Year 9 Humanities : Economics

Due date:
Background Capabilities
Students are introduced to the concept of an • Literacy
‘economy’ and explore the implications of • Numeracy
decisions made by individuals, businesses and • ICT
governments. Students will plan, respond to and • Intercultural
reflect on a range of economic decisions about • Personal & Social
supply and demand, need and availability of • Critical & Creative Thinking
resources. They will demonstrate their • Ethical Understanding
understanding of key economic concepts by
articulating their team’s responses within the
game.

Task brief
Group Task:
Students will form teams to play The Island Game in order to simulate an economy. They
will respond to a range of economic scenarios within the game. Students will individually
reflect on and evaluate their team’s responses.
Step 1: Read The Island Game scenario and follow the directions in Handout 1 to set up your
island society. Draw up a group document that answers all the questions in Handout 1
Step 2: As a team, you will respond to the 8 ‘Problems’. You will need to agree on how to
manage the problems and write up a summary of your decision/response. NOTE: each
‘problem’ has questions that must be addressed as part of your response. Add these to your
group document (each response should be about 150-200 words each).
Individual Task
Step 3: You will respond to the attached list of questions in Handout 3 – Evaluation to
evaluate your island economy and submit this as a word document to the daymap
assessment portal. This will form your assessment grade.

Assessment criteria

Very high level application
of economics and business
knowledge, skills and
concepts to familiar,
unfamiliar and complex
hypothetical problems.
High level application of Expected level Limited level
economics and business application of application of
knowledge, skills and economics and economics and
concepts to familiar, business knowledge, business knowledge,
unfamiliar and complex skills and concepts to skills and concepts to
hypothetical problems. familiar, unfamiliar familiar, unfamiliar
and complex and complex
 hypothetical hypothetical
problems. problems.

Very high level generation
of alternative responses to
an issue, taking into
account multiple
perspectives.
High level generation of
alternative responses to an
issue, taking into account
multiple perspectives.
Expected level Limited level
generation of generation of
alternative responses alternative responses
to an issue, taking to an issue, taking
into account multiple into account multiple
perspectives. perspectives.

Very high level use of
appropriate texts, subject-
specific language,
conventions and concepts.
High level use of
appropriate texts, subject-
specific language,
conventions and concepts.
Expected level use of Limited level use of
appropriate texts, appropriate texts,
subject-specific subject-specific
language, language,
conventions and conventions and
concepts. concepts

HANDOUT 3 Evaluation of Your Island Economy

BY ELLIE KING

The Assessment questions

1. DESCRIBE YOUR GROUP'S ECONOMIC PLAN BRIEFLY BY LISTING THE FOLLOWING:

a. economic and/or socioeconomic goals

Socioeconomic goals:

Our socioeconomic goals focus on ensuring everyone is supported, able to provide for
themselves and has access to required/essential resources. To achieve our socioeconomic
goals, we will provide everyone with a career and support those who are unable to get a job
individually. We will support those who are unemployed by providing them with the
essential resources that they require until they are able to get a career and we will help
them by providing education and job opportunities. We also believe that healthcare should
be free and will provide free healthcare to everyone. We also want everyone to receive the
same quality education for a low cost. Tax is the only cost of living as land is distributed
evenly amongst everyone and essential resources such as water and energy are provided.
We want to create a fair and equal community.

Economic goals:

Our economic goals focus on the principles of what to produce, how to produce and whom
to produce for. We believe in producing essential resources utilizing materials that are
environmentally friendly and won’t impact our island negatively. We plan on using efficient,
sustainable and ecofriendly methods for the production of these resources and we plan on
producing these resources for all residents. We also have a range of citizens in different
careers who each have experience in their profession and are able to provide quality goods
and services for a variety of people. We try to maintain a stable economy and restrict the
amount of resources we use to preserve our island for future generations. The future of this
island and the scarcity of our resources is greatly considered.

b. goods and services produced; methods of production and distribution employed

We aim to produce and provide quality ecofriendly goods and services to our community by
employing the inhabitants of the island. In the table below, it’s evident what goods and
services we produce, how they are produced and whom they are produced for.

GOODS

What will be produced? How will it be produced? For whom will it be

produced?

