Government.

The overriding concern of the first settlers on Celepina was to ensure that the technology that protected then from the hostile conditions on the world's surface remained in good order. The technicians who knew how quickly realised that they could rule if they held on to the knowledge themselves.

If accepted to train as a Tehneetees (technician), the student becomes eligable to vote and can be nominated (once trained) to the Seemvouleeo, the ruling council. The Seemvouleeo elects an Arheegos who rules for 5 years. The Arheegos acts as the voice of the council and can not act without their consent.

Although the majority of citizens do not have a vote, the system is not considered repressive. You would take a broken device to an expert for repair, why not have someone who has a proven understanding of the prime concerns of the society as ruler? The Arheegos and Seemvouleeo members still work at their trades, still meet with the ordinary citizens and (unlike many other rulers) have to justify all decisions. The Seemvouleeo members tend to live at Makinsk. This was suggested by the citizens as a way of preventing disruption to their own lives caused by a series of demonstrations outside the homes of Seemvouleeo members following a decision to restrict imports of technical journals.

Each week the Seemvouleeo Office publishes an account of the repair and maintenence status of the colony, showing what needs to be done and the state of any work in progress. "The effectiveness of government can be measured" is a common phrase. Air loss rates, breakdowns and failures are published, a government can find itself in difficulties due to a software problem that causes drinks dispensers to stop working. Government is seen as a service that enables Celepinan society to function. "The prime purpose of government is to ensure that tomorrow, we can still breathe".

The government is considered fairly liberal and Celepinan society is considered just and worthwhile by the citizens. Social mobility is high. All children are tested at age 9. Although families do tend to follow their parent's trade, that is nothing more than tradition. The daughter of a Tehneetees is likely to have some background skills and understanding from her parents and is likely to have a better chance in the exams because of it. She is would be expected to make a better Tehneetees than the daughter of a shopkeeper, if only due to the experience of her family that can be drawn on.

The Arheegos sets tax levels, agrees trade and manages relations with the Scouts, Navy and the Imperium. The Seemvouleeo can introduce and pass laws within theses areas as they see fit. Laws that regulate commercial and social behaviour can only be introduced by non-tehneetees. The pay of the Tehneetees is subject to a formula, based on the effectiveness of their work. A major air loss or breakdown can put individual members into debt.