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 | I Love The Empire |
 Democracy is an illusion. The Republic is weakness. The Empire is strength.
It is quite amusing how passionate people pursue their politics and exercise voting for those individuals who best align with their views. In their naïveté they believe that they are somehow free and have an actual say in their government. In any democratic-type system, but especially a Republic, the people have no real power. They are slaves to the corrupt and the greedy, the bureaucrats who would sell their own mother to get re-elected. That is why an Empire is superior.
In a Republic, the politicians care about just one thing: gaining power. The people suffer through their corruption and ineptitude. Crises go unresolved; economies falter under the allowed ruthless greed of corporations and special interests, the true rulers of any Republic. And the politicians serve to advance the agendas of the corporations and their conglomerates, not the agendas of the people.
In an Empire, all are subordinate to the Emperor. The corporations and special interests are allowed their profits and gains, but they must abide by the will of the Emperor and must do no harm to the collective good of the Imperial citizenry, or they will be destroyed. And what of the bureaucrats? They are purged and forgotten, their vices and selfishness wiped out. And this is good for the citizenry.
In a Republic, the politicians care only about getting more power and devote all their time to gaining it. In an Empire, the rulers have absolute power and thus are free from the distraction of trying to gain more. As a result they are free to do their jobs and ensure peace and prosperity across the galaxy.
Under the Emperor, Moffs and Grand Moffs serve to maintain control over sectors while planetary governors under those Moffs keep watch over individual worlds. The military serves as the arm of enforcement under direct control of the Emperor but useable by the Moffs in accordance with Imperial policy.
Under these leaders, the various ministries concerning treasuries and infrastructure operate quite normally as they would in a Republic, except that the upkeep of an Empire is non-political. These people serve in their capacity as workers in everyday jobs to keep the system running smoothly.
What does all this mean? Well, Moffs and Grand Moffs control sectors just like Senators once did. But without elections or special interests there is no corruption. All must be loyal to the Empire and advance the Imperial agenda for the benefit of all. And organizations like Imperial Intelligence and COMPNOR ensure loyalty for all.
One might say a flaw in the system is an abuse of power by a few, but that is not the case in a true Empire. The Emperor and the Moff Council work toward common goals and exchange ideas and action is decided simply and easily for the benefit of the Imperial citizenry. In some cases you might say Moffs and military personnel ambitiously jockey for position, and that is the case. But never would such jockeying interfere with the good of the Empire nor be their only task like the bureaucrats of a Republic. In fact, it makes for a strong Empire, where its leaders keep trying to outdo each other with things that inevitably benefit the Empire.
And as for the citizens themselves, they are free in their lives. The Empire keeps vigilant watch for Rebellion and dissent, and criminals are punished ruthlessly to protect the innocent. But other than that they are unrestricted in their lives and are free to express themselves and live out their freedoms in Imperial society.
The Empire provides a rock, a bastion of strong central power that will not fail as the Republic, New Republic, and Galactic Federation did. The Empire is strength and unity. The Empire is victory without war, but war of absolute ruthlessness if necessary.
Embrace peace and freedom. Embrace a strong government that will protect its citizens. Reject corruption and bureaucracy. Reject corporate control and special interests.
The dream that Palpatine created was great yet flawed, but truly and finally in the Legacy Era the Empire has become everything it should be.
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http://blogs.starwars.com/infiniteforce/92 |
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Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 10:07 AM
You're joking, right? Your mistaken if you think people in an 'Empire' aren't just as ambitious and corrupt as those of a Republic. Free to express themselves? Only if it's pro-Empire. Honestly, in both instances, you are hoping that people will act with some modicum of human decency towards their fellow-beings. In both instances are people able to 'sell their mothers' for grants and favors. The real difference is in what each believes: The Empire believes people must be forced to cooperate; where as a Republic 'hopes' it can without force.
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comanderbly
That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 10:55 AM
I agree with kfan you gotta be joking. Some of these principles you speak of have a vague familiarity - nation over individual - you may want to check on your WWII notes, that did not end very well for anyone.
