Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 1, Thursday, 1-6

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Welcome to class," she said, flipping her files shut and glancing around the room. "My name is Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot. You can call me Alex, or if you'd rather, Miss Cabot is fine. This class is called Nation Building and the Origin of Government."

"I had a whole detailed explanation for what I'd like to do with this class, what the topic means to me, and how we should think about government. I was going to start today by reading that off to all of you, but I've just changed my mind." She straightened up, walking briskly over to the chalkboard and drawing a squarish shape on it. "Instead, today we're going to dive in with a thought experiment. We'll deal with technicalities later on."

She turned around and tapped her knuckles on the board, in the center of the shape. "Congratulations," she said. "This is a country, and it has just been entrusted -- in its entirety -- to you. It's a decent size, and it even comes with its own population. However, there is absolutely no civic infrastructure. There are businesses, but all of those are privately run. What I'm trying to say is that there is no government whatsoever. No publicly funded services, no mayors or governors, and no organization. Except, of course, for you.

"In other words, you're running the show. You can declare yourself Grand High Emperor for Life, or El Jefe, or whatever strikes your fancy. You can rename the capital city after yourself. You can blow the whole of the country's limited funds on hiring harem girls or cabana boys to dance for you. You can even paint yourself naked and run down the street.

"Before you get carried away, I'd like to point out that doing the above won't leave you much time until someone more sensible assassinates you and does all of the things you were supposed to be doing. So let's take it as a given that you decide to be a responsible leader who gives a damn about your constituents. Which is good, because they're going to need a lot from you." She dusted her hands off. "So. What's first? I'd like you to tell me what your number one priority is, and why."

Comments

Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Alex said. "And now, I'd like some idea of your background with government. Both what kind of environment you left, in coming to Fandom, as well as your own personal role in it, if any. If you were part of a ruling council, if you led some kind of rebellion against the dominant structure, or if you had no involvement whatsoever. You can introduce yourself while you're at it, if you'd like, and if you have ideas on specific things you'd like for this class to cover, now would be a good time to mention those."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

"I am Blysse Norwood, and he is Blind Seer," she spoke for both herself and the large wolf accompanying her. "Before we comed to Fandom, we see many different government. We grow up in a pack, with wolves, which have a One Male and One Female, and others who follow without question. Then, we comed to Hawk Haven because the King needed an heir, and some thinked perhaps I were princess. This was how we first learn of human ways, and of war, since it is not a thing the Royal Beasts have much use for," frowning slightly, she skipped over several books some details since extensive speeches were not really her style, and went right for the reason she was taking this class: "The summer before last, we was part of a force that take control of a small group of islands. Most was happy to have us there, but some did resist. And there is always threat of attack from outside. I think- and Blind Seer agree- it would be most useful to know about how to make so people from different groups can live together in a small area without fighting so much."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"That's one that doesn't have an easy answer, I'm afraid," Alex said, frowning as she followed along. "I wish it did. I hope this class will help you discover ways of keeping the peace amongst different groups. How did the wolves choose the One Male and One Female? If everyone else follows without question, what happens if someone with bad intentions is selected?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[wrongkindofsith]

"I'm Cara. As a Mord'Sith, I serve the Lord Rahl, ruler of D'Hara." Even if Richard currently wasn't ruling much of anything. "The current state of government where I come from is...complicated." Which was actually the uncomplicated way of stating things.

And if all that sounded deliberately vague...that's because it was.

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"All too common a state for them," Alex said. "Is it political intrigue? Various groups working against one another, alliances, betrayals?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[notlikejack.livejournal.com]

"I'm Bobby McCallister," Bobby introduced himself with a little wave. "I'm from Missouri, and I never even got elected for school government? But my mom's kind of involved in politics so we've talked a lot about it a stuff."

Okay, saying his mom was 'kind of involved' was like saying that Fandom was 'kind of' different from the rest of the world, but...

