actionman
Emperor Mongoose
Thoughts on the Dark Imperium.
There have been some very interesting and thought-provoking discussions on the nature of the Imperium recently. This thread is about drawing conclusions from the ideas, opinions, and information presented and further thoughts on them.
The final inspiration for this thread was this video. It is a Russian author's perspective on Russian society and how power and wealth flows within it. This got me thinking about how these ideas relate to what has been discussed about the Imperium.
I'm not interesting in arguing the accuracy of the video's statements, and people who disagree should argue with the video's creator, should they feel so moved. My point in referencing the video is the commonalities between the societal model she describes and the conclusions I've been drawing about the Imperium as a consequence of recent discussions on the forum.
My comments about how statements in the video corresponding to my developing understanding of the Imperium will be in italics.
In short, she states that there are several levels of Russian society, shaped by the Russian national experience over the centuries.
"There is state-controlled wealth - primarily natural resources and agricultural land - and people who have the right to control and exploit these resources based on their social rank." She states that most wealth in Russia depends on this. A private business depends on customers who ultimately depend on the wealth of the people who have access to state-controlled wealth. (Ambitious people) seek to position themselves as close to those who have access to state-controlled wealth "...while navigating a dangerous and highly competitive environment."
The Imperium's state-controlled wealth is its worlds, and the nobility and nobility-controlled megacorporations are those who have the right to control and exploit these resources / worlds. Hence, every world is the fief of an Imperial noble, who works with the planetary government to make sure Imperial taxes are paid, production continues, commerce is unimpeded (the exploitation), and the fiefholder's influence on the planetary government is the control.
>> Imperial tax and governance discussion.
"Your property remains yours only as long as those in power are in agreement with this arrangement... If they decide otherwise they can take everything from you."
A government of men, not laws. A fiefholder can tax a world's population into poverty should he so desire. People can be coerced or their property confiscated after an accusation that they are somehow in violation of vague Imperial law. A noble's fief can be taken from him should the subsector duke or higher wish it.
The social pyramid:
1. The common people, the largest population, they live barely getting by, and are dependent on state assistance in one form or another. The common people "... have no control of resources and no voice. The state treats them as dependents to be cared for only if there's extra money."
These are the planetary populations. Imperial social society operates above this level. This level is relegated to planetary governments and is their problem until there is an interruption in the flow of tax revenue or other serious upheaval.
2. People who have important skills. "They live better, but their wealth and social status depend heavily on where they live." (the metropole rather than the backwaters) "These people don't control resources and don't have special rights, but the state sees them as useful."
In a Traveller context, these people would be non-noble Imperial military personnel, mercenary units, small to mid-sized merchant lines, high-ranking planetary government officials, and wealthy planetary businessmen who control assets that the Imperium values. If these people interact with the Imperium (besides their Imperial military commanders), it will be the staff of the Imperial fiefholder or the staff of the subsector duke at most.
3. People who control material or power resources. "They're either government employees or closely linked to the government through contracts. At this level, everything is decided through agreements and person connections, and success is measured by how prestigious your position is and how much money flows through your hands. These people are part of unofficial clans who protect each other and compete for better positions in the social hierarchy."
High-ranking Imperial military commanders and Imperial bureaucracy officials, noble fiefholders, astronomically wealthy industrialists and businessmen who operate at least on a sector-wide scale, and megacorporate officers. The clans they are a part of are the Imperial noble families.
4. "At the top of the pyramid are the heads of clans who control vast networks of vassals. These vassals can be found on the second and third levels of the pyramid... The aristocrats are above the law, they control enormous sums of money, and they are accountable to no one, unless they anger the top feudal lord..."
And there we have it. These are the heads of the Imperial noble families, sector dukes, members of the Imperial Family, and they're above the law. They are the men in the "government of men, not laws". Their vassals would be lower-ranking nobles, noble fiefholders, megacorporate officials, fleet admirals, and the heads of Imperial government ministries.
5. "The president himself occupies a separate category. He stands at the very top. He's untouchable, irreplaceable, and holds power over every person and every resource in Russia."