The Empire keeps vigilant watch for Rebellion and dissent, and criminals are punished ruthlessly to protect the innocent. But other than that they are unrestricted in their lives and are free to express themselves and live out their freedoms in Imperial society.
At the cost of the individual rights I assume. No politcal system is perfect, but if you want preserve the rights of the individual an empire does not make much sense to me.
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Oboe-Wan
Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 11:48 AM
This blog, though articulate, sounds like a propaganda piece we might see in a theater on Coruscant.
We had our own little "empire experiments" here on earth in Rome, but now it has turned into something more like communism. Which also is a "good idea" until it is put into practice. In the wrong hands, which most times it is, Empires & Communist societies don't work.
I'm w/K-fan here: The Empire believes people must be forced to cooperate; where as a Republic 'hopes' it can without force.
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The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:31 PM
Your mistaken if you think people in an 'Empire' aren't just as ambitious and corrupt as those of a Republic.
Yet if their ambitions do harm to the common good of the Empire, they are punished.
At the cost of the individual rights I assume. No politcal system is perfect, but if you want preserve the rights of the individual an empire does not make much sense to me.
Beyond activities against the Imperial government, freedom is absolute.
where as a Republic 'hopes' it can without force.
And look where that wound up. Under the Empire the billions of lives would have been saved in the Yuuzhan Vong war.
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Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:40 PM
Yet if their ambitions do harm to the common good of the Empire, they are punished.
Don't you mean that so long as it doesn't do harm to the ruler, they won't be punished? When you are a government of 'one', the only the good is what is good for the ruler. I don't find anything 'common' about that.
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Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:41 PM
Beyond activities against the Imperial government, freedom is absolute.
Any activity can be considered 'against' the Imperial Government. What was seen as a joke one day, could easily be considered a slander against the leader another. Again, with only one-person decidiing, you can never be sure you're committing a seditious act.
Under the Empire the billions of lives would have been saved in the Yuuzhan Vong war. Some would consider life in service to the state no life at all. Again, you have one person deciding what is 'good' for all. Liberty or death, liberty or death.
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The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:42 PM
With a Republic, your freedom is an illusion. With an Empire, there are no illusions, but because the Imperium has a free hand in deciding everything, things actually get accomplished.
It's really a matter of who you'd rather serve: the corporations and special interests that rule a Republic, or the militarists that rule an Empire.
If you think an Empire might sound good on paper but in practice is bad, what of a Republic?
On paper democracy works but in practice it rule by corporations and special interests. 
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Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:52 PM
On paper democracy works but in practice it rule by corporations and special interests.
We are talking too generically here. America, as troubled as we are today, is still a great place to be. Although I am not thrilled at what 'we the people' are allowing our leaders to do in our name, at least for now, it's still relatively good where world history is concerned. And we are still free; it is not an illusion.
In the end, we get what we deserve, Republic or Empire, for it is we (not corps or spec ints) that make the final decision. GL had it right in AOTC, the moment we begin to stop believing in democracy is the moment we lose it. Keep the faith!
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The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:58 PM
In the end, we get what we deserve, Republic or Empire, for it is we (not corps or spec ints) that make the final decision.
Your idealism is admirable, but for every idealist there are ten lobbyists.
Keep the faith!
It is too late for me.... 
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Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 1:09 PM
Your idealism is admirable, but for every idealist there are ten lobbyists.
I'm not an idealist - people need to fight to be free everyday of their lives. It's foolish and lazy to think otherwise, even here. The reality is I correspond with my senators on a regular basis, though I don't always recieve a quick response. I was recently invited to visit with them in Washington DC, believe it or not. I just might take them up on the offer too. Even if nothing were to come of it, I wouldn't even have had the invite to speak with them if I had never begun to make my voice heard. Belief without action is no belief at all. I believe in democracy and I believe in our people - all of them. Maybe I am an idealist.
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comanderbly
That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 1:26 PM
Your idealism is admirable, but for every idealist there are ten lobbyists.
