Right To Rule

[Cjmate 1270]

((This is a published document, and it is available to all who read.))

 

Right to Rule

 

Sergus Therving

 

I. Realism

 

There is a common assumption amongst people in general, including lesser races, that there exists a relationship between morality and authority. That is, he who rules must behave in accordance to the wishes of the people; that the right to rule has direct correlation with the interest of the people, and that this is considered a tacit agreement. In contemporary Oren, particularly following the stagnation of the Horen dynasty, the right to rule has been taken at arm's length.

 

Contemporary belief on the right to rule can be understood as follows:

 

There is no basis on which to judge legitimate and illegitimate power; rather, authority and morality are coequal. Whosoever has authority has the right to interpret, or construe, morality in their favor. Goodness does not ensure power, and a good person has no more authority than a bad person by virtue of being good. The only concern of the ruler is the acquisition of power, the maintaining of power, and the appeasement of the ruler and his vassalage.

 

A simplified version of the argument: The person who is popular, and who can maintain a strong military, has more right to rule than a good person.

 

Advocating a potentially morally reprehensible ruler is not in the best interest of the state, it's people, or the Church, so we must analyze the best form of government for now.

 

II. Nations

 

In order to realize the ideal form of government, we must look at how other nations and cultures have attempted to govern. 

1. Elves

• In the past, Elves maintained a functional government in the form of a council with a secular head. This ultimately failed due to neglect and idleness. It is important to note that the council was mostly unchanging, that those who held seats were mostly confirmed that seat.
• In the Conclave, the Elves maintained a sort of militant state composed of mercenaries. Most citizens were unarmed, leaving protection up to their walls and guards. This grew unpopular, and some began to resent the Conclave.
• Recently, the state of Haelun'or has taken precedence over Conclave. They maintain a sort of loose council composed solely of High Elves. It seems to be functional, despite the lack of the representation from the lesser Elf sub-races.
• As a side note, the Princedom of Fenn is worth mentioning. Functioning as a semi-autonomous state within Uruguan, they have managed to maintain their state and have a relatively competent military. They seem to have a secular ruler in Prince Gundrak II.

      2. Orcs

• The Orc nation is comprised of multiple clans which fight for supremacy, or Rexxdom. Although crude, the Orcs have maintained a hardened military dominance throughout the years. This does make diplomacy difficult, though, and it does not rule out the possibility of a poor leader.

      3. Dwarves

• The Dwarves seem to have a traditional monarchy, with advisors and support from it's clans. The Dwarves seem to have had the least internal conflict of all nations. Although there has been civil war, it does not seem to have torn the fabric of the state.

      4. Humans

• Human government has simply been rule through a dominant house in the form of monarchy and imperial rule. The most important being: Horen, Carrion, and Chivay. Unlike the Dwarves, Human's tend to divide power and land based on power. These are a sort of sub-state within the state itself, and they are namely referred to as duchies, counties, marches, and baronies. Border conflict has been frequent in the past, namely the civil war in Hanseti.
• The ruler seems to hold absolute power, though he may choose to regulate or transfer certain powers to others.
• Oren seems to have the most internal conflict.
• A micro-nation was formed under a democracy, which gave people equal say in politics. This nation ultimately failed soon after being established.

III. Idealism

 

From looking at other nations, I label the government types from best to worst, as well as their deviations, which are the worst possible outcomes of that government type failing.

 

1. Aristocracy (Very loosely Dwarves) - Oligarchy (High Elves)

 

2. Monarchy (Humans/Fenn) - Tyranny (Orcs)

 

3. Anarchy (Elves that live free of their state) - Democracy (Festina)

 

The best government seems to be the Dwarves; that which still has a ruler, but it relies on the support of it's clans for advice, leadership, and support.

 

The Human nation does not have the close ties with it's vassalage, especially that of foreign Human micro-states. Since the fall of Horen, the Kings and Emperors have neglected to maintain their relationships with the dukes and counts.

 

In order to remedy the problem, there must be a system of checks and balances. Should the ruler fail to meet the needs of people, or fall from the grace of the Creator, it is the right of the people (and it's vassals) to rebel and dethrone the current ruler; however, in doing so it has exercised the right of might by overthrowing the ruler with arms. Rebellion almost always leads in subsequent rebellions, and it is almost always a poor choice. The only time where it would be acceptable would be if the ruler was universally disliked, and the rebellion's cause universally liked. This has never been the case.

