HC Master Post : Socio-Political Aspects of 21XX.
Alt. Text has the text available if it cannot be interpreted on the images. These are primarily based on a US political situations, as that is what I am most educated on.
In terms of societal structures, I've got so many headcanons for how reploids work. Not exactly a traditional caste, per se, but it's something more along the lines of a societal base system. While there are instances of moving amongst the classes — it is more a form of status in limited extents, rather than being born / built and stuck in your place only. What you are signifies your general place, despite movements up and down existing to a degree. If you are X or Zero, though, placements are erratic in a way — but is considered far above any reploid, near on par with a human.
All info is below the cut.
While there may be existing biases ( if lesser compared to current times in the X series ? ) in terms of sex, gender, race, disability, orientation, and so forth, this will be portrayed in a species majority / minority structure — humans vs reploids vs animaloids vs mechanilpids vs mavericks essentially. It's +100 years into the future ; people used to hate some things that are currently widely supported, but still there are outliers. And frankly ? I don't want to overwhelm myself with nuances I don't have the full scope or capability to understand.
Regardless.
Humans are typically seen " as above " , given the rules of Robotics exist to protect humanity first, which can definitely lead to conflict and tension ( especially towards more disadvantaged reploids ) . A blue collar human is viewed in higher regards than a blue collar civilian reploid.
So a generalized, vague structure would be along the lines of :
Humans
Reploids
Animaloids ( animal reploids )
Mechaniloids
Mavericks / criminals are an unusual outlier that fits anywhere ( in theory ), while simultaneously being the lowest.
But a more nuanced approach would be ordered in terms of power and influence in general ( in which some lines blur, though a present and existing bias is that humans are seen as " above " — even if in terms of influence. A human's life is still considered far more valuable than a reploid's after all, judging heavily from the application of the Rules of Robotics 3rd Law intertwining with the 1st law ) .
In short, those of a similar place in society are ordered in terms or more to less power are as followed :
first in power / secondary / tertiary / etc.
The same order of operations applies for a lettered structure explained below ( as to not constantly say Reploid, Human, etc.)
H is for humans
R is reploids
SM is specialized mechaniloids
GM is generalized mechaniloids
M is mavericks / criminals.
The last 3 points are irreverent until later.
While lumped together for ease, humanoid reploids are considered above animaloids, despite often being less specialized. There are some instances, however, of animaloids being above rank compared to reploids in work settings, though it is rarely an exception societally ( such as with the Day of Sigma OVA, i.e., Chill Penguin being a leader ). This distinction exists due to a removed sense of humanity, as they are often built as animal or monster - like in appearences, thus may come off as more intimidating. They are often far more cautious outside of work compared to reploids because of this stigma. Comments calling them, or comparing them to working animals is considered highly derogatory.
Now, for the general hierarchy order, just as a means of clearer visuals:
>, ≥, for more clear visuals in the lettering system ( last one being greater than or equal to. ). [ H ] and [ R ] will be used for the examples in clarifying the order and how things are viewed.
The order of command generally dictates [ H > R or H ≥ R ] ( Humans ≥ or > Reploids ) .
In instances of [ R > H ], however, it is more a matter of sacrificial capabilities, rather than genuinely perceived societal order. To avoid confusion, it will be labeled as Reploid-work [ Rw ] and Human-work [ Hw ]. So, it is always considered [ H ≥ R ] in a societal stance, but is usually viewed as [ Rw ≥ Hw ] if reploids have more work-based knowledge and superiority. Humans are almost always considered less capable in work-based structures, but in order to keep the existing structure, they are most often put in positions of authority.
True [ R > H ] has only one exception.
In an instance of [ H = R ] , it is to imply a much closer level of equality.
So to summarize, in the [ H ] / [ R ] system used, those with the most authority are listed first, while those with least authority are last. >, ≥, or = signifies further if there is some level or full equality present.
ELITE
Major Politicians / CEOs
Leading government forces [ H ] .
Reploid-focused areas of laws [ H ≥ R ] .
Major Parties / Third Parties / Territories and Single States / etc. [ H ].
Primarily reploid-ran and specific organizations that reflect the party above. [ R ]
CEOs exist in an odd middle ground, given lobbyists are a thing. So their influence can impact political views, even if technically, politicians are viewed as " higher " in general. Typically almost always human, though, few exceptions of Reploid CEOs do exist. In these situations, outside of Maverick Hunters, they are viewed with intense suspicions and are prone to more scrutiny. [ H ≥ R. ]
MILITARY / LAW
Executive / Defense, Security
Air, Army, Navy, Military Medics + specific sub categories of the Maverick Hunters | [ Rw ≥ Hw ] ; humans give command when applicable, but do not fight themselves.
X and Zero are considered on top, almost in an unusual place in this hierarchy. They are capable of disregarding human command with little to no concequences.