On paper democracy works but in practice it rule by corporations and special interests.
Indeed the system is not perfect and there are many things that steer democracy away from effectively dealing with problems in the world. However surrendering the rights and freedoms we have is trading one set of problems for another. Besides even in an empire there would be the possibility of corporate influences and lobbyists. Its just a shorter list of people to go after 
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vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 1:28 PM
I'm sorry. Commanderbly and K-fan, I have to agree with you. If Empires really worked, the Roman Empire would still be around today. WWII was another lesson. No good comes of being part of an empire. In an empire, one person decides what it best. When people disagree, any act can be taken as going against the Emperor or the Empire in general. These people are then harshly dealt with- usually with executions. NO THANK YOU!!!
vadersgirl33
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vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 1:34 PM
cont.
I do NOT want to live like that!! Republics, where the people chose who will be their voices in government may not always work well because of disagreements over what is best. The representatives do come to an agreement between the people and the government. Not on all issues, I know, but compromises are made. Empires do NOT WORK this way!!
Given the choice, I choose the Republic over the Galactic Empire as where I would live. Hands down every time.
vadersgirl33
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jkthunder
Seven Pieces
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 1:41 PM
Woah TIF. Seems as though your journey to the dark side is complete
If I ever had to have a debate team, I'd want you on it. When comparing the two with these examples, the Empire seems to win out. But in effect, the whole basis of civilization (or civil society) has been a wager between democracy and imperialism. Neither are perfect (only utopianism, eh?), and where one fails, the other counter-balances. It reflects the duality of human nature.
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The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 1:55 PM
In the words of Kent Brockman: democracy simply doesn't work.
Thanks for the wicked read. You've convinced me, dude! This November, I'm voting Imperial.
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Japanese Fett
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 2:18 PM
That did sound like a propoganda piece. I can imagine the black & white pictures with the patriotic Imperial March playing in the background. THE EMPIRE WANTS YOU! or ENLIST NOW! or HAIL PALPATINE! will be written at the end.
Sayonara, & MTFBWY
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greenandwhitejedi
Bar 66
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 2:28 PM
I think it was Winston Churchill who said something to the effect of,
"The greatest argument against democracy can be found in spending five minutes with the average voter".
In short, democracy opens rulership to all the bigotry and ignorance of the general populace. However, I think the hope is that everything will sort of balance itself out overall, whereas an autocracy or oligarchy narrows the odds somewhat for getting a bad apple or two. The solution probably lies in a meritocracy, but I fear that if the cronyism were to be suddenly cut out of any political system then the whole thing would come down like a house of backhanded cards.
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stopher717
Stopher: Master of the Jedi-Bendu Art of the Saber
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 2:35 PM
While I will agree with you that in general it is better to have one ruler than many, I find your arguments in this particular case to be flawed and unfounded.
To state that the Empire was better for the galaxy as a whole is an extremely incorrect statement. It may have been good for those who had a higher status and followed the status quo, it wasn't good for anyone else. The Empire, ruled by Palpatine, was an extremely oppressive society, especially for non-humans. They were not allowed to do anything within the government or military, and many non-human worlds were severly damaged by Imperial "accidents" (e.g. Falleen, Kashyyyk, etc.).
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stopher717
Stopher: Master of the Jedi-Bendu Art of the Saber
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 2:35 PM
The Empire as ruled by Palpatine was not a "free" galaxy, not in the least bit. Many freedoms were taken away all in the name of "safety" and "order." These freedoms included, but are not limited to, free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of press, and habeus corpous.
So remember, nothing is perfect, but I'd rather have the power to live my life without fear of recourse than just a "secure society" (Palpatine, ROTS).
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animalxing30
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 2:36 PM
Like Winston Churchil once said
"Democracy is the worst form of goverment, except for all the others"
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stopher717
Stopher: Master of the Jedi-Bendu Art of the Saber
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 2:38 PM
If Empires really worked, the Roman Empire would still be around today. WWII was another lesson.
in actuality, both the Roman Empire and the Nazi Empire fell because of human error and greed. If their rulers had been intelligent enough to stay at home and watch over themselves before trying to "fix" others, they would both still be here today.
