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SOCIETY

In the European-influenced world the more advanced biological sciences have meant that racial and gender equality has existed for longer than in the real world. Also, for similar reasons, homosexuality has been accepted for longer as it is understood to be a natural thing. There was also an earlier sexual revolution than in the real world arising from the earlier availability of the female contraceptive pill.

Female soldiers are used in some parts of the world. There are female guards and archers in India (particularly Hyderabad) and Ceylon, and female spear-wielding guards in Siam. Some female troops are largely ceremonial. However, others, as in Dahomey, are effective front-line troops.

Despite this, abortion and contraception are illegal in much of the Catholic world. This does not stop back street abortionists existing in many places, and contraception being widely available 'under the counter'. In France contraception is legal, but abortion is treated as murder.

Science in this world has thoroughly disproved there being any rational basis for discrimination between people based on racial, gender or class differences, and this has been the case for generations. However, humans being humans, this has not eliminated discrimination, only changed it in form. In the modern world, people are often (explicitly or implicitly) discriminated against on the grounds of culture and religion (as a subset of culture). This cultural discrimination is justified by many on the grounds that different cultures do affect the achievements of people who follow them, and thus it is scientifically justified...

Catholicism is more widespread than in the real world due to the larger French colonial empire. This is particularly the case in India, but also in other areas where French influence is strong, such as its colonies. However, because of the Economic Collapse and different circumstances, there was not a large degree of missionary activity in the 19th century, just much the same as previously. Because of this many native religions are stronger and more widespread.

There is less emancipation of Jews than in the real world. Many European Jews have moved to Israel or New Israel. Anti-Semitism still fairly common.

Most nations have national service of one kind or another.

All nations retain the death penalty, though they vary on who and what crimes it applies to.

A better understanding of biology and neurology means that in this world brainwashing, interrogation and indoctrination techniques are better developed, and more effective than in the real world. These are, needless to say, abhorred by the Nullopticon movement.

Many drugs that are illegal in the real world are legal here. Marijuana in particular is widely used. Opium is legal in some places, but most nations ban it after French pressure following the Long War of 1915-1916, when too many French people became addicted to it.

The use of tobacco is widely restricted in many nations. In Russia it is banned, although thanks to the efforts of 'baccyrunners' it is still available on the black market.

CLOTHING

Formal wear (the equivalent to a business suit in the real world) does, of course, exist in this world. However, unlike the real world where it has evolved from court dress mainly via the British Empire, in this world it has evolved from much the same source, but mainly via the French Empire.

As such male formal wear, which is still known as a suit, consists of a frock-coat-like jacket, knee length at the back and waist length at the front, worn over calf-length breeches over which are worn knee-length ornamental gaiters and shoes. In colour, suits are dark, but other than that can be of any colour, so that in addition to the blacks, greys and blues of the real world, dark greens, reds, purples and so on are equally common. Of course, precisely which colours are popular at a given time is subject to the vagaries of fashion.

Under the jacket is worn a waistcoat and a shirt. The waistcoat is much as in the real world in form. The shirt is collarless and normally a white or pastel colour. Over the shirt and waistcoat is worn a detachable lace collar. The waistcoat and collar are both coloured and patterned, normally to coordinate with one another and also to some extent display the personality of the wearer [much as ties can in the real world]. In more modern suits adapted to a warmer world, the waistcoat is often omitted.

Women's suits are similar to those of men in terms of colouration and jacket style. They can be worn with either calf-length skirts or trousers, and boots or shoes. Female suits have similar detachable collars to those of men, but these are larger and more ornate, giving them something of a shawl-like appearance. They are often worn over the jacket, which is normally collarless. However, women's collars, although more ornate than men's, are normally more drab in colour and less excitingly patterned than those of men.

Hats are quite common for both genders. Again these come in a variety of colours, normally to coordinate with the rest of a suit. In style, hats tend to be of a short, flat-crowned and broad-brimmed type known as a 'cordobés' from its Spanish origin. These have become particularly popular with the rise in levels of ultraviolet due to ozone depletion from human activities, and are normally UV-proofed to protect the wearer. Similar, somewhat more conical hats not unlike a short capotain hat are also common.

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