What kind of government have I created?

[Porklet]

At the top it is a Matriarchy where the heir is chosen by the reiging Matron, but must be chosen from the royal house (as a direct descendant of an ancient Queen) and "validated" by an ancient order of priests.  The Matron herself is a High Priestess of the goddess of law.  The Matron then gathers advisors that oversee districts of the country call Veifs.  These overseers, called Prolectors, in turn appoint Prolefs who actually reside within the district and communicate with the Prolectors who remain at court.

The Viefs are responsible for sending half of their production to the capital, and this wood be stored in the royal stores.  The production could be anything from foodstuffs, to timber, to precious metals, to manufactured goods.  Then through an established census the goods and food are redistributed throughout the nation to ensure that each Vief is taken care of.  As a result, the country has had no need to develop currency.  Their needs are taken care of by the state.

The Viefs are under the control of clan lords.  These clans often squabble and sometimes engage in out and out conflict.  These conflicts are overseen by a group with direct ties to the Matron and her temple called Valactors; thereby making them priestesses themsleves.

It is roughly inspired by the Incan form of government including the method of heir selection, the redistribution of goods, the annointment by an order of priests, and the religous significance of the matriarch herself.

It seems to be a hereditary monarchy at the top, but the matriarch is herself an agent of a religion and also must be validated by another religious institution.  The operation of the government on the district level resembles socialism with the collection of goods as state property.  The families and houses that pledge their loyalty to clan lords remind me of feudalism.  The constant presence of religious agents throughout the operation smacks of theocracy (the census and the treasury are handled by a separate priesthood than the ones mentioned).
 
My problem is attempting to describe this government without having to resort to using visual aids or spending 20 minutes on exposition.  Is it a hereditary matriarchy, a theocracy, socialism, feudalism, or some bastard concoction that has gotten completely out of control?  Any thoughts?

[Stargate525]

It's a matriarchal feudalistic monarchy.

Oddly enough, one of the more true monarchies I've seen here, since yours is quite literally a monarch at the behest of the religious figure at the time.

[Polycarp]

An ecclesiocratic elective monarchy.

A theocracy is, in its pure form, where the god(s) themselves rule - think ancient Egypt, where the pharaoh was himself a god incarnate.  Of course, the meaning of "theocracy" has broadened in popular culture because of its common use as a pejorative term.

I think of "matriarchy" as more of a social term than a governmental one; medieval Europe was certainly a patriarchal society, but few people commonly call them "patriarchies" or even "patriocratic monarchies."

[Kindling]

Holy Carp has it down perfectly. I second his assessment wholeheartedly.

[Elemental_Elf]

I would deem this government a Socialistic Feudal Theocratic Monarchy. Its a Monarchy because the Kingdom is ruled by a single powerful Matron. Its feudal because the Matron gives (or gave) land to vassals who then work the land in the name of the Matron. Its socialistic because the Matron redistributes 'wealth' (meaning the fruits of the Kingdom's labor) to the people in a fairly fair manner. Its Theocratic because the Matron must be a High Priestess and the Church plays a fairly large role with in the mechanations of the Kingdom.

It might also be Elective, but that depends on how powerful the 'ancient order of priests' really is. If they have the control (in more than just name) to decline a selection of a Matron, than your government is Elective. If the Order is weak and merely rubber stamps the appointee, than I would not classify the government as elective.  

[limetom]

I'm going with Holy Carp on this one, a Fedual Ecclesiocratic Elective Monarchy.

[Polycarp]

I think it might be a stretch to call this system feudal.  "Feudal" to me usually means a relationship between the monarch and lesser lords, where those lords are granted physical or money fiefs in exchange for military service.  A pledge of loyalty alone, to me, does not signify feudalism; the specific relationship of lord, vassal, and fief for the purpose of military service constitutes feudalism.

That said, the whole definition of feudalism is constantly debated and challenged, so it's not easy to ever say definitively that "that is/is not feudalism."

[Porklet]

I'm sorry if this is longwinded, but I am thinking this out to a degree as I write, and from what I've read here, while lurking, the more information one provides the more poignant and useful the responses.

Thanks for all the insight.  In retrospect, I need to put more thought into the inner workings of these institutions and how they relate before I can make a final determination.

In respect to Matriarchy vs. Monarchy, I understand what Holy Carp means when referring to monarchies as such.  Matriarchy might be a social distinction rather than a governmental one, or not.  However, I will term it a Matriarchy for two reasons:  
1.  Even before the time where the Kythians had a centralized government the principal deities and their agents have been female.  Volma, the Mother Goddess, is the primal deity in their culture and all things come from her.  Her daughter, Luada, is the Goddess of Fertility and Agriculture, and during the ancient days when the Kythians were separate tribes her Luadic Order was the recognized power.  Luada's daughter, Valat, is the Goddess of Law and Wisdom and her High Priestess is the Matron.  With the exception of the Temple of Golok, which was the principle deity of the northern tribes, and Arkail, Valat's brother, the people have always followed female deities and their female agents.  The Temple of Golok and the Arkailian Order now swear allegiance to the Matron.  This has continued for centuries with few exceptions.  
2:  I like the subtle nuisance of naming it a Matriarchy.

