Intergalactic Summit

At this moment in history, I thought it might be a good time for we of the Matari diaspora to stop and take stock and share our thoughts about where we're headed. Over the past century, the Republic has grown prosp...well, it's been established at least and in that time, we've seen many important international events, the most recent being the Elder War.

At the same time, several factors remain important--relations with the Gallente, Amarr, Ammatar, and Caldari neighbors, relations with CONCORD all remain in flux. Alongside that, there is the increasing status of tribes within the Republican government under Shakor's administration and the continued repatriation of Starkmanir and Nefantar into the Republic, not to mention the experiences of individuals and whole clans that exist outside of the Republic, (and Empire Space for that matter) which of course, comprise the majority of Matari.

So taking all of that into account, along with wider intergalactic events, I was wondering what other Matari thought of the state of the race. What important factors need to be addressed? Where should we be going as a people?

Offhand, I can say my main concern is continuing to strengthen and modernize the Republic economy in order to become a bigger player in international market activity. However, I think that this must happen in accordance with tribal values, which sounds like a contradiction, but doesn't necessarily strike me as one. I also believe that the Republic has to continue to grow and change in order to accommodate our returning Matari in such a way that incorporates their assets while incorporating them into what I consider to be a burgeoning culture. Finally, I think that the Republic must normalize relations with the Empire and the Mandate in order to expand the market for Minstar goods (under favorable conditions, of course).

Just my two isk. What are your thoughts.

Note: While this is primarily aimed at Matari capsuleers, all ideas are, of course welcome. It's an open forum, y'all.

Ah well Elmund, if you're going to make me say what I mean, how am I going to have any fun? :)

When I say 'tribal values,' I'm not speaking to any specific tribe's value system per se as much as I'm thinking about an approach to Republican government. It was always clear, at least in my mind that the Parlimentary system was doomed to failure to effectively jibe with intra-tribal governance and administrative structures in many cases. The Council system, for instance, seems to be an extension of that idea through the Tribal Elders, which seems to value traditional clan and tribal leadership within a shared representative body. Ergo, 'tribal values' or probably more accurately, a 'tribal aesthetic.'

I'll open up the Colelie question to the wiser heads than I since it's not my strongest subject and I hear my younger cousin breaking something in my bedroom which she's totes going to pay for.

I think before trying to fix your economy you shall STOP being arrogant bullies, you should CEASE attacking Amarr Empire, pay war reparation and bring your apologies to the Empire.

I don't care what you are doing inside your Republic, and that's not my business. But your relations with your neighbors is repulsive and unacceptable.

The Commander and I often disagree on the substantive nature of her comments while agreeing in spirit (State good! Enemies bad!) but this time, while I don't share the emotional nature of her statement, I absolutely agree with the substantive detail of it.

Until the Republic (more accurately The Tribes) stop being at war with everyone and everything (including themselves) and focus more on making good their recent economic and industrial gains they aren't going to 'catch up' to the other Empires. More than any other Empire the Tribes are poorly served by the current war, they need stability, trade and investment in infrastructure to realise the true potential of their people and planets.

Sure Kimmy, just as soon as your imperial partners apologize and pay reparations for their original unprovoked attack on Matar and subsequent thousand year occupation.

You should also keep in mind that it's not the Republic that's based totally around the concept of waging aggressive war and assimilation of its neighbors (including your beloved State) in the name of a deity. That would be your imperial friends.

I certainly hope you are not trying to pin the cause of current hostilities onto Amarr...

The expectation was that we would move forward in good will... Seems "enjoying the longest period of peace and unity the cluster had ever seen" wasn't what was wanted.

Maybe turning over the Tyrant Shakor to Amarr and leaving the Tribes to their own can return us to such a place?

Putting on my stylish Nauplius hat, I shall attempt to answer the Questions, in a suitable manner.




On the road to Destruction, because Minmatar are given over to destruction.



To Destruction. Because it is Written. And God is Just. Amen.




Hurrrr.

First, that period of peace was prior to the Amarr invasions. Centuries without war - has the Empire ever even sought such a thing, in all their violent expansion? Invading and enslaving is not what we consider 'moving forward in good will', and the point is that the wounds of that action are still at the root of the current conflict. The people who invaded and enslaved weren't the ones harmed by it. They don't get to be the ones saying 'well, that doesn't count anymore'. Otherwise, hey, that whole Elder Fleet thing? The Amarr don't get to be upset by that anymore. We've decided it doesn't count.

Doesn't really work, does it? The injured party has to be the one to determine when those grievances are settled.

I'm sure you couldn't be a red-blooded Matari without understanding why the State is actively hostile to the Federation. In much the same way, I'm equally understanding of the Tribe's hostility towards the Empire. Where we differ is in the specificity of our goals, their reality and our ability to sustain them.

If the Tribes got what they wanted from the Empire tomorrow, both societies would crash into anarchy. Trillions would starve. Social order would collapse on both sides of the border. It would be a calamity matched only by the original day of darkness, could potentially have longer lasting and harsher effects and would be mirrored in it's effects upon the Amarrian Empire. Not only are the demands of the Tribes as practically impossible as they are morally justified, but the Tribes seem to be in no hurry to establish a framework under which they might be able to sustain such a population increase.

Compare this with the Caldari goals. Resoration of a single world. Something that Federation would barely notice missing, something the Caldari have already proven they could easily sustain (the occupation lasted for five relatively unremarkable years and this was under circumstances far harder than a peace settlement would entail). The only thing that would truly be hurt would be Federal prestige - and not even that's a certainty. The Federation certainly hasn't lost face for the enlightened way it's handling the aftermath of Operation Highlander. Neither has the State. Perhaps there may even be peace in our time?

As for the mercenaries, well, you know that I'm well placed to address that, as a decorated Amarrian war hero myself. :)

Simply put, there's no room to blame the State for providing mercenaries so long as the Tribes provide Mercenaries on the Cal/Gal front. Mercenaries are simply a fact of life when you pick a fight with a richer neighbour - something that applies to both of our nations. Treating mercenaries as ideological allies of your enemy is missing the point - you're blaming the sword for the hand that wields it.

Her Imperial Majesty was a most generous employer - it's fair to say that The Tuulinen Foundation would never have been formed without her generosity and her promptness with a pay cheque. But any loyalty I felt towards my employers was felt towards her personally. I'm a lot less sure of the new management (they still haven't taken power!) and so we were pleased to end our assignment when Her Imperial Majesty died at the hands of the Drifters.

I promise you that we care as much about the Reclaiming now as we did back when we were in the 24th Imperial Crusade. Winds, we didn't even take prisoners when we fought for the Amarrians just so that we wouldn't have to deal with the question of who we turned them over to. All Matari crewmembers I captured were put on an interbus transport with a travel pass to the nearest Matari world - it was cheaper than imprisoning them and less trouble than arranging exchanges.