Quote:
Originally Posted by whswhs
Actually, I have been struck in the past by the impression that Plato is actually describing a libertarian society. He gives a lucid explanation of the social surplus from trade (a point that Aristotle never figured out, with his "just price" idea); he points out that the wealth it generates will make a community a target for invaders and brigands, and that it will need protectors; and he asks how those protectors are to be prevented from using their power to advance their own private interests at the expense of the people they protect, and argues that the only really workable method is to have them lead lives devoid of private interests. Thus, they may not own property, and men may not know who their children are.
I know, it's not remotely like the usual readings. But it's kind of like Heinlein's Space Cadet, where the three space services are defined in terms reminiscent of Plato's guardians, auxiliaries, and commoners, and where the motto of the Patrol is Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Bill Stoddard
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Which, if you'll allow me to dance little sidestep, cut a little swathe and lead the people on; brings us back to
FLAT BLACK.
The Imperial solution to this perennial solution is similar, but influenced by the particular technological projection for the setting. Imperials generally do not accumulate property; being fed, housed and equipped at the expense of the Empire and receiving a modest salary for which they usually have little use. They do have children, but the children are raised at least partly in Imperial crechés where they are indoctrinated as the selfless, ruthless philanthropists that the Empire wants.
The key difference is that there is no serious attempt to remove the external temptations that lead men to corruption and selfish acts. Instead, the internal motivations that make men suspectible to such temptations are bred out, selected against and quite literally replaced with The Right Stuff, the mental state which makes someone an ideal Imperial.
This procedure does not have a 100% success rate. Not all children born to Imperials have The Right Stuff. Most have a compatible temperament and motivations, but not the awesome detachment and moral courage which is needed to bear the responsibilities of high Imperial office. The Empire can use all the honourable and dedicated people they can get, finding places for them where they will never be faced with a decision where they might need to sacrifice thousands to save millions. Some, a very few, but some, emerge from the crechés still incapable of discharging any sort of responsibility. Those are found some unimportant jobs to do in order to keep them busy, fed and content.
Colonial recruits make up about half of their numbers and even though most colonies are parochial to the extent of being almost ignorant of the Empire and inclined to be resentful of it when they do remember it, there are still people out there in agreement with the aims of the Empire or at least compatible enough with them to qualify. Mostly, colonials get assigned to parts of the Imperial Service where they may serve but not influence policy too much, but there are those exceptional individuals who naturally develop into the kind of selfless servant of humanity that the Empire treasures.