The Imperialism of Anti-Imperialism

[yopplwasupxxx 5665]

"By now, many laypersons and students of history have seen the recent declaration by the so-called “Ferrymen” named “the Anti Deep Dolphin Feeder Act”[1] and the statutory provisions it entails. Sections include prohibitions against the use of the name “Novellen” to “[p]aintings, statues, drawings that portray figures depicting Orenian nobility, politicians, soldiers, cities or non-religious buildings [being] forbidden from being displayed in public or on the ground-floor of [a] domicile”. Breaking these rules brings about the consequence of bloody repercussions in the line: “Relentless violence will find you and we will not stop until you are depleted of courage to leave your rat-infested basement.” These are done under the pretext of protecting against imperialism and the “forging [of] a safer environment for all the realm’s youth.” However, we must take a critical eye to these recent declarations made by these so-called anti-imperialists who profess to hold the defense of national rights to self-determination at heart while vowing bloodshed and murder against offending parties.

 

It is true that, since the collapse of the last empire under rule of the Novellen dynasty, we have seen developments in philosophy and political theory regarding the justice and fairness in establishing and maintaining a singular federative polity that controls or influences the majority of the realms which claim descent from the Prophet Horen. Many scholars argue that we have entered a post-Oren world; the need for a unified polity of human nations is both unnecessary and detrimental to the free expression of cultural identity and autonomy. Others take the opposite stance, that humanity fragmented leads to a degenerative society, one divided in conflict and petty disputes. The merits and pitfalls of either position are beyond the scope of this essay, and I leave such ponderance to the politicians and rulers of their respective states.

 

First, we must define imperialism. To most, they imagine an empire, that is, an outward expression of control of numerous nations by acts of fealty or suzerainty to a singular person or state. We may consider this direct imperialism. But this is not the only facet of such a doctrine. States and nations can and have enforced their will through means which do not place third-party polities under their primary control. Examples include dwarven pressure to decriminalize the practice of their polytheistic faith during the Era of Five Kings[2] to the surrender of Sedanian rebels by King Heinrik II of Haense who took refuge in his demesne to Emperor Joseph II. Although these actions did not constitute a top-down control, they symbolize the use of soft power to achieve certain concessions and policy changes which primarily benefit the influencer party. To this, we may consider these examples as indirect imperialism. Both pathways, no matter which one takes, are in effect the violation of autonomy and freedom of self-governance of independent states.

 

Let us look back then to the “A.D.D.F.A.”. After close examination with the definition of imperialism in mind, a paradox emerges: by demanding from Kingdoms of Aaun and Balian that they follow a set of requirements and stipulations under the promise of physical retaliation, these “Ferrymen” participate as imperialists. Regardless of what one thinks of the Novellen regime and Orenianism as a whole, it is well within the rights of peoples and nations to celebrate and cherish the history and culture which they claim derives from it. If one of these states begins a gorey path of conquest, then we may take pause and discuss the merits of just war against a nefarious, murderous offender. But such is not the case; on the contrary, the present course of human politics is far from such conversations. Aaun and Balian, in their effort, have been relatively peaceful domains, and no threats of subordination have been made by either party to their neighbors. By arrogating against cultural and familial expressions, a clear breach of duty to the profession of anti-imperialism is made clear. They have crowned themselves emperors of an anti-imperium. The tongue-in-cheek signatory title of being “Emperor of Snoren” only exacerbates this irony.

 

If one considers themselves an anti-imperialist or in some way sympathizes with contemporary trends, I urge caution in supporting present and future attempts by those who threaten violent coercion against any state which does not follow arbitrary demands against the free expression of peoples they claim to defend.

 

Prophet’s Blessings,

Amleth van der Grendok"

 

[1] - The A.D.D.F.A., as originally promulgated by the “Ferrymen”

[2] - See the Second Golden Bull of Savoy, as decreed by High Pontiff Owyn I

[Cheese 2307]

". . . He has a point."

[mmjinae 79]

A tired scholar peered over the article that had reached her library. "Oh, finally," Asya murmured, "some good ******* scholarship. I haven't even considered some of these points before. Oh, I've been such a fool...!" She pulled out a quill and an ink bottle, and began to annotate the work in great detail, mumbling to herself in the flickering candlelight... 

[Javert 5573]

A man read the missive with great interest, then nodding his head in agreement. "Coalition the Ferrymen, for they are the Imperialists." The man stated simply, knowing full well that such a statement will soon have him cleaved in half by a Ferrymen at the least.

[Nectorist 7423]

Demetrius Barrow writes back to Amleth van der Grendok.