The Emperor of the Imperium, the absolute monarch. 'Nuff said.
The video then gives an example of how the system works. Laws, courts, officials, it all stops working when a person from a lower social level legally addresses any issue with a person who is level 3 or above. Even legally addressing blatant wrongdoing (murder and drug trafficking in the video's example) is a challenge to the social structure, and the best possible outcome is that the courts and officials will do nothing. Worse outcomes include vary degrees of negative consequences for the people trying to address an issue.
In a Traveller context, planetary law simply fails when a directive comes down from the Imperial fiefholder, and the planetary authorities are given the distasteful task of doing something they know is wrong and the dealing with consequences from their own populations. I suspect that this would give rise to a culture of cynicism and ambition among planetary government officials. No wonder Bribery and Forgery are skills. People would probably be more moral the farther away they are from the social milieu of the Imperial nobility and government.
The people from level 3 and above always protect each other and system against all challenges.
The Imperial nobility and those dependent on the Imperial system will always close ranks against the planetary poors, no matter the rivalries between themselves.
"And if some peasant dares to challenge any (person in level 3 or above), the full wrath of the state apparatus will come crashing down on his foolish head. Because the lower classes must always remember who they are."
The planetary poors must always remember what happens to worlds that try to secede from the Imperium, or even those that buck the system. Individuals who are not level 3 or above must remember that their lives only continue because a level 3 person or above hasn't been moved to snuff them out. Laws exist to prevent these abuses, but the Imperium is a government of men, not laws.
"The saddest part is that people on the first and second levels of the pyramid often don't understand how the third, fourth, and fifth levels work. They never come into contact with them... and aren't integrated into the system. They only learn how the world truly works when they clash with the system. And that's when they realize that someone from a higher level can kill a person from a lower one without facing any consequences."
This is the moment when the propaganda about how the Imperium rules the space between the stars, how worlds govern themselves as they see fit, and how the Imperium is fundamentally benign all comes crashing down.
"The closest comparison might be the mafia. But we're not talking about a criminal group that opposes the law and the state. This group is the law and the state."
In the Imperium, it's the Imperial nobility. It always has been. From the time of the Sylean Federation, they slowly but surely beat down and integrated every world they could reach into their system of power and exploitation, while they sculpted the system for their own benefit.
"Those from the third and fourth levels... their sense of morality is largely shaped by their constant struggle to survive and maintain their privileges. ...you're either born into it or need someone who already has access to state resources to take you under his wing and give you a share of the wealth."
This happens when people receive patents of nobility for exceptional service to the Imperium. Imperial nobles and those with ambitions (businessmen, military commanders) to reach that level would probably have a sense or ethics or morality shaped to be in service to their ambitions. This could drive a lot of adventure opportunities, as patrons driven by ambition set up risky endeavors.
"The most important thing: a vassal cares only about what their lord and the other vassals in their clan think of them. His life and his family's wellbeing depends on his affiliation with a powerful clan, which is why they will serve it with everything they've got."
"This way of life creates a unique worldview. Remember, a (person on the third level and above) can easily decapitate a peasant or a foreigner because they don't see them as their own. They trust no one but their own, and view deception of outsiders as a tactical maneuver. Such people do not see themselves as immoral. They're morality just looks different. You are considered a virtuous person if you serve your boss loyally, the one who pulled you out of poverty or gave you the opportunity to earn money that others can only dream of. You do whatever you're told, even if it involves theft, forgery , and the total loss of your reputation." (Or maneuvering someone's Ganulph).
"Many people from the (new Russian nobility) confuse the concept of "Motherland" with "my boss". They say, the Motherland gave me everything, I love my Motherland so much." In reality, they mean "everything" came from a very specific source. And their love for the Motherland certainly doesn't extend to the lower classes, whom they either exploit directly or completely ignore."
Consider how this class and culture divide would be exacerbated by the ethnic differences between the ambition-driven Solomani-Vilani-Sylean military aristocracy and the largely docile fatalistic Vilani working classes which comprise the majority of planetary populations, and the more independent restive heterogenous planetary populations of the Spinward Marches and similar frontier sectors.
