The Corporate Era - Revision history

Siddharth1: /* Culture */

2025-09-08T01:05:45Z

Culture

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:05, 8 September 2025
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	Alliance Member Worlds did enjoy legal protection, which typically stopped roughly at the edge of the planet's gravitational pull. The few lucky enough to control multiple solar systems had a better standing, but often had to contract out mining and transport to the corporations, thus forcing them to ally with one and risk the wrath of the others.		Alliance Member Worlds did enjoy legal protection, which typically stopped roughly at the edge of the planet's gravitational pull. The few lucky enough to control multiple solar systems had a better standing, but often had to contract out mining and transport to the corporations, thus forcing them to ally with one and risk the wrath of the others.

	It was, over all, not a good situation. For member worlds, the problem was made even more challenging as refugees began to arrive. Though technically "employees" were born into 99-year contracts, many especially from the laborer and worker castes, chose to leave and seek their fortunes elsewhere. Since they were paid in corporate ~~script~~, this meant arriving on Alliance planets with little more than the clothes on their backs. While some, like [[Lars O'mally]], did well for themselves, the vast majority found their new lives little better than the ones they had left.		It was, over all, not a good situation. For member worlds, the problem was made even more challenging as refugees began to arrive. Though technically "employees" were born into 99-year contracts, many especially from the laborer and worker castes, chose to leave and seek their fortunes elsewhere. Since they were paid in corporate scrip, this meant arriving on Alliance planets with little more than the clothes on their backs. While some, like [[Lars O'mally]], did well for themselves, the vast majority found their new lives little better than the ones they had left.

	====Education====		====Education====
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	====Youth labor====		====Youth labor====
	Children are not legally considered adults until the age of 19, however with compulsory education ending at 14, this is the ~~defacto~~ age of majority. There are no rules regarding age of consent. Officially, no one under 14 is allowed to work unless supervised by a parent or guardian. In practice these rules are seldom enforced beyond occasional lip-service.		Children are not legally considered adults until the age of 19, however with compulsory education ending at 14, this is the de facto age of majority. There are no rules regarding age of consent. Officially, no one under 14 is allowed to work unless supervised by a parent or guardian. In practice these rules are seldom enforced beyond occasional lip-service.

	In fact, the age of majority being set so high is one of the very few semi-positive examples of workers rights. Because no one under 19 may legally hold a job or enter into a contract (except the one they were born into) without parental consent, this allows laborers and workers to keep their children home for longer and contributing to the household longer. In some areas, no one under 19 can even formally accept a wage, their wages have to be given to their parent or guardian. Ostensibly, the law is so parents can put their children through vocational training programs while also having them.		In fact, the age of majority being set so high is one of the very few semi-positive examples of workers rights. Because no one under 19 may legally hold a job or enter into a contract (except the one they were born into) without parental consent, this allows laborers and workers to keep their children home for longer and contributing to the household longer. In some areas, no one under 19 can even formally accept a wage, their wages have to be given to their parent or guardian. Ostensibly, the law is so parents can put their children through vocational training programs while also having them.

Siddharth1: /* Unemployment */

2023-04-17T04:14:30Z

Unemployment

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	====Unemployment====		====Unemployment====
	Officially there is none. Unofficially, it hovers around 15%. 70% of the population are employed directly by the corporations in either salaries or hourly roles. Of the remaining 30%, about 8% work as domestic servants		Officially there is none. Unofficially, it hovers around 15%. 70% of the population are employed directly by the corporations in either salaries or hourly roles. Of the remaining 30%, about 8% work as domestic servants.

	==The Corporate Wars==		==The Corporate Wars==

Siddharth1: /* Youth labor */

2023-04-17T04:14:20Z

Youth labor

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 17 April 2023
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	Children are not legally considered adults until the age of 19, however with compulsory education ending at 14, this is the defacto age of majority. There are no rules regarding age of consent. Officially, no one under 14 is allowed to work unless supervised by a parent or guardian. In practice these rules are seldom enforced beyond occasional lip-service.		Children are not legally considered adults until the age of 19, however with compulsory education ending at 14, this is the defacto age of majority. There are no rules regarding age of consent. Officially, no one under 14 is allowed to work unless supervised by a parent or guardian. In practice these rules are seldom enforced beyond occasional lip-service.

