Challenge and Response

In my last post, I challenged you to complete an exercise focused just on the economic aspects that may not even have direct impact on a story. I asked you to:

Pick a favorite story or novel.List how one group of people in the story make a living.Use the five why’s to explore why the live that way.Pick one of the answers to those five why’s and decide how it influences the political structure of the culture the group lives in.If the story has characters opposing that political structure, explain why they oppose it; if the story does not have such a group, create one.Here are my answers to the exercise:I chose J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” novels.Hobbits are the natural group to use for this exercise, since the main characters of the novels are hobbits. Hobbits are portrayed as simple, peaceful, agrarian people who value their quiet and unassuming way of life. They primarily earn a living through farming, fishing, hunting, and animal husbandry on their family estates or small homesteads in the Shire. Going a little deeper, here are some ways Hobbits make money, based on the descriptions in the novels:Farming: Most Hobbits own and work on their lands, which they inherit from their families. They cultivate various crops such as corn, wheat, vegetables, and fruit trees. They also raise livestock like pigs, chickens, goats, and horses for meat and dairy products.Trading: Some Hobbits may engage in trading with their neighbors or merchants from other regions. They sell their surplus produce, livestock, and crafts to earn Tollans (Silver coins) or other forms of currency. For example, Bilbo Baggins sells some of the treasures he acquired during his adventure to Gandalf for a handsome sum.Crafting: Hobbits are known for their skill in various crafts like woodworking, blacksmithing, basket weaving, beekeeping, and cooking. Some may sell their creations to other Hobbits or travelers passing through the Shire.Wages: A few Hobbits work as laborers or servants for wealthier landowners or hobbit-businesses, receiving wages in return. For example, Samwise Gamgee works as a gardener and later as a cook for Frodo Baggins.Adventure/Quests: Occasionally, some Hobbits embark on adventures or quests that lead them to discover hidden treasures or acquire valuable items which they can sell or use to improve their lives. Bilbo’s journey in “The Hobbit” and Frodo’s mission in “The Lord of the Rings” are examples of this.Gifts: Hobbits also value gifts and hospitality, and may occasionally receive them during celebrations, festivities or as a sign of friendship. These gifts could be food, clothes, or other useful items that can help Hobbits make ends meet.Using the Five Why’s:Why do Hobbits live this way? Love for the land: Hobbits have an innate connection to the earth and consider it a source of nourishment, happiness, and inspiration. They take pride in working their own lands, cultivating crops, raising livestock, and enjoying the fruits of their labor. This strong bond with nature is what drives them to be farmers, craftsmen, and artisans.Why do Hobbits employ crafting and trading as part of their economy? Self-sufficiency and barter system: A significant portion of Hobbit society is involved in agriculture and livestock rearing, which leaves many individuals with surplus produce or crafted items that can be traded for other necessities or luxuries. This self-sufficient lifestyle relies on a local barter economy where goods and services are exchanged directly between producers and consumers, without the need for a standardized currency.Economic necessity: Crafting allows Hobbits to produce essential items they may not be able to obtain through agriculture alone. For example, they make tools, clothing, furniture, and various other items needed for everyday life. Trading provides them with the means to acquire goods or services that cannot be produced locally, such as textiles, metals, and rare resources.Social connections: Crafting and trading provide opportunities for Hobbits to engage with their neighbors, develop friendships, and build a network of mutually beneficial relationships. These social connections strengthen community bonds and contribute to the overall well-being of the Shire’s economy.Why does self-sufficiency matter to them? By being self-sufficient, Hobbits minimize their reliance on external sources for essential goods and services. This independence provides them with greater stability and security, allowing them to weather economic instability, natural disasters, or other external threats more effectively.Why do they seek security from external threats? The Hobbits’ preference for a quiet, peaceful existence often leads them to fear the unknown. External threats represent the uncertainty and instability that they seek to avoid in their lives. By securing themselves against these threats, they can maintain their sense of stability and security and reduce the anxiety that comes with living in an unpredictable world.Why do Hobbits fear the unknown? The Hobbits’ history is marked by invasions, conflicts, and external pressures that forced them to adapt and form strong communal bonds for protection. These experiences instilled in them a deep sense of vulnerability to the unknown and the importance of maintaining a secure and stable existence.Pick one of the answers to those five why’s and decide how it influences the political structure of the culture the group lives in. I chose to look at how the fear of the unknown and their economy drove their political structure and interactions with the broader world.Decentralized decision-making: The fear of external threats and the unknown led Hobbits to prioritize local control and decentralize decision-making. Each community or “shire” was responsible for managing its own affairs, which helped maintain stability by allowing them to address their specific concerns and adapt to changing circumstances without interference from a centralized authority.Communal work: The Hobbits’ preference for self-sufficiency and mutual cooperation gave rise to a strong communal work ethic. This mindset was reflected in their political structure through the organization of various guilds, societies, and associations that facilitated collaborative efforts and shared resources among neighbors and colleagues.Economic interdependence: The interconnected nature of Hobbit economic activities, such as crafting, trading, and