In regards to Feudalism, it is not the lands that are granted to the clans by the Sert (the centralized government including the Matron), but rather it is the recognition of the sovereignty of the clan lords.  Lands will change hands, Veif borders will shift, and families will change allegiances between clans.  It is the rights of the clans that are granted, and the 'taxation' is laid on the clans and not the land they possess (although square miles and population are two major deciding factors in how to divide up the nation's resources).  The clans have been around a lot longer than the Sert and the Matron.  It was not until major infighting and exterior forces combined to bring the Kythians to a centralized government.  Although the Matron can call on the clans to produce a militia, called a Clanmuir, in times of need their relationship is not a military one.

Theocracy vs. Ecclesiastic, the Matron is not a living god, and although the priesthoods and deities play a large role in Kythian life and government I can't make the assertion that it is a Theocracy.  I have heard the term Ecclesiastic before, but I do not know the definition of it (especially as a form of government).  I will research it, but if anyone can shed some light on the subject it would be appreciated.

Is it an Elective government?  The Volmatic Order, which anoints the new Matron, might seem to have power on the surface.  They are revered within the society, and they do handle most of the major national religious observances.  However, the Volmatic Order also acts as the primary advisors to the Matron herself.  Most major decisions and edicts will be discussed with them beforehand.  The likelihood that a Matron's heir would be selected without their input is remote.  I would also need to consider the origins of the Volmatic priesthood in order to determine their real power.  The current Order acts as scribes and advisors within the government.  The Order itself was formulated around the time of the Order of Valat, the Matron's Order, as a way of keeping the nation and its people rooted in the ancient ways and in touch with the wisdom of Volma herself.  I would have to concede that the Volmatic Order's approval is indeed necessary to appease the people.  Yes, it is an Elective Matriarchy.

Is it a Socialist government?  I do not know.  If you make the determination that Socialism is an economic factor and not a form of government, in this case, then NO.  If one can't mutually separate the two then YES.  I do not know enough about Socialism to make that determination at this time.

Current Status:  Elective Matriarchy (possibly Ecclesiastic depending on what I learn on the subject) (possibly Socialist depending on the differentiation between economics and governmental factors)

Thanks in advance for any insights.  If someone could help me clarify the term Ecclesiastic as a form of government and the difference between Socialism as an economic or governmental term (if there is any) it would be greatly appreciated.

[Polycarp]

I wasn't saying the society wasn't a matriarchy, only that matriarchy is really not a type of government as such, but rather a cultural and social descriptor.  It makes sense to say that the Kythians (is that right?) are a matriarchal society, but matriarchy is not really a type of government.  "Matriarchy" doesn't inform us as to the type of government - in real world history, we've had patriarchal monarchies, republics, democracies, empires, oligarchies, and everything else.  You could call all these governments "patriarchies," but it wouldn't be a very good description of how men ruled, which is what governmental terms are meant to convey.  Zhou dynasty China and the early American republic were both patriarchies, but obviously that tells us nothing about their respective governments.  The word "monarchy" tells you a lot more about the substance of the Kythian government than "matriarchy" does.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't use "matriarchy" do describe Kythia, but it shouldn't be seen as a substitute for "monarchy."

"Ecclesiastic" generally refers to something having to do with the priesthood or clergy.

In theocracy, God(s) rule, either directly (Pharaonic Egypt, where the ruler is a god) or through a prophet or messenger (the early Islamic Caliphate, for instance).

Some "theocratic" states are more properly described as "caesaropapist," meaning that the secular ruler reigns over the priesthood as well.  The Byzantine Empire is a good instance of this (the Emperor was also the head of the Church).

Ecclesiocracy means that the priesthood rule, through an institutional religious establishment.  The Vatican or modern Iran might be called ecclesiocracies; God himself does not rule, but a permanent bureaucracy of priests do.  The Pope can conceivably communicate with God, but he isn't God himself, nor is he God's avatar or God's singular prophet on earth.  The Papal States (or now, the Vatican) are best called an ecclesiocratic elective monarchy - the Pope is elected to his position by the established priesthood, and the Pope rules essentially as a monarch.

As for Socialism, it can mean almost anything, but I don't think that it can really be applied to pre-Marxist times very easily.  Many - in fact, most monarchies in history redistributed wealth; they made granaries available to the poor during winter, or otherwise distributed resources.  This was necessary to the functioning of the state.  I would hesitate to call any form of government "socialist" (which really describes a socioeconomic system, anyway) just because the government generously gave to the people.

[Porklet]

Holy Carp!

I see your point, and your name lends itself beautifully to being an intro.

