What is PMESII-PT?

The military teaches PMESII-PT as a tool to help users organize large amounts of operations information. It’s a tool a strategy and stands for: Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical Environment, Time.

This is a great tool to use in novels where military plays a significant role, but also you can use it to discover the worlds you create more in depth. Today we’re focusing on the first P, Political. 

Political

The Political aspect focuses on the total political power of an area, often referred to as an Area of Operation. (I will try to refrain from military slang for clarity’s sake.) This encompasses political structure, official governmental institutions, state institutions, non-recognized groups such as terrorists, criminal organizations, cartels, tribes, individual or influential families. 

Okay, so, that’s a lot of words, and for the uninitiated may sound like utter chaos. So, let’s break it down for the writer looking to develop a political understanding of their world. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Political Structure is Totalitarian

Choosing a political structure sets the basis for how your civilization runs, deeply influencing the narrative landscape of your story. The people your characters, whether protagonist, antagonist, or invisible, put in power determine the barriers your Main Character will experience, both directly and indirectly. These barriers can be literal, such as walls and checkpoints between cities (Districts), creating a physical sense of confinement, or they can be psychological, manifesting in beliefs that compel a character to sacrifice their own desires for the safety and happiness of a sibling or larger community. This interrelation between individual characters and the overarching political system creates a complex web of motivations and conflicts.

So, perhaps your character navigates a Democratic Republic like the United States, where law enforcement is often seen as a figurehead, leading to questions about authority and accountability, or they exist in a communist community where the state owns everything, yet paradoxically lacks the authority to claim the essence of the individual. How does this dynamic shape not just the experiences of your MC, but also the foundational conflicts and themes within your story?

Ultimately, the political backdrop not only influences the actions and growth of your characters but also sets the stage for the moral and philosophical dilemmas they must confront as they forge their paths through a world steeped in ideology.

The Official Government institution is The Capitol of Panem.

Is your government run out of a capital? Or does it have another location? What features distinguish the Official Government institution from other structures? In the Hunger Games, The Capitol of Panem is the height of society. Not only do those highest in the social status live there but also, they enjoy the most luxuries. Is your government going to have grand buildings and livelihoods? Or be more equal to the status of those they rule?

The Non-Recognized (by the governing body) group is The Rebellion

There were multiple rebellions in Panem in attempts to launch an insurrection against the ruling totalitarian government. 

As Katniss progresses through her storyline, she discovers she has become the Rebellions symbol. She became a symbol when she defied the Capitol’s rules and threatened suicide with Peeta. 

Whenever you create an “us vs. them” concept in a story, remember that each side views themselves as the heroes. So, what makes each side in your story believe they are the hero? Each choice will create your own Capitol Vs. Rebellion. 

Movement through society

In The Hunger Games, it seems like the only way to move up in society from the lower class is through the Hunger Games themselves, a brutal and unforgiving competition that pits tributes against one another for the entertainment of the Capitol. This harrowing experience not only tests the will to survive but also serves as a grim reminder of the social hierarchy in Panem. For those who manage to emerge victorious, the rewards are substantial: wealth, fame, and the chance to live in a more comfortable and privileged environment.

From there, your children can be born into the higher levels and live in Panem, shielded from the struggles of those in the districts, who are left to grapple with the harsh realities of their daily lives. This cycle perpetuates a system where only a select few can escape the clutches of poverty, reinforcing the idea that hope and opportunity are reserved for the lucky few who can survive the deadly games.

Conclusion

So, how can your characters move through the Social-Political spectrum? Are there tournaments, contests, or lotteries that determine status? Or does your society require certain deeds, monetary donations, or services to move through the ranks? A society always has a separation and while the politics behind that separation may not be blatant, it’s up to you to know what goes on in the background of your world.

If you have questions, or other tips for looking at politics, please comment or send a message through my contact page.

PMESII-PT Part 2 The Military Variable