 

It seems that elective succession is the best solution to the Human nation's problems. If a ruler failed in his duties, he would fall in favor during the next vote.

 

Another option would be to defer certain powers to individuals, such as martial authority, diplomatic affairs, stewardship, and Godly affairs. This would lift a burden off of the ruler, which has been the failings of all rulers between the last Horen and the most recent Emperor (who cannot be judged so soon), and leave more time for the ruler to maintain and improve his relationships with his vassalage. This seems to be the most realizable goal, and the best course of action.

[Sky 0]

"The right to rule, truly an illusion." Sighs Syrin.

[mylimo7 409]

Publish this!

[Aetosion 2062]

"To the good scholar S. Therving,

 

The document you have recently published contains many historical accuracies and misrepresentations of political systems and climates.

 

For example, the dwarves in fact have an elective monarchy in which a king is elected by their highest noble council. The dwarves suffer from national disunity and frequent power-plays by its high nobles in which they switch the Grand King or rob him of his authority. Their state is often unstable due to its frequent changes in leadership and their Grand King which functions as a near-puppet, beholden to the wants of their council.

 

Fenn, in an absolute monarchy, has suffered from many splinter groups that have robbed it of its citizenry and citizen-activity, the absolute governance fostering dissent and robbing it of any potential for greater relevance.

 

Further, humans have in the last few decades tried both elective monarchy and specialization of governance. The Imperium Secundus during which the Emperor Siegmund took power for the House Carrion was intended to be an elective monarchy, but was in weeks corrupted by back-room dealing that lead to the election the Emperor who shortly after absolved the elective system.

 

During the reign of the Chivays, just as during the reign of Godfrey and Horen V, duties were divided amongst the privy councilors, who carried out governance of their area of specialization quasi-independently from the crown, but upon its authority. The crown in turn monitored and observed, stepping in where necessary to ensure smooth operation, replacing councilors when necessary, and acting as head of state and its prime minister. This system of governance has only failed when key figures have been corrupted by ambition or the monarch failed in monitoring the councilors for deviancy, usually a combination of both. 

 

Steel and blood will aways remain the sole right to rule. Established law systems are overturned in days when the scales of military power shift in one direction or another. Disrespect of the system will always continue as long as more than one man wishes for the crown, and has the means to take it.

 

By all this I would classify states by the following

 

Absolute Monarchies: Certain points in the Carrion Vochna and the Imperium Secundus, Fenn, Herendul, etc. (these suffer from poor leadership decisions due to the lack of checks-and-balances presented by empowered advisors)

 

Traditional Orenian Monarchies: Certain points in the Carrion Vochna, Horen rule, and Chivay-led-Oren (these suffer most from overthrows or self-interested lobbying by empowered advisors who become too power-hungry. This system was most effective under Peter I, where the empowered advisors had little to no vested interest in lands and were close to the ruler and devoid of most outside ambitions, functioning only to advise, while backed by a large enough military to intimidate rebellious parties.)

 

Elective Monarchies: Imperium Secundus, Imperium Quartum (Quickly reverts to another system of government, as the leadership never wants to be taken out of power)

 

Democracies and Representative Governments: Gallmore, Festina (Quickly stagnates as democracy becomes tiresome bureaucracy, essential duties are not carried out) 

 

In general, all governments have their failings, and there are on perfect governments. I have served on the privy council or as king of four dynasties, and have found this fact to be unfailingly true.

 

Respectfully,

 

-Great Ser Edward Winter II, O.F.R."

[Cjmate 1270]

To Edward Winter II, 

 

My political knowledge is likely faulty; neither do I profess to be a politician, nor do I carry myself among those who can gain firsthand accounts. I am a simple man, and I take my knowledge on face value. You are likely correct in your corrections, and I will defer to your wisdom.

 

In regard to elective monarchy, it could fall into the hands of the Church to maintain that the transfer of power circulates; however, it seems that the Church has fallen out of favor as of late. You may be right in that as well.

 

Also, I do not deny that those who have the most men and arms can rule; however, those that obtain power through said means will lose it. At least, they will not be held in high regards. We should strive for the ideal, a peaceful government devoid of animosity and hatred between the citizenry.

 

I will remain adamant in my belief that a council composed of those most capable would serve best, even with a singular ruler. As the rulers grow old, become tired of politics and the stream of complaints, they become melancholy and make poor decisions. Some become recluse, taking to their estate and letting the world go on without them. Those that would become inactive in their duties would serve well to have such a device.

