Week Eight: Imagining Power

"Describe how is power distributed in your world? Are the patterns of power transparent or hidden? Draw a graphic showing how power is distributed and what types of authority are used to legitimize those with power. You might also describe the way that power and authority are organized and the shape of that organization."

Manteni Power Structures
Manteni have a hierarchical government system based primarily on military status and subtly on gender. The 'heads of government' are highly skilled and intelligent strategists, tacticians, and generals. Arms makers and engineers are often high ranking in societal government as well. The highest position in government is Grandmaster, generally taken by the most seasoned military general currently alive. The Grandmaster has the final say in all military decisions. Succession is decided by the Grandmaster Council, which is made up of the Grandmaster, and six other high ranking/seasoned tacticians, generals, strategists, engineers, or arms makers. Members of the council can be directly picked by the Grandmaster, or are collectively chosen by the Council when the need arises. The council always chooses the new Grandmaster by majority vote among themselves. The choice for both Grandmaster and council members in general is influenced by seniority, experience, but primarily personal achievement. The council as a whole has final say in all matters of law, crime, and punishment. They also make day to day decisions for the progression of society as a whole. Manteni are very mechanized and militarized as they believe they are at constant war with the Blattoceains and must, at all costs, keep them out of their side of the planet.

Each tree or city has it's own loose government with what can be considered a mayor, but generally, they are only for show and all answer to the Grandmaster and the Grandmaster council.

Gender subtly influences power in Manteni society because there is gender inequality and males are seen as the lesser gender. (See: Gender/Non-gender)

Blattodeain Power Structures
Blattodeains have a loosely organized government. Their society is so constantly endangered, that one individual or group of individuals would never be able to hold any kind of office for very long. Generally Blattodeains always look to their seniors for guidance, instruction, and organization. There are scouting heads, military heads (although their official military is minimal), scientific heads, etc, but the closest thing that can be recognized as a head of government are the elders. They pass down the history and the knowledge of previous generation because turnover tends to be so frequent. Once Blattodeains reach a certain age, they become elders. It is rare for them to live very long because of their dangerous day to day life, and so if they can survive a certain amount of time, they are deemed elders and 'retire' to live deeper underground where they can live their lives in safer situations. They provide guidance to any Blattodeains in society who seek it and pass down previous generations knowledge, laws, and organizational structure.