	In fact, the age of majority being set so high is one of the very few semi-positive examples of workers rights. Because no one under 19 may legally hold a job or enter into a contract(except the one they were born into) without parental consent, this allows laborers and workers to keep their children home for longer and contributing to the household longer. In some areas, no one under 19 can even formally accept a wage, their wages have to be given to their parent or guardian. Ostensibly, the law is so parents can put their children through vocational training programs while also having them.		In fact, the age of majority being set so high is one of the very few semi-positive examples of workers rights. Because no one under 19 may legally hold a job or enter into a contract (except the one they were born into) without parental consent, this allows laborers and workers to keep their children home for longer and contributing to the household longer. In some areas, no one under 19 can even formally accept a wage, their wages have to be given to their parent or guardian. Ostensibly, the law is so parents can put their children through vocational training programs while also having them.

	Under-aged labor is achieved through a few basic loopholes. The first is classify the job as "gig work" meaning payment by the job; which can be done in cash without any requirement for identification. This frees employers to simply state they did not know the age of the laborer. The second is to simply file paperwork declaring someone on site the legal guardian. This is a popular method for mining and logging sites to bring in very cheap labor. There's even the oft-joked and unofficial title "wrangler" which is given the the supervisor who, in addition to the other duties, owns children for the company.		Under-aged labor is achieved through a few basic loopholes. The first is classify the job as "gig work" meaning payment by the job; which can be done in cash without any requirement for identification. This frees employers to simply state they did not know the age of the laborer. The second is to simply file paperwork declaring someone on site the legal guardian. This is a popular method for mining and logging sites to bring in very cheap labor. There's even the oft-joked and unofficial title "wrangler" which is given the the supervisor who, in addition to the other duties, owns children for the company.

Siddharth1: /* Caste System */

2020-09-13T02:01:18Z

Caste System

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:01, 13 September 2020
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	On a typical corporate world, "employees" lived within a rigid caste system of 'laborers', 'workers', 'scientists', 'executives', and 'security'. While not enforced by regulation, the economics of the era made moving from one caste to another next to impossible.		On a typical corporate world, "employees" lived within a rigid caste system of 'laborers', 'workers', 'scientists', 'executives', and 'security'. While not enforced by regulation, the economics of the era made moving from one caste to another next to impossible.

	*Laborer - blanket term for anyone not working directly for the corporations' chief interests, and typically consisted of unskilled work. Laborers were mostly farm workers, drivers, packers, or anything else done with minimal training by expendable people. These mostly worked for "subsidiaries", which ~~while being~~ wholly-owned by the principal mega-corp, had some independence of operation.		*Laborer - blanket term for anyone not working directly for the corporations' chief interests, and typically consisted of unskilled work. Laborers were mostly farm workers, drivers, packers, or anything else done with minimal training by expendable people. These mostly worked for "subsidiaries", which though wholly-owned by the principal mega-corp, had some independence of operation.

	*Workers - the skilled laborers, doing trained jobs directly for the corporation. These people earned higher wages and enjoyed a higher standard of living over all, but were still typically considered "lower class" elsewhere in the verse. Workers had some rights and more job security, though being fired was still a constant and ever-looming threat, especially in punishment for independent innovation and free speech.		*Workers - the skilled laborers, doing trained jobs directly for the corporation. These people earned higher wages and enjoyed a higher standard of living over all, but were still typically considered "lower class" elsewhere in the verse. Workers had some rights and more job security, though being fired was still a constant and ever-looming threat, especially in punishment for independent innovation and free speech.

