In different works by Poul Anderson, aliens secretly rule, covertly manipulate, militarily conquer or economically control Earth. In Anderson's Technic History, Earth/Terra conquers alien planets and human colonies and some resist. Is Earth right to resist extraterrestrial rule
and right to impose its own rule? Is every Earthman a hero and the only good alien a dead one as one publisher of retro-sf suggested in an advertising poster? "Britons never shall be slaves" and "Britannia rules the waves"? (Or at least did from 1815 to 1945.) Alternative versions: "Britannia waives the rules." "
Perfidious Albion." See also
England. Is Earth/Terra like Britannia/Albion/England?
In Julian May's series, although Earth willingly joins the Galactic Milieu in 2013, some human beings, wanting to prevent induction into Unity and to restore human self-determination, plot the Metapsychic Rebellion of the Human Polity against the Milieu.
Conquest by the Merseians would mean slavery. Induction into mental Unity means what?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
You are missing an important point about Anderson's Terran Empire: the TRAUMA of the Time of Troubles seems to have badly shaken the self confidence of many formerly independent worlds. The wars, civil wars, barbarian invasions, etc., of the Troubles convinced many planets of the necessity for UNITY in the face of a universe which was suddenly shown to be very dangerous.
That meant, after the collapse of the Solar Commonwealth and Manuel Argos' founding of the Empire around AD 2700 (my guess!), many planets, human and non human, were willing and even eager to join the Empire. Yes, some conquest and force was used, but apparently not as much as has happened with most human great powers.
And I remember how Rogatien Remillard himself had some doubts and suspicions about the Galactic Milieu. And had some sympathy for the Metapsychic Revolt.
I agree with what you said about how bad Merseian rule would have been, at least for those races unwilling to knuckle under. Recall as well that Merseia did not rule out EXTERMINATING entire intelligent species, if that was what it took to cement its domination.
Sean
Post a Comment