Chapter 4: Rights, Privileges, and Crime
The purpose of the Sapien economy was to address Sapien ‘rights’ and ‘privileges’. All Sapiens were granted ‘rights’ regardless of their employment status and output. These ‘rights’ were immutable, but they could be delivered differently depending on circumstances. If a Sapien committed crimes, the quality of the delivery of their ‘rights’ was downgraded, but they were restored after a successful period of rehabilitation. The following could be considered as ‘rights’:
- Access to clean water
- Access to a clean and safe environment
- Access to housing with adequate functionality (e.g. cooking facilities, storage, sewerage, sleeping quarters, dining areas, and relaxation spaces)
- Access to healthy food
- Access to healthcare
- Access to basic exercise areas and/or facilities
- Access to education, training, and rehabilitation
- Access to discourse and debate
- Access to local transport
- Access to the place of work
- Access to childcare
- Access to communication facilities and devices
- Access to sufficient energy to operate basic devices
- Access to adequate clothing
‘Privileges’ were obtained by working for businesses or Government or participating and contributing to society on behalf of the House of Divine Knowledge. ‘Privileges’ were received in the form of tokens, promotions, or opportunities. Tokens enabled Sapiens to acquire various ‘privileges’. These could include:
- Intercity train travel
- Stays at hotels and holiday resorts
- Access to various entertainment venues
- New gadgets and devices
- Upgraded appliances
- Increased energy input into the home
- Upgrades to the home
- Larger, more luxurious homes (in large regions)
- Specially prepared food
- More comfortable or decorative furniture
- New and finer clothes
- Jewellery
Tokens were programmed to be only used for certain ‘privileges’. For example, a Sapien could be rewarded with intercity train travel and holiday tokens. Sapiens were unable to change the programming of these tokens. These tokens had an expiration date and must be used before that date.
Work promotions enabled Sapiens to rise to higher positions in their organisations. This rewarded them with more authority and responsibility. This also enabled them to earn more and different types of tokens. In theory, continuous promotion could eventually result in a Sapien becoming a part business owner. The Sapien would then be paid a percentage of the businesses profits instead of a token salary. Tokens received as profit did not have an expiration date.
Opportunities enabled Sapiens to climb in social status. These opportunities could involve:
- Invitations to exclusive events and meetings.
- Membership to the House of Divine Knowledge and the Economic Institute.
- Opportunities to represent the region in elections.
Crime had almost been eliminated. The system had been designed to remove motivation and the incentive to commit crimes. Motivation had been reduced in several ways:
‘Rights’ ensured that all Sapiens were taken care of and had at least a reasonable standard of living.
- Obedience was a core part of the education system, which all Sapien children were exposed to from the age of one through childcare and up until seventeen through schools.
- The importance of obedience was reinforced through the teachings of the House of Divine Knowledge.
- Obedience was reinforced through the hierarchy systems in jobs. Indirectly, obedience was rewarded with more career opportunities.
In addition to a lack of motivation, there was a lack of incentive to commit crimes. Crime had a very low chance of offering any benefit to the criminal. Tokens could not be stolen, as they were non-transferable beyond their designated programming. Possessions bought with tokens could not be easily stolen, as they were trackable. The Economic Institute monitored all transactions; enforcers monitored the movement of items through built-in tracking; and energy businesses monitored power usage. If Sapiens had access to something they did not receive through token exchange, they could be immediately identified. They would receive an immediate visit from enforcers. Regions were also very easy to monitor, as they were enclosed societies that were thoroughly monitored through cameras. If a crime was detected on camera, enforcers could reach the crime scene in minutes.
If found guilty of committing crimes, the perpetrators may be required to be detained for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation was not a fixed period of time. It was based on when experts were convinced that the perpetrator was no longer a threat to repeat the crime or a crime of similar nature. During the period of rehabilitation, all ‘privileges’ were suspended. The perpetrators were still entitled to all their ‘rights’ but only within the confines of the rehabilitation facility.
On release, ‘privileges’ were restored, and unexpired tokens could be used. All expired tokens during the rehabilitation period were lost. Not all crimes required rehabilitation. Instead of rehabilitation, ‘privileges’ could be removed. This might involve the deduction of tokens as a fine or banning from certain events and celebrations. Sapiens who had little or no ‘privileges’ would be less likely to avoid rehabilitation if they committed a crime. Hence, another reason to have a job.
Regardless of their circumstances, ‘rights’ had ensured that Sapiens were always taken care of. ‘Privileges’ were sufficient to encourage the majority of Sapiens to participate in the workforce and contribute to the growth of Sapey. As ‘rights’ were guaranteed, Sapiens did not need to commit crimes to meet their basic needs. The nature and design of the Sapien systems and infrastructure reduced the possibility and incentive to commit crimes. The combination of ‘rights’, ‘privileges’, and the integrated systems created the ‘Sapien Utopia’.
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