Glass Glass will be made by Glass will be produced for

Fruit such as bananas,
coconuts, papayas,
guavas, pineapples,
watermelon, tomatoes,
pumpkins, capsicums and
cucumbers.
heating the sand as sand is
an abundant resource.
Fruit will be grown in a
designated agricultural and
farming area on the island
by farmers and agricultural
workers.
all residents and used for
the construction of windows,
medical and culinary
supplies and other
construction purposes.
Fruit will be produced for
everyone who wants to
consume it. Fruit will be sold
at the markets which are
open every day from sunrise
to sunset.

Vegetables such as sweet Vegetables will be grown in Vegetables will be produced

potatoes, corn, lettuce,
spinach, beans, carrots,
bok choi, zucchini, chilli,
garlic chives, onions,
aubergines and
cabbages.
a designated area on the for everyone. They will be
island by farmers and sold at the markets which
agricultural workers. are open every day from
sunrise to sunset.

Meat such as chicken and Fishermen are employed to
fish collect fish and farmers feed
and slaughter chickens.
Water filters Water filters are produced
using leaves to weave
filters.
Fish and chicken meat will
be produced for anyone who
wants to consume it and is
sold at the markets.
Water filters are produced
for everyone as water is an
essential resource and
water filters allow everyone
to retrieve safe drinking

Blankets and wool Sheep live on the island and
farmers shear them and use
their wool to create
blankets. Note that the
sheep aren’t harmed in the
process.
Salt Water filters allow for salt to
be filtered from the water
and produced.
SERVICES
What is the service? How will it be provided?
Hospitals/Healthcare Taxes are used to fund
hospitals and other
healthcare facilities which
is a small price for
citizens to pay for ‘free’
healthcare. Doctors and
other medical
professionals are
employed to provide
citizens with the best
healthcare to ensure
everyone is healthy.
Education Education is funded by
taxes and a small fee is
required at the beginning
of the year. This funds all
of the resources needed
and services for schools.
Tertiary education is also
available for a very low
cost. Teachers and
professors are employed
to educate our society.
Farming/Agricultural Agriculture and farming
take place in the
agricultural sector of the
island. This includes
fishing, farming for fruits
and vegetables and the
production of different
products such as wool
water. It also allows for us to
filter the salt from the water
which also produces salt.
Blankets are produced for
everyone who wants one
and can be purchased at the
markets. Wool is also
available to be purchased at
the markets.
Salt is produced for
everyone who wants it and
is available to be purchased
at the markets.
Who will it be provided
for?
This service is provided
for all citizens because
we believe everyone
should have the right to
healthcare.
We believe everyone has
the right to an education
and helps to create a high
achieving society.
Everyone is provided with
compulsory school
education and is allowed
to access tertiary
education if they wish.
These services produce
goods that are provided
for all of our citizens and
can be purchased at the
markets.
 which is all sold at the
markets. Farmers and
agricultural workers are
employed to produce
goods.

c. use of land, labour and capital.

The decisions of how land, labour and capital is used is made primarily by the government
however all citizens have a voice and all of their opinions are taken into account. The land is
owned by the government but is distributed evenly amongst living space, businesses,
education and healthcare facilities, agricultural and farming land and public facilities such as
the community centre. There is also a section of land on the island which has been given to
the natives, they are allowed to use this land in whatever way they choose. Each citizen is
entitled to 800m2 of land after they turn 18 years of age, until they turn 18 they live with
their family unless given other directions from the government under certain circumstances.
The government also uses labour focusing on the principles of what to produce, how to
produce and whom to produce for. Labour is used to produce quality goods and services
such as food (meat, fish, vegetables and fruit), clean water, glass, salt, blankets, water filters
and other resources. We have a variety of occupations that require workers which are both
essential such as medical practitioners, farmers and fishers and non-essential such as
hairdressers and artists. The way in which capital is used on our island is decided by the
government. The currency that we use is called Falunkas hence the name of our island,
Falunk. Our currency is made from the body of the aircraft. The government primarily
focuses on funding essential services which include the hospital along with the smaller
medical practices and educational facilities. Everyone must pay tax on top of their income
which is 20% and we also charge 10% GST. Citizens are allowed to spend their disposable
income on whatever they choose, most goods and services available can be purchased at
the markets.

d. whether and which basic needs will be guaranteed for all.