In the interest of clarity, which was the whole point of my original post, I will be referring to the government as a Monarchy.  I suspected that Socialism might not be a viable term.  And after futher review Ecclesiocratic (I am going to have to get used to spelling this word) does pinpoint the framework of this government.  As stated in a previous reply, it is an Elective Monarchy.

Therefore, it is an Ecclesiocratic Elective Monarchy.  I appreciate the help everyone.

NOTE:  Kythians is correct, but the nation is called Kyth.  I probably should have made that clear in the beginning, but I was trying to stick to the insitutions and methods that made up the government.  It never occurred to me to intoduce them as Kyth.  This was my first thread.

[psychoticbarber]

Political Science student weighing completely behind Holy Carp. Good job, Holy Carp!

[Tybalt]

I overall agree with Holy Carp. I have to say Porklet that this is one of the more interesting governments I've seen. I'm looking forward to seeing you develop more of this. A few questions btw:

1. Matriarchal--this implies seniority as being necessary on the part of the female government. Is that true?

2. what powers do they employ to for instance settle disputes among the clans?

3. Who actually controls the militia?

[Porklet]

I overall agree with Holy Carp. I have to say Porklet that this is one of the more interesting governments I've seen. I'm looking forward to seeing you develop more of this. A few questions btw:

1. Matriarchal--this implies seniority as being necessary on the part of the female government. Is that true?

2. what powers do they employ to for instance settle disputes among the clans?

3. Who actually controls the militia?

Thanks for the encouragement, Tybalt.  It is appreciated.  I will try to answer your questions without going off on too many tangents.  (NOTE:  I was unsuccessful in my endeavor to remain focused, but after two revisions I managed to put this together.)

1.  If by 'seniority' you mean the eldest females are in a position of power then no.  Kythian society, and especially its government, is gynocentric, but this does not mean that the eldest females will be in power.  Often the Matron of the Sert will be of a young age, and her selection (or not) will be based on her virtues.  By virtue I am referring to the 'normative'.  That is to say she will be judged on her abilities and her skills more so than any moral basis.  Certainly, her integrity and consistency will be factors, but they are mitigating factors.

2.  There are two features of Kythian society that lend themselves to handling this sort of annual in-fighting:  the Valactors and the Nodral.  
A.  The Valactors, as alluded to before, are Priestesses of Valat that serve the Matron as judges and law enforcers.  They travel to where they are needed, and there are usually a dozen or so active Valactors (this may not seem like a lot, but Kyth is small as nations go).  These Valactors travel with an entourage of Arkailian priests (which record the events), Priestesses of Valat (sort of Valactors in training although many of them will never be tapped as one), and warriors of the Skro*.  Any attack on a Valactor, whether in defense or unprovoked, is considered an attack on the Matron herself.  With the threat of violent retribution should any Kythian defy the will of the Valactors (whether through direct assault or the revenge of the Sert) gives their edicts considerable weight.  They are the arbiters.  However, a clan can still dispute the ruling before the Matron of the Sert.
B.  The second, the Nodral, is rooted in the ancient ways of the northern Kythian tribes and the Temple of Golok (God of War, amongst other things).  The Nodral is a code of behavior in all matters associated with war and conflict.  It is used today to settle blood feuds and conflicts of interest.  A clan can name a champion, which is usually the Veiftor though not always, to fight in a duel to settle border disputes, avenge a reproach, etc.  The Nodral was historically used to determine actions on a battlefield, but after the dominion of the Sert was established the age of massive clan battles died out.  Some clans utilize this method of resolving conflict almost exclusively.  The duel must be overseen by an impartial Veiftor, two Prolefs, or a Valactor.

* Warriors of the Skro are the Warrior-Priests of the Temple of Golok.  They make up the standing army and the guardians of all the Kythians value, literally not figuratively.


3.  The short version is the Clanmuir is under the direct control of the Veiftors.  The Clanmuir is conscripted by the Sert in times of need, whether it be impending war, the harvesting falling behind in a particular area, or a collapsed mine, etc.  The Sert uses the Prolectors and Prolefs to issue commands to the Clanmuir through royal edict, and they are lead in these efforts by the Veiftor.  A Veiftor may also gather together a Clanmuir, but they can not cross their own borders without a mandate from the Sert.


I am going to post a more comprehensive layout and review of the Kythian society when I get the chance.  Kyth is a country in my campaign world of Arsk, and I wasn't sure whether I wanted to introduce the whole thing at once (which I am not prepared for) or begin with Kyth (which has gotten the lion's share of my attention).  I chose to develop Kyth first because it is historically and geographically isolated.  I have an old map, old in real time, that I am going to attempt to attach.  Some of the names are inaccurate.  The island called 'the Nodral' is now called Kelbrae, and Agloin City is now called Traig.  The map is several years old and done in colored pencil.  I have also included a more recent "border" map that shows all of the islands.  Kyth is located in the far northwest oceans, and it's northern lands lie above the arctic circle.  It wasn't well developed when I created it, but it should give you a rough idea.