(i) I believe in the self-determination of peoples. The Imperials are invaders whereas the Rogaviki do not even counter-invade.
(ii) The Rogaviki massacre prisoners of war. That is bad but they would have no prisoners of war if they were not invaded. Not being civilized, they do not (yet) have concepts like honorable treatment for prisoners of war. Donya recognizes "'...no honorable enemies...'" (VI, p. 74), just invaders to be repelled.
(iii) The Rogaviki practice infanticide. That is also bad but is hardly the reason why the Imperials are invading. Maybe regular contact with civilized societies could persuade the Rogaviki, e.g., to offer unwanted children for adoption?
I am only at a mid-way point so will not jump to any further conclusions.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
As regards your point (i), I think that while Anderson would agree with what you said about "invasion," such as by the Rahidians, he seems to have been a bit more "hardened" about it than you are. He described conquest in one of his letters to me as one of those things that happens in human affairs. And conquests do not always have only bad consequences. In fact, my view is that Anderson had more sympathy for the Rahidians/Barommians than for the Rogaviki and Killimaraich.
The Rogaviki don't counter invade, to complete and follow up victories? That is no surprise if they are hardwired only to care about only the territory claimed by a group of families. It also shows a possible weakness their enemies could exploit once they finally got a proper GRASP of what kind of "people" they are. It also indicates a tendency for Rogaviki to be unable to think ahead and plan for the long term.
As for point (ii), can the Rogaviki be civilized as we understand the word if they are not even truly human? As for point (iii) it might be possible for the Rogaviki to be persuaded to hand over unwanted babies to their Rahidian and Aravannethan neighbors for adoption (despite them being sterile "mules). Maybe, I hope so.
In fact that very fact, the sterility of the children had by Rogaviki women by non-Rogaviki, is another sign of them becoming another hominid species, of no longer being human.
But, I agree that S.M. Stirling raised a good point, ten thousand years is not long enough for another hominid species to branch off from ours. NOT when ordinary human beings can adapt to changing conditions so much more easily and quickly by cultural/technological changes. Genetics and accidents of mutation are too slow and precarious.
Sean
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