The Foreign Service Journal, June 2006

ly remarkable economic growth and prosperity. The Great Leader’s farsighted economic development plans give absolute priority to private property and individual ownership. All wealth and means of production are the private property of Attila the Hun, including ownership of all individuals acquired during the Empire’s expansion projects. The veritable paradise created by the Great Leader has brought universal contentment to all of the Empire’s inhabitants. The economy of the Hun Empire is essentially agrarian. The high tax rate on commerce and indus- try (100 percent) has discouraged business growth, but tributes from the Eastern and Western Roman Empires supply all of the Huns’ needs for manu- factured or imported goods. All land is private- ly owned by Attila the Hun; agricultural products are, however, allotted to the other Huns, who col- lect them from the subject peoples after harvest. The natural fertility of the soil and the indus- triousness of the subject peoples have ensured the Huns the highest standard of living in the known world. The annual per capita income of the Huns (analyzed separately from the distorting effects of the large subject population) was over 1,000 gold talents. Income per capita of the subject peoples was somewhat less, perhaps 65 cents. This high standard of living, with some members of the subject population surpassing the subsistence level before taxes, has led to correspondingly high levels of health, with the life expectancy at birth estimated at over 20 years. The Empire of the Hun Horde, which stretches from the depths of Central Asia to the borders of Gaul, is relatively underpopulated, with a population of approximately 10 million. The population is essentially stable, with immigration of slaves balanced by executions of miscreant groups. Because the example of Attila the Hun and his fore- bears has demonstrated the innecessity of educa- tion or literacy, the Hun Empire has no school sys- tem and the literacy rate was close to 0, other than among certain slaves. Social mobility does not depend on education nor, for that matter, is it known to exist. J U N E 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 59 Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives