An essay

[Tiberius Anar]

An OOC introduction:

One year ago I inflicted Tiberius Anar upon the Star Wars Glaxay. Since then I have come to know him very well. He may be a lying, conniving, cheating, stealing and murdering son of a gundark but he has grown on me. I hope he has grown on some of you, too.

What follows is my attempt to write as Anar on a topic important to him. This essay lays out his ideas on the state and the best way to conduct the business of government.

[Tiberius Anar]

IC:

Tiberius Drusus Nero Anar

“On Government and the State”

Originally published by the University Press, Esseles.

Reproduced by the Imperial Ministry of Propaganda

CHAPTER ONE
THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT

The vast majority of beings in the Galaxy are social creatures who seek out others of their kind so that they can survive. Even those who deviate from this pattern are reliant upon others for a great many of life’s essentials. They are, therefore, part of some kind of community- be it a village, town, city, planet, star system, sector or galaxy.

Unfortunately, the natural tendency of all beings is towards evil in the form of self-interest, greed and violence. They are drawn towards these things by nature and, if allowed behave as nature dictates, would destroy each other. And in so doing would destroy their community.

So we are faced with dilemma. Beings will be drawn together as a community for their needs, but those same needs will drive them to destroy the community thus destroying themselves. A solution to this dilemma is needed and that solution is government.

Only government can save communities by turning them into societies in which a code of behaviour is adhered to and laws control the behaviour of the members of that society. Only government can succeed in suppressing the evil tendencies that would destroy everything. The role of government, in short, is to create order.

CHAPTER TWO
THE MANY KINDS OF GOVERNMENT

There are many kinds of government. The they are as many and varied as the stars that fill the skies, as many as the worlds known to us, as many as the species that populate them. But one can safely say that they are all variations on one of five basic kinds.

They may be autocracies ruled over by one being, oligarchies ruled by a few beings, democracies ruled by the many, republics ruled by their representatives and monarchies ruled by a long line of rulers. The greatest of the governments that have been known to us in these times have been the republics, Old and New, and the autocracy of the Galactic Empire.

CHAPTER THREE
OF THE GREAT REPUBLICS, THE OLD AND THE NEW

We have known two republics in recent times, both of which have had dominion over great swathes of the Galaxy. The earlier of the two great republics, known commonly as the Old Republic, ruled over the majority of the known regions, and as we all know fell into corruption and indecision growing in weakness to the point of its collapse.

This is the natural course of all republics. As they grow larger and more prosperous, so their problems multiply. The great republics have encompassed a multitude of worlds and, with them, a multitude of species. It is this that brought the Old Republic to its knees, the diversity of its people and their influence over the affairs of state, brought indecision that crippled the government. The same shall inevitably occur in the affairs of the current “New Republic”.

Already we see the strife caused by diverse interests multiplying within the borders of this leviathan. It shall no doubt fail because of these and go the same way as the Old Republic.

CHAPTER FOUR
OF THE LESSER REPUBLICS

Whilst the great republic that once ruled over so much of the Galaxy was destroyed by its very nature, and its successor will fall for the same reason, there are republics that have lasted, and will last, far longer and will face fewer problems than they. These are the lesser republics that, by virtue of their smaller size, eliminate the problems of the great republics.

For within a lesser republic there is less diversity of interest to divide its citizens and far more shared interest that serves to unite them. These republics are composed of a handful of systems, and few different species and so do not have to contend with the strife cause by size and diversity that tears at larger states of the same model.

These are the best republics because they are internally stable. They are thus able to concentrate their efforts outwards and unite around common goals. They are, therefore, better able to survive in the chaos of the Galaxy.


CHAPTER FIVE
OF THE LIMITS OF REPUBLICS AND THEIR PLACE

Whilst the lesser republic may be able to better survive the chaos of the Galaxy, they are extremely limited by their nature. The diversity of thought and purpose that plague even small republics mean that they will inevitable face internal strife.

Furthermore this disunion of thought and purpose is disastrous to the cause of good government. The government of a republic is bound to obey the will of the people, and this prevents them from doing what is right and proper since the people can be blinded to the best path by their own fears, beliefs and self-interest. A government based upon the principle of democracy or representation will simply serve the selfish interests of the people and not the interests of the state as a whole.

These limits on republican governments make them wholly unsuitable to rule over anything greater in size than a sector. The diversity of the ideas guiding them leads to indecision that, on the Galactic level, leads to chaos.

CHAPTER SIX
OF THE ALTERNATIVES TO REPUBLICS

I have said that Republics are unsuitable to govern the Galaxy as a whole, so what then should rule in their place? There are many alternatives, most of which offer the stability and order that the galaxy craves, but I would choose none of these. The existing systems of government to be found in this galaxy are sufficient for the purpose of maintaining stability and some degree of order, but they are incapable of defending it against a concerted attack and they are wholly unsuitable for the purpose of imposing order on the Galaxy.

A system must be developed in which order may be imposed, maintained and defended with relative ease. It must embody the best traits of the best forms of government- autocracy, oligarchy and monarchy. I propose to outline such a system in the following chapters.

CHAPTER SEVEN
THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE ABSOLUTE POWER

The absolute power of government over all matters must be the foundation of the perfect system. A government with limits upon its power, of whatever kind, is a weak government, for these limits prevent it from certain actions that might be necessary. This, in turn, leads to chaos and disorder.

The powers of government- legislative, executive and judicial- must be without limit. No area may be left beyond the influence of the government, nor can anything act to check that power except the government itself.

The power of the government, then, must beyond challenge. It must have absolute and unquestionable authority over all things- including the people- only then can government ensure that the correct path is followed.

CHAPTER EIGHT
THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE ABLE TO IMPOSE ITS WILL

Nothing should be permitted to frustrate the will of the government. There must be no obstacle to the imposition of that will or anything that might prevent the will of the government being implemented. If the government cannot act freely it cannot achieve its noble ends.

The greatest threat to the free action of the government is this. There has been a growing tendency in recent years to refer to the rights of individuals, to speak of inalienable and intrinsic rights that cannot be infringed upon. Such ideas have been put into practice in the Republic that presently purports to be the legitimate galactic government and with disastrous consequences. The slavish devotion of the republican government to the concept of rights has prevented them from averting various crises over the years.

Whilst the author believes that the beings of the Galaxy may have some rights, it seems foolhardy for a government to shackle itself to them when they can cause difficulties. An over zealous regard for rights prevents governments from taking the correct course of action. Such restrictions have terrible consequences, not only for the government, but also for the person that rights are supposed to protect.

In light of this fact, it is necessary for the government to be able to exert absolute authority over all those in its care. It is unfortunately true that those people may not accept the authority of the government to intervene, and where is this occurs the government must impose its will. This is often detrimental to the political image of a government but, in the interests of the people and good order, such superficial concerns must be set aside.

CHAPTER NINE
POWER MUST BE CONCENTRATED IN ONE OFFICE

If government possess absolute power and may impose its will in all matters, it must also exercise this power in a consistent manner. The only way to ensure that this is the case is to concentrate all the power of government in one office; the holder of which has complete freedom to exercise that power. Since no other office possesses authority of its own or is equal to this supreme office, there can be no orders issued that contradict those that emanate from the supreme office.

This ensures first: clarity of command. If one office alone possesses authority then it clear from where instructions to the organs of state emanate. It is also clear where responsibility lies, thus preventing the buck-passing that plagues governments with dual authorities. Second this arrangement ensures that government works in a single direction- that dictated by the supreme office. Third the lack of any other authority eliminates the potential for challenges to the direction being taken by the government.

CHAPTER TEN
ON THE PERSON OF THE HEAD OF STATE

It is then necessary to consider the nature of the holder of the supreme office (who shall be called Head of State for convenience). The arrangements thus far described mean that the Head of State will be of great importance to the functioning of government and have considerable power- since the office, by the very nature of the government that I describe, would be one of supreme power with no limits placed upon it. The nature, then, of the Head of State is of vital importance.

The person who occupies that office must be one of the most upright nature. A being of noble purpose, of character, of judgement and wisdom. Above all they must be a being possessed of a sureness of purpose. For hesitation in the holder of such absolute power would be disastrous for the state over which that power is wielded.

The Head of State cannot simply be anyone. Their selection and elevation must be earned by skill and ability and by display of the qualities listed above. It is perhaps best to say that they would achieve their own elevation, and in so doing prove their worth.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
ON THE CONDUCT OF THE HEAD OF STATE

The Head of State, by whatever title they are known, and whoever they may be must conduct themselves in a manner that is befitting of the office to which they have been elevated. They cannot be seen to be weak or indecisive, nor must they be perceived to be to be foolish or lacking in judgement. Such an image, whether it encompasses one or all of these lamentable qualities, will resonate in the minds of those who are under the Head of State’s authority and in the minds of those who are not and with whom they must deal. It would not do well to be perceived as weak or foolish by a foreign leader.

To that end the conduct of the head of state in public must be impeccable, as it should be in private. For invariably among those around the Head of State who are privy to his private conduct, there will be one or two who are loose tongued. Such beings are unavoidable for they are usually of great use to a leader, but their presence must always be borne in mind.

It must be remembered that even a being who is the epitome of the sort that I described earlier, can be seen to be something else. Therefore even the most upstanding Head of State should exercise care in their public and private conduct.

CHAPTER TWELVE
ON MINISTERS AND OTHER SUBORDINATES

Such is the nature of the modern state that one being alone cannot possible hope to carry on its business alone. A Head of State, no matter how remarkable their talents, will require advice and assistance in fulfilling their noble task. Such people may be called Ministers, although their titles will no doubt vary in reality.

Ministers form an integral part of any government, but within ideal government that I seek to describe, they are more integral still. For in those other governments that I have earlier described Ministers are often beings with their own “authority” derived from the people by election or some similar process. In the state I describe that cannot be for all authority and power rests with the Head of State and only from that office can lesser posts derive authority. As such the Ministers are more vital, because they must act as channels through which the will of the Head of State can be implemented and exercise judgement on their behalf, in accordance with the will expressed.