Essential goods and services are guaranteed for all citizens alongside basic needs, our
government believes in a fair society and tries to provide everyone with the resources that
they need. The basic needs that we guarantee to provide for all of our citizens include living
space, clean water which is safe to be consumed, food and a career. Living space is evenly
distributed amongst everyone, all citizens are entitled to 800m2 of land after they turn 18
years old. In the middle of the island, there is a well which is filled with clean drinkable
water and every citizen is allowed 3 litres of clean drinking water from the well per day.
There is a waterfall on the island which is used for bathing. Every citizen is guaranteed a
career, if they are unable to get a career independently we will support them and provide
them with the resources they require to get a job. All careers have fairly equal pay that will
support everyone financially. Food is very inexpensive and is able to be purchased very
easily for a low price making it very accessible to everyone.
e. where decision-making authority lies.

The government has the most authority in terms of decision making and have the final say
as to any decisions that must be made. Our government is made up of 6 members in total, 3
native representatives and 3 representatives of the new inhabitants. If there are any
problems or new ideas, the government will have a vote to decide. However, all citizens
have the right to an opinion and have a voice. They are all permitted to speak to a member
of the government to discuss an issue in the community or if they have an idea for a way to
help make our island a better place. We encourage everyone to get involved and participate
in the community and are completely open to hearing everyone’s opinions. Overall, the
government has the final say and the authority to make decisions, but members of the
public have the right to speak up for what they believe in and we greatly take into
consideration any ideas or concerns they have in terms of decision-making.

f. level/degree of government involvement

Our economy operates under a market socialist economy, which means that the
government owns all of the productive resources on behalf of the island’s inhabitants. The
government owns all goods and services but gives individual workers the freedom to
produce products in efficient ways. The government has a high level of involvement as the
government owns and distributes all of the land, water and resources.

2. IS YOUR SYSTEM MORE CAPITALIST OR SOCIALIST? WHAT TYPE OF ECONOMIC SYSTEM

(MARKET, MIXED OR COMMAND)? EXPLAIN REFERRING TO EVALUATION LIST (ITEMS
FROM ABOVE).

The system that we use is more of a socialist system in juxtaposition to a capitalist system as
the government is very involved in society and owns the means of production including
money and other forms of capital. Our system is based off of the government owning and
deciding how wealth and other resources are distributed. Everyone that lives in Falunk
excluding the natives work for wealth that is distributed to everyone. We strongly believe in
equality and try to distribute wealth and resources evenly amongst everyone which helps to
create a fairer society. The economic system that we use is a market socialist economy as
the government owns all of the resources, capital and businesses but allows the workers in
those specific areas to have some freedom with what they produce, how they produce it
and who they produce it for. We discourage private enterprise as we believe that in order to
maintain a fair and equal society, everyone should be receiving equal wealth and resources.
Private businesses interfere with this and for that reason, the government owns most of the
productive resources.
3. ARE THERE ANY SUBSISTENCE OR TRADITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS TO YOUR ECONOMY?
IF YES, EXPLAIN WHICH CHARACTERISTICS. IF NO, EXPLAIN CHARACTERISTICS THAT COULD
HAVE BEEN INCLUDED TO MAKE IT MORE SUBSISTENT. BE SPECIFIC.

Our economy consists of many subsistent and traditional characteristics such as the use of
natural resources to provide basic needs and produce goods, no machinery is used, and
artificial resources aren’t used. We solely focus on producing essential goods and services
using primarily natural resources in a limited quantity. Similar to a subsistent economy,
produce is made from natural resources rather than artificial and manmade resources. We
also don’t use any type of machinery such as factories, cars, farming equipment etc. We
provide basic needs through gathering, hunting, fishing and farming. Agriculture and crops
are a prominent part of our society and we rely on natural resources for survival such as
bananas, coconuts, water, fish etc. We are strongly against the use of artificial fertilisers and
pesticides as they’re harmful for the environment and made of dangerous toxic chemicals.
In terms of food, we eat and produce strictly unprocessed food that is either freshly grown
or caught such as animal meat, local fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. The environment is also
relied on for goods such as blankets, water filters, glass and salt which are all made with
natural resources using ecofriendly methods.

