gain more knowledge (which in turn makes them “richer” in the sense of the internal currency) but it is all a matter of support. All citizens understand and firmly believe that they and others will make payment for their needs by providing the services they are best at. Many citizens meet tourist who talk of “how wonderful it must be to simply laze about and do nothing” yet still receive food and services. To the ‘Shiman peoples, this is a very foreign concept. To do nothing is to be intentionally and willfully poor, and an insult to the rest of the community. It is noted that while there are occasionally people who hold to this belief, they are very rare—perhaps one every five generations—and they do not last very long, for they either get themselves killed for socially unacceptable behavior of violate the Covenant and are willingly exiled.
The idea that “there is no one right way to live”—which is also the national motto—is revealed in the myriad tribal natures of the towns and cities. The individual freedoms guaranteed by the Covenant allow for each area to have its own laws and customs; unsurprisingly (to the ‘Shimans, but very surprisingly to foreigners) the vast majority of the laws across the land are extremely similar in nature and intent. Another surprise to foreigners is that the word “illegal” has no meaning to the ‘Shiman cultures. Laws in the nation prohibit nothing; all laws lay out the explicit details of what is to occur should some situation arise. For example, murder, adultery, assault, theft, all of these and more are not illegal; however, should a murder, adulteration, assault, or theft occur, there are specific actions that are to be taken that ensure that the integrity of the culture is preserved. Again, it is not much of a surprise that there is not much in the way of “rule breaking” that goes on. It is not unheard of, but it is not a common occurrence. The only item that could be considered illegal in the widely used sense is the concept of totalitarian agriculture; even then, this is not so much outlawed as given a cross-cultural taboo due to the knowledge of the effects of that model.
Because of the advanced technological nature of ‘Shiman society as well as the laissez-faire approach to cultural identity, education is a high priority for the populace and is vigorously pursued. Because of the currency of competency, no one ever stops educating themselves. There are educational establishments that provide education to those who wish to learn specialty skills in a wide variety of subjects; children are taught at home by real interaction with the world. They are also taught the long tradition of their cultural imperatives, the information and tales that makes each people unique and different, yet all extremely similar.
Some in the past have been believed that because the ‘Shiman people let others live as they wish, it has meant that they are easily invaded or overrun. This is a fallacy. As stated previously, every adult member of the citizenry is considered a member of the military. Often cities and towns or whole sectors will practice the “erratic retaliator” form of conflict. Raids are occasionally conducted by cultural groups against others, resulting in what to the outside observer may seem like a constant random state of internecine warfare but is in actuality an effective system of dispute resolution and uniting of “tribes.” In a similar fashion, attacks by outside forces are very easily thwarted since the entire populace is effectively always ready for war. Overall, the Shikishiman people are welcoming and tolerant of all differences but are ready, willing, and extremely able to defend their interests should the need arise.