It wasn't the empire mentality that ruined the Romans and the Nazis, it was their leaders.
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Japanese Fett
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 3:21 PM
Hitler was supposed to conquer Europe first, then declare war on the U.S, but he declared war on the U.S. anyways while still at war with Europe. He was high on drugs.
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grant100
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 3:53 PM
I would choose galactic empire every day given the choice. Why want a republic where compromises are made, most compromises anger both sides as they do not satisfy anyone. The fact of the matter is that Empires bring about order which seems to be a little lacking in todays world. As long as you do not stand against the emperor then you have nothing to fear. In an empire you have just as much freedom as in a republic, but you cannot satisfy everyone so forthe people who choose not to have an empire then thats their problem and they'd have to live with it. Any day I would vote empire and pledge my absolute loyalty to the emperor!
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The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 5:26 PM
And on another note, I did point out that the Palpatinian Empire had many flaws, because Palpatine was an egomaniac and a speciesist who believed as long as he was feared his control would be absolute.
I think the Legacy era Empire is far better and more attractive.
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yodabud3
Star Wars is Inevitable.
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 6:35 PM
If the Empire was under the control of someone not as crazy as palpatine, I would'nt mind being apart of it. But I would still join the Imperial Army even if it was'nt, because I think the the soldiers had alittle more "freedom" than the citizens had, in the way that they were the driving force of order in the Empire.
Empire Rules!!!
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RC-6035 "Nova"
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 6:53 PM
GL had it right in AOTC, the moment we begin to stop believing in democracy is the moment we lose it. Keep the faith![/]
HEAR, HEAR!!!!! You hit the nail on the head, as usual.
"Democracy is the worst form of goverment, except for all the others"
Quite. You do realize, I.F., that most prosperous countries in the world are DEMOCRACIES, even if they're a bit flawed?
And Infinite Force....? Please tell me that this is all some sort of mean sarcastic joke? Please? And no lies!!!!
Democrats, Democracy, and the (old) Old Republic! OYA!
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DevlenPiett
Star Wars Historical Forum
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 7:21 PM
And for the record, in case anyone was curious, I largely vote Democrat.
Ironic, isn't it?
Nope actually it fits perfectly.
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DevlenPiett
Star Wars Historical Forum
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date Posted: Oct 24, 2006 7:33 PM
I think most people who get so fustrated with Democracy or Reprsentive Republics which is what the US is, is that one has to share the stage with people of other views sometime diametrically opposing views. It is an even greater problem when your views are in the minority for a while. Everyone probably at one point or another has thought wouldn't things just be great if everyone thought like me or followed blindly my Social Model. Democracy mean having to respect the other guy I thank god every day we in the US figured that out. just wish the rest of the world does too.
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EvilDarthBear
The Grand Admiral's Club
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date Posted: Oct 26, 2006 4:00 PM
While I certainly have times where I feel that things would be better under an Empire, they pass pretty quickly.
I am one of those passionate people you speak of of....
In their naïveté they believe that they are somehow free and have an actual say in their government.
Most of the time the people don't have an effect because they don't care, and if enough people cared about the issues, things would be a lot different.
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Violetlight
Violet View
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date Posted: Nov 15, 2006 5:36 PM
You're very brave to post this blog, Infinite. Especially given the opposition it was bound to attract. Congratuations for sticking by your ideas!
To the Republic-lovers out there, not all Empires need be bad. Look at the British Empire of Victoria's days -- peaceful, prosperous, and the Queen did not interfere in the lives of her subjects. IMO, if the British Empire was still as powerful today as it was then, if Queen Elizabeth II had as much political influence as Queen Victoria, we would all be in a better world. A kingdom or Empire with a benelovent ruler seems to me to beat out the chaos of democracy any day.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how the new Empire in Legacy turns out. Long live Emperor Fel!
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