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"It's okay if you don't have direct experience," Alex said. "In fact, I'm hoping we have a range of environments here. It'll make for more interesting discussions. In what way is your mom involved? Activist, lobbyist? Is it a passion, a profession, or both?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[nohaircutsplz]

Medusalith had given up on the Germany thing by now, yes. "I am Medusalith Amaquelin. My home is a...I suppose you would call it a city-state, with a monarch and...it is a genocracy. The Genetics Council makes many major decisions. I am a princess of the royal family, and currently third in line for the throne." After she said that, she looked as if something had just occurred to her (and it worried her) for a moment before shaking it off and saying, "As my home is very insular and isolated, and has been for several millennia, I have very little experience with nations other than my own, but as I will be part of the government one day, in the capacity of Blackagar's voice if nothing else, I thought it prudent to learn."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Genetics Council?" Alex asked. That was a new one, for her. "Is much of your society based on genetics? Certain types allowed to hold different positions, or specific individuals not allowed to intermarry?"

She was nodding to the rest. "Serving as someone's voice is never easy," she said. "It's like walking a tight rope. Saying just enough without promising too much, and giving off the right inflection."

She was assuming that by 'voice,' Medusalith had meant something official, not unlike a press secretary. Which was off, but still somewhat applicable nonetheless.

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[likes_scoundrels]

"Leia Organa," Leia said. "I'm a senator back in my world, though I've obviously been doing much of my work remotely and attending senate sessions through holos. My government is currently a tyrannical empire that replaced a galactic republic shortly before I was born, and I'm deeply involved in attempts to bring the Empire down and restore the Republic."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Are you a senator in this tyrannical empire's government?" Alex asked. Not judging, just seeking clarification. "If so, did you join to be on the inside, so to speak, or did you only find out about the government's shortcomings once you'd already become a member?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

"Squall Leonhart. My world is dominated by two large countries, each ruled by a President, but also has several smaller city-states. I was part of a mercenary force that governed itself, and for a short period of time I was in command of it."

He shrugged. "We were hired to help a rebellion, and later to attempt a coup. Both failed."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"As mercenaries, were you neutrally aligned?" Alex asked. "Did any of the larger countries ever strike at you, pre-emptively, to keep others from hiring you? Or place you on a retainer, to that end?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[daventryprince.livejournal.com]

"I am Alexander of Daventry, and I've had the...interesting privileged," Alexander offered for this part of the discussion, "of having spent the first sixteen years of my life under the oppression of a terribly tyrannical leader, only to then escape from that fate to discover that I was the prince of another land. I suppose, actually, you could say I deposed the tyrant; his presence, though, still lingers, even if his power is diminished significantly. So now I live in a monarchy, and I am the heir to the throne of a peaceful kingdom. My father believes in ruling fairly democratically for a king, due to his own rise from a mere knight; I suppose one might easily call it a meritocracy, really, considering it was through his merits of saving the kingdom that he earned his crown. I...worry that I may not be able to live up to my father on the level of being a good ruler, and so, what I would like to gain from this class, are more tools to assure that I can continue Daventry's progress and peacefulness through my reign as well."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

Alex nodded, hoping she was following along. "You say that you deposed him," she said, "but implied he still holds power. Have there been attempts at removing him entirely, or is it thought to be best to leave him where he is?"

Sometimes, the devil you knew was preferable to the power vacuum created by his absence.

"I hope this class will help, as well," she said. "If you have the best interests of your people at heart, I would say that's the best possible starting point."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"I am Faramir, son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor," Faramir introduced himself. The shallow bow that followed his words were more out of habit than him thinking it would be appropriate in this instance.

"Gondor is the country that I live in. It is a kingdom, but there has been no king in Gondor for over a thousand years. In his stead, the Stewards have ruled and will continue to rule until someone with right to the throne presents himself. My older brother Boromir will be the one to become the next Steward and I will assist in him whatever form he would wish me to." Knowing Boromir's impatience with anything but warfare, Faramir had a fair idea of what his brother would expect of him.