 

Yours truly, 

 

-Sergus Therving 

 

 

 

 

 

OOC- We need some sort of check and balance for if the player ruler becomes sickly, has to tend to family, school, work ,etc. That's more of my reasoning for the proposition, which is hard to convey in character because there is no roleplay reason for it.

[Heff 2460]

Fumble requests the Halfling government forms be added, sending a letter by pig to the human writer:

-Halflings, during times of a high populace started with a mayor system

-Carrying on with the need for more rulers, they added the elder system, which in Anthos, as the population dropped, became useless and ineffective

-With a low population a new mayor and sherriff were elected, effectively switching the government

-When the population steadily rose once more, the elder system was put back in place

-When the population is low the Mayor and Sherriff system is effective, when high the 3 Elders and Sherriff are effective

[Nefarious Aus Shitpost 891]

Bael writes note:

 

Government of the Dwarves lost much of its luster with the elections of a few weak, corrupt or otherwise inept kings. During this point the Lord-Electors of the Kingdom pushed to take authority from the King and it to themselves. Prior to this, the elective monarchy of the Dwarves was quite effective, with almost absolute power in the King, before the Crowns power was effectively curbed by its electors (it must be noted this was originally done to ensure an inept king would not cause damage to the kingdom, it only became a grab for personal powers and privileges later on).

 

Also should be noted that Oren has the most internal conflict as it has the largest aristocratic group of all the nations; and much of the time, the aristocracy has differing agendas to the reigning ruler, which would be a result of a great amount of strife. I believe Oren would have been at its strongest during the early stages of the Second Empire when the nobility had been purged for the most part, as perceived power is often the motivator to rebellion.

 

- Bael B. Tunnelsmasher

[Haribo 385]

A letter is sent to the author from P. Body Denims.

 

"To the honorable Sergus Therving,

Constitutional monarchy would be a good alternative, we haven't tried that yet."

[Aetosion 2062]

(( @CJM We have always had checks and balances of this sort in place for inactive rulers etc., they just aren't properly used bc the ruler is too scared his advisors will overthrow. This is relatively logical, because they tend to do so. The governmental system of Oren itself isn't the issue, it's often the failure of the covert arm of the government to crush any growing political body or plan that could become a threat. Constant spymaster policing and prompt action is what makes or breaks a regime assuming the leader is capable enough to keep things going on his end, it's just harder to tell this from the outside.

 

Bael was entirely right. It's not Oren's government system that leads to rebellion, it's our culture that encourages ambition and larger bodies of players under the noble aristocracy or other banners. That's why my primary focus when I was Knox's Lord Chancellor was pacifying and subjugating the nobles. I did so rather effectively, and there was no threat to a continued Carrion Vochna that wasn't under control (until I was removed etc. and created a unified power base with Mog to oppose it, quickly leading to its downfall). During Knox's reign we had a relatively small military. It wasn't necessary. External threats have never been serious issues, it's just a matter of keeping internal ones under control. Oren has never been defeated except by itself. ))

 

 

A letter is sent to the author from P. Body Denims.

 

"To the honorable Sergus Therving,

Constitutional monarchy would be a good alternative, we haven't tried that yet."

 

(( It's been tried twice, and both times turned into a silly power grab to seat a new dynasty. As long as humans remain collected into groups (which are what give humanity numbers, so it's really not something you can easily fix) and its community leaders remain ambitious, constitutional monarchy without sufficient checks and balances against corruption and participation from the electorate will fail. With sufficient checks against tyranny it just becomes a bloated republic. Republics fall quickly to ineffiency (e.g. Republic of Gallmore). The best form of government for the virtual political climate we play in is actually the one we use, more efforts just need to be made to prevent too many large sub-groups within the state, but if you jump into that too quickly nowadays you'll just cause another rebellion. It's all about the finesse.

 

Honestly, it's the same in every race. I've alted over and helped take overs and or crushed rebellions in elven and dwarven nations upon request, it's not very different. It's a modified setting, but all of the political principles are the same.

 

I usually wouldn't talk as freely about this, but at this point I no longer have a stake in LotC. I've been King, High Pontiff, and for a brief period in charge of humanity, and have held every seat or its contemporary equivalent on the privy. My ambitions have been exhausted. I just enjoy the political game and study. If you want to chat government or politics, feel free to slide into the PMs.

))

[Glyc 234]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.