Wednesday, 31 March 2021

The Polesotechnic League And A Criminal Organization

Because the Polesotechnic League is not an Intelligence service but a mercantile mutual support organization, it did not feature in the previous post, Intelligence Services And Criminal Organizations. Nevertheless, on Merseia, the League has occasion to do business with organized crime, the Gethfennu, because the latter is the only international network capable of a coordinated response to the planet-wide threat of radiation from the supernova, Valenderay. This plus the fact the Gethfennu is not an alien influence inserted into Merseian society but rather is the ancient baronial tradition in a distorted form bears out the suggestion that organized crime is an integral part of organized society. So, whether on Earth or on Merseia, how far does its influence extend?  

4 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Even more simply put, even tho I know you would disagree, any FALLEN intelligence race will have crime, organized or not, as one of the results of a Fall. ALL human societies that we know of, for example, has crime as an integral part of those societies. That said, I have no objection to agreeing the Gethfennu of Merseia took form as a distortion of the old baronial tradition.

Unfortunately, organized crime is far too influential and widespread on Earth! Right now, "Josip" and his Democrats are super spreading organized crime because of their bungling handling of the chaos on the Southern border of the US. The drug cartels are making millions everyday not only in far easier trafficking in illegal drugs, but also in trafficking human beings, both as sex slaves or illegal immigrants.

I could go on and on, so ANGRY am I at "Josip" and the Democrats, but I will stop!

Ad astra! Sean

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Adam Smith famously said nations have a good deal of ruination in them, meaning most nations can put up with a surprising amount of incompetence, bungling, and misgovernment from which ever regime is in power. But no nation can have an infinite amount of patience for ruination. My fear is wondering how much folly from "Josip" and left wing Democrats the US can tolerate before something crucial irretrievably breaks?

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

The Zakuza in Japan, which are the analogue Poul used for the criminal organization on Mersia, are centuries old and in fact are a very conservative section of Japanese society -- the pseudo-feudal organization has preserved relationships which have become much more attenuated in Japanese society as a whole.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

Because smart criminals want a FUNCTIONING society in which they can carry out their criminal operations.

Not only are the Yakuza still somewhat "feudal" in their mindsets, I recall you saying they had even become so "respectable" and bureaucratic minded they have offices in buildings which you can find in the floor directories!

Ad astra! Sean