4. HOW DO ECONOMICS AND ECOLOGY INTERACT IN YOUR ISLAND SOCIETY? ARE THEY IN
HARMONY OR CONFLICT? EXPLAIN USING SPECIFICS FROM YOUR ISLAND ECONOMY,
PARTICULARLY USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

In our society, economics and ecology work in harmony as we primarily use natural
resources which are extremely cost efficient. We don’t have any machinery, factories or
vehicles which therefore means that fuel isn’t required. This benefits both the environment
and the economy as it saves money which can be put towards better purposes for other
goods and services. Due to the absence of processed foods, we require all of our food to be
caught or gathered using natural resources. Our community greatly benefits from this as
they are able to consume fresh natural produce such as locally caught fish, animal meat,
fruit and vegetables. These are able to be produced at a very low cost and create more
careers for citizens which in turn means that they are able to earn money supporting the
economy and helping it to grow. The use of natural resources allows for money to be saved,
meaning that more money can be put towards important goods and services including
healthcare facilities and educational facilities ensuring our community is healthy and
creating a more intelligent and high achieving society.

5. AS A TEAM YOU ADDRESSED 8 PROBLEMS. CHOOSE TWO OF THEM TO EVALUATE: HOW

DID YOU RESPOND? HOW WAS IT CONSISTENT OR NOT WITH YOUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM
DESCRIBED ABOVE IN QUESTION #2? BE SPECIFIC.

Population and Consumption

We came across the problem of overpopulation and overconsumption and

found that our society had been consuming resources faster than they could
be sustained. If we didn’t change our ways, future generations would be
significantly impacted. Resources would become scarce and deplete. We
decided to address this problem by introducing new limits and restrictions on
the consumption of food, water, wood and other natural resources whilst
investigating new ways of retrieving these resources in a more efficient and
sustainable way. Along with this, we would also plant more crops and natural
resources to restore the island for future generations. Overpopulation was
also a factor that greatly contributed to overconsumption. We were able to
address this problem by increasing childcare and school fees. We avoid
discouraging reproduction and instead encourage smaller families of less than
three children as we are strongly against introducing contraception
restrictions. Our views on overconsumption are mostly consistent with our
economic system as the government is in control of what decisions are made
and how resources will be used and distributed. The government also has the
authority to implement restrictions and can use the capital in ways that benefit
the island and its inhabitants which aligns with our economic system. In terms
of overpopulation, our views aren’t as consistent with our economic system as
we give the citizens more freedom and allow them to decide how many
children they want to reproduce rather than setting contraception restrictions.
However, we also discourage larger families and support smaller families of
less than three children.

Pollution

Water is a very precious resource and it has come to our attention that the
water has been polluted by run-off from a farm prior to our arrival. If we
continue to allow our water to be polluted, it will have a significant impact on
our future and the future of the island. In our society, we are strongly against
the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, we also don’t have any factories,
machinery or vehicles. To address the problem of water pollution and prevent
any more pollution the government has introduced restrictions. Everyone is
allowed a maximum of 3L of water per day for drinking purposes and it will be
distributed by the government rather than collected by individual inhabitants.
This reduces the access and amount of interactions with the water source to
avoid any pollution and preventing citizens from drinking contaminated water.
For cleaning purposes, drinkable water isn’t allowed to be used.
Contaminating or overusing drinkable clean water will result in fair
consequences decided by the government. We are being very cautious about
contaminating water and doing everything we can to ensure our water stays
clean. For farming and agricultural purposes, drinkable water isn’t necessary,
and the amount of water used will be monitored to ensure no one is using
more than required. In terms of litter and rubbish, we don’t use any plastic and
ensure that all of our products are natural and biodegradable or compostable.
Our views on pollution are consistent with our economic system as the
government has control over how the problem is addressed and decides what
solution is best on behalf of the citizens. The government is also in charge of
how the water is distributed and tries to ensure that we maintain a good living
environment for everyone. It also aligns with our economic system as the
government has the full authority to change the restrictions and implement
consequences that are deemed fair to anyone who is overusing or polluting
the clean water.

ASK ABOUT THIS

Submit your responses to these questions to the assessment portal on daymap, along with
the task sheet as your cover sheet. Clearly mark your name on it.

