Rin-Ya: On Governance and the Yatir Model

By Gregg Booney

In the picturesque landscape of Founders' Vale, nestled within the embrace of the Yatir society, resides Rin-Ya, a seasoned visionary, and a central figure in the establishment of the unique Yatir model. The short story unfolds against the backdrop of a pivotal community meeting, prompted by a tragic accident that stirred the otherwise harmonious community.

As Rin-Ya sits down to draft her thoughts, the story delves into the intricacies of the Yatir model. It explores the decentralized cellular network of communities, the democratic selection of leadership through weekly meetings, and the nuanced approach to law enforcement with a constabulary system designed to prevent abuses of power. The narrative also touches upon the Yatir society's education system, emphasizing regional learning centers and elective years to cater to individual interests.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gregg Booney
• Release date: Jan 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224009701

Gregg Booney

Residing amidst the National Forests of California, Gregg Booney is a homeless and mentally ill author. As a writer and an old punk rocker, he crafts both anarchist philosophy and captivating fantasy fiction. Remaining dedicated to his late husband, Booney navigates the complexities of life in solitude.

Book preview

Prologue

The distinguished couple observed as tempers continued to flare – 'distinguished’, society's term for those too seasoned to be of practical use to the younger generation, yet not old enough to be permanently shelved. Rin-Ya, the fairer half of the team of Rin-Ya and her husband Jacob, remained in shock from the news. They had just arrived at the community meeting, where she was set to receive a lifetime achievement award when the unsettling information unfolded. Now, the week's gathering had taken on a more somber tone, as the untimely death of a young worker stunned the crowd.

This month’s executive officer was Are-Ton, a capable statesman nominated to the executive pool by consensus of the citizens and who achieved impressive results so far during the harvest month of August, but due to the serious nature of this tragedy, he would have a hard time justifying his actions. The general thought was that his policies were in some way responsible for the boy’s death.

To the buzz of the crowd was added the buzz of the local fauna, all but drowned out unless you listened hard. Squirrels were chirping in the late afternoon shadows, and the first of the evening songbirds had started their song.

Rin-Ya, agitated at the fallacious thinking behind the blame of Are-Ton, pondered the situation. ‘The system’s more intricate than a simple blame game. Sweeping changes require ratification by a majority at a community meeting. If labor is involved, then the labor collective would get involved.’ She fumed. She and Jacob wove their way through the crowd and to new, unweathered benches carved out of the trunks of the towering pine trees native to the area.

She heard voices supporting and condemning Are-Ton in the crowd. She and Jacob, luckily finding seats, settled onto a bench that was front and center before the dais upon which the beleaguered Are-Ton now stood. She perched there, ready to accept her award if the meeting got to it. Tonight would be an interesting test of the system, certainly. She heard the word ‘impeachment’ murmured. That was a possibility not covered in the charter and never before encountered. Tonight was, quite literally, one for the history books.

‘The weekly meeting. An idea that came out of Yatir tribal society. The predecessor to the Yatir model, the tribal society had Elders and Chiefs and all sort of hierarchical decision-making. I like the new system better; everybody has an equal voice in running their own life.’ Rin-Ya continued to ruminate as the benches continued to fill.

The meeting amphitheater will be full to bursting tonight. Nobody was complacently staying home for this community meeting, given the death of a worker, ‘I remember the decision to not mandate participation in the system. As much as civic responsibility is emphasized, at the end