Post by Heikki Toivonen on Mar 15, 2005 12:08:31 GMT -5
This rpg takes place in an indistinct time similar to our own, but in the future.
The world is similar to today, but there are some differences. Mainly, capitalism is more cut throat than it is today.
Here is an overview of the world.
Poverty
The 3rd World is worse off than it is today. There is a small ruling class of business owners whom cater to western/northern capitalists. Within the advanced capitalist nations, poverty is also growing. In all parts of the world it can be said that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, but the rich are also getting fewer.
Terrorism Terrorism is widespread, most every western country must deal with terrorism in some form. Even countries like Canada and Sweden have become targets to terrorist groups. The threat is not only from Islamic Terrorists, but a wide array of extremists.
Civil Liberties
Related to terrorism, civil liberties have been axed in most every western capitalist country. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, etc, have all been limited to enable governments to keep an eye on terrorist activity.
War
Related to terrorism, there are wars against terrorism in many parts of the world. Unlike today, there is a greater sense of international cooperation in thwarting terrorism by military means since more and more countries have been attacked by terrorists.
There is tension between the United States, parts of Asia, and Europe. Inter capitalists war, although unthought of today, is a very real possibility in the near future as competition between capitalist nations for new markets becomes increasingly fierce.
Global Economy
Massive unemployment and growing poverty chew away the middle class of of once "healthy" capitalist societies. The United States is in deep decline internationally, Europe is the new center of trade and capitalism, and the Euro the standard currency in foreign exchange. The dollar has been on decline for years, outshined by the Euro.
Once again, poverty in the 3rd world is worse than even today.
Internationalism
There is some internationalism in counter terrorism activities, but international peace is faltering. The UN is not taken seriously, even by Europe. Treaties are being ignored. Human rights are being violated. International law is a joke. The United Nation continues to meet, plan, make new treaties, and try to enforce old ones, but more than ever it is an anemic organization.
Global cooperation as a whole is in decline. Internationalism has given way to nationalism. Nations forge foreign policies out of their own needs and ambitions, irrespective of the global community.
Social Welfare
The democratic socialist nations of Europe, who long provided health care, education, old age pensions, housing benefits, and a myriad of other social benefits to their people have had to cut back social welfare programs in order to remain competitive in the Free market in times of economic crisis.
The United States, which of course never had many social programs to begin with, has also had to cut back welfare, social security, and social programs in general.
Social welfare is being scaled back in all parts of the world and in most every nation, many state owned industries and services are being or have been privatized.
Labour
The capitalist nations of the world are facing a widespread unemployment epidemic. Those who do work, work longer hours with fewer days off. Labour laws have been widdled away, so that the 40 hour work week is no longer standard, minimum wage has not been increased in years, and breaks are no longer manditory.
In the developing nations, labour laws are non existant. Western capitalists exploit these workers who often are paid low wages, are sometimes children, and work long hours.
Environment
Environmental laws are either ignored or rolled back.
The world is similar to today, but there are some differences. Mainly, capitalism is more cut throat than it is today.
Here is an overview of the world.
Poverty
The 3rd World is worse off than it is today. There is a small ruling class of business owners whom cater to western/northern capitalists. Within the advanced capitalist nations, poverty is also growing. In all parts of the world it can be said that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, but the rich are also getting fewer.
Terrorism Terrorism is widespread, most every western country must deal with terrorism in some form. Even countries like Canada and Sweden have become targets to terrorist groups. The threat is not only from Islamic Terrorists, but a wide array of extremists.
Civil Liberties
Related to terrorism, civil liberties have been axed in most every western capitalist country. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, etc, have all been limited to enable governments to keep an eye on terrorist activity.
War
Related to terrorism, there are wars against terrorism in many parts of the world. Unlike today, there is a greater sense of international cooperation in thwarting terrorism by military means since more and more countries have been attacked by terrorists.
There is tension between the United States, parts of Asia, and Europe. Inter capitalists war, although unthought of today, is a very real possibility in the near future as competition between capitalist nations for new markets becomes increasingly fierce.
Global Economy
Massive unemployment and growing poverty chew away the middle class of of once "healthy" capitalist societies. The United States is in deep decline internationally, Europe is the new center of trade and capitalism, and the Euro the standard currency in foreign exchange. The dollar has been on decline for years, outshined by the Euro.
Once again, poverty in the 3rd world is worse than even today.
Internationalism
There is some internationalism in counter terrorism activities, but international peace is faltering. The UN is not taken seriously, even by Europe. Treaties are being ignored. Human rights are being violated. International law is a joke. The United Nation continues to meet, plan, make new treaties, and try to enforce old ones, but more than ever it is an anemic organization.
Global cooperation as a whole is in decline. Internationalism has given way to nationalism. Nations forge foreign policies out of their own needs and ambitions, irrespective of the global community.
Social Welfare
The democratic socialist nations of Europe, who long provided health care, education, old age pensions, housing benefits, and a myriad of other social benefits to their people have had to cut back social welfare programs in order to remain competitive in the Free market in times of economic crisis.
The United States, which of course never had many social programs to begin with, has also had to cut back welfare, social security, and social programs in general.
Social welfare is being scaled back in all parts of the world and in most every nation, many state owned industries and services are being or have been privatized.
Labour
The capitalist nations of the world are facing a widespread unemployment epidemic. Those who do work, work longer hours with fewer days off. Labour laws have been widdled away, so that the 40 hour work week is no longer standard, minimum wage has not been increased in years, and breaks are no longer manditory.
In the developing nations, labour laws are non existant. Western capitalists exploit these workers who often are paid low wages, are sometimes children, and work long hours.
Environment
Environmental laws are either ignored or rolled back.