This is why the noble fiefholders and the fleet commanders don't revolt. It's a sure way to die or lose everything at the very least, for them and their families. Hault-Plankwell you ain't.
>> Discussion on the balance of military power between the Emperor and the great noble fiefholders.
This is why people serve the Imperium. It's the only hope of rising above the planetary masses to where the real wealth and power is, where the real status is. A soldier in a subsector dukes huscarls probably receives better pay and privileges, and certainly has more status, than a battalion commander in a planetary army. This is why nobles, bureaucrats, and military commanders are steadfastly loyal and would most likely have overweening ambition. Rising within one's noble family and the Imperial system is the only way to succeed, thrive, or even just prevent oneself from falling down into the masses of planetary poors. This is why the nobility polices itself, and will move quickly to destroy anyone who threatens the system of power and privilege on which they all depend.
In case people think I'm just trying to criticize the Imperium, consider the overwhelming allure of the status, the power, and the glory of such a system, wreathed in glorious tradition, drenched in unimaginable wealth, and backed up by incredible force, once a person reconciles with the moral compromises required of empire. The conquering Imperium, driven by the bold and daring military aristocracy, forged the greatest empire in Charted Space, even crushing Terra beneath its boot. Vast multitudes of Imperial subjects probably regard the Imperium, Imperial institutions, the Imperial nobility, and the Imperial Family with adoration bordering on worship.
Tertium Imperium Invictum. Gloria Aeterna.
All of these things taken together is probably why the Solomani fought a terrible war to break free of the Imperium, why the Julian Protectorate fought so hard to keep themselves from falling into Imperial hands, why the Sword Worlds ally with the Zhodani Consulate every single time, even though they suffer every single time, why the Vargr ally with the Zhodani every single time, and why the Zhodani Consulate starts seemingly futile wars every few centuries. Falling into the power of the ambitious avaricious Imperial nobility that is above what little vague law it has is a fate worse than losing a war.
There's more to come. This is thread is a place to gather my thoughts on this topic, as well consider any topical contributions that others may have.
There have been some very interesting and thought-provoking discussions on the nature of the Imperium recently. This thread is about drawing conclusions from the ideas, opinions, and information presented and further thoughts on them.
The final inspiration for this thread was this video. It is a Russian author's perspective on Russian society and how power and wealth flows within it. This got me thinking about how these ideas relate to what has been discussed about the Imperium.
I'm not interesting in arguing the accuracy of the video's statements, and people who disagree should argue with the video's creator, should they feel so moved. My point in referencing the video is the commonalities between the societal model she describes and the conclusions I've been drawing about the Imperium as a consequence of recent discussions on the forum.
My comments about how statements in the video corresponding to my developing understanding of the Imperium will be in italics.
In short, she states that there are several levels of Russian society, shaped by the Russian national experience over the centuries.
"There is state-controlled wealth - primarily natural resources and agricultural land - and people who have the right to control and exploit these resources based on their social rank." She states that most wealth in Russia depends on this. A private business depends on customers who ultimately depend on the wealth of the people who have access to state-controlled wealth. (Ambitious people) seek to position themselves as close to those who have access to state-controlled wealth "...while navigating a dangerous and highly competitive environment."
The Imperium's state-controlled wealth is its worlds, and the nobility and nobility-controlled megacorporations are those who have the right to control and exploit these resources / worlds. Hence, every world is the fief of an Imperial noble, who works with the planetary government to make sure Imperial taxes are paid, production continues, commerce is unimpeded (the exploitation), and the fiefholder's influence on the planetary government is the control.
>> Imperial tax and governance discussion.
"Your property remains yours only as long as those in power are in agreement with this arrangement... If they decide otherwise they can take everything from you."
A government of men, not laws. A fiefholder can tax a world's population into poverty should he so desire. People can be coerced or their property confiscated after an accusation that they are somehow in violation of vague Imperial law. A noble's fief can be taken from him should the subsector duke or higher wish it.