GROUP RESPONSES
Island name: Falunk Island
Narrative:
• The natives speak English but also speak their own language, we learn it to
communicate better with them
• Coconuts, bananas, papaya, starfruit, fish, birds, lizards
• The plane was flying to Jamaica to a job convention when it went falunk

Currency (trade):
Use the plane to make coins out of it

Island size: 5,000km2

Falunk Island

Economy: Market socialist economy

FLAG
How will your island government be involved in the economy?

• We will own EVERYTHING but will distribute it evenly

Social hierarchy

• The council includes Ellie, Saskia, and Caitlin plus three members of
the native council
• Everyone has a say and voice

Economic Plan
What will be your economic and/or socioeconomic goals?
Economic goals:
Our economic goals consist of producing essential resources using environmentally
friendly materials and methods for all residents. We also have a range of citizens in
different careers who each have experience in their profession and are able to
provide quality goods and services for a variety of residents. We try to maintain a
stable economy and limit the amount of resources we use.

Socioeconomic goals:
Our socio-economic goals consist of providing everyone with a career and
supporting those who are unable to get a job individually, providing free
healthcare to everyone, we also want everyone to receive the same quality
education for a low cost. Tax is the only cost of living as land is distributed
evenly amongst everyone. We want to create a fair and equal community.

What will be produced? How will it be For whom will it be

produced? produced?
Glass Glass will be made by Glass will be produced
heating the sand. for all residents and used
for the construction of
windows, medical and
culinary supplies and
other construction
purposes.
Fruit such as bananas,
coconuts, papayas,
guavas, pineapples,
watermelon, tomatoes,
pumpkins, capsicums and
cucumbers.
Fruit will be grown in a Fruit will be produced for
designated area on the everyone who wants to
island by farmers and consume it. Fruit will be
agricultural workers. sold at the markets which
are open every day from
sunrise to sunset.

Vegetables such as sweet Vegetables will be Vegetables will be

potatoes, corn, lettuce, grown in a designated produced for everyone.
spinach, beans, carrots, area on the island by They will be sold at the
bok choi, zucchini, chilli, farmers and agricultural markets which are open
garlic chives, onions, workers. every day from sunrise to
aubergines and sunset.
cabbages.
Meat such as chicken and Fishermen are Fish and chicken meat
fish employed to collect fish will be produced for
and farmers feed and anyone who wants to
slaughter chickens. consume it and is sold at
the markets.

Water filters Water filters are Water filters are

produced using leaves produced for everyone as
to weave filters. water is an essential
resource and water filters
allow everyone to retrieve
safe drinking water.

Blankets Sheep live on the island Blankets are produced for

and farmers shear them everyone who wants one
and use their wool to and can be purchased at
create blankets. Note the markets.
that the sheep aren’t
harmed in the process.

Who will make those decisions (government, individuals or a mix)?

The government decides what will be produced, how it will be produced and
whom it will be produced for but individuals have a say and are allowed to
discuss the best methods for production. At the markets, individuals must pay
for a space/stall but are allowed to keep the money they earn. Producers such
as farmers and agricultural workers can also sell their produce to market stall
owners who will then sell it.
Land/Distribution/Location
Will the land be privately owned? If so, who gets it and how?
The government owns and distributes the land, people must build and
construct their houses themselves and are allowed purchase, sell and trade
land with government permission.
Should the land be owned by everyone together?
The government has full control and rights over the land. However, the
government can sell land to businesses or individuals for a price.
Should you divide it up and distribute it?
All citizens have the rights to 800m2 of land for housing which will be granted
to them by the government at age 18 and older (before the age of 18 you live
with your parents/family). The government owns the rest of the land which will
be used for education, healthcare, leisure and agricultural purposes. However,
citizens have the right to purchase land for individual businesses and personal
reasons.
If so, should it be divided equally? What constitutes equal?
Everyone gets 800m2 each of living space at age 18 to use how they choose.
This gives everyone a living space, keeping our people safe, healthy, off the
streets and protected. People can use their earnings to buy more land for
personal reasons or businesses. You are permitted to try for a grant from the
government for land for businesses.
Where on the island should you live? (Draw this on map)
We will live in our distributed living space like every other citizen. We also
have the right to buy more land like everyone else.
Should you consider the needs of the environment? How?
As of now our population is small and our land is large. Meaning we are using
the plain on the island for our housing and city space. We are keeping the
forest space unharmed however as our population grows, we may have to
limit living space or move closer to the forest land.
Who has rights to the water? How will these be provided for?
Everyone has the rights to water for cooking and cleaning purposes from the
waterfall as long as they only take what they need. However, drinking water
from the city well has a regulation of 3 litres a day and you must abide by
regulations e.g. keeping the well clean. Water used for business purposes
must be requested through the government as we will regulate their use. To
ensure they don’t overuse or contaminate the water .We are using
environmentally friendly weaving leaves for filtering water.
Labour
Everything environmentally friendly, food scraps goes to compost,
What work must be done?

