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To an explanation

 

 

PANATRAK ASSEMBLIES

One of the ubiquitous features that is found throughout Panatrak culture is the notion of the assembly, which in the rudiments of civilization equipped its citizens with a form of democracy, in later times and modern days the assemblies are still held and true democracy enacted. The assemblies were also to play a crucial part in shaping how the developing federation would put together its various councils, and how it would outreach to its citizens.

The Panatrak are crudely empathic, this means that they can detect the emotional states of members of their own kind, and some have abilities to discern information out of the noise of the minds of Humans and the other federation  races. Though this remarkable ability allows them to detect the sentiment of the surrounding people, it does not confer them with the ability to read minds. It is thought that the first assemblies keyed right into this ability to read reaction, and use this to make up for shortfall in telepathy.

Most modern Panatrak communities hold regular assemblies in special amphitheaters for the purpose, some larger communities hold daily assemblies, or have more than one amphitheater. In modern times any Panatrak citizen can come to the gathering, and in recent times members of the other federation races (the Panatrak used to hold polite objections as other minds were distracting and discordant, but over time, these new minds have lost their strange edge). The citizens sit in the tiered ranks around a common centre where a speaker will discuss his matters.

The assemblies still make up most of the decision making process in Panatrak communities, any matter, such as the election of new representatives, or the amount of goods export to other communities, are discussed and reviewed in these assemblies.

The process begins with the speaker outlining his question, or statement, immediately the response of the assembled Panatrak is presented to them, the empathic ability allows him to get a first feel for the feelings of a community. The point is then further argued by the speaker, or questions asked by the audience, all the while there is argument among the other assembled. At the end of the process the assembled generate a vocal decision on the matter, though this merely acts to reinforce the ambient empathic response.

Assembly sessions are usually held in the evening as these sessions tend to drag out, and if these were done earlier in the day then people might have to leave to oversee other matters and lose their say. Each assembly usually discusses a series of short quick questions first, which from question posed to reply given takes a few minutes, this period never lasts more than one hour and the subjects are usually trivial, later discussion involve weightier matters which take longer to process.

To say that assemblies were purely governing processes would be false, they are usually accompanied by some social activity, such village gossiping, or performances such as music recitals or aerial compositions. The assemblies therefore have become a quintessential part of the community spirit, with turn out being very high. The effectiveness of these assemblies is unquestioned, and have role modeled for the development of the federation councils and senates.

Images of an assembly structure (modern)
 

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