The social pyramid:
1. The common people, the largest population, they live barely getting by, and are dependent on state assistance in one form or another. The common people "... have no control of resources and no voice. The state treats them as dependents to be cared for only if there's extra money."
These are the planetary populations. Imperial social society operates above this level. This level is relegated to planetary governments and is their problem until there is an interruption in the flow of tax revenue or other serious upheaval.
2. People who have important skills. "They live better, but their wealth and social status depend heavily on where they live." (the metropole rather than the backwaters) "These people don't control resources and don't have special rights, but the state sees them as useful."
In a Traveller context, these people would be non-noble Imperial military personnel, mercenary units, small to mid-sized merchant lines, high-ranking planetary government officials, and wealthy planetary businessmen who control assets that the Imperium values. If these people interact with the Imperium (besides their Imperial military commanders), it will be the staff of the Imperial fiefholder or the staff of the subsector duke at most.
3. People who control material or power resources. "They're either government employees or closely linked to the government through contracts. At this level, everything is decided through agreements and person connections, and success is measured by how prestigious your position is and how much money flows through your hands. These people are part of unofficial clans who protect each other and compete for better positions in the social hierarchy."
High-ranking Imperial military commanders and Imperial bureaucracy officials, noble fiefholders, astronomically wealthy industrialists and businessmen who operate at least on a sector-wide scale, and megacorporate officers. The clans they are a part of are the Imperial noble families.
4. "At the top of the pyramid are the heads of clans who control vast networks of vassals. These vassals can be found on the second and third levels of the pyramid... The aristocrats are above the law, they control enormous sums of money, and they are accountable to no one, unless they anger the top feudal lord..."
And there we have it. These are the heads of the Imperial noble families, sector dukes, members of the Imperial Family, and they're above the law. They are the men in the "government of men, not laws". Their vassals would be lower-ranking nobles, noble fiefholders, megacorporate officials, fleet admirals, and the heads of Imperial government ministries.
5. "The president himself occupies a separate category. He stands at the very top. He's untouchable, irreplaceable, and holds power over every person and every resource in Russia."
The Emperor of the Imperium, the absolute monarch. 'Nuff said.
The video then gives an example of how the system works. Laws, courts, officials, it all stops working when a person from a lower social level legally addresses any issue with a person who is level 3 or above. Even legally addressing blatant wrongdoing (murder and drug trafficking in the video's example) is a challenge to the social structure, and the best possible outcome is that the courts and officials will do nothing. Worse outcomes include vary degrees of negative consequences for the people trying to address an issue.
In a Traveller context, planetary law simply fails when a directive comes down from the Imperial fiefholder, and the planetary authorities are given the distasteful task of doing something they know is wrong and the dealing with consequences from their own populations. I suspect that this would give rise to a culture of cynicism and ambition among planetary government officials. No wonder Bribery and Forgery are skills. People would probably be more moral the farther away they are from the social milieu of the Imperial nobility and government.
The people from level 3 and above always protect each other and system against all challenges.
The Imperial nobility and those dependent on the Imperial system will always close ranks against the planetary poors, no matter the rivalries between themselves.
"And if some peasant dares to challenge any (person in level 3 or above), the full wrath of the state apparatus will come crashing down on his foolish head. Because the lower classes must always remember who they are."
The planetary poors must always remember what happens to worlds that try to secede from the Imperium, or even those that buck the system. Individuals who are not level 3 or above must remember that their lives only continue because a level 3 person or above hasn't been moved to snuff them out. Laws exist to prevent these abuses, but the Imperium is a government of men, not laws.
"The saddest part is that people on the first and second levels of the pyramid often don't understand how the third, fourth, and fifth levels work. They never come into contact with them... and aren't integrated into the system. They only learn how the world truly works when they clash with the system. And that's when they realize that someone from a higher level can kill a person from a lower one without facing any consequences."
This is the moment when the propaganda about how the Imperium rules the space between the stars, how worlds govern themselves as they see fit, and how the Imperium is fundamentally benign all comes crashing down.
"The closest comparison might be the mafia. But we're not talking about a criminal group that opposes the law and the state. This group is the law and the state."