Ministers, therefore, must be beings of similar character to the Head of State. They must embody the same qualities of noble purpose, of character, of judgement and wisdom and others in addition. They must be loyal and obedient to the one they serve. They must possess skills that they can employ in the service of that one, and do so with confidence. They must be, as I have suggested in the preceding chapter, discrete (although this may not always be possible for beings of talent are often lamentable flawed).

The selection of these Ministers will be by the Head of State and they must be chosen carefully. For a poor Minister will reflect poorly upon the Head of State and be of little use to them.

In their personal conduct- both public and private- Ministers must display the same fastidious concern as the Head of State. Indeed they must be more acutely aware of their conduct, for it must always be in line with that of the Head of State who sets all patterns in government.

Among those Ministers who are closest to the Head of State their should be at least one who may express views contrary to that of the Head of State, not because they lack respect for their superior, but because they are independent of mind and spirit and truly similar to the Head of State. Their contrary words are spoken in order to serve the Head of State by offering thoughts that had not occurred before and as a sounding board they are invaluable. If such a being can be found then they must be brought into the closest circles of government and encouraged to render their opinion.

If no such being can be found, or if the only being found who acts in this way does not submit when told to do so, then the Head of State shall be better advised to rely upon their own judgement. For in all matters the Head of State must have the final word and all who serve them must respect that word.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ON THE ROLE OF EXPERTS AND ADVICE

It is beyond the capacity of any being to master all skills or to assimilate all knowledge. Even a lifetime spent in the best of academic institutions cannot provide a being with everything they need to know. In government this is particularly true, since the range of matters that the modern government must deal with is enormous.

Those with power in a government must be aware of the limitations of their knowledge and compensate accordingly. This is best done by employing experts who may offer informed advice on those matters that are unknown.

These experts, like Ministers, must possess genuine skill and be able to render a truthful opinion. This latter is even more important in the Expert than in the Minister for the Expert may often be faced with one who knows little or nothing of a matter. They must be willing to answer truthfully any question put to them, regardless of the possible consequences.

There should, however, be no consequences (although the nature of beings means that is likely there will be). Those seeking the advice of an Expert must be willing to hear that advice and accept it. Not to do so would be as foolish as ignoring the advice of a physician and despite having no knowledge of medicine claiming to know better than the expert.

However, the one accepting advice must use the information provided as they see fit. It is only fitting that this should be the case since it is they and not the expert who is responsible for what results. It would be a foolish being who completely ignored the advice of an Expert. But it would be more foolish being still, who permitted the decision to be made by one without authority.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ON WHEN SUBORDINATES AND EXPERTS SHOULD HAVE AUTHORITY AND TO WHAT EXTENT IT SHOULD BE GRANTED

This said, there are circumstances under which subordinates and experts should hold some measure of authority. These circumstances are as follows: when authority is necessary for the subordinate to fulfil the task allotted to them; when the Head of State must delegate a task due to lack of time or opportunity; when the Head of State lacks specialist knowledge; when it is expedient and efficient to do so.

Thus if a subordinate is assigned to bring order to a planet, they must have the authority to achieve this end. It would be pointless to send one who has no authority to order law-enforcement agents to enforce law, or lacks the authority to deploy force to command troops or one who lacks authority to speak for the government to negotiate on its behalf. Therefore authority should be granted to match the task.

Authority should never be granted that does not relate to the task assigned. It is first impractical and unnecessary. A Minister responsible for taxation needs only the authority to compel people to pay their taxes. They do not need the additional authority to sink mines as well. Additional authority creates only conflict with those whose task it is to sink mines and this leads to a disturbance of order, which is detrimental to the work of government.

Second the allotment of superfluous authority is dangerous. It allows a being who may be unsuited to it to enjoy too much authority. It encourages independence of action that may be contrary to the will of the Head of State and it creates the possibility of contradictory orders being issued.

Authority, therefore, must be granted sparingly and on strict terms.


CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT

I have said already that the people under the government I describe would possess no intrinsic rights. This remains true, but the government does have a responsibility to them.

The purpose of government is to create order so that society, and thus the people, may survive and prosper. This is the responsibility of government. It must seek always to protect the people, placing their preservation above all other considerations.

This is not to say, however, that the government has a responsibility to a person or persons. The responsibility is to the people as a whole and to the society to which they belong. The sacrifice of persons may be necessary to achieve this higher goal, and binding a government to protect every person would be to set a dangerous precedent whereby actions might be eliminated from consideration that would prove beneficial to society as a whole.

The people themselves must accept the responsibility of obeying the government. Whether they do so happily or not is of no concern. Although, if they are right-minded beings, they will do so happily for they know that the actions of government are taken in the interests of society and thus in their own interest. They must accept that the government is the best judge of society, and that personal interest must be subordinated to it. In exchange the guarantee of their own security and that of society, a goal to be sought by all right minded beings.

[Tiberius Anar]

OOC comments would be welcome if that is permitted here.