The Olympian Order: Venus: Pillar Networks

Introduction

Pillar Networks are network-states or virtual-states that serve as an alternative to the traditional nation-state concept. Rather than being directly tied to geography the way traditional nation-states are, Pillar Networks are states that exist virtually. There are numerous Pillar Networks on Venus, Mars and around the solar system. 

The rules that govern each Pillar Network differ and are distinct from one another. Pillar Networks typically are formed with a charter or constitution detailing its rules and governance. Depending on the size, scope and complexity of the Pillar Network will determine the size of its governing apparatus. 

Pillar Networks have to compete for membership. Some Pillar Networks may consist of millions of people, while others consist of only a handful. It is possible for people to belong to multiple Pillar Networks simultaneously. 

Individual Pillar Networks are formed for a variety of purposes. Some are based on cultural identity or religion (Catholic Church or the Mormons), others are based on political beliefs (The Unionists or New Destiny), some are based on wealth and status (Ouroboros), some focus on mutual aid, some are exclusively focused on governing small groups (residents of an apartment building or a neighborhood). 

History

The first Pillar Networks started on Mars in the early 22nd century. During the early 22nd century, the Martian colonies were officially administered by Earth based governments, and by treaty, they were not allowed independence. Martian colonists felt disaffected by the Earth based governments they officially belonged to. Many colonies had residents from dozens of different countries, which had different rules governing their citizens on Mars. The children born on Mars felt even less connection with the Earth nations they were ostensibly citizens of. 

Because of this tension, the first Pillar Networks formed. The concept was based on older ideas of network-states, which had been tried at various times on Earth with some limited success. The newly formed Martian Pillar Networks grew in popularity and political power. 

As new treaties were signed in the 22nd century, the new nations of Mars were founded and the Pillar Networks became established as core parts of Elysium and Tharsis. Following the series of Martian Wars in the early 23rd century, Elysium collapsed its old Pillar Networks in a revolution and the Pillar Networks of Tharsis became embroiled in a cold civil war. 

On Venus, Pillar Networks became a foundational part of the Archipelago. The Pillar Networks operate as independent states within the Archipelago. Pillar Networks serve as a layer of government below the Archipelago government and separate from the individual city governments. The Archipelago provides only a limited number of services to its residents and citizens. Notably, the Archipelago provides protection via a standing military and crime insurance. According to its founding principles, the Archipelago tries to maintain a free market with minimal interference. 

As a result of the Archipelago’s laissez-faire philosophy, the Pillar Networks take up a space below the central government to provide social services, mutual aid, education, additional protection, and more. 

They also function effectively as political parties. Most of the tradable voting shares of the Grand Council are owned by Pillar Networks. Some people in the Archipelago, notably members of smaller Pillar Networks, argue that the distribution of voting shares is unfair, as many shares are either held by wealthy individuals and wealthy Pillar Networks, like Ouroboros, or older Pillar Networks that have lost membership, like The Beacon Network. 

Major Pillar Networks of Venus* 

*Note: This listing excludes Pillar Networks associated with traditional religious groups

New Destiny

  • Description: One of the older pillar networks, it was created in the early 23rd century. During the latter half of the 23rd century, it has come into its own more and has gained power and expanded its membership. It has often allied with the Beacon Network on policy decisions. Both networks hold fairly strong free market views. They differ in foreign policy. However, New Destiny has been more interventionist in its outlook. They have strongly supported the creation of the White Fleet and the expansion of the Gold Fleet. They, likewise, hold strong views against the Merovingian Kingdom and support directly in intervening against it, up to outright war and invasion.
  • How to join: Application
  • Membership Cost: Sales Tax
  • Social Safety Net: Basic Social Safety Net
  • Social Credit System: None
  • Expulsion: Yes, for crimes or abuse of the social safety net
  • Governing Structure: Liquid Democracy
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Major political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: The most hawkish faction, there are members who have openly advocated for war and have spent time and money building up the Archipelago’s military.
  • Position on the Olympian Order: Hawkish on Earth, they have been largely responsible for building up the space forces, including the White and Gold fleets. There are certain factions within the network that are confident they could defeat the Olympian government and set up a new government(s) on Earth.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions on standard modification for children, but restrictions on creating “workers” or unnatural modifications.

