Difference between revisions of "Political roster of the Amarr Empire"

Revision as of 04:19, 9 February 2014

The political roster of the Amarr Empire, or some would speak of the political powers blocs, can be slice in to two dimensions. First, along the vertical level, with it's political groups; secondly, along on a social level, with it's imperial castes. Each power bloc has is own goals, affiliation and tools to influence imperial politics. On the vertical axis — along provinces and the royal heirs — can the Empire be generally divided into five blocs of opinions, each shaped by one of the heirs and most prevalent in that House's home regions.^[1] Those mold the political groups, which articulate a large part of the imperial politics. On a social level — along the imperial castes — can the Empire be as well divided into several blocs. Those imperial castes have strict rules and and traditions, which also shapes the imperial landscape. Visitors to the empire should understand that those groups aren't mostly made of people which have by choice associating oneself with a political group. It is more the case that the hierarchical feudal system — with it's alliances and the castes — bounds you to a certain bloc. Within the capsuleer class are those boundaries not the same and a "free" align to a certain group is more likely.

Political Groups

The Empire has several political groups, which are mostly affiliate with one of the royal families or vise versa. As for the latter, a strong case can be made, that it is the families which are the main actors in the political system; and therefore the actual political group. Nevertheless, the resulting image would be the same: Five main political groups and two political circles. Those two political circles are result of the empires history, more precisely the Moral Reforms. Which transferred the power of the Council of Apostles to the Emperor and the newly formed Privy Council.^[2] One side believes in the old ways, as the other side wants even a stronger central power.

The main political groups are the:

• Conservatives & Reclaimers
• Diplomats & Neo Reclaimers
• Liberals
• Orthodox
• Traditionalists

, also the:

• Theocrats
• Unionists

Imperial Castes

The imperial castes are social groups, which are constrained by law (privileges and/or disadvantages) and clearly separated from each other. Their rights and privileges, which shapes greatly their political goals, are subject of imperial politics. On the top of the caste pyramid^[3] stands the emperor, followed by the royal families^[4], and holders^[5]. On the next level are the vast majority of people, the commoners; which can wildly range in their wealth, influence and power. The clergy stands in the same time in and out side this order. Visitors will find very powerful clerics (Speakers of Truth), which can share almost as much, or at times even more, power as the royalty;^[6] and Apostle's Clerics with the same prestige, but with no real political power, as well as lower clerics with almost no influence.

Institutions

The entrenched imperial institutions exercise a form of checks-and-balances^[7] for the semi-feudal governing system.^[8] That makes local and imperial institutions alike a target for advocacy groups, as those groups try to influence public opinion and/or policy. It should be noted, that for the successes any generally binding decisions in the overall archaic and bureaucratic system^[9], a fundamental harmony of the group interests towards other groups (Royal Families/Political Groups, Imperial Caste) and the general society is needed. A major requirement is therefore modesty in the political goals and claims, as large alliances are necessary to meet and fulfill political decisions.

The old saying, "Institutions don't act, only individuals in institution", is also true for the Empire. Most visible is it in the full Privy Council. Where representatives of institutions affiliated with other political groups and individuals.

Heretics

The Empire has some illegal political and religious sekts, the most infamous ones are: The Athran Brotherhood, Equilibrium of Mankind, Sani Sabik; and the gruesome Sani Sabik cult: The Blood Raiders; as well as active agitators of a sixth symbol.^[10]

See Also

• Amarr Empire
• Baselining. Amarr Empire
• Demographics of the Amarr Empire
• Economy of the Amarr Empire
• Government of the Amarr Empire
• Khanid Kingdom
• Khanid Unionists

References