Intergalactic Summit

Mekhana-haani;

Thank you very much for proposing this topic; it has been enlightening to see this facet of the Gallente spirit. I would like to address your original posting, if I may. I have some questions which you can hopefully clarify.



Are you claiming that the purpose and end-goal of Freedom is the acquisition of power over others?



I'm afraid that I don't understand much of what you've said above. I presume that you mean Liberty as the freedom of a society to do as it wishes (That's not how I understand the word, but it seems to be how you are using it - please correct me if I'm wrong).

This said, I've missed the point of what you're saying, other than "liberty is useful as a motivating factor in a society." If so, your metaphor is very apt! Mildly explosive, reactive with the proper application of heat, and easily directed.



I am afraid that I find myself even more mystified, ma'am. Are you trying to indicate that the misuse of the label "terrorist" is useful and valid, or are you decrying the abuse?



Again - are you saying that this strategic ploy of dehumanizing all foreigners is an appropriate move for the Federation, or are you decrying it?



Very interesting discussion! Could you go into more detail on how these strategies evolved? Have they always been cynical affirmations?

The sheer tone of this post leaves me wondering if it was meant in sarcasm, or shocking honesty.

I cannot and will not. It was clearly a move to prevent hostilities between Amarr and the Federation. I won't go into the mewling deference that the Amarr emissary commission is treated with.

Thank you kindly.

And you didn't give it weapons upgrades because...? Hammerhead drones upgraded with magnetic field stabilizers for their blasters just sound delightfully effective.


In any case, to address the OP's points: democracy is similar to science in that it must be self-criticizing at every turn. Where the two differ, however, is that democracy can constantly ask itself "Is democracy the correct form of government?" ad nauseam; there is little in the way of quantifiable data that can be gathered to answer such a broad question. Science, on the other hand, asks very specific questions and forms hypotheses that can be confirmed or debunked with data from the physical universe.

Perhaps if you wish to improve your Federation's government, then, the citizenry should collectively ask more specific questions. "Is democracy the best way to govern in XYZ area of concern?" with "XYZ" being any number of topics; economics, military strength, education, religion. There's absolutely nothing saying there can't by a hybrid form of government which has bits of democracy, meritocracy, and even aristocracy incorporated into it. In short, "Whatever works best. Do that."

I disagree. People in positions of power, who can greatly and negatively impact a society, should be held to a higher standard. In the Federation, a corporate CEO is regarded as having the same rights as any other person. So if such a corporation flops and completely tanks the economy, they are not tried or what-have-you. In the State's meritocratic system, such an incompetent person is typically replaced with someone with a better track record. In the Federation, business is private and for private gain. In the State, it is for the gain of all society.

Freedom and equality is grand and all, but meritocracy effectively implements a sliding scale which helps protect the well-being of the people. I do not see how this is mutually exclusive with the Federation's ideals.

Um, I don't know how they taught you to do things in combat school, but drones' autologic networks are supposed to be slaved to your uplink router's subprocessor. In otherwords, the only sentient thing about a drone should be the pilot whose CNS is jacked into the controlling ship. Drones asking for attention on a personal level is rather disturbing, don't you think?

Miss Mekhana you are a true "free man"

The true "free man has no fear that anyone imposes negative consequences of his actions upon him, ever. He does as he pleases even if his desires conflict with those of others. The true free man has abandoned all bonds of brotherhood and succumbed to selfish desires. He feels beholden to no one. Responsible for no one. The true free man is a sociopath.

I would say it is a common misconception by foreigners to believe that the Gallentean and Caldari corporate models are the same thing. In the State, a corporation is premised on the concept of being a joint venture to provide mutual advantage - social and economic - for its constituent stakeholders and employees. A megacorporation must be able to provide social responsibility in addition to being profitable, such profits not intended for their own sake but as a means to the ends of providing and ensuring stability and prosperity to employees.

Granted, it appears many in the State forgot the fundamental vision of our forefathers to forge a nation not of liberal and decadent bankers and mercantalists such as in the Federation but one of patriotic workers and fighters ever vigilant to defend our freedom and liberty against any and all who would desire to take them from us.

This is the vision of State Executor Tibus Heth, the Caldari Providence Directorate and the main tenet of the New Meritocracy.

Liberalism and the idea that individual greed comes before the requirements of social responsibility and the greater good have proven detrimental and flawed, and like any cancer that threatens the whole, must be destroyed.

Gesakaarin-haani. You often use this word: liberalism. Then you frequently say that it must be destroyed. Precisely what do you mean by liberalism?

If by saying liberal, you mean "libertine" and thus taken to extremes, moral decay, amoral decadence and anomie, then I direct your sovereign eye to Jita. I have scarcely seen a filthier pit of depravity in all of Creation.

If by saying liberal, you mean "Statist," consumption of all affairs by the State, then I can only say that this is a fluctuating attribute of all democracies.

Perhaps by liberal you mean "democracy?" If so, you have many enemies indeed, and your views then explain the relationship between the Caldari and the Amarr.

I personally do not believe that Caldari dislike democracy. I think that the Caldari ideal is a republican democracy - a democracy of those who represent the best and most dedicated within their society, with appropriate respect to those beneath and above them. My understanding is that the Caldari feel that strict meritocracy, accountability and dedication to societal principles better represents the needs of society than open elections.

Where we differ is this: although those at the top by and large may be of the highest quality, once they are there, there is little or nothing that can be done to stop free association and manipulations of power amongst peers. No real accountability takes place within the boardroom, and once there, only one's peers or superiors can do anything about it. But what if everyone at the top just covers each other's mistakes and immorality? There are executive-only lounges in any Caldari installation. How many executives spend their time worrying that their peers are being ethical?

Historically, as far as I know, this has always been the great flaw in Caldari society. It makes for a vast quantity of good leadership, but those that are not can amass feudal levels of power and so do tremendous damage overnight. The suffering of the masses will consequently be immense, and there is little anyone can do about it.