Post by Leokrates on Aug 20, 2012 18:21:02 GMT -5
(It's not as scary as it sounds, I promise!)
This is not capitalism. Now, that means that jobs and currency and work are not done for profit, surplus, but for sustenance, survival. Some people like excess, but it is not the goal of the society, and the politicians are able to use laws to fiddle around with jobs and currency and prices and such.[/size]
Both societies actually have the same type of economy (how convenient for anyone making this world!).
They are majority-barter, partial-monetary. The money comes in copper, silver, and gold, and is valued that one hundred coppers equals one silver, and one hundred silver equals one gold - so one thousand coppers equals one gold. Money mainly is used for official transactions, is what is collected by tax collectors, and is used for other transactions when trades are turned down but negotiations are open. Otherwise, people trade and barter - that is, there is a suggested price, and then the buyer and seller negotiate the final price in a very fast, aggressive manner.
There are miners in the tribes and among the colonists, since Mistros just happens to be bursting with precious metals and stones. Also important are sheep and cows, though goats and pigs are more common than actual bovines. The colonies are actually fairly independent and self-sustaining, though most of them engage in large amounts of trade, both naval and land, with each other (and who doesn't like taxing fat merchants?).
Many people do not earn money when they work, but rather earn favors or some of what they produce or food. Rent doesn't have to be made in money, but also can be paid in goods.
Horses are very expensive, as are purple dyes and actually owning buildings.