In the Imperium, it's the Imperial nobility. It always has been. From the time of the Sylean Federation, they slowly but surely beat down and integrated every world they could reach into their system of power and exploitation, while they sculpted the system for their own benefit.
"Those from the third and fourth levels... their sense of morality is largely shaped by their constant struggle to survive and maintain their privileges. ...you're either born into it or need someone who already has access to state resources to take you under his wing and give you a share of the wealth."
This happens when people receive patents of nobility for exceptional service to the Imperium. Imperial nobles and those with ambitions (businessmen, military commanders) to reach that level would probably have a sense or ethics or morality shaped to be in service to their ambitions. This could drive a lot of adventure opportunities, as patrons driven by ambition set up risky endeavors.
"The most important thing: a vassal cares only about what their lord and the other vassals in their clan think of them. His life and his family's wellbeing depends on his affiliation with a powerful clan, which is why they will serve it with everything they've got."
"This way of life creates a unique worldview. Remember, a (person on the third level and above) can easily decapitate a peasant or a foreigner because they don't see them as their own. They trust no one but their own, and view deception of outsiders as a tactical maneuver. Such people do not see themselves as immoral. They're morality just looks different. You are considered a virtuous person if you serve your boss loyally, the one who pulled you out of poverty or gave you the opportunity to earn money that others can only dream of. You do whatever you're told, even if it involves theft, forgery , and the total loss of your reputation." (Or maneuvering someone's Ganulph).
"Many people from the (new Russian nobility) confuse the concept of "Motherland" with "my boss". They say, the Motherland gave me everything, I love my Motherland so much." In reality, they mean "everything" came from a very specific source. And their love for the Motherland certainly doesn't extend to the lower classes, whom they either exploit directly or completely ignore."
Consider how this class and culture divide would be exacerbated by the ethnic differences between the ambition-driven Solomani-Vilani-Sylean military aristocracy and the largely docile fatalistic Vilani working classes which comprise the majority of planetary populations, and the more independent restive heterogenous planetary populations of the Spinward Marches and similar frontier sectors.
This is why the noble fiefholders and the fleet commanders don't revolt. It's a sure way to die or lose everything at the very least, for them and their families. Hault-Plankwell you ain't.
>> Discussion on the balance of military power between the Emperor and the great noble fiefholders.
This is why people serve the Imperium. It's the only hope of rising above the planetary masses to where the real wealth and power is, where the real status is. A soldier in a subsector dukes huscarls probably receives better pay and privileges, and certainly has more status, than a battalion commander in a planetary army. This is why nobles, bureaucrats, and military commanders are steadfastly loyal and would most likely have overweening ambition. Rising within one's noble family and the Imperial system is the only way to succeed, thrive, or even just prevent oneself from falling down into the masses of planetary poors. This is why the nobility polices itself, and will move quickly to destroy anyone who threatens the system of power and privilege on which they all depend.
In case people think I'm just trying to criticize the Imperium, consider the overwhelming allure of the status, the power, and the glory of such a system, wreathed in glorious tradition, drenched in unimaginable wealth, and backed up by incredible force, once a person reconciles with the moral compromises required of empire. The conquering Imperium, driven by the bold and daring military aristocracy, forged the greatest empire in Charted Space, even crushing Terra beneath its boot. Vast multitudes of Imperial subjects probably regard the Imperium, Imperial institutions, the Imperial nobility, and the Imperial Family with adoration bordering on worship.
Tertium Imperium Invictum. Gloria Aeterna.
All of these things taken together is probably why the Solomani fought a terrible war to break free of the Imperium, why the Julian Protectorate fought so hard to keep themselves from falling into Imperial hands, why the Sword Worlds ally with the Zhodani Consulate every single time, even though they suffer every single time, why the Vargr ally with the Zhodani every single time, and why the Zhodani Consulate starts seemingly futile wars every few centuries. Falling into the power of the ambitious avaricious Imperial nobility that is above what little vague law it has is a fate worse than losing a war.
There's more to come. This is thread is a place to gather my thoughts on this topic, as well consider any topical contributions that others may have.
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