Intergalactic Summit

This is a really nice list. I really think that public infrastructure in lowsec would spur more stable Corp development and maybe more expansion. My clan has quite a bit of market saturation everywhere else, but in lowsec, no takers. Angel activity is a big part of that of course, but I'm of the mind that we need to stablize the illicit activity with a mix of social welfare, good enforcement, and a few divergent actions; supporting competition in the black market for instance. I've seen that work in a limited capacity. I totally agree on the automation, too. I think we've got the minds to do something special there.

As for the whole 'y'all need to straighten up and act like proper folk' strain of the conversation, I'll echo Arredis and others and say that there's enough dirt to go around all over the sandbox and a lot of it doesn't have a Matari face on it; forced evictions, slavery, despotism, corporate corruption, wide ranging inequality. Yet I don't think anyone would seriously take take any of that as some fatal civilization failure. In fact, I take it as a sign of progress that the Republic has gotten into some international shenanigans and has had to deal (badly) with some internal strife. Seems to me that's what happens in any society. At least the ones that I've been watching.

That being said, I see Pieter's point about being badly served by Recent conflicts that we've been involved in, as well as the idea that more stability, especially economically can only help. I just disagree with the notion that I seem to be hearing that we need to do so because of a special deficiency in relation to other governments.

Look up Nauplius's posting history........ You'll see why it's too soon.

Instead of a combined pissing contest against the Matari, how about you lot focus on constructive discussion? Frankly I am beyond tired of the anti-minmatar sentiment reeking from nearly every goddamn post in these forums.

The Matari are not a perfect people. Neither are any of you. Do I need to quote the proverb about easily broken dwellings and what you should not do if you live inside one?


As for the topic itself, I can but echo the sentiments many have already brought out - the Republic needs stability in many ways. Economic, political, social... While I very well understand that the general populace is angry, and, in my opinon, for a good reason, the Republic needs more friends than enemies. Even just neutral standing with many factions in the cluster would be an improvement. I am personally in favour of a non-aggression pact with the Empire, State and whatever remains of the Mandate (I know they still exist, however last I checked they are hardly a viable military threat any more).
Maybe then the Republic could focus on improving infrastructure inside its borders and give people less reasons to go and join the Cartel in hopes of better living standards.

HOWEVER I would like to point out that the Matari in fact do have a high standard of living easily comparable to any of the other empires in its more well developed areas. Underdeveloped planets and orbital infrastructure are hardly just the Republic's unique trait, backwater systems can be found in any of the empires, likely more than they'd like to admit.
The Republic isn't nearly as hopelessly poor as people like to paint it, however, again, my personal opinion is that the wealth is being laregly squandered on pointless endeavours (at the time being, at least).

I think it is very easy for those not of the Faith to misinterpret Lady Newelle's statement. Her statement is not a statement of ownership or property, but a statement of the Covenant that exists between, not just the Empire, but all of the Faithful and those who have been Reclaimed. To speak of handing over one of the Faithful, whether True Amarr or one of the Reclaimed, would be the same as asking anyone else to give up their children. Just as parents have a covenant to their children to nurture them to adulthood, we the Faithful have a covenant to bring those in our care to God.

Skarkon is another craphole. Yes, I just called my Clan's current planet of residence a craphole. I think it is the biggest craphole in Minmatar space. It's probably far worse than Magiko. It might have a middle class in the population center but after three decades of going to-and-fro between Sahaal city and the Ngelgnieg, I observe that there are no observable distinctions between the middle and the lower class.

Then again, Skarkon is a lowsec backwater that is also unfortunate enough to hang at the border between Republic space and the Great Wildlands. Moreover, she's resource poor and, if you would believe the locals, a jinxed world (you can blame the various accidents in Caldari assets around the planet for that stigma). I do not believe the Republic is going to really bother with the planet. Angels do though, but again, the system lies at the border between Republic space and Great Wildlands so of course they would be want to have a presence here.

Anyway, enough with the hometown woes.

First, Tribal Council. Good idea. Parliament system didn't work for us because it did not adequately care for all the tribes. Decisions were made for all tribes by the largest bloc that only represents one tribe. It was doomed to fail. The Tribal Council system ensures that all Tribe has a voice, no matter their size. Actual governance of the Tribes is done within the Tribes themselves. It's a better system for caring for the needs of individual communities.

The stated problem with the Parliament system is a big reason for why my Clan tried to move into the Great Wildlands and start over in the first place. Yes, I know the Sebiestor bloc was one of the largest inside the Parliament but said bloc was too concerned with popularity contests and internal politics to really pay attention to individual communities. More over, the system was geared less towards caring for one's blood and kin in favour of being the most popular guy on the block, which, I reckon, is contrary to the ideals of giving to kith, kin and community so ingrained in the Tribal system in the first place.

