The man under whom Tatiana Thane had studied is:
"...too old to care about politics." (p. 170)
It is certainly possible to lose interest in which of the two main parties is in office at present but there are wider issues that at times press on everyone and, of course, some people continue to care however old they are.
Sheila and I frequent a cafe run by a veterans' charity. Occasionally, we are asked whether we have been in any of the armed services because that would entitle us to a discount. I reply, "We are non-combatants." Once, a guy behind me laughed harshly, said, "The way society is now, we are all combatants!" and walked out without allowing any discussion. On reflection, I probably agree with him but also would quite possibly be on the opposite side in any combat that arose.
Aenean separatists do two things that I disagree with: (i) murder a pro-Imperial merchant; (ii) link their political separatism to an expected transhuman Advent. Probably the best policy for Aeneas as for many other planets is to exercise as much autonomy as possible within the Empire while also preparing to survive its Fall.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Yes, but even in civil wars many people will try to avoid being forced to pick sides. Some do so to evade danger, others because they don't care about the issues being fought over, and still others will wait till they can see who is going to win. And then virtuously claim to have supported the winners all along!
I agree with your last paragraph. And High Commissioner Chunderban Desai was trying to do precisely that by reintegrating Aeneas into the Empire.
Ad astra! Sean
Guerilla and partisan struggles are necessarily waged with absolute ruthlessness; otherwise you will simply lose. If you're prepared to fight that way, you have to be ready to do that sort of thing.
A sovereign State can use the fabric of law and administration to get everyone moving in the same direction in wartime.
A non-governmental organization is virtually forced to use terroristic methods if it's going to fight at all.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree, the caveat I have being there are organizations, such as political parties, which seek power by non-terroristic means. But I know that works only works when a nation has more or less functioning electoral systems.
Ad astra! Sean
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