Social structure of Varkana

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The social structure of Varkana has historically been highly influenced by the concept of social class, with the concept still affecting Varkan society in the early-21st century. Classes are divided by the most influential and powerful groups of people in Varkana. It compromises a series of concepts to establish the classes, such as the economic, cultural and social capital. Economic capital is defined as income and assets; cultural capital as amount and type of cultural interests and activities, and social capital as the quantity and social status of their friends, family and personal and business/professional contacts. Thus, members of a lower class may have a higher economic capital than those of a higher class, while having a lower cultural and social capital.

Classes

Although definitions of social class in Varkana vary and are relatively controversial, most are influenced by factors of occupation and education. There is however, a class system recognized by the Government of Varkana.

Ruling elite

Members of the elite class are the top 1% of Varkan society with very high social capital, and very high highbrow cultural capital. Occupations in the government are strongly represented.

Council of Ten

The Council of Ten is the highest social class of the Varkan aristocracy and is the most reputed position in the Republic of Varkana. High Council of Ten appointed positions in the State, such as the President & CEO of the Bank of Varkana, or other appointed state-owned companies high positions, are also considered part of this elite group of people. For instance, many former Council of Ten members were appointed to many of these positions.

Presidency

High ranking members of the Presidential Office, especially the President of Varkana and their family, are the second highest ranked positions in Varkana. The Hand, the Secretary of Defence and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs are also part of this very restricted category of people.

Parliament

Members of the Parliament, especially higher ranking officials of the main political parties, but also members of the Government as ministers, are amongst the most prestigious positions in Varkana.

Higher education

Those with a higher education diploma or certificate are considered amongst this class of people.

Intellectual elite

The intellectual elite compromises mostly university professors and personal advisers to the ruling elite. High class journalists and public commentators, writers, philosophers, researchers are also amongst this class.

High civil servants

A high civil servant is an officer of the public administration in charge of important responsibilities in the State. A large number of senior posts of the State is occupied by members of this class, as well as a large part of the job manager, department head or deputy director of the central administration. Compared to other occupations attributed to state officials, the high civil servants have two common characteristics of power:

  • historical seniority, which gives them both a symbolic legitimacy and a network of co-optation firmly established;
  • their relative autonomy from external hierarchy, total autonomy for judges.

Traditionally, these large bodies are prioritized according to their prestige. With the rise of the communal and territorial civil servants as well as the high mobility between the public bodies, the design tends to become obsolete.

Technical elite

A technician is a professional mastering one or more techniques as a specialist in this/these technique(s). This may be a technique derived from the application of technology in the art therefore. This includes architects, engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc.

Despite not necessarily having a higher education diploma, artists are considered part of this class.

Professional elite

The professional elite consists of people with higher education diplomas who are entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, salaried professionals whose work is largely self-directed. This includes usually corporation CEOs, shop owners, etc.

Working elite

The working elite is the class of people employed for wages, especially in manual or industrial work. Working-class jobs include blue-collar jobs, but also include large amounts of white-collar and service work. The working class relies on earnings from wage labour, thereby including a large majority of the population of Vale.

Skilled

Unskilled

Pariah

Pariahs are the class of the Varkan society compromising people who do not conform to the usual classes of society who work and earn a salary.

Bohemians

Many Bohemians in Varkana are sedentary, employees, integrated: as Roms they have become "invisible", even if a slightly larger "majority" of roms remains nomadic or semi-nomadic. Many of the sedentary Roms are doing under-the-table jobs in construction or other business. However, some of them also practice (voluntary or forced by criminal networks) begging or even criminal activities: trafficking of metals, including stealing electrical wires or telephone cables on railways, burglary of apartments, aggressive begging, pick-pocketing and drug trafficking and human beings for prostitution.

The nomadic roms usually wonder across the country, their traveling and way of living conditions protected by law. In Varkan law, their legal status is that of citizens if born in Varkana or temporary residents if not. They follow a nomadic or settled lifestyle; passing from village to village and are more strongly identified living in the southern mountains. Continuing their nomadic life, they would pitch their bow-tents on rough ground on the edge of the village and earn money there as tinsmiths, hawkers, horse dealers or pearl-fishermen. Many found seasonal employment on farms, e.g. at the berry picking or during harvest.

Monks

Monasticism is the status and lifestyle of people who have taken vows of religion and are part of an order whose members live under a common rule, separated from the world. They are called monks (nuns in feminine). Monks and nuns are expected to fulfill a variety of roles in the Armazist community. First and foremost, they are expected to preserve the doctrine and discipline now known as Armazism. They are also expected to provide a living example for the population, and to serve as a "field of merit" for lay followers—providing men and women with the opportunity to earn merit by giving gifts and support to the Church. In return for the support of Dedamitsaze, monks and nuns are expected to live an austere life focused on the study of Armazist doctrine, the practice of meditation, and the observance of good moral character.

Welfare

Social welfare in Varkana is a basket of services offered by the Government of Varkana, under certain conditions, at any Varkan citizen, permanent resident or refugee claimant living in Varkana. When an individual passes the necessary evidence to demonstrate their inability to support themselves financially over a long period, the Varkan government pays them a monthly allowance. In addition, the person has access to different services at reduced cost or free of charge.

Homeless

Homelessness is the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The term homeless may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in a homeless shelter, a warming centre, a domestic violence shelter, rehabilitation centre, a vehicle (including recreational vehicles and campers), cardboard boxes, a tent, tarpaulins, or other ad hoc housing situations. There are numerous homeless shelters across Varkana.