In order of general rankings :
S - Class
SA - Class
A - Class
B - Class
C - Class
D / E - Rank
D / E Rank are considered failed soldiers. Discharged reploids, like humans, fall under classifications of Honorable, General/Under Honorable Conditions, Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct Discharge, or Dishonorable Discharge, which will impact general views on these individual if known.
Repliforce is its own subsection, prior to the revolt [ R, later H > R until its complete disbanding ] .
Police Force [ Rw ≥ Hw ] , orders are [ H > R ] .
Similar law enterprises ( Courts, etc. ).
Court judgements are typically based on societal peers, so, humans judge humans, reploids judge reploids — unless it is a reploid on human crime, in which the lines blur and both parties are involved ( primarily humans ) . Human on reploid crime is rarely reported, as existing biases influence the judgements, even amongst peers. So, [ H ≥ R ] .
CELEBRITIES
Typically human, albeit, some categories of Reploid Celebrities do exist ( i.e., X and Zero who exist in a gray area of Military and Celebrity ) . It falls under [ H ≥ R ] .
To adjust a quote from Animal Farm (1945), it can be summarized in this type of view: "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. ", and so comes the idea that, all with sentience are equal, but humans are more equal than others. Yet, such views are kept hush, spoken primarily amidst civilians, protestors, rioters, etc. to avoid potential maverick accusations, but very openly amidst criminals — hence extreme opinions on these thoughts.
PROFESSIONALS / UPPER CLASS
Civilians, above middle class.
Consists of professionals. In terms of orders and control, it is [ H ≥ R ], but given Reploids are often created with specializations in mind, unlike humans which may have more mistakes, their work is preferable. In this instance, it is [ Rw ≥ Hw ] .
White collar workers ( medical practitioners, IT / security, administrative, etc. ) .
When it comes to IT, there is a catch-22 that states that reploids in IT are viewed with suspicion ( due to infection capabilities ) , but are also seen as more capable.
As a side note with IT, white hat hackers are considered fine by reploidkind. Gray Hat hackers, however, are considered taboo if respected given their role in IT, but exist as an uncomfortable bias amongst reploids ( humans, however, are fully untrustworthy ) . Black hat hackers are almost always criminals and are heavily feared amonst reploids, but may transition towards gray hat work for those under criminal rehabilitation.
Medics exist as an [ Rw ≥ Hw ] structure.
IT bleeds into it as Reploids may need adjustments to their software to function properly. Humans are typically aided first assuming a reploid's injuries are not severe.
Sales, office workers, etc. Classes are typically not as high paying, but considered respectable. May veer towards the Upper Middle Class in areas. Still, typically considered [ H ≥ R ] , with some cases of [ Rw ≥ Hw ] for detail oriented work.
MIDDLE CLASS
Civillians in general, not as high paying. Humans are technically above, but are considered on a more equal playing ground to reploids. [ H ≥ R ].
Semi-professionals, managers, things along those lines. [ Hw ≥ Rw ].
LOWER CLASS
Civilians.
Typically considered " unskilled " or blue collar work ; manual, service, things along those lines. It is more [ Rw ≥ Hw ] , purely because of risks associated with the tasks at hand. Humans don't work these jobs typically, unless in a difficult place in their life, or the company is shady ; still, they are oftentimes rejected due to the expendable potential of Reploids.
It can be said these " jobs are so simple, even a Mechaniloid can do it. ", leading to the devalued stereotype.
MECHANILOIDS
Specialized Mechaniloids [ SM ] : above typically mechaniloids, as they show very basic levels of sentience (Ex: Degravers ), but are incomparable and considered expendable.
General Mechaniloids [ GM ] are essentially machines with subhuman intelligence, and work on programming alone. [ H ≥ R > SM > GM ] .
To call a reploid a mechaniloid is considered degrading ; while it may be used in a joking context towards close reploid friends ( i.e., viewed as harsher than stupid, but often jokingly in that instance ) , it is an extremely derogatory in any other context. You essentially imply there is no free will, emotions, thought, so forth.
Being called a robot is on par, but considered a less extreme term.
CRIMINALS / MAVERICKS
They exist from the white collars, to petty criminals. Considered societally low, but are unable to be placed in a hierarchy. In this instance, it is purely [ R > H ] . Reploids have extreme advantages in this scenario, while humans are considered expendable or collateral damage.
Mavericks are identified as Free-Will [ FW ] Maverick, or Infected [ IM ]. [ FW ] go through the courts, or are killed in some instances of major combat. [ IM ] are killed on sight to prevent Sigma Virus spread. When classified, it is [ H ≥ R > SM > GM = IM > FW ] .
If you want to use or reference this, you can, I'd honestly be flattered. But yeah, these are just my personal headcanons given I am obsessed with socio-political subject matters, paired with reflections on society as a whole and how to improve it ( I am very left leaning in a US political system, after all ) .