Siddharth1 at 06:08, 16 June 2020

2020-06-16T06:08:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:08, 16 June 2020
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	Lasting from [[A.Y.]] 4107 to 4709, the Corporate Era saw the rise of several mega-coporations in some of the outer regions of [[The World]]. In total, 7,500 star systems were controlled by 18 corporate empires. While existing technically as publicly-traded companies, these empires issued their own currency, built their own fleets of warships, and enforced their own laws; controlling the lives of trillions of people. The era culminated in the [[Corporate Wars]]. (Some of the later editions of the [[Accepted Histories]] place the adventures of [[Marcus Ransom]] in this era~~. In fact~~, ~~the adventures of Marcus Ransom did occur during the same time period, but took place~~ in a different region).		Lasting from [[A.Y.]] 4107 to 4709, the Corporate Era saw the rise of several mega-coporations in some of the outer regions of [[The World]]. In total, 7,500 star systems were controlled by 18 corporate empires. While existing technically as publicly-traded companies, these empires issued their own currency, built their own fleets of warships, and enforced their own laws; controlling the lives of trillions of people. The era culminated in the [[Corporate Wars]]. (Some of the later editions of the [[Accepted Histories]] place the adventures of [[Marcus Ransom]] in this era, although in a different region).

	==History==		==History==

CourseDirector at 01:04, 16 June 2020

2020-06-16T01:04:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:04, 16 June 2020
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	Lasting from [[A.Y.]] 4107 to 4709, the Corporate Era saw the rise of several mega-coporations in some of the outer regions of [[The World]]. In total, 7,500 star systems were controlled by 18 corporate empires. While existing technically as publicly-traded companies, these empires issued their own currency, built their own fleets of warships, and enforced their own laws; controlling the lives of trillions of people. The era culminated in the [[Corporate Wars]]. (Some of the later editions of the [[Accepted Histories]] place the adventures of [[Marcus Ransom]] in this era).		Lasting from [[A.Y.]] 4107 to 4709, the Corporate Era saw the rise of several mega-coporations in some of the outer regions of [[The World]]. In total, 7,500 star systems were controlled by 18 corporate empires. While existing technically as publicly-traded companies, these empires issued their own currency, built their own fleets of warships, and enforced their own laws; controlling the lives of trillions of people. The era culminated in the [[Corporate Wars]]. (Some of the later editions of the [[Accepted Histories]] place the adventures of [[Marcus Ransom]] in this era. In fact, the adventures of Marcus Ransom did occur during the same time period, but took place in a different region).

	==History==		==History==

Siddharth1: /* Caste System */

2020-06-15T19:55:49Z

Caste System

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:55, 15 June 2020
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	On a typical corporate world, "employees" lived within a rigid caste system of 'laborers', 'workers', 'scientists', 'executives', and 'security'. While not enforced by regulation, the economics of the era made moving from one caste to another next to impossible.		On a typical corporate world, "employees" lived within a rigid caste system of 'laborers', 'workers', 'scientists', 'executives', and 'security'. While not enforced by regulation, the economics of the era made moving from one caste to another next to impossible.

	*Laborer - blanket term for anyone not working directly for the corporations chief interests, and typically consisted of unskilled work. Laborers were mostly farm workers, drivers, packers, or anything else done with minimal training by expendable people. These mostly worked for "subsidiaries", which while being wholly-owned by the principal mega-corp, had some independence of operation.		*Laborer - blanket term for anyone not working directly for the corporations' chief interests, and typically consisted of unskilled work. Laborers were mostly farm workers, drivers, packers, or anything else done with minimal training by expendable people. These mostly worked for "subsidiaries", which while being wholly-owned by the principal mega-corp, had some independence of operation.

