[elmwoodparkhoodlum]

What types of societies will emerge in the ZA?  Will they be Capitalists?  In a Capitalist society, Goods or services are exchanged for money.  In ZA, money will be worthless.  It might resort to a bartering system.  This means that doctor's or people with rare skills could trade their expertise for food and a place to stay.  In Rise Of The Governor, Woodbury was an example of this.  The skilled workers were ruled of what were white collared management types of today.  It looks like the Governor ran more of a communal society.  At least from what I gathered from the comics.

[Barry Cade]

elmwoodparkhoodlum, on 02 April 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

What types of societies will emerge in the ZA?  Will they be Capitalists?  In a Capitalist society, Goods or services are exchanged for money.  In ZA, money will be worthless.  It might resort to a bartering system.  This means that doctor's or people with rare skills could trade their expertise for food and a place to stay.  In Rise Of The Governor, Woodbury was an example of this.  The skilled workers were ruled of what were white collared management types of today.  It looks like the Governor ran more of a communal society.  At least from what I gathered from the comics.

OOh, what an interesting post. There's obviously a school of thought that we'd revert back to bartering and feudalism in the event of an apocalypse; I'd like to suggest that, due to how Western civilisations have developed over the past 50 years that there would be an impetus to try and redevelop the status quo quite quickly in the event of societal breakdown. I know that we're at the acute end of civilisation almost as soon as we register for a board like this, and it's likely that the percentage of gun nuts and survivalists on here is probably much greater than the international average (we're the thin edge of the wedge!) but you take your normal, run-of-the-mill family and they'll want something equivalent to their normal life as soon as it's practicable. Which means that Geraldo, Jeremy Kyle and a society where you can get what you want when you want it would be something that'd probably crop up as soon as a safe haven can be established (possibly even before).

If society goes through feudalism, communism and then really, actually does aspire to capitalism then you can bet your bottom dollar (capitalism) or share your expertise (communism) or even, worst comes to the worst, pay your tithe to the master that we'll accelerate our societal development something wicked to get back to what we all know and love (except the thin edge of the wedge lot. *waves*)

[DeadCave]

These are some themes that I'll be exploring as I continue to write Caught In A Bind.
I can imagine that some large groups (50-200+) will be a combination of several societies from our past. Much of it will be in trade/barter system with other groups. Some will have mini-dictatorships and others governed by a tribunal or even a chief (ala Native American or African) that has proven his worth to lead, via protection or provision or both.
Laws will be varied from group to group as well. Certain "punishments" depending upon the crime (theft, murder, et al) to treatment of outsiders.
Eventually as gregarious as mankind is groups will gather together to form larger societies and eventually a formalized government. It will be pretty much like it was after the civil war, west of the Mississippi when much of the land was still uncharted and unexplored, only this time choice zones will be selected on defensibility against herds and other threats. Perhaps forts will be built. Those knowing how to operate heavy machinery will be in high demand and highly valued, even so much to go as far as forcibly keeping them with the group.

Like Stephen King's "The Stand", groups will have to consider re-adopting, ratifying the (original) constitution and bill of rights, or make up their own.
Expect to see small confederacies and as mentioned feudalism, socialism and other isms of government appear. This is of course once the immediate threat of zombies is nullified or eradicated.
Granted that while "everyone is infected" the treatment of the dead may alter considerably as well. Another avenue I will be pursuing in my novel.

Will we ever get back to the "once great nation" this (United States) was? It remains to be seen.
There's another factor... where the zombie apocalypse hasn't reached. Naval ships (and submarines) at sea and all that firepower on board. I suspect it will be a lot harder to have an over run on those carriers and big submarines.

Edited by DeadCave, 02 April 2012 - 11:41 PM.

[rim]

Based on this show, it will be a mix, some nice communities, others not.  When the gasoline and other fossil fuels start to run out, things will gets very "local" and
out tech will end up around the equivalent of 1200-1500 AD.

[Major Tom]

In a situation where society totally breaks down and the population shrinks by 80-90%, I would bet on the feudal system, where a Warlord, his family and close associates will provide protection to people in times of danger, and they repay him by growing crops and providing other services.

It is good to be King...