It should be noted that not only can the Imperium demand that no rights, priveledges, immunities, etc - be abridged, it also specifically notes that any sophant who pledges fealty directly to the Imperium, is also entitled to the same protections as a citizen of the Imperium.
Again, if it were strictly a Citizen's right only that the Warrant of Restoration referred to, it would not have added that extra bit.
Now, as for those who break the laws - one would have to be naive to believe that all those who hold the reins of power observe all of the legalities involved. Just as equally bad on the opposite spectrum, the belief that all politicians and political leaders are corrupt.
Putting this in perspective? Rome started out with civic virtue that governed how as a whole, its society would deal with various issues including survival oriented tasks like defending themselves from neighboring tribes bent on conquest. Over time, Rome amassed quite the empire, but the moment it started to lose its civic virtue, it began to fragment from within, and fell prey to forces from without. The same would hold true against the Third Imperium.
So - are there injustices - sure. Are they openly practiced? Seems to me that it was almost impossible to locate the missing individuals in that adventure where the senator was wrongly imprisoned. What was missing from that is "What was the aftermath of it in general?"
What I think has to occur - especially when you consider the history as portrayed by the material in Milieu 0 is this. The Sylean culture had its own laws, its own institutions, and its own pride it its culture, call it a form of civic virtue. The Sylean confederation then battled another empire - possibly for its own right to exist, much as Rome and Carthage battled. Then, comes the magical day where The First Emperor is crowned. This process occurs without a coup being required, without military coersion (sp?) and the people accept the new change in direction for their government. I found it hard to believe that they would have been so "cool" with the change if anything they originally that they valued, was taken away.
That Warrant of Restoration seemed largely to be based on Sylean Common law much as American Law was based on the Commonwealth laws of England prior to American breaking away. If that was the case? One would have to wonder at why the pared down rights of Imperial Citizens is less than what the Sylean Government originally espoused. My gut feeling is simply this:
Certain universal crimes such as murder are frowned upon and in theory, are protected rights for the citizens to not have to endure. Ditto with other crimes (See the crimes section in T5 for example). But certain "things" had to be universal for a universal recognition of "Citizenship" to occur.
Now, can a region/world choose to follow a religious dictatorship without running afoul of the certain basic citizen's rights? I suspect the answer is yes. If the Imperial government remains above the issue of "religious rights" (perhaps to avoid religious based wars?) - then what happens on such a world, stays on that world (to paraphrase what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas).
For now, I'm seriously hoping that somewhere, some place, someone has come across more specific "rights, protections, immunities, or privileges" that are alluded to in T4 material. I seriously doubt there would be anything in MegaTraveller, nor Classic Traveller - which leaves T4, T20, T5, and Mongoose Traveller. I don't have the funds to invest in all of the MgT material, and I never did like D20, let alone T20. That leaves me the hope that either Marc will expand a bit with T5, or that T4 or MgT have it. GURPS Traveller certainly doesn't have it. In fact? GURPS TRAVELLER: NOBLES was one huge disappointment in my eyes.
So, on that note, I hope someone has good news for me on that front...
Again, if it were strictly a Citizen's right only that the Warrant of Restoration referred to, it would not have added that extra bit.
Now, as for those who break the laws - one would have to be naive to believe that all those who hold the reins of power observe all of the legalities involved. Just as equally bad on the opposite spectrum, the belief that all politicians and political leaders are corrupt.
Putting this in perspective? Rome started out with civic virtue that governed how as a whole, its society would deal with various issues including survival oriented tasks like defending themselves from neighboring tribes bent on conquest. Over time, Rome amassed quite the empire, but the moment it started to lose its civic virtue, it began to fragment from within, and fell prey to forces from without. The same would hold true against the Third Imperium.
So - are there injustices - sure. Are they openly practiced? Seems to me that it was almost impossible to locate the missing individuals in that adventure where the senator was wrongly imprisoned. What was missing from that is "What was the aftermath of it in general?"
What I think has to occur - especially when you consider the history as portrayed by the material in Milieu 0 is this. The Sylean culture had its own laws, its own institutions, and its own pride it its culture, call it a form of civic virtue. The Sylean confederation then battled another empire - possibly for its own right to exist, much as Rome and Carthage battled. Then, comes the magical day where The First Emperor is crowned. This process occurs without a coup being required, without military coersion (sp?) and the people accept the new change in direction for their government. I found it hard to believe that they would have been so "cool" with the change if anything they originally that they valued, was taken away.
That Warrant of Restoration seemed largely to be based on Sylean Common law much as American Law was based on the Commonwealth laws of England prior to American breaking away. If that was the case? One would have to wonder at why the pared down rights of Imperial Citizens is less than what the Sylean Government originally espoused. My gut feeling is simply this:
Certain universal crimes such as murder are frowned upon and in theory, are protected rights for the citizens to not have to endure. Ditto with other crimes (See the crimes section in T5 for example). But certain "things" had to be universal for a universal recognition of "Citizenship" to occur.
Now, can a region/world choose to follow a religious dictatorship without running afoul of the certain basic citizen's rights? I suspect the answer is yes. If the Imperial government remains above the issue of "religious rights" (perhaps to avoid religious based wars?) - then what happens on such a world, stays on that world (to paraphrase what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas).
For now, I'm seriously hoping that somewhere, some place, someone has come across more specific "rights, protections, immunities, or privileges" that are alluded to in T4 material. I seriously doubt there would be anything in MegaTraveller, nor Classic Traveller - which leaves T4, T20, T5, and Mongoose Traveller. I don't have the funds to invest in all of the MgT material, and I never did like D20, let alone T20. That leaves me the hope that either Marc will expand a bit with T5, or that T4 or MgT have it. GURPS Traveller certainly doesn't have it. In fact? GURPS TRAVELLER: NOBLES was one huge disappointment in my eyes.
So, on that note, I hope someone has good news for me on that front...