This document was the introduction to the 1996 edition of the New Atlantis members manual.

It provides a brief introduction to New Atlantis. It is surprising just how valid much of it is today.

It was written by our president at the end of 1995.

Introduction.

Welcome to New Atlantis. This members handbook has been created for members so that they understand not only the rules but how to access all the benefits available to them. Some none members will also be interested, as they will be interested to see how New Atlantis functions and hopefully decide that this is a concept they can also get involved in.

Perhaps the best place to start an introduction is to explain how New Atlantis came about, and what its aims are. It started out as a project, called choices, which still exists but is now part on New Atlantis. The choices project had two objectives to define the perfect civilisation and to define all the paths available through life.

Now defining the perfect civilisation is a tall order, as what is heaven to one person, is hell to another. Likewise with countries it was discovered that there were many forms of administration or government,  which each has its merits, supporters and is appropriate in specific places and cultures. Often the actual practice is not the same as is claimed, for example many countries claim to be democratic, but none are truly democratic. They are all variations around the theme of democracy. Many countries have historic strands, often which appears now to be no more than unnecessary expense or ceremonial.

From this came the idea of creating a sovereign country, borrowing the best of each culture and allowing for all.

But where is it located, is many peoples first question. Historically there has been many people's who for various reasons have no land to call there own, including up to recently the Palestinians. The Jews moved from a land less religion to become the state of Israel, and there are many other examples of new countries being born, or races developing.

The next problem of course is the fear this creates in the minds of rulers on some other countries, who fear separatists and other groups, and to who New Atlantis may look at first sight as a threat. However New Atlantis has nothing to do with separatism or taking over another's land, but initially is content to be  virtual or imaginary country, until it has developed to the point where it can build its own. For now all our citizens have duel nationality, being both a citizen of New Atlantis and there original country.

The idea of a constructed country is not new and with two thirds of the earth's surface covered in water, the ideal would be a country in the ocean. This concept has been taken further to the idea of a series of large linked floating islands, in the shape of a spiral, connected together, and surrounded by linked islands that are used to create shelter when needed and generate electrical power from the sea. Some of the islands would have large items like an aircraft wing sticking upwards and a second down into the sea. These could be manipulated so as to be sails, or devices to use the currents within the oceans in order that the whole country could either move about or be fixed in a position. Being mobile has many advantages from avoiding storms to controlling your climate, going north in the summer to stay cool, and south in the winter to avoid the freeze. The advantage of the spiral shape is that it would be flexible and therefore economic to construct, yet expandable slowly growing from the centre outwards. It is by far the largest construction project ever dreamt up, and will take years to complete, creating enormous employment initially in other countries but later also on New Atlantis itself.

So Atlantis names after the fabled perfect civilisation was born, first as a club or large discussion group, and later renamed as New Atlantis when the Non profit company and structure was set up to allow the country to come into existence.

How should this country function, and while having all our citizens in other physical countries, how should we run the nation. Hopefully this handbook will explain the point that has been reached, and you will agree that the journey ahead is challenging and worthwhile. It is of course a developing story and you like us are privileged to be able to not only see it happen but to take part in making it happen.

The overriding objective of New Atlantis, as it in theory should be for every nation, is to improve the quality of life of its citizens. That simple mission statement needs to guide us foreword and never be forgotten.

The objectives as you will see from the rules and the memorandum of the company, is to achieve far more, but we would argue that they in turn come back to helping with the first objective.

Now as a new member of New Atlantis reading this for the first time, you are on the first step of a ladder, appropriately as you are stepping into new territory, you are known as a pioneer, later when you have a better understanding you will take the oath and become a citizen, and hopefully go on to become a Knight, lord, baron or sheriff if not rising further through the honour system. This honour system acknowledges the servants of the people, and is equally open to all.

A few of you will decide that you want to dedicate your life to this new country either permanently of for a period of time and will wish to fill one of the vacancies in our Royal family, becoming a Prince or Princess.

Everyone will find the Bargain and Barter club a great benefit. this not only finds bargains and special deals for members but also operates a bartering system allowing all members to help each other, and be both rewarded for there efforts and preventing others from taking advantage of there good nature.

Information is available from the reports club and from the computerised Bulletin board service, all of which are included in your membership.

New Atlantis, is a tax free state, you not only have no taxes to pay, or bank charges, when using the bartering system , but the state gives to every member or family a number of barter units, called favours, and these if collected over a year will allow you to get 14 days holiday accommodation in a range of hotels, and still have enough over to pay your subscription to one of the optional affiliated clubs. Of course you can also use the favours to give to other members in exchange for the work they cam do for you, and earn more yourself by helping other members. Everyone can do something, it could be baby sitting, washing a car, taking guests while they visit your area, helping with the decorating, plumbing, or whatever you are good at. All you pay is a base subscription which covers the whole family.

I could tell you far more but, it would be better to allow you to discover all the benefits and methods by which New Atlantis is going to allow you to improve the quality of your life and all those around you.

So please explore this manual, and I hope that it not only allows you to improves your life but also inspires you to get fully involved.