NationStates Jolt Archive


M.R.A Of The Phale A'Theins (Factbook: FT)

A Utopian Soviet Union
06-02-2009, 00:06
Metropolitan-Regional Association Of The Phale A'Theins

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd165/ProffessorEGADD/NS%20Factbook%20MRA/Emblem.jpg


Fact File:

Full Name of Governing Body: Metropolitan-Regional Association
Acronyms: M.R.A / "MyRA"
Government Type: Minarchism
Capital City: Zraaii'
Current Chancellor: Haa A' O' Iii
Current Premier: Ooo Ahh' Hah
Currency: Aiii
Homeworld: Traai'Haai'Heei'zet


Species:

Species Name Denomination: Phale A'Theins

Species Classification: Haa'Ahh'Aii'Iii'Zetz, Traai'Haai'Heei'zet, Jaast' A' Phel, Iiist Izt, Zraiah, Eizt Ii' Aaa, Aii' Aaa Ist, Ooo' Ai' Aiezt, Ooo' Ai' Aiezt Ahh' Haa' Ooo'
Along the principle of System, Home world, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

The Phale A'Theins are a sentient species of aquatic creatures similar in appearance and function to jellyfish. Physically they consist of two "segments", the "body" and the "trails", the body is a translucent dome which houses the brain, four pairs of eyes and sound sensory apparatus, the trails are the tentacles which are located at the base of the main body which incorporate chemical and electrical sensory apparatus, reproductive and digestive systems as well as providing the main form of locomotion; tendrils, long thin arms composed of specialised cells, serve for the manipulation of objects and the main forms of communicating via the exchange and generation of electrical impulses.

All species are believed to have diverged from one of a small number of unicellular organisms (current scientific evidence indicates at least three) around 4.1 billion to 4.5 billion years ago. The Phale A'Theins descend from the largest common ancestor known as the "Iozt" from which seventy two percent of all species share the same genetic information with. Their species was formed at its present state at an estimated 350,000 years ago in a divergence from other members of the genus Ooo' Ai' Aiezt, of these divergent species the Phale A'Thains are the only ones to develop true sentience as opposed to simple problem solving. They are capable of handling a wide range of tools and problem solving, capable of expressing emotion and other motives associated with sentience.



Government:

The Metropolitan-Regional Association is an umbrella organisation mostly concerned with preserving the economy and enforcing the ideological view that an individual is entitled to believe what they wish provided their views are not projected onto others; the idea that the government enforces this view onto every citizen is subject to continuous light hearted debate due to it's confliction with itself. The government does not collect taxes of any shape or form, and so has zero revenue but still spends on public projects, and does not issue laws but establishes non-enforced standards of business and living and cracks down on those who subvert the freedoms and open competition of their system.

The government is expert at manipulating politics and situations for maximum benefit, it's only source of technically true revenue is the acquiring of a deceased property which is sold at auction to bidders. In order to acquire extra funds however the government sells information, patents after their terms have expired, organises competitions between corporations, takes donations from the public and in certain situations has been known to employ dangerous situations such as inadequate defences of a prison or dangerous structures to coerce funds from concerned parties. The government also acts as the bank with each city having it's own branch, this enables them to monitor transactions and react effectively against so called black market activities but not to meddle or change the daily practices of the banking industry. The M.R.A takes a notable and enthusiastic stance against crime where it can be found, violating contracts, selling contraband goods (due to no trading standards contraband refers to any item which has been developed through plagiarism) these make up most of the market base crime but they also employ a skilled yet small "detective" force to uncover misconduct and arrest suspect individuals. The government is known to sell contraband goods for scrap is possible in a meagre yet devoted attempt to generate more profit.


History:

The earliest available data indicating sentience and the abilities of expression are a number of simple monuments consisting of limestone, not much is known about these structures although it is speculated as the first expression of the "self" through creative action; a recognised hallmark of Phale A'Thein psychology. Due to erosion only a few sites such as these can be recognised, the oldest recognisable site yet found dates to roughly 68,000 years ago. Due to the earliest sites being composed of simple arrangements of un-crafted stones it has been inferred that whilst the Phale A'Thains began developing and building sites actual tools themselves were not developed until the emergence of sites with carved stones dated to roughly 7,000 years ago. Phale A'Theins progressed from the simplistic and scattered "stone moving" construction and progressed to a more elaborate and expressive society still centred on stone but utilising stone tools to better utilise their materials; shifting from a nomadic to a static society they began constructing cities of elaborate stone working as early as 6,500 years age; this was also associated with the development of personal goods and material and the harvesting of foodstuffs to satisfy a larger population which could not be easily fed via passive osmosis in a resource stripped area. Phale A'Theins discovered the properties and uses of metal such as gold, silver, tin, titanium and copper although some of these metals were difficult to utilise and most lost their value as they rapidly tarnished on the sea water; gold was subsequently highly valued as was titanium whilst other metals were used for construction purposes. Phale A'Thein society progressed both socially, economically and culturally despite technological set backs caused by their environment. Intrigue and curiosity led to a gradual understanding of scientific principles which allowed them to effectively understand how their body basically functioned, basic chemistry, mathematical, biological and physics were understood in a simplistic fashion by 3000 years ago. Their basic understanding of their physiology also led them to the discovery of electricity which their bodies generate in large quantities for defensive and communicative purposes; subsequent experiments, and naturally expected disasters conducted in such an environment, led them to the application of electroplating; this jump started their technological revolution 2700 years ago. Over a number of centuries their application of this electroplating allowed them to build stronger structures leading to greater development and subsequently utilising these stronger materials to harness the power of currents and volcanic vents for purposes of mass production. The discovery that heat could be used to purify and create compound metals along with the finding that oxygen could be used to insulate their electrical apparatus 678 years ago was the final spark which set their Industrial Revolution into motion.