The Unionists

  • Description: One of the older and more well-established Pillar Networks, it caters to the lower classes, though much of the leadership is very wealthy and well educated. It also actively recruits recent immigrants to Venus. It wants the Archipelago to assume a more traditional governing role, which appeals to many Earthers who are used to traditional governments. It wants a progressive tax across all residents and an Archipelago administered social spending system.
  • How to join: Application
  • Membership Cost: Income Tax
  • Social Safety Net: Expansive social safety net
  • Social Credit System: Opaque tiered system
  • Expulsion: Yes, if social credit score dips too low
  • Governing Structure: Internal representatives
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Major political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: Fairly dovish, they want to focus more on problems at home.
  • Position on the Olympian Order: Fairly dovish, they want to focus more on problems at home.
  • Position on genetic engineering: For restrictions against non-medical modifications.

The Beacon Network

  • Description: This is the oldest Pillar Network; it was founded by Grant Walker and has historically been tied closely with the government of the Archipelago. Over the past several decades, it fell from grace due to its poor handling of the 2260’s financial crisis, the invasion of Earth and its fallout and a series of scandals involving high-ranking members.
  • How to join: Application
  • Membership Cost: Sales tax
  • Social Safety Net: Basic social safety net
  • Social Credit System: None
  • Expulsion: Yes, for crimes or abuse of the social safety net
  • Governing Structure: Liquid democracy
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Major political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: In between dovish and hawkish, they believe in a strong defense, but don’t advocate for offense. There are some notable members who are either doves or hawks.
  • Position on the Olympian Order: In between dovish and hawkish, they believe in a strong defense, but don’t advocate for offense. There are some notable members who are either doves or hawks.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions on standard modification for children, but restrictions on creating “workers” or unnatural modifications.

Ouroboros

  • Description: Another one of the older Pillar Networks, Ouroboros is highly selective in who is allowed to join. Individuals who join must have a high net-worth and deposit a significant sum with them as an entrance fee. The network punches above its weight due to the amount of money behind it. It has a relatively slim member roster, but it controls a respectable amount of trading shares. It mostly advocates for the interests of its members and doesn’t have a strong central governing philosophy.
  • How to join: Deposit of a large sum of money along with a wealth check
  • Membership Cost: Annual fee schedule, members must also donate to charity
  • Social Safety Net: No social safety net
  • Social Credit System: Secret internal system
  • Expulsion: Yes, if social credit score dips too low
  • Governing Structure: Shareholder democracy
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Major political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: Slightly more hawkish, there are members who believe that the Merovingian Kingdom’s destruction would be good for business, notably through decreased pirate activity.
  • Position on the Olympian Order: The members of the network have been very active in moving money off of Earth. They are not eager for war and believe Venus is too small to defeat the Olympian government.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions.

Iron Star

  • Description: One of the newer Pillar Networks Iron Star has grown considerably in the past few decades. It has targeted recent immigrants, especially those from America and western nations. The network sees itself as being pragmatic and not swayed by ideology.
  • How to join: Application
  • Membership Cost: Annual fee schedule determined by a number of factors
  • Social Safety Net: Basic social safety net
  • Social Credit System: Transparent system focused only on credit worthiness
  • Expulsion: Yes, for crimes or abuse of the social safety net
  • Governing Structure: Shareholder democracy
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Minor political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: Similar to the Beacon Network, they prefer stronger defense rather than offensive operations.
  • Position on the Olympian Order: They think war with Earth is impractical and will result in failure. They worry about possible counterstrikes against Venus.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions on standard modification for children, but restrictions on creating “workers” or unnatural modifications.

