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[dreamsoftomorrow]

What makes an Empire evil or bad?

The definition is simply that it's ruled by one person, but nowhere does it state that it's also inherently bad.

So, what makes it bad?

Why are we assuming Sen Devadatta is evil when from what I've read in the history books and from the locals, all they did was shut their doors. We don't know the reason yet either.

It's understandable to be wary and suspicious, but I don't think it's a good idea to go in believing we're going to be arrested or worse.

Comments

[regisrex]

Once again, fear. Both from previous experiences and accounting for the Empress's fear. Among other things, the timing of the change between a democracy and an empire was when the last arrivals from the Dream Width, Biggs and Wedge, came to Vaikuntha. Now arrivals are happening again, and she is inviting us all within her reach. The combination of factor is definitely worrisome.

And yes, of course.

A democracy implies that the people of the country have control. If she was president, then it was a representative democracy - the one variety truly plausible, for a state of a size larger than a city, or a small area. It means that there were elections held periodically, and people could express their will as to what they wanted to happen to their lives through choosing who to represent them. It also means that a governor can be recalled, or replaced, at any time, and they need to perform excellently to be kept in office.

A monarchy, on the other hand, has no such mechanism of checks from the people, and the ruler stays in power until they die, or are overthrown. They do not have to be good rulers, if they have enough strength to resist any resurrection, and it is entirely up to the discretion of the ruler if the needs of the population are attended to.

She might be a good and wise ruler. She might do good for her people.

However, cutting off trade, isolating her people, and, again, reaching for power out of fear, do not suggest that highly likely. As empires go, ten years is not a long time to exist. The fact that there have been no acts of aggression so far mean very little.

I do not think it is wise for *us* to act out of fear. Caution, yes, but not more. However, conscious or not, the compilation of sighs as to what we will probably find can affect people - especially people who are already displaced, far from home, with our own strengths taken away. It's good to be aware that it's probably not the wisest course of action.

Not so much to judge anyone for it.