"As I said, Gondor is a kingdom but there are several regions ruled by their own lords who have pledged their allegiance to Gondor. As for my own interested in this class, they are diverse as it is intriguing to discover how this world looks upon government. Especially, perhaps, when one is faced with an uncoming war."

Hopefully, she had not expected him to have a short answer to all these questions.

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

Long answers were a specialty of Alex's, and she listened with no small amount of interest.

"You mentioned that there have been Stewards for over a millenia," Alex said, marveling at that. "Is there a feeling of impermanence to it, if an heir to the throne could appear at any moment? Is it difficult being the de facto ruler without the crown?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"My name is Leda, and I grew up in a functioning Anarchist society. For a while I helped run a Squat/Pseudo Street Gang. Then just recently I was crowned Queen of Faerie. Which is historically a totalitarian Monarchy, but for the last several years has been more like a republic since they didn't know where the heir to the throne was. So the Council of Nobles ran things. Except maybe not so much a republic since the people had no choice in who was in charge."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Functioning Anarchist society?" Alex asked, because that absolutely had to come first. "Were there no laws? If not, how was order kept?"

She was assuming some form of order was kept, or else it wouldn't be functioning.

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glacial_queen]

"I am Karla and I'm from the Territory of Glacia in the Realm Kaeleer. I am a Queen and the daughter of the previous Territory Queen and her Consort." Since this was a class about nations and politics, Karla went with an abbreviated version of the real story, instead of simply skimming over the relevant bits. "My parents were killed when I was nine, by my father's brother who went on to form a 'Ruling Council' to aid the puppet-Queen he strong-armed the Province and District Queens into accepting as Territory Queen. It was either accept her or face civil war. He is corrupt and venial and once I am old enough to make my Offering and set up my Court, I will return home and take my place as Queen."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"So you'll have your work cut out for you," Alex said, nodding as she followed along. "You mentioned that he strong-armed some of the lower rulers into falling in line. What sway did he hold over them? Are you sure their loyalties will return to you?"

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[wwiii]

"I'm Warren Worthington, and I don't... really have much experience with government, per se," Warren noted, biting his lip and smiling sheepishly. "My father is the owner of a large business, so I would like to think that I've absorbed a bit of his business sense over the years, and because he deals with pharmaceuticals, there always has been a lot of Government involvement in his line of work. Which doesn't make me a professional, but at least I kind of got to see some aspects of it in action."

Generally from under a heavy coat, or by watching the news. But, all the same...

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[child-of-rer.livejournal.com]

"I'm from Karhide, on the planet of Gethen," Sov said. "Karhide is a monarchy ruled by King Argaven XVII with the assistance of a government. King Argaven actually ruled four years before their predecessor Emran, who was their child and heir. The king was taken off world to foil a plot an then returned fifteen years ago, still young because of space travel, to reclaim the throne from the corrupt Emran."

"But Rer, my home city, has been a city long before the kings of Karhide. It had been a judgement seat and a centre for learning for fifteen thousand years."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[littlelionlad.livejournal.com]

"I am Anduin Wrynn. Um, Prince Anduin of Stormwind," he said, feeling slightly awkward as addressing himself as such, but he did want to be honest. "My family has ruled for many generations, and I've been groomed to follow in my father's footsteps since I was a child. When I was younger, there was a...kidnapping, and my father was missing for quite a while. I was crowned as king, to keep anyone else from trying to steal the throne and...it was one of the most unpleasant times of my life, to be honest. I had a great deal of power, but I was ten years old, so no one would let me do anything to help the people I wanted to help. I just...I'm not going to let people get in my way when I truly become king, and I want to be as prepared as possible for that time." Considering how much his father loved battle, there was no telling how soon Anduin's time would come.

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"Bruce Wayne. No formal government experience, but I am rich," Bruce said. "That counts for something in today's America." It actually did, just not in the flippant manner Bruce was putting on. "When I'm in charge of my father's company, I'll be involving myself in a lot of civic projects, but that will probably be the extent of what I'll ever do."