Imperative of Gold

The Imperative of Gold is, at its basic core, a set of social and religious tenets derived from common capitalist economic ideologies popular throughout Hiderid worlds. It dictates that individuals and societies should always be driven by the pursuit of profit above all else, and that there is no societal problem that money cannot overcome. Whilst most Hiderid only moderately follow the Imperative as a general philosohy to life, it forms the basis of Hiderid Coalition of Stars economic and religious doctrine.

Influence on Economics

As an economic doctrine, the Imperative often colours such systems as capitalism and neoliberalism. It promotes extreme liberalization, deregulation, in the goals of monetary growth. However, its obligations are sometimes seen as only as a guideline. Following the Great Jump to Elpis, the Coalition was forced to "momentarily upend" the Imperative in order to justify the heavy state control of colonial industries and infrastructure that proved needed to jumpstart its economy. By the 80th cycle, it was believed that the influence of the Imperative had returned to Hiderid politics.

Social and Religious Significance

Whilst many other colonies share a free-market, capitalist economic doctrine (such as the Boshaari Council), the lengths to which the Hiderid go to fulfill their economy are often underestimated and deeply misunderstood. Perhaps the Imperative can be most felt in a Hiderid's social and religious life, where wealth is regarded near-reverently. Many Hiderid believe that a wealthy live is a virtuous life, and will adjust their moral codes accordingly. Business ventures, relationships, even marriage are often done in pursuit of greater profit.
Hiderid believe that their afterlife will be weighted on scales of gold, at the gates of paradise, on account of their coin at time of death. Higher tiers of paradise are reached by the wealthiest; the least wealthy see entry denied and must remain in the Underworld for eternity. The mausoleums of particularly wealthy businesspeople visited as if they were godly shrines. Some Hiderid see the pursuit of wealth simply as "saving for the afterlife", though most do not necessarily share their religious fervour and see such tales merely as tradition to be followed...just in case.
Accordingly, to go bankrupt or lose money is often seen as a grave and usually self-inflicted punishment. The lower strata of Hiderid societies can expect no hand-out and must toil in the hopes of seeing profit again. This particularly means that many poorer Hiderid disengage from the Imperative entirely, though more than a few crime lords have used it as an excuse for their actions.
There is no council that oversees the Imperative, which instead draws from past texts and the word of influential businesspeople. It can be best described as a quasi-religious, though the concept of a "divine entity" is unknown to Hiderid.

Type

Religious, Other