  SocietyFriland: Social coherence Although all citizens have the same rights, there has always been a clear social hierarchy. Frilandic society originally had a tribal, meritocratic nature with feudal characteristics, therefore nobles, warriors, religious leaders and of course the king have a high standing. However, the power they used to hold is gone; it are the Frilanders themselves who keep putting these people on a pedestal out of respect. Though the "higher class" is expected to possess a healthy degree of "Frilandiska dugunŝ" (Frilandic virtue), because they are an example to society. Because Friland has evolved from a tribal society the people feel a strong mutual connection and responsibility towards eachother. However, towards the outside world there is light suspicion and most Frilanders are therefore happy that they live on an island so that all wars, diseases, terrorist attacks and other unpleasantries stay far away from them. In the eyes of the Frilanders the whole world has gone mad and therefore it is much better to stay on the good side of the water. Most Frilanders do not see themselves as Europeans or cosmopolites, but rather as some sort of aliens who accidentally landed on the wrong planet. The family is very important: these are not only the blood relatives but also the in-laws, friends and the families of these friends. This group is called the "seb" (sib/clan). Members of the sib, often called "seblungan" (siblings) or "magan" (relatives), can always turn to eachother for help. Due to the increasing individualisation the importance of the sib has declined, nevertheless only few people will refuse help to their siblings. National character It is of course impossible to lump a whole people together: therefore "national character" only refers to the dominant mentality in Friland. Foreign visitors often experience the average Frilander as introvert and businesslike. A question like 'Nice weather today, isn't it?' will invariably be answered with 'yes' or 'no', after which the addressed person will wish you a nice day and continue his way. That the question was an attempt to start a social chat is not recognized, let alone that a Frilander will see the use of this. Picking up a nice woman is done with sentences like: 'I think you're cute, may I have your email address?' and when someone jumps the traffic-lights the bystanders will remind him that this is contrary to law section 571A. Social behaviour in Friland is direct, practical and to the point, which tourists regard as very strange but is perfectly normal in Friland. However, the most well-known characteristic of the Frilanders is their huge resistance against change: for example a supermarket that dares to move the cauliflower will see a large portion of its customers go to the competition and the municipality of Swanhusan was confronted with a riot after it had replaced the blue street signs with yellow ones. Norms and values The majority of the Frilanders regards freedom to be the most important value and believes life is worth nothing without it. Freedom of speech is also considered to be very important, in which even the most controversial opinions are being tolerated. Friland received much criticism for example when it decided to invite Abdul-Samad Surani, the spiritual leader who is associated with the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in St. Gérard of November, 6 2005, for a debate about terrorism. The privacy of the citizen is also considered to be very important, just like loyalty. Someone who has cheated on his or her partner for example, will not easily be able to find a new partner. Prostitution is legal and the use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and other addictive substances is much lower in Friland than elsewhere because it is seen as a weakness. Drugs are also forbidden, except the less dangerous forms like hash and weed. Equality between man and woman has already been obvious in Friland for centuries. There are for example much more women in high places than elsewhere and men are expected to help their wife with housekeeping. Hiveria: Social coherence In Hiveria the importance of the family has strongly waned in the last decades. Society is becoming harder and there is much tension between the different population groups. There is also a strong distrust of authority and traditions, uniforms or noble titles don't have any meaning. Patriotism is considered creepy and fascistic and the own culture as old-fashioned and obsolete: in the first place most Hiverians regard themselves as citizens of the world. They also feel a strong connection to their neighbourhood and friends are more important to them than family. National character The Hiverians are known for their somewhat arrogant, but open-hearted character. The average Hiverian makes no secret of his or her opinion and is ad-rem and assertive. They are accused of having a lack of humour, but this is compensated by their good taste. Hiverians prefer to wear neat clothing and have an extensive, refined kitchen. Norms and values One of the most important values is tolerance; intolerance is therefore not tolerated. In Hiveria it is for example forbidden to criticize religions or minorities and every form of making distinction is punished, even when this is done substantively. An example of this is the PLH politician Paulo Christophel, who is currently serving a six year prison sentence for his remark that the integration of certain groups of immigrants could be improved. Privacy is not considered important in Hiveria: under the motto "I have nothing to hide anyway" the citizens have exchanged more and more of their privacy for safety in the last few years. Every citizen for example, is obliged to carry an identity pass and camera's are positioned on nearly every street corner. Internet use and telephone and email traffic are also monitored. According to president Collignon Hiveria has never been as safe as it is now. Hiveria is a very religious country, where prostitution and drugs are forbidden and a weekly church or mosque visit belongs to the standard habits.  |