• Fishing
• Technology and scientific laboratories
• Designing of buildings
• Farming of food
• Doctors to look after people
• Teachers to teach young citizens
• Workers at the market
 • People who collect and organise the rubbish
• Hairdresser
• Dental care
• People to work in the agriculture section and create products such as
blankets and mats

List the kinds of jobs required to sustain the lifestyle you desire.

• Fishermen
• Pharmacists
• Scientists
• Architects/engineers
• Farmers
• doctors
• Teachers
• Workers in the market
• Rubbish workers
• Hairdressers
• Dentists
• Factory workers

• Smelters

• Blacksmith

Who should do these jobs?

Every citizen is required to have a job, if a citizen isn't able to work we support
them financially but work with them to find a suitable job.
What about the jobs that nobody likes?
All the pay is fairly even for example doctors are paid 150 thousand Falunkas
and rubbish workers are paid 100 thousand Falunkas.
Does each person just have one job or many?
Everyone is allocated to their previous professions but if they wish to pursue a
different career they must receive special permission from the government.
Land
What natural resources will be used to produce goods?

• Sand (to make glass)

• Dirt, water, food scraps, sun
• Fish from the ocean, fallen sticks for fishing rods
• Leaves from plants
• Native chickens and sheep

Will there be rules governing use of natural resources? Why or why not?
If yes, which?
The government owns all the land, they distribute land for free to all
individuals aged 18+. However, individuals are permitted to purchase and sell
additional land with governments permission. If they sell or purchase land
without government permission they will be punished, the government decides
what punishment is fair. Everyone is allowed free access to waterfall water for
cleaning and cooking purposes as long as they take no more than needed or
contaminate the water. And everyone will be distributed 3 litres of water a day
for drinking purposes. If any choose to ignore these limits the government
again has the right to decide their punishment. We need to keep our
environment clean and not drain our water sources. Additional water uses for
businesses must get permission from the government and the government will
decide/regulate how much they can take.
Capital
What kind of capital (tools, machines, etc.) will be used to produce
goods? How will this capital be attained?
We will not be using industrial machines, and everything will be done by
hand.

Basic Needs
Are there some basic needs that you believe should be guaranteed for
all? If so, what are they? Or do you think that individuals should
secure their needs by themselves?
The basic needs that we believe are essential are drinking water, habitat/land
and food. We believe they should be provided with the basics and will
distribute land evenly amongst everyone.

Create a name for your team that reflects the type of system you have
developed
Falunk island

HANDOUT 2: PROBLEMS

Population and Consumption

You notice that your natural resources are becoming overused and
studies indicate that your society is consuming more that can be
sustained in the long term. Do you consider the needs of future
generations? How do you deal with a growing population and the over-
consumptive habits of your society?

Under the circumstances that our natural resources are becoming overused,
we introduce new limits/restrictions of food, water, wood and other resources
whilst researching/investigating new methods of retrieving these resources in
a more efficient and sustainable way. We will also continue to plant more
crops and natural resources to restore the island. We won’t discourage
reproduction or introduce contraception restrictions, but we will encourage
smaller families of less than three children and increase the cost and rates on
child care and schools, to prevent overpopulation. We also are very
considerate of future generations and want to preserve the island and its
scarce resources.

Energy

You must come up with an energy policy. Your ship was a nuclear ship and
the equipment could be adapted for the production of nuclear power. You also
have oil reserves right off your Western coast that you can tap and internal
combustion engines from the ship.

And you have the capability to build windmills, solar collectors and steam
generators. You have your forests and you have a student that has studied
energy efficient architecture. What are the pros and cons of each of the
sources of energy? For what purposes will you need energy? How will you
generate this energy?