 

"I am only a passive reader of the histories of the Novellens and leave the study of the dynasty to my esteemed contemporaries. However, as a proud Haeseni and a student of the history of my people, I find that, ironically, in attempts to denigrate the Novellen line in the name of rewriting the historical record, one simply heightens the perceived importance of that dynasty. The agency of a people may be expressed in numerous capacities: free of slave, subject or master, great or petty. Let the Novellens of Balian celebrate their history as the Barbanovs of Haense celebrate their own. And where the two may interact, let us scholars celebrate the opportunity to parcel through the complex narratives that flow throughout the expansive story of our shared human history. Your address is a most correct one, and for it I commend the bravery of your position, for denying the historical record prevents our ability to critique it and learn from it for our shared betterment."

[CanadaMatt 689]

an old Imperial State Army soldier stands by a tree in petra as he reads such a notice " I would like tae see these ferry shites fight me, I am old aye but ill go down with a bloody fight" the old Imperial State army 3rd brigade corporal then throws the notice away into the wind " Oren Aut Mortem"

[VonAulus 2076]

The Prince takes some time away from scrubbing the floors of the Admiral's office. This essay lay among the papers on the Admirals desk.

 

"It is intriguing the arguments of this author. I am glad our cause has been picked up by learned men. A nation does not have to be called an empire to be imperialistic. We will defend the right of our citizens to express their ancestral history regardless of how it makes bandits feel. I feel for them that they can not get past the deeds of our ancestors and continue to struggle with the memory of their failures. Now that fair Grendok mentions it, are we not allowed to have the Holy Scrolls displayed? The Prophets were Orenians. We must defend Canondom from its godless enemies."

[Hunnic 348]

"The fairy men have fueled wars within Canondom for long enough!" peasant Antonious shouted! 

[Mirtok 2848]

An enfeebled alchemist- Drasus- reflects on the status of the Human leaders in the world as this treatise comes across his desk . . .

 

"Imagine wielding the trust and strength of a nation just to turn around and behave cravenly at the most witless of threats. Anti-Imperial or not, if you kowtow to the threats of morons then you are just as pathetic as the wig wearers you abhor. To call yourself a leader, a Human, a descendant of Horen, and bend to faithless raiders- you might as well affix yourself to the bow of the ferry and screech the sea sirens song, you absolute parody of dignity. Thank GOD there are still those who aren't brain addled to the point that the only solution left to them is to erase rational thought so as to assuage the onset of fear wrought of violent threats. Rejecting Imperialism by blindly boot licking a violent Imperialist. For shame. I relish the end of pompous powder touters but at the expense of Humanities moral station . . . what could be worse."

 

He would sputter and cough after the rant, clearly malding from his own thoughts. The sterilized bottles he was working with becoming contaminated with angered sweat dripping off his ruined brow.

[cruzazul 2807]

“Day fades and the sun goes away, but we’re the same old humans with the same old pain.”

[Hanrahan 2885]

 

Overhead, the quiet swish-swoop-swish of a ceiling fan whirled, giving the slightest rush of air to the stuffy Office. As well established as Henri Napier was, all the money in the world couldn't buy complete protection from the elements. Porto Regne could get deliriously hot, and with a humidity that turned the air to a dampening blanket that spared no space, sun or shade. The arcane fan cost him a pretty penny, but made marginal difference. He sighed.

 

The short paper that had come across his desk in the morning for review had been scanned over quickly, and without a doubt, merited a reply - or at least, a return editorial in the Gaceta des Balianes (his own Paper, of course.)

 

 

 

"Dear Monsieur Van Der Grendok,

 

Your analysis of the situation, and well-crafted argument were a delight to read, all the moreso in these times. The rabidity to which the savage bandits of the North have clung to what are now nearly a century old animosities, inherited from no other place than their own imaginations, has been a most tiring and droll affair. You cut to the point eloquently. For all the gnashing and protest, the legacy of man, and our history, is one inseparable from the topic of Empire, in all regards. I needn't allude to a fellow fan of history, that all the states of man hold within their titulature, familial heritage, or legal right, some claim derived from the Exalted. Many of the current legal frameworks, and institutions derive from if not the Novellens, earlier Imperial progenitors.

 

While the merit of a contemporary Empire is something well to be left alone, and discussed in other works as you said, the essay stands well. It is an inescapable issue that the wise would seek to make peace with, rather than antagonize and deride needlessly for another century.

 

Thank you for your writing, and I do so hope to see more of your work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Henri Napier, Esq."

 

[sergisala 2794]

Marc Galbraith nodded to Amleth's open letter "Those who insult the legacy of the Exalted and the Orenian realm are always the same ones who seek to perpetuate human disunity, chaos and disorder. When will they realize that by fighting each other we are just wasting our time?" he asked