Although small conflicts and skirmishes had been a natural part of society the first significant war of note was 321 years ago in a "free-for-all" conflict between the developed city states utilising their technology which varied across the spectrum but gave them greater power than before. The war lasted for 4 years during which time cities were looted, plundered and occasionally destroyed, the war ultimately ended when public dissatisfaction on both sides reached horrified levels as their own cities were exposed to both the benefits and drawbacks of plundering and destruction, the war ended with a white peace upon which the city states focused on reconstructing themselves.

Up until 91 years ago the city states were self autonomous, allowing their citizens great freedoms inspired by their great philosophers, engaging in trade and economic deals between business at an industrial level similar to 1930's America they were heavily focused towards market capitalism with little state support. The system inevitably allowed Oligarchies to rise and fall along with levels of corruption, as such the Metropolitan-Regional Association was formed as an umbrella governmental body which would standardise the systems used in all city states and act accordingly. 3 years ago, 88 years after it's formation, the M.R.A achieved it's goal of raising all it's citizens above an established poverty line whilst allowing it's citizen exceptional freedoms in terms of personal action and business.


Economy:

The economic system utilised by the cities of the Metropolitan-Regional Association verges on the borders of what is considered Laissez Faire capitalism, although certain items of legislation are used by the government to maintain order. Taxes are non-existent, trading and product standards are established but are not enforced, state support is technically non-existent but the government utilises its funds to invest directly into the reconstruction of areas with high poverty; due to careful planning 99.8% of the population accountable is either at the established or above it. Due to the absence of taxes development in all areas progresses rapidly since entrepreneurs are able to fully invest their capital into projects without government interference, inflation is non-existent since the introduction of all capital being based over an earlier automated and then electric system of exchange; the zero change in inflation however is attributed to the high competition between businesses and the subsequent low costs of materials and products along with the more obvious policy of an established zero inflation.

Whilst most market economies follow a recognised "boom" and "bust" cycle, that is intense periods of development and investment followed by recession, the M.R.A economy follows a more variable and mostly unpredictable pattern. Upon a persons death their possessions and funds automatically become property of the government apart from specified items or monetary amounts which are predetermined but subject to limits. The government then auctions of these acquired possessions to bidders and either horde the acquired funds for future use or reinvests it into projects designed to target areas near the poverty line limit, this poverty limit is usually the main concern for the government. Due to entire companies being disbanded upon the founders death it temporarily causes unemployment and can disrupt the market, small businesses usually have a limited effect but successful corporations with established monopolies can have a profound effect as supply chains are disrupted or destroyed, often forcing the prices of the affected items up substantially until competitors emerge to replace the lost entity. Whilst a single large corporation can have a profound effect on the economy an unlucky toss of the economic dice resulting in several significant businessmen passing away within a close time of each other can cause such significant disturbance that it results in a drastic recession.

Each city maintains it's own currency and isolated economy which is maintained behind the scenes, in the event of an economic crisis the government may give the go ahead for each city to adopt it's own currency, the variations between currency values has been proven twice to leave many cities mostly unaffected but results in greater harm to the most affected cities. During the first significant recession the city Zraaii' was greatly effected by the implementation of individual currencies, mostly a mining and manufacturing town it's contacts vanished plummeting it into poverty; it's inhabitants departed it's economy wasted away to nothing and in just a year the city was deserted. It was ultimately acquired by the government which kept it empty until the next recession loomed whereupon it sold the cities items and buildings at below the market price stimulating the economy enough to allow it to recover quickly; the cities rapid development after this led to it's adoption as the M.R.A's capital city.

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Further development expected, am open to comments and criticsm, go easy on the alien economy :P Am hoping to maybe come up with some pictures or semething...