Economics: The Credit And The Unit

[az_gamer]

Economics in the time of Confederation are different from that which we understand now. Ultimately economics of this time are based on time and energy but we will get into that a little later. Changes in societal perception and advancements in technology such as molecular fabrication have virtually eliminated the need for monetary systems as they were known in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. However, in the time of the confederation the value of items and resources that were more difficult to obtain, produce, or procure resulted in the development of the "Unit" and "Credit" systems of currency. The Credit, which is the smallest or micro transferable unit (denomination) of "currency" found in the confederation is also readily accepted in many non-Confederation worlds as it is represented by small bars or disk made of metallic alloys composed of both semi precious and precious metals which can be deconstructed through various processes for whatever they are needed for or used as raw materials to fuel a molecular fabricator. The Unit on the other hand, is a transferable macro unit (denomination) of "currency" that is represented by a token that equals 5,000 credits but has no real physical value itself. Units may be represented in a token-less version in which the Unit is represented by a specific numeric code that corresponds to an account where the Units are held and transferable upon request. While credits are tangible, Units are not, and thus are less acceptable as currency out side of the Confederation than Credits are. So when a person needs goods or services they can exchange a Credit(s) bar or disk for the desired item and the person accepting the Credit can then recycle or deconstruct the metal into materials that they need or fuel a molecular fabricator with the materials.

Credits and Units, while conceptually similar, are not directly comparable to the economic currencies of Earth found in use during the late 20th and early 21st centuries and most likely would be of a higher cash value. For example gold, platinum, and diamonds are still considered precious metals in the 23rd and 24th centuries as they are still relatively rare to find naturally occurring on an individual planetary basis. However, in the interstellar age they are considerably less valuable than they were during the Space Age as they can be found on many planets throughout the Galaxy. These precious metals and gems can also be molecularly fabricated with high degrees of accuracy and precision as to be almost indistinguishable from the naturally occurring ones but this takes time and energy which ultimately are currencies in their own right. Often the value of an item in terms of Credits or Units is determined more by the amount of time and energy that is required to produce the item then the actual raw materials or resources involved (Unless those same items are composed or rare or difficult to obtain raw materials and resources which require more time and energy to acquire themselves).

Other Materials Used As Currency:

Cryotanium - an extremely rare synthetic crystalline material whose name refers to the extreme low temperature process used in its creation. These highly valued crystalline solid was accidentally discovered as a byproduct found in during the clean out of a cold fusion reactor. The rare crystals cannot be reproduced by modern molecular fabricators due to the unique process and extreme conditions required to make it. The material is used in all sorts of high end focused crystalline electronics from Hyperdrives to Beam Pistols. 1 oz of Cryotanium is recognized as being equal to 1 Unit.