Vilani post-1st Imperium ~ Japanese after WWII?

[mjk1093]

I've always imagined the Vilani - at least in the 3I - as a lot like the modern Japanese. I doubt a culture as rigid as the Vilani are often portrayed could survive for long as an interstellar power. (In the 1I, when the Vilani ran the show all by themselves, things might have been different.)

Consider the parallels: An ancient, tradition-bound culture, infused with respect for authority and procedure, loses a vast war to a young, upstart race it regarded as inferior. Afterwards, it turns its attention to economic empire instead while enduring a great deal of culture shock and forced change.

My Vilani still respect tradition and authority, but also innovation and new ways of thinking and seeing, especially in the arts and high tech fields. They lag in basic science but are unmatched at applying what others discover to profitable products. The bureaux are not rigid bureaucracies kept alive by political power and noble patronage - but lean, mean money-making machines. Otherwise, how would they have survived Solomani domination, the Long Night, etc.? Smaller corporations dread the day that Naasirka or Sharushid invade their markets.

Thoughts?

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

Interesting....

On the other hand I kinda had the impression they understand better than the Solomani that some things really are better left alone, cataloged of course but then left alone....

 

[Maladominus]

I've always imagined the Vilani - at least in the 3I - as a lot like the modern Japanese. I doubt a culture as rigid as the Vilani are often portrayed could survive for long as an interstellar power. (In the 1I, when the Vilani ran the show all by themselves, things might have been different.)

Consider the parallels: An ancient, tradition-bound culture, infused with respect for authority and procedure, loses a vast war to a young, upstart race it regarded as inferior. Afterwards, it turns its attention to economic empire instead while enduring a great deal of culture shock and forced change.

My Vilani still respect tradition and authority, but also innovation and new ways of thinking and seeing, especially in the arts and high tech fields. They lag in basic science but are unmatched at applying what others discover to profitable products. The bureaux are not rigid bureaucracies kept alive by political power and noble patronage - but lean, mean money-making machines. Otherwise, how would they have survived Solomani domination, the Long Night, etc.? Smaller corporations dread the day that Naasirka or Sharushid invade their markets.

Thoughts?

You want thoughts? Alright here you go.

Douglas MacArthur = Conqueror of the Japanese Empire, benevolent Protector afterwards

[MacArthur treated the conquered Japanese with respect, and worked to rebuild their shattered