	*Workers - the skilled laborers, doing trained jobs directly for the corporation. These people earned higher wages and enjoyed a higher standard of living over all, but were still typically considered "lower class" elsewhere in the verse. Workers had some rights and more job security, though being fired was still a constant and ever-looming threat, especially in punishment for independent innovation and free speech.		*Workers - the skilled laborers, doing trained jobs directly for the corporation. These people earned higher wages and enjoyed a higher standard of living over all, but were still typically considered "lower class" elsewhere in the verse. Workers had some rights and more job security, though being fired was still a constant and ever-looming threat, especially in punishment for independent innovation and free speech.
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	*Executives - the social elite, the share-holders. Originally these began as the corporate executives when the mega-corps first merged, but over time they became inherited positions based on family wealth and the number of voting shares held. A family might collectively own enough shares to control a seat on the board, which in turn allowed a patriarch (usually; most executives had some female authority, but even these operated mostly through male agents) to appoint various members to important positions within the corporate structure. These family dynasties often became more important than the corporations themselves, especially if the family tree narrowed and a few people could centralize a large amount of power. In the later days of the era it was vanishingly rare for anyone to move up from another caste into executive status. To become an executive required attending, at a young age, one of the highly exclusive executive training programs. The costs of these programs were exorbitant, and the few annual slots went almost exclusively to the children of executives. The few that did not mostly went to people with friends, such as high-ranking security personnel or scientists; people who might know a high-ranking executive with influence.		*Executives - the social elite, the share-holders. Originally these began as the corporate executives when the mega-corps first merged, but over time they became inherited positions based on family wealth and the number of voting shares held. A family might collectively own enough shares to control a seat on the board, which in turn allowed a patriarch (usually; most executives had some female authority, but even these operated mostly through male agents) to appoint various members to important positions within the corporate structure. These family dynasties often became more important than the corporations themselves, especially if the family tree narrowed and a few people could centralize a large amount of power. In the later days of the era it was vanishingly rare for anyone to move up from another caste into executive status. To become an executive required attending, at a young age, one of the highly exclusive executive training programs. The costs of these programs were exorbitant, and the few annual slots went almost exclusively to the children of executives. The few that did not mostly went to people with friends, such as high-ranking security personnel or scientists; people who might know a high-ranking executive with influence.

	*Security - began as the corporate security guards, eventually formed into a combination military/police force. Security was called upon just as often to put down civil unrest in the corporate towns as to defend actual assets. While there were technically laws on every corporate world, the security force was corrupt and very selective about enforcement. Security was somewhat different from the other castes in that anyone could move to it(and frequently did); and ~~that~~ unlike other castes tended to reward loyalty and dedication ~~moreover~~ than nepotism. While it was ~~rare boarding on~~ unheard of for anyone who joined the security force to move into executive status, it was possible for a worker or laborer to join and achieve a comparatively high standard of living. The children of particularly highly-placed security personnel did have opportunities for advancement.		*Security - began as the corporate security guards, eventually formed into a combination military/police force. Security was called upon just as often to put down civil unrest in the corporate towns as to defend actual assets. While there were technically laws on every corporate world, the security force was corrupt and very selective about enforcement. Security was somewhat different from the other castes in that anyone could move to it (and frequently did); and unlike other castes, tended to reward loyalty and dedication rather than nepotism. While it was nearly unheard of for anyone who joined the security force to move into executive status, it was possible for a worker or laborer to join and achieve a comparatively high standard of living. The children of particularly highly-placed security personnel did have opportunities for advancement.

	===Culture===		===Culture===

Siddharth1: /* Education */

2020-06-15T19:54:14Z

Education

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 15 June 2020
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	====Education====		====Education====
	Education is a strictly for-profit enterprise and many employees have to go without. The rules state that every child must be provided with compulsory education up until the age of fourteen. Businesses may provide the education themselves or outsource to a third-party provider(though in practice every single business in a company town is owned, in some measure, by the corporation). Basic education includes mathematics, literacy(not to be confused with literature, most of literacy is about reading instruction manuals), and the sciences.		Education is a strictly for-profit enterprise and many employees have to go without. The rules state that every child must be provided with compulsory education until the age of fourteen. Businesses may provide the education themselves or outsource to a third-party provider (though in practice every single business in a company town is owned, in some measure, by the corporation). Basic education includes mathematics, literacy (not to be confused with literature; most of literacy is about reading instruction manuals), and the sciences.

	In practice, only the children of executives receive a decent corporate-sponsored education. Scientists can afford to send their children to good schools, as can some of the higher-ranking security personnel. Lower-ranking executives(such as junior and middle managers) often ~~elect to~~ send their children to "private" schools. Their income affords them the ability to provide a higher standard of education than the company will, as only the elites get the very best.		In practice, only the children of executives receive a decent corporate-sponsored education. Scientists can afford to send their children to good schools, as can some of the higher-ranking security personnel. Lower-ranking executives (such as junior and middle managers) often send their children to "private" schools. Their income affords them the ability to provide a higher standard of education than the company will, as only the elites get the very best.