The solar powered aircraft that crashed on the island carrying 500 passengers
barely survived the crash however the solar panels were able to be
salvaged. We have used them to provide energy to our island by evenly
distributing power to each household. The hospital is our first priority, the main
power we produce is used to keep the hospital running 24/7 to support those
who are unwell or in critical conditions. Solar power can be unreliable but
society has become accustomed to this and doesn't mind if the power cuts out
occasionally. Alongside solar power, we also use windmills to generate
electricity which is primarily used to power our educational facilities and
government owned properties. Our community is greatly against the use of
nuclear power and believes in the use of sustainable and renewable energy.
We will need energy to run all of the health care facilities, primarily the hospital
alongside medical practices, rehabilitation centres and dental/hygiene
facilities. We will also need energy for the purpose of light at night only (during
the day, residents are not permitted to use energy for lighting unless it is a
very cloudy, dark day or it is for the purpose of a business or important
essential facility (or with government permission).

Energy Pros Cons

y type

Nuclear • Easy to produce • Extremely expensive to build

power • Efficient energy source
• Produces enough
energy to successfully
power the island
• Produces nuclear waste
• Bad for the environment
• Very high risk of nuclear
accidents such as explosions
• Uranium is needed to run
nuclear power
 Wind • Windmills aren’t too • Wind reliability
power difficult to build • Noise and visual pollution
• Easy enough to • Can be a threat for wildlife
maintain such as birds
• Able to provide energy
to everyone

Solar • Solar panels are • Not always reliable

power accessible (from plane) • Can be inconsistent
• Uses the sun (which in • During days when it’s very
a way is an unlimited cloudy, there may not be
natural resource) enough solar energy to power
• Very sustainable and the island
renewable energy

International Finance and Debt

Representatives have visited you from another planet. They explain that
although they cannot take you to their planet, they can assist you in improving
yours. They will lend you the money and machinery to enable you to produce
10 times as much on your fields if in return you will grow and sell the crops
needed by their society and if, once you have made enough money, you will
repay them at 10% annual interest.

Remember, many of the fields that produce a variety of foods for your people
will now get planted with cash crops for export. And these fields, because they
are planted with one crop, may require pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Also,
the visitors wish to lend the money to the most well off in your society to
protect their investment, so the land holdings of these individuals may grow
and force others to sell their land and become workers on the big farms. What
are the pros and cons of this offer? Do you accept this offer? Why or why not?

Whilst this offer has many pros, we believe that the cons outweigh the pros
and would decline this offer respectfully. The main reasons as to why we
would respectfully decline this offer is due to the fact that our current system
works perfectly fine, we aren’t in desperate need of any resources and being
in debt to a large society is not the best option for us at the moment. It would
also incorporate using pesticides and artificial fertilizers which we are strongly
against as it is bad for the environment and could impact the future of the
island. Whilst it could grow our economy and provide more opportunities to
our citizens we believe that overall we will benefit more from using our own
resources rather than becoming in debt to a larger society. It could also end
up becoming a possibility that we can’t afford to pay them back.

Pros Cons
 • More money which will help to grow
the economy
• Machinery and better equipment
which will help to grow different
businesses and industries
• We could provide more
opportunities to our citizens
• We could end up forming an
alliance with them (good as they
are much larger)
• May potentially be in debt to a
very large and powerful
country/planet
• We have been avoiding
substances such as
pesticides and fertilisers
• We could lose most of our
produce and resources to the
other planet

Non-material Economy

Some people want to devote themselves to philosophical thinking, poetry, art

and spiritual development. Are these valid ways to make a living in your
society? Are they contributing to society? How could such contributions be
acknowledged or rewarded? Are there other types of non-material work that
should be acknowledged or rewarded? What does it mean to be a healthy and
productive citizen?

We acknowledge everyone as equals and recognise that the arts are an

important part of our culture. We give everyone the opportunity to express
themselves and create art in our community (they are also given the
opportunity to publish their art on infrastructure around the island and they can
sell their art at the markets). We also reward artists by funding them to create
art around our community such as sculptures, buildings, footpaths and
different architectural structures and spaces around the island. We recognise
that art is a valid way to make a living in society and believe that they greatly
contribute to our community. In our society, being a healthy and productive
citizen means being an active participant in the community, looking after your
own wellbeing and others around you and contributing to goods and services
by being an active consumer and producer.

