In learning about different human societies, I've come across some very interesting points. The similarities between the ancient 'Varna system' in India and the (supposed) structure of our civilization's society are striking. The religious aspect may have been replaced with a biological one (for more on this idea, read the "poleepkwa phenotype paradox" post from a few days ago), but overall the two may be very alike. Here's an overview of the classic Varna/"caste" system, with possible parallels in poleepkwan society:
Brahmin: top caste--priests, scholars, teachers; lived in the best environment and had the (overall) best education for the time. Smallest percentage of population. *This could be the niche the 'queen' fills, making most decisions and passing laws.*
Kshatriyas: kings and warriors; defenders of the different 'kingdoms/districts'. 2nd-smallest percentage of population. *'Engineers' could fit in here, having higher standards of intelligence then the other classes but still subject to the queen's decisions. Presumably the ones who took care of the ship.*
Vaishyas: farmers, traders, artisans; grew and maintained food supplies and bartered goods with other castes. Association with a vaishya was not viewed as such a deplorable thing, but higher castes still spoke with them only when necessary. 2nd-largest percentage of population. *
Shudras: slaves, peasant farmers; the general 'worker class'. They took up the largest percentage of the overall population and were the least educated. *'Guards' and the like, who acted as 'citizen soldiers' and acted when the higher 'classes couldn't*
Another caste, the Untouchables, lived separately from all other castes and were the lowest of the low. Their jobs usually included tanning, cleaning trash and waste from the streets, and cremating the dead. To associate with an untouchable in any way was viewed as a crime. *I have not been able to think of nor hypothesize of an equivalent class in poleepkwan society. I personally hope we're above treating our fellow brethren this way.*
Each city or settlement was divided into 'districts' which were planned and deliberately designed to keep the different classes separate. *Perhaps a single ship acted as a settlement, with the 'command module' being the places where the queen and engineers lived and worked. The area where MNU originally cut in could be where the 'worker class' lived, but as the leaders had died by that time it really can't be proved.*
*Another interesting note to make was that the original varna system was based on skin color: lighter-skinned people at the top, darker-skinned ones at the bottom. It seems to be that the majority of us (the 'worker class') are dark-colored, without the markings or coloration of the 'guard' and higher castes that I've heard about.
**For more reading, I've included reference sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system