fandomhigh | Revolutions: Week 2 Period 5

When the students came into the classroom, Aly was writing a list of criteria on the whiteboard at the front of the class. She finished up the last point, flipped it around, and turned around to watch everyone find seats.

"Good afternoon, all," she said with a bit of a grin as she seated herself on the top of her desk. "Last week we talked about the reasons why you personally would rebel against a government. What I'd like you to do today is to get together in small groups - two or three - and agree within the group and why you - as a group - would rebel against something. You can determine what you're rebelling against. Revolutions aren't put together by one person. It's always a group effort. So today, let's start that." She glanced at the avowed monarchists in the class. "And you have to decide on some criteria. Saying it is never appropriate won't fly today."

Aly stood up to flip the whiteboard back so the class could see what was written on it. "This is the list of the criteria that you guys came up with last week. Use it as a jumping off point, don't feel limited by it."

When the current system of rule has proven itself tyrannical
When it's for the betterment of the people
Rebellions are never appropriate
When what is expected of you is unreasonable, and there's no other way to change things
When the government or whoever is in charge is making things sucky for people
To keep the rulling power from becomming too corrupt
Rebellions are always appropriate
When you've got nothing else left to lose
When the current government structure is not complying with their own stated aims, has contravened previously guaranteed citizen's rights without sufficient cause, and refuses peaceful elections or a change over in power
To restore the rightful government
If the damage the ruler was inflicting on the country outweighed loyalty to the government
When the government no longer represents the people it governs
When people under tyranny think they've been ground to the breaking point.
When the current government fails in it's duty to the people
When the general mass of the public can no longer with stand the demands of their current power structure, or when they find that the structure in place no longer serves its function or purpose.

After Aly had finished going through the list, she glanced over the class again. "After you come up with a group reason, someone from the group should present these reasons to me and the class." She grinned. "I'll ask questions. For next week, I'd like everyone to write me a quick three page paper on a revolution of some sort. It can be from this world or your own. Just look at the reasons behind the revolution and then make your own judgement on whether or not it was legitimate and if you'd've supported it." She hopped back up on her desk, playing with her necklace. "If you don't have any questions, go to."

[OOC: ~~Wait for the~~ OCD is up! Paper is handwavy, of course, but if you could have some idea of what was written about, that would be excellent. *plots*]

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Parker's never talked to Zuko before. But she was paying attention last week.

"So. Willing to overthrow somebody? Anybody? One of those reasons has to be viable to you." She got out her notepad and started ticking off the reasons that would sound good to the public.

"How about a government that's stupid enough to let mere peasants vote for their own leaders?" Zuko suggested, scowling in Aly's direction.

"How about you leave off the 'mere' when speaking to a democrat by philosophy, and pick something from the list, Einstein?" Parker rolled her eyes.

"What's a democrat?" Zuko asked. No, he wasn't kidding.

"How did they let you in this class?" Parker wondered. "You should have had Government first." Sighing impatiently, she said, "Democracy is when citizens votes for their leaders, yes. Sometimes it's limited to the nobility, or to the military, and sometimes suffrage is universal. Here in the U.S it's the latter. Got it?"

Zuko narrowed his eyes at Parker. "How about because I'm the heir to the throne of the Fire Nation. I know more about government than you ever will."

"Obviously not. I'd bet money you don't know about any kind of government outside of the Fire Nation." Parker smirked at him, unimpressed. "Name one other form of ruling besides monarchy and the democracy I just explained to you, and I'll drop it."

"I know how the watertribes function," Zuko replied, but from his tone it was obvious that he didn't think much of it.

"Oh? And?" Parker raised an eyebrow. "How do they manage it?"

Zuko launched into an explanation ~~which won't be written out as this is canon of two other players in game and it would be rude to decide this for them~~. "Satisfied?" he spat.

Heh. *handwaves* "Vaguely. That still doesn't qualify you to govern," Parker said, "But it's beside the point. Pick a reason. Off the list. Or I can just leave and find someone who wants an A in this class. I thought you were the TA, for cripes' sake."

"That was her decision, not mine. These grades don't matter. I have told you my reason. I won't support a government that wasn't destined to lead," he replied stubbornly.

"Destiny." Parker snorted. "What a cop-out. And if grades don't matter, why are you even here?"

"To learn how to bend lightning," Zuko replied with the hint of smirk.

"They're not going to let you do that if you flunk out of the rest of your classes," Parker pointed out. "Whatever that is, not that I care. Or govern anyone, if you're known to be a failure at school."

"You don't know my world at all," Zuko said dismissively. "Neither do they know or care about this school. There are worse things to fail at."

"And how is 'bending lightening' going to allow you to rule?" Parker said, gathering up her books, ready to find someone else to work with. "Is that some kind of test, that'll get you immediate support? An army? Resources to rule?"

"It will help me deal with someone who should be stopped," Zuko said simply, not caring much if Parker left or not.

Parker snorted. "Good luck on that. Or rather, not. You don't strike me as the people's choice. Probably better if you never get a chance." She shook her head and went off to look for someone else to work on the project with.

Zuko gritted his teeth, there was no way he was going to have anyone talk to him like that. Let alone a judgmental little brat of a wolfbat who knew nothing about his world.

Aly had been keeping an eye on - or rather having Trick keep an eye on Parker and Zuko - once it seemed like they were striking sparks. When Zuko looked like he might get up after Parker, Aly made sure to move between them. She raised a bit of an eyebrow at Zuko.

Zuko's eyes were still on Parker, but he didn't try to sidestep Aly. However, his whole stance was radiating his iritation. "No one gets to talk to me like that," he growled.

"Just words," Aly pointed out, stroking her necklace. "And heated words from both of you."

"I grow weary of all this talking," Zuko growled.

"There won't be anything other than words in this classroom," Aly replied, not outwardly disturbed by his growling.

Re: [Rev 1/16] - Small Groups!

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