[Torg] 11-15 (Social Axiom, 4 of 8)

[Jones Jasyn]

The Axioms

Axioms 11-14 cover the birth of the Nation-State and its development to modern times. Axiom 15 is the first "The Future" entry.

11 [Age of Discovery, AD 1500] - The modern state comes into existence, as does the concept of a nation. The two combined give rise to the nation-state, which becomes the dominant model of political authority. Constitutional monarchies are possible; mercantilism is possible (causing a decline in manorialist and agriculturist economics). Absolutism is possible, colonialism becomes possible. Joint stock-companies arise; copyrighting written works possible. The first multi-cultural or multi-ethnic federations can emerge.

12 [Age of Enlightenment, AD 1730] - The idea of a social contract can arise, abolitionism is possible. Liberal democracies, which govern by the social contract, become possible. Democratization as a political philosophy emerges. State nationalism is possible; governments act to define and reinforce national identity. A federal system of government is possible. The science of economics matures. The scientific method can be formalized and adopted. Labor unions form. The first theories of societal development are possible, but prove largely inaccurate.

13 [Victorian, AD 1830] - Imperialism becomes the dominant mode of colonialism; nation-states compete to claim new colonies or to seize the colonies of rivals. Extreme nationalism gives rise to the impulse to shape colonized societies to match the conqueror’s. The nation-state model is spread widely. International organizations, where the members are nation-states, arise. More inhabitants of liberal democracies are enfranchised, civic nationalism is possible. Policing as a profession becomes possible. International political movements are possible. Psychology and sociology are possible. National currencies can be adopted. The philosophy of societal development improves, though still hampered by incomplete theories.

14 [Modern, AD 1918] - International political associations possible. International trade increases in volume and importance. Ideological states become more common. Nations who adopt different or conflicting ideologies often come into conflict, straining relations and even leading to war. Ideological blocs, alliances of nations that share the same national ideology, can form. Confrontations or wars between ideological blocs can occur. International organizations increase in number, variety, and influence. Abolitionism can be formalized in international treaties. International free-trade zones are possible. Accounting practices grow in sophistication.

The Future

Here, we switch over to "The Future." This is also the start of "long entries" because speculative fiction entries require explanations.

Core Earth could be said to be very early axiom 15 or very late axiom 14, on the cusp of 15. That is, a lot of the trends that exist in the world today (or which began to emerge during the last 5-10 years) could be real future advancements (and some of them appear as such in the chart). In fact, fictional words I invented to describe some Social 15 advancements, I found out were recently proposed as real scientific specialties (I was ahead of the scientific curve). These developments lead to the advances of higher axiom levels.

In 1990 (when Torg started), Earth was a solid 14, Torg's axiom chart to the contrary. Sometime in the 20 years since then, we have begun moving toward Social 15, and may have even reached it, but there is a lot of downward pressure on the axiom and that could well change.

15 [circa 2000?]- As an outgrowth of international organizations, federated governments which incorporate multiple pre-existing nation-states (all of whom must share a large degree of common values and culture) become possible. To build and maintain political cohesiveness, the central government usually creates or inspires a national identity consonant with the federation as a whole, which identity is intended to replace extant national identities.

Inter-state behavioral norms for national governments can emerge, allowing international “peer pressure” to affect the behavior of other states.

Currency can become entirely conceptual, being reduced to a matter of mere bookkeeping. Transactions are recorded simply as increased or decreased debits or credits in a series of tightly linked accounts. Advances in other axioms can improve the efficiency of such a system, which typically depends on rapid communication, reliable records, and the possibility of a swift but accurate audit.

Actuarial processes grow more comprehensive and accurate, leading to a highly refined body of information about personal and societal behavior. This leads to advances in psychology, sociology, economics, communication studies, and other social science endeavors.

Understanding of the organic nature of psychological features matures. Even without detailed knowledge of the neural structures and neurotransmitters, the layered functions of a brain and how they interact can be modeled. Precise mapping of how the brain (or mind) stores and processes emotions and information are possible. Reliable procedures for socially detecting and diagnosing mental illnesses become possible. Misdiagnosis are rare. Even incipient mental illness can be diagnosed (thus making the prediction of future occurrences possible).

Studies into mental processes allow a great deal of insight into opinions, how they form, and how to affect them. Marketing (and propaganda) becomes a science, rather than an art. The behavior of large numbers of individuals can be influenced with greater success rate and greater precision. Political, commercial, or religious messages can be distributed easily and effectively.

Sociology begins to be used as an applied science, taking the relationships and causes identified by sociological studies and applying them in practical terms. Sociological insights aid government planners, managers, educators, and other individuals to predict and guide the behavior of their organization.

The evolutionary nature of cultural development can be recognized.
--
Jasyn Jones
jasynj (at) gmail (dot) com

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson

Check out my Torg webpage, Storm Knights:
web.me.com/stormknights/