White Lotus

  • Description: One of the smaller and more unusual Pillar Networks. The members of White Lotus live together in communes and share resources. They are awarded a crypto currency based on their social credit score and the work they do on behalf of the network itself. The network operates a number of businesses and owns a decent amount of capital. Joining the network is a rigorous process and if one’s social credit score dips too low, then they can be kicked out. Some have called the network a “socialist experiment” but the network members don’t use that term and the network itself engages in free market activities.
  • How to join: Significant training and apprentice period. Rigorous screening process.
  • Membership Cost: All members work directly for the network, all wealth held in common
  • Social Safety Net: Social benefits determined by social credit
  • Social Credit System: Strong social credit system with scores publicly viewable
  • Expulsion: Yes, if social credit score dips too low
  • Governing Structure: Elected executive council, votes weighted by social credit score
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Operates largely outside the political process
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: No position
  • Position on the Olympian Order: No position
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions

The League of Venus

  • Description: One of the newer networks on Venus it has gained a great deal of popularity in the past few decades. It is a fairly populist network, with a strong social safety net and it desires more regulations for who is allowed to immigrate to Venus. It has embraced a more exclusionary strategy in the face of increased immigration from Earth. In particular, it is strongly against the Olympians on Earth and their rule.
  • How to join: Screening process after application
  • Membership Cost: All members need to donate a portion of their income
  • Social Safety Net: Robust social safety net for members
  • Social Credit System: Several systems used, though none officially endorsed
  • Expulsion: Expulsion based on the leadership or direct vote
  • Governing Structure: Direct vote for Executive Council
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Major political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: For a stronger defense, there are some hawkish members.
  • Position on the Olympian Order: For a stronger defense, there are some hawkish members. The network is strongly against the policy of Earth sending immigrants and refugees.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions on standard modification for children, but restrictions on creating “workers” or unnatural modifications.

Humanity Advanced

  • Description: One of the older networks, it was founded before the creation of the first colonies on Venus. They forked off from the Olympian movement more than a century ago when it split apart into different factions. They advocate for transhumanism and genetic engineering, but wish to do so within the confines of society, not through a dictatorship. They are similar to the Olympians who remained on Olympus Mons.
  • How to join: Application
  • Membership Cost: Annual fee schedule determined by a number of factors
  • Social Safety Net: Variable social safety net
  • Social Credit System: None
  • Expulsion: Yes, for crimes or abuse of the social safety net
  • Governing Structure: Direct democracy, plus management board
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Minor political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: Isolationist
  • Position on the Olympian Order: Members don’t approve of the Olympian regime, but they are against warfare, believing Venus wouldn’t be able to win. Some members harbor sympathies for the Olympian regime, though.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions.

AlphaX

  • Description: Highly technocratic Pillar Network. The network is a firm believer in expert rule and runs several internal think tanks and has its own in-house education system. Like the Unionists, it wants a larger role for the Archipelago central government, though not quite as expansive. It also works to get its own experts entrenched in the machinery of the government.
  • How to join: Standardized test, along with completion of internal education
  • Membership Cost: Annual fee schedule determined by a number of factors
  • Social Safety Net: Variable social safety net
  • Social Credit System: Transparent tiered system
  • Expulsion: Yes, for criminal activity
  • Governing Structure: Board of Directors receive yes or no vote, they then appoint internal managers
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Minor political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: Interventionist
  • Position on the Olympian Order: They think war with Earth is impractical and will result in failure. They worry about possible counterstrikes against Venus.
  • Position on genetic engineering: No restrictions on standard modification for children, but restrictions on creating “workers” or unnatural modifications.

The Sunshine Network

  • Description: A communitarian network with a strong spiritual element. Network members are encouraged to attend regular services for the Sunshine Network. The spirituality can be summed up as new age thought. There are also some dietary guidelines. The network is very active in trying to help the poor and they pool a large amount of their money and share it communally.
  • How to join: Through religious education and being accepted by the community
  • Membership Cost: All members have to share a portion of their wealth and income
  • Social Safety Net: Robust social safety net for members
  • Social Credit System: None
  • Expulsion: Yes, for crimes or abuse of the social safety net
  • Governing Structure: Leadership is internally appointed
  • Size: 
  • Political role in the Archipelago: Minor political force
  • Position on the Merovingian Kingdom: Against warfare
  • Position on the Olympian Order: Against warfare
  • Position on genetic engineering: For restrictions against non-medical modifications