agriculture, fostered a sense of mutual reliance and cooperation within their communities. This interdependence helped strengthen the social bonds between Hobbits, creating a strong foundation for the communal spirit that underpinned their political structure.Adaptability: The adaptive capacity of the Hobbits allowed them to respond effectively to changing circumstances or external threats by forming alliances, adopting new practices, and implementing innovative solutions. This resilience was essential in maintaining the stability of their society and enabling them to weather various challenges throughout history.Sub-leaders: As each community assumed responsibility for managing its own affairs, they appointed sub-leaders or “ruling families” to oversee local issues and facilitate cooperation among members. These sub-leaders were elected based on their wisdom, experience, and leadership abilities, ensuring a democratic and representative system of governance that responded to the specific needs of each community.The Longbottoms: A notable exception to the decentralized political structure was the role of the Longbottom family, who served as the “High King” or monarch of the Shire. Their position was more ceremonial than practical, representing the unity and continuity of Hobbit society rather than exercising significant political power.The Shire-Reeve: Although the political structure of the Shire was primarily decentralized, there existed a small centralized authority in the form of the Shire-reeve (or Sheriff). This officer, appointed by the High King, was responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and managing external relationships on behalf of the entire Shire.Resistance to change: The Hobbits’ fear of the unknown and their preference for stability led them to resist external influences and changes that threatened their traditional way of life. Their political structure was designed to preserve their unique cultural identity while allowing for adaptability in response to changing circumstances.If the story has characters opposing that political structure, explain why they oppose it. There are multiple opposing views to the political structure in the Shire within the “Lord of the Rings” books, but it is not obvious what the counterpoint is in “The Hobbit”. For the sake of the exercise, let’s look at the Dwarves that Bilbo signs on with for his adventure. They are not in opposition to the Hobbits, but the contrasts between their cultures can create many opportunities for conflict and stories.Centralized Authority: In contrast to the decentralized political structure of the Shire and Hobbits, the Dwarves are governed by a strong centralized monarchy led by a King under the Mountain (Thrain II, Thorin Oakenshield, or Thror). This king holds ultimate authority over all matters concerning the Dwarven realms.Monarch-led Militaries: The Dwarven political structure includes a well-organized military force, which is led directly by the monarch and serves as the primary means of maintaining order, defending their kingdoms from external threats, and enforcing laws.Clan-based Society: Dwarven society consists of numerous clans, each with its unique history, traditions, and distinct cultural identity. These clans function as smaller units within the larger Dwarven political structure, providing a sense of community, unity, and shared heritage among their members.Mining and Metallurgy: The centralization of Dwarven political power is closely linked to their economic focus on mining and metallurgy. The extraction and processing of precious metals and minerals form the backbone of their economy, making control over these resources a crucial aspect of their political structure.Historical Context: The Dwarves’ history of being driven from their ancient homeland in Khazad-dûm by the Balrog and subsequent struggles against various enemies like Smaug, the dragon, have shaped their society into a highly centralized and militaristic culture, emphasizing unity, discipline, and order.Strong Community Ties: Despite their centralized political structure, Dwarves still maintain strong ties to their clans and communities. These ties provide them with emotional support, a sense of belonging, and the foundation for their unique cultural identity.Meritocracy: The Dwarven political structure incorporates meritocracy through the concept of “Erebor’s Everlasting,” where the most capable individual is chosen to rule as king or leader, ensuring that those with the necessary skills and abilities are entrusted with governing roles.Fear of Treachery: The Dwarves have a deep-seated fear of treachery due to their history of being betrayed by their enemies, such as Smaug and the Elves. This fear contributes to their emphasis on maintaining a strong centralized authority to protect against internal threats and preserve unity within their society.Adaptation: While the Dwarven political structure is highly centralized and focused on maintaining order and stability, it also shows adaptability in response to changing circumstances, such as during the rule of Thorin Oakenshield and the events leading up to the Battle of Five Armies.Reclusive Nature: The Dwarves’ reclusive nature and preference for living underground contributes to their unique political structure, which is centered on strong central leadership and a focus on preserving their communities and resources from external threats.In comparison to the Shire and Hobbits, whose political structure emphasizes decentralization, community involvement, and mutual cooperation, the Dwarves’ political structure reflects a more authoritarian, centralized approach driven by their historical contexts, cultural values, and economic focus on mining and metallurgy.One last step

Using this approach of looking at the economic and political structures from a favorite book, what are the story opportunities that spring to mind? Using my example, both Dwarves and Hobbits have strong community ties and an adaptive approach to things. Is this worthy of exploring? Does the centralized authority of the Dwarves monarchy create a potential plot conflict with Hobbits? While the books are already written on this tale, this simple thought exercise can help get your creative juices flowing for your own world and story.

Comments are open, so share your thoughts on either my example or your own!

Next up, looking at the geography of your world.

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