The Social Credit System
1984 meets In Time and The Handmaids Tale in a future dystopian society
Chapter 1
by 
daciasdesire
At the end of the 21st Century, The World had come close to the brink of collapse after the end of World War 4.
The United States and its allied had been heavily weakened in losing World War 3 against the Peoples Republic of China which now controlled almost all of Asia. The parts of Asia that were still liveable that is. Nukes had left much of Korea, Japan, India and Pakistan uninhabitable. Billions had died.
Europe, still trying to rebuild after World War 3 had been overrun by a near unstoppable Islamic Crusade from The Middle East. The American continents looked to be next but were saved by the intervention of their former opponents China who crushed the Arabic forces. Billions more died.
The price of their salvation? The world had to adopt the universal Social Credit System that had brought so much strength to the Chinese economy.
Under the Social Credit System, every child upon turning 18 was given an even 100 social credits with which to begin their life. Actions deemed negative to society would cause them to lose credits and actions that helped improve society would earn them credits. A light-emitting band around everyone’s wrist, known as a Status-Bracelet, allowed everyone to see the status of everyone else with just a glance. Over 66 was Green Status and the best, under 34 was Red Status and the worst you could be and in between that was Yellow Status which should be a warning to anyone to moderate their behaviours immediately. If you ever reached zero your band turned black and would never come back on again.
Everything was based on these three colour statuses. Where you could work, where you could live, how much your groceries would cost, if you could have children or get married. Politicians needed a score in excess of one thousand to run for office ensuring the people in charge had the very best intentions at heart. Not like it was before. Not like what had caused the wars.
One last thing. Murdering anyone found with a black wristband was legal. Your reward for killing someone like that? 50 Social Credits, enough to upgrade anyone from Red to Yellow or Yellow to Green.