	For the worker and labor-class, the prospect is much worse. In the dense urban areas, various companies can pool their resources on sub-contractors. The kids do get a real education(if a hot, noisy, and terribly ~~over-~~crowded one). ~~In the~~ outlying regions ~~its~~ much worse. With no child ~~wellfare~~ or working laws ~~being~~ enforced, the companies with a smaller pool of ~~chilren~~ pay only the most rudimentary lip service to the notion of teaching ~~them~~. In the ~~much~~ smaller and even more remote agricultural areas, it is common practice to simply bribe the inspectors; leaving entire generations who can neither read, write, or spell.		For the worker and labor-class, the prospect is much worse. In the dense urban areas, various companies can pool their resources on sub-contractors. The kids do get a real education (though a hot, noisy, and terribly crowded one). The outlying regions are much worse. With no child welfare or working laws enforced, the companies with a smaller pool of children pay only the most rudimentary lip service to the notion of teaching. In the smaller and even more remote agricultural areas, it is common practice to simply bribe the inspectors; leaving entire generations who can neither read, write, or spell.

	Very little effort is expended to enforce or correct these problems, even as it's been seen to cause labor shortages and over-all lack of quality. The fact that this was happening on industrial worlds creates even more issues.		Very little effort is expended to enforce or correct these problems, even as it's been seen to cause labor shortages and over-all lack of quality. The fact that this was happening on industrial worlds creates even more issues.

	Higher education can be entered ~~into~~ at any time, though generally completing compulsory education is expected first. This consists primarily of trade schools, designed to teach children the skills necessary to become workers(IE skilled laborers). There also exist programs to educate them as scientists, but these are more difficult to get into without connections and much more expensive. Lastly, the children of executives enjoy access to executive training programs, ~~effectively~~ business ~~school~~.		Higher education can be entered at any time, though generally completing compulsory education is expected first. This consists primarily of trade schools, designed to teach children the skills necessary to become workers (I.E., skilled laborers). There also exist programs to educate them as scientists, but these are more difficult to get into without connections, and much more expensive. Lastly, the children of executives enjoy access to executive training programs, better known as business schools.

	The corporate structure does not offer degrees, only certifications.		The corporate structure does not offer degrees, only certifications.

CourseDirector: /* Living in a Corpocracy */

2020-06-15T03:20:12Z

Living in a Corpocracy

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:20, 15 June 2020
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	Life under corporate rule was challenging for most. On corporate worlds, the only employer was the corporation, wages were paid in company scrip, and rates, rules, and regulations were whatever the corporation deemed appropriate. Free trade was stifled, and corporate practices were openly hostile toward independent operations. They claimed this was "in line with the practices of the Foundation", and used this as frequent legal precedent for keeping out government oversight. (Such practices were not at all in line with those of Gudersnipe, which promoted a high standard of living that propped up small businesses. Corporate hostility towards the Foundation was driven by the Foundation's general disdain for large, abusive corporations, which it did often undermine).		Life under corporate rule was challenging for most. On corporate worlds, the only employer was the corporation, wages were paid in company scrip, and rates, rules, and regulations were whatever the corporation deemed appropriate. Free trade was stifled, and corporate practices were openly hostile toward independent operations. They claimed this was "in line with the practices of the Foundation", and used this as frequent legal precedent for keeping out government oversight. (Such practices were not at all in line with those of Gudersnipe, which promoted a high standard of living that propped up small businesses. Corporate hostility towards the Foundation was driven by the Foundation's general disdain for large, abusive corporations, which it did often undermine).

	On a typical corporate world, "employees" lived within a rigid caste system of 'laborers', 'workers', 'scientists', 'executives', and 'security':		As the generations passed, life in corporate space grew increasingly unbearable. There was no real justice system, no courts, no rule of law. There was only the corporation, and whatever laws its security force chose to enforce. While it was possible, with effort, to rise above one's caste (for example a laborer becoming a worker, or the child of a worker becoming a scientist), it was uncommon and very difficult, and depended less on one's merits than on sheer luck.

			As time passed, the criminal element became increasingly powerful, and in a way represented its own caste. While any sort of large-scale organized crime would be stopped quickly by the corporations, smaller elements could operate with impunity with a few choice bribes. Corporations even made use of these elements, often employing criminal gangs or mercenaries to do the dirty work for them, as strike breakers, or cleaners; the most successful criminals survived by being just useful enough to keep around.

