Ghanima Atreides (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
atreideslioness) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2012-10-15 10:57 am
atreideslioness) wrote in fandomhigh2012-10-15 10:57 am
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A Tale of Two Lions, Period 2 [Monday, 10/15]
"The power behind the throne," Tyrion said -- looking bright-eyed and well-rested after a week off -- "is an idiom that refers to a situation in which the king -- or president, or commander, or whatever the official supreme power calls himself -- is a figurehead whose actions are directed by other individuals. Typically, that would be a family member or close advisor, though the actual position of known powers behind the throne has varied widely."
"Religious figures, wives, favored concubines," Ghanima added, ticking things off on her fingers. "Really, anyone can be the power behind the throne, and it can be even more advantageous than being the one on the throne."
"Kings come and go, after all, but there's usually some sort of privy council."
Tyrion smiled a bit at that, deciding this was not the time to talk about his father's former position -- and how he had lost it -- or this would become a very, very long class.
"Often a power behind the throne rises because the ruler is incapacitated or simply incapable," he added. "I will stay with examples from this dimension. For example, a hundred years ago the president of this country had a stroke and was bedridden. It's widely accepted his wife effectively ran the country until his term of office ended. Or someone may choose not to hold an official leadership position to enable them to act as they wish, without real limits. That was the case in China, under Deng Xiaoping."
A related term is éminence grise, a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or otherwise unofficially. This phrase originally referred to Cardinal de Richelieu's right hand man, François Leclerc du Tremblay, who wore grey robes," Ghanima said. "Who was the power there? Cardinal de Richelieu, the power behind the throne of King Louis XIII of France, or Tremblay, who made Richeliu's word take shape?"
"There are disadvantages to this as well," Ghanima added. "Men die. And it is harder to make a king or queen vanish from view without arousing suspicion than if a formerly dear and trusted friend retires to the countryside for 'health reasons.'"
"A religious man can be proven heretical, even if he is not. A lover or spouse? Unfaithful. A minister of coin was clearly cheating the people. If you're standing in the shadows, casting too bright a light is a good way to find yourself exiled to a country house. If you're lucky."
"Unlucky, and you might lose your head," Tyrion added, almost cheerily and probably unnecessarily. "So we put the question to you: Would you rather have a nice seat on a throne, or be whispering advice into the ear of the person on it from the shadows?"
"Religious figures, wives, favored concubines," Ghanima added, ticking things off on her fingers. "Really, anyone can be the power behind the throne, and it can be even more advantageous than being the one on the throne."
"Kings come and go, after all, but there's usually some sort of privy council."
Tyrion smiled a bit at that, deciding this was not the time to talk about his father's former position -- and how he had lost it -- or this would become a very, very long class.
"Often a power behind the throne rises because the ruler is incapacitated or simply incapable," he added. "I will stay with examples from this dimension. For example, a hundred years ago the president of this country had a stroke and was bedridden. It's widely accepted his wife effectively ran the country until his term of office ended. Or someone may choose not to hold an official leadership position to enable them to act as they wish, without real limits. That was the case in China, under Deng Xiaoping."
A related term is éminence grise, a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or otherwise unofficially. This phrase originally referred to Cardinal de Richelieu's right hand man, François Leclerc du Tremblay, who wore grey robes," Ghanima said. "Who was the power there? Cardinal de Richelieu, the power behind the throne of King Louis XIII of France, or Tremblay, who made Richeliu's word take shape?"
"There are disadvantages to this as well," Ghanima added. "Men die. And it is harder to make a king or queen vanish from view without arousing suspicion than if a formerly dear and trusted friend retires to the countryside for 'health reasons.'"
"A religious man can be proven heretical, even if he is not. A lover or spouse? Unfaithful. A minister of coin was clearly cheating the people. If you're standing in the shadows, casting too bright a light is a good way to find yourself exiled to a country house. If you're lucky."
"Unlucky, and you might lose your head," Tyrion added, almost cheerily and probably unnecessarily. "So we put the question to you: Would you rather have a nice seat on a throne, or be whispering advice into the ear of the person on it from the shadows?"
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