The Perfect State: A Fictional Commentary on Humanity and Politics

Realisation: Chapter 1

New Oxford, 25 January 2048

6.00 A.M, The Sun rose over the metropolis of New Oxford illuminating the city in all its glory from the medieval style colleges of the Universities to the grand palatial building occupying the central plaza.

Jacobus Mane was still up from the night before. Being a night owl he had stayed up all night to complete a lecture which he was teaching in a week at the University of New Oxford.

Mane, a professor of Art History at the University of New Oxford and a member of the consultative assembly to the Supreme Elder, the Supreme Scholarly Council, was immensely privileged in life.

Born in May 2008 to well-off parents who were academics in the now long destroyed British Isles, he had most would consider a pretty decent childhood. When the rise of populism occurred across America, Europe, and eventually the whole world which would lead to the near destruction of the globe and humanity as we know it; his parents were invited by the Supreme Elder to their secure location to wait out what is now called the 'Fall of Man' by people who survived.

Mane showed great promise and despite being forced to quit formal education due to the events of the Fall of Man, he showed great promise in all areas of academia excelling in literature, art and cultural studies. Dr Pasco and his colleagues took great interest in the prodigy and took him under their wing to raise him to be one of the next generations of leaders.

By the time in summer 2039 that Dr Pasco, his colleagues, the invited guests and their new families left the secure location to found the Republic of Academia. Mane was now 31 and a highly intelligent, articulate, and charismatic individual who was earmarked to become one of the next leaders of this new republic.

When the first and capital city of New Republic, New Oxford was founded in September 2038, Mane was one of the first residents to be granted a residence in the luxurious district of Elysian Hills which was close to the Grand Palace of Learning where the Supreme Elder and his counsels would reside. He would also be one of the founding members of the University of New Oxford and be granted a Professorship of Art History for Life guaranteeing him a comfortable life.

Mane's life would become even more privileged when in 2045 he would be appointed to the Supreme Scholarly Council following the death of his father by the Supreme Elder. Mane was automatically upon assuming the seat be granted the title 'Advisor to the Supreme Elder on Cultural Affairs', now not only was he set up for life but he had the ear of the man who supreme authority over all the republic and its colonies.

Mane met his husband, Gaius during his stay in the secure location during the Fall of Man. The intellectuals rejecting the bigotry and narrow-minded of the past were accepting of same-sex relationships though ever aware that reproduction was vital to the survival of the human race. Gaius was the son of one of the other academic families which had escaped in the 2020s, their personalities and interests matched. It was only natural that they should fall for each other.

In 2035, four years before the secure location opened up. Jacobus and Gaius were married in a small ceremony attended by the Elders and Intellectuals and in within a year due to a surrogate they had a son, Milton. Milton was raised like any other child was in the secure location with the love of knowledge, hatred of the unintelligent and the lessons of the past ingrained deep within his young mind.

By the time the secure location opened, Milton was 4 and all indicators were that we would be a worthy example of humanity and a potential heir to his father's presumptive seat on the Supreme Scholarly Council. He would attend the best school in the nation, Elysian Hall and would be taught by the best teachers that could be trained.