			====Caste System====
			On a typical corporate world, "employees" lived within a rigid caste system of 'laborers', 'workers', 'scientists', 'executives', and 'security'. While not enforced by regulation, the economics of the era made moving from one caste to another next to impossible.

	*Laborer - blanket term for anyone not working directly for the corporations chief interests, and typically consisted of unskilled work. Laborers were mostly farm workers, drivers, packers, or anything else done with minimal training by expendable people. These mostly worked for "subsidiaries", which while being wholly-owned by the principal mega-corp, had some independence of operation.		*Laborer - blanket term for anyone not working directly for the corporations chief interests, and typically consisted of unskilled work. Laborers were mostly farm workers, drivers, packers, or anything else done with minimal training by expendable people. These mostly worked for "subsidiaries", which while being wholly-owned by the principal mega-corp, had some independence of operation.
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	*Security - began as the corporate security guards, eventually formed into a combination military/police force. Security was called upon just as often to put down civil unrest in the corporate towns as to defend actual assets. While there were technically laws on every corporate world, the security force was corrupt and very selective about enforcement. Security was somewhat different from the other castes in that anyone could move to it(and frequently did); and that unlike other castes tended to reward loyalty and dedication moreover than nepotism. While it was rare boarding on unheard of for anyone who joined the security force to move into executive status, it was possible for a worker or laborer to join and achieve a comparatively high standard of living. The children of particularly highly-placed security personnel did have opportunities for advancement.		*Security - began as the corporate security guards, eventually formed into a combination military/police force. Security was called upon just as often to put down civil unrest in the corporate towns as to defend actual assets. While there were technically laws on every corporate world, the security force was corrupt and very selective about enforcement. Security was somewhat different from the other castes in that anyone could move to it(and frequently did); and that unlike other castes tended to reward loyalty and dedication moreover than nepotism. While it was rare boarding on unheard of for anyone who joined the security force to move into executive status, it was possible for a worker or laborer to join and achieve a comparatively high standard of living. The children of particularly highly-placed security personnel did have opportunities for advancement.

	As the generations passed, life in corporate space grew increasingly unbearable. There was no real justice system, no courts, no rule of law. There was only the corporation, and whatever laws its security force chose to enforce. While it was possible, with effort, to rise above one's caste (for example a laborer becoming a worker, or the child of a worker becoming a scientist), it was uncommon and very difficult, and depended less on one's merits than on sheer luck.

	As time passed, the criminal element became increasingly powerful, and in a way represented its own caste. While any sort of large-scale organized crime would be stopped quickly by the corporations, smaller elements could operate with impunity with a few choice bribes. Corporations even made use of these elements, often employing criminal gangs or mercenaries to do the dirty work for them, as strike breakers, or cleaners; the most successful criminals survived by being just useful enough to keep around.

	===Culture===		===Culture===

CourseDirector: /* Culture */

2020-06-15T02:55:44Z

Culture

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:55, 15 June 2020
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	Under-aged labor is achieved through a few basic loopholes. The first is classify the job as "gig work" meaning payment by the job; which can be done in cash without any requirement for identification. This frees employers to simply state they did not know the age of the laborer. The second is to simply file paperwork declaring someone on site the legal guardian. This is a popular method for mining and logging sites to bring in very cheap labor. There's even the oft-joked and unofficial title "wrangler" which is given the the supervisor who, in addition to the other duties, owns children for the company.		Under-aged labor is achieved through a few basic loopholes. The first is classify the job as "gig work" meaning payment by the job; which can be done in cash without any requirement for identification. This frees employers to simply state they did not know the age of the laborer. The second is to simply file paperwork declaring someone on site the legal guardian. This is a popular method for mining and logging sites to bring in very cheap labor. There's even the oft-joked and unofficial title "wrangler" which is given the the supervisor who, in addition to the other duties, owns children for the company.

			====Unemployment====
			Officially there is none. Unofficially, it hovers around 15%. 70% of the population are employed directly by the corporations in either salaries or hourly roles. Of the remaining 30%, about 8% work as domestic servants

	==The Corporate Wars==		==The Corporate Wars==