Welfare

Some of the members of your group had various social problems, e.g. drug
addiction and mental illness when you arrived. These people do not work very
hard, at least for now, and need special medical care and psychological help.
Will the other members of the society provide for these individuals' needs?
How and for how long?

We strongly believe that everyone deserves to live a happy and healthy life
and we want everyone to be content whilst living on the island. We have
various services dedicated to support the mentally ill such as psychiatric
services, psychologist practices and a rehabilitation centre. Our society has a
variety of experienced health care professionals that specialise in treating the
mentally ill. Psychologists and psychiatrists on the island are very dedicated to
helping as many people as they can and offer their services to help those in
need of psychological help. Patients will be treated for as long as required for
them to become mentally stable and treatment plans will differ for each
individual patient.

Guns and Butter

It is rumored that not far from you is an island of people who are very
dangerous. Of all your time and resources, what percentage are you willing to
devote to preparing to defend yourselves? What activities, services, luxuries
might be cut in order to provide for your defense? Would you want a standing
army, armed and ready to fight at any moment? Who would serve in an army
were you to need one? What are the pros and cons to having a more "defense
based" economy?

Our society is based around peace, we are against violence. So our first goal
will try to create peace with this other island, which in turn will benefit both of
us as each island has different resources. However, if this is unsuccessful we
will have a small military force to defend ourselves and keep peace with the
other island. We will increase taxes to provide a defense, this will leave less
for the people but will also ensure their safety. Everyone eligible for our
military service will be trained e.g. mentally and physically stable and aged
16+. No matter your prestige or wealth everyone must participate. They will be
trained for our military service one month every year to maintain their skills
and knowledge for one week each year. This week will include physical,
combat, tactics and spear throwing training. This army will only be used in
emergencies meaning we choose not to have a constant guard of our island.
Having a defense based society does help protect our community and make
people feel secure. However, it also idolises violence which is against our
beliefs. We believe that we should have some defense for our people but not
have our society based around the need of defense.

Native Peoples

You have just found out that in a remote area of the island (a place with
fantastic groves of mango and banana) there exists a tribe of people native to
this island. It is also rumored that the ground underneath this tribe is rich in
coal deposits. You could use coal as a fuel for your new machines; what
should you do? Will you ask the tribe to join your culture and share the
resources? Will you leave them alone? Will you remain separate but establish
peaceful relations? Will you ask them to move? Give them another part of the
island? How will you deal with these 'new' people and their resources?

As a society we aren't interested in using coal as fuel as we don't have any

machines to power so it’s unnecessary. If we came across natives we would
ask them if we could trade some of our resources for their bananas and
mangoes and also offer them the opportunity to join our community. If they
decline our request we will respect their decision and continue to live in our
own parts of the island in harmony. If they accept our request, we will happily
welcome them into our community and treat them just like everyone else,
providing them with the resources they need. If they would feel more
comfortable to stay within their smaller community we will also respect this
and will definitely be happy to trade with them and offer them a part of the
island that belongs to them.

Pollution

Water pollution has become a serious problem. The streams that flow on your
island are quickly becoming unsafe for swimming and fishing. In fact, 1/3 of
the fish population has died off from pollution. The causes of the pollution are
many: pesticide and fertilizer run-off from farms; oil and coolant run-off from
cars; waste from factories; erosion and manure from overgrazing cattle; and
litter.

How has water been treated as a free good? Develop a plan to deal with
water pollution. What are the trade-offs to your plan? Who should be involved
in making this plan?

Water pollution is a very dangerous problem and if we don’t change our ways
it can really affect our future. In our society cars and factories aren’t used or
made. We also are very conscious about the environment meaning we choose
not to use pesticides or fertilizers. However, there is runoff from a farm on our
island prior to our arrival. We are doing our best to prevent and stop this run
off. We treat our water as a very precious resource. We have many
restrictions to prevent the pollution of our water. Everyone is distributed 3L of
water a day for drinking purposes. Because the water is being delivered this
reduces the amount access and interactions with our water source. Preventing
people from contaminating our water. People also have access to non-
drinkable water for cleaning and cooking purposes. However, if they
contaminate or overuse the water they will be punished as the government
thinks is fair. We have to do everything possible to keep our water clean.
Water used on farms is regulated to insure no farmer or farm is taking more
than needed.

MAP OF FALUNK