Of course, lowsec is left in the dust because of how bloody difficult it is to actively govern these places without stretching the Republic herself thin.

Right then, moving on. Whatever social and economical development has to be planned with another stunt like what the late Jamyl Sarum pulled taken into account. Should the Republic suddenly find herself dealing with a sudden population increase by another few million, large proportion still suffering from the effects of vitoxin and vitoc addiction, she has to be able to take them in without too much hassle.

Also, Republic citizens with Amarrian faith exist and are being treated poorly by their fellow tribesmen. That too has to be looked into.

Man, I heard so many spook stories about Skarkon growing up. My dad would always threaten to 'ship me off to Skarkon Angels' whenever i got too smart. I pretended not to be scared out of my shoes, but it's saying something that even as a big bad immortal capsuleer, it's one of the few places I haven't visited. But it looks like you did well, so I guess it couldn't have been all that bad, for a craphole that is ;).

Actually, that does get me thinking about the Thukker. I think that the Republic should definitely care about that area, both for those who live there and the Republic at large. Being able to capture the economic benefit from more of Molden Heath, especially since it's right on the Vherokior doorstep.

Anyway, it makes me think of how the Republic can work more closely with the Thukker caravans. Yeah, yeah, I know the whole bit about thieving scoundrels who can't be reasoned with and who want to be left alone, but Shakor's really done a lot to open up that relationship, though it's still tenuous. However, I believe there's plenty of room for negotiation if the Republic keeps its expectations reasonable. I have some clan members who work for Trusted Partners and they say that they can be reasoned with, and I know several people in our family have done different type son distribution and supply deals with them and even have longstanding relationships with some caravan masters, though they're not interested in dealing with the clan's financial scheme--they're only comfortable with one-on-one negotiations, so far at least.

I think something can be worked out though, and it would be an economic and security boon for both parties if we could. I just think that there has to be a motivation big enough to get people from both the Republic and the tribe to the bargaining table on a regular basis. A common enemy perhaps?

Nushi Selunix,

Please forgive the restricted quote, but I wish to only respond to this aspect as the other matters raised in your post and throughout this thread are properly of interest to Matari and I wouldn't presume to speak on them.

I would be foolish to ignore the wisdom of a junzi such as my tianxin, and given that it meets with your approval as well another person I consider far more informed than myself on such things I wanted to publicly express my interest in the matter.

Myself and Sanxing would be exceptionally interested in exploring a mutually beneficial program of development between the Republic, the Jin-Mei people, and the Federation. As capsuleers we can do much to advocate, and indeed implement such a program. We would be delighted to discuss such a matter with yourself, or indeed any other organisation or individual from the Republic who would be willing to entertain such an idea.

I shall not sketch out the details here in public, and truthfully it is not a matter I can direct alone as it must be the product of negotiations and discussions between all interested parties. I hope to hear from such soon.

Regards,

Taishou Xun Yu
Sanxing

Not empty quoting.

I don't disagree. That doesn't stop humanity from being human. Until and unless a concerted effort to do more than just say 'fiiiine, we'll stop admitting we send slaving raids in' is made by the Empire, the Republic has no reason to stop letting that hatred fester - even encourage it - even as they try to care of our people. That hatred right now serves to focus and unify elements of society that would otherwise turn their rage inward.

And the slaving raids continue. The slave trade continues. The Empire turns a blind eye, claims it totally isn't them, and insists it needs to make no other efforts to undo the damage of centuries of tyranny. Maybe the new Empress will mark a change for the better. Maybe she'll mark a change for the worse. Time will tell.

You know, I'm with you on the idea that trading blows with the Empire is a dumb idea in terms of real gains. I think those resources could be used in a better way elsewhere. However, I'm troubled by this idea (that I've heard elsewhere as well) that for the Republic to be successful, it must 'turn the other cheek' and become some model, anger-free nation. I just don't see that standard being upheld anywhere else.

I'm not a warhawk by any means (unless of course, there's money to be made), but I honestly don't see this as an either/or situation. Every government has grievances of some sort or another and as far as I can tell, one of the primary indicators of any functioning government is the ability to both demand satisfaction for international grievances and wrestle with internal social matters. I say "struggle with" because if any of our nations were held to the standard that international affairs couldn't be addressed until those problems were solved, we'd all be left with egg on our faces.

And though I don't think you meant to convey this, I also worry that this statement can be misread by some as an insinuation that Republican grievances are somehow less legitimate than those harbored by our neighbors. Plenty of Matari are caught up in the black market slave trade and as long as the Empire is a part of it--or isn't serious about stopping it from their end--then the potential for renewed hostilities is a constant danger.

Like I said at the top, I agree with the notion that open warfare is not the smartest way to go about addressing that problem. I would prefer the use of international and market pressure based off of a stronger Republican economic position. However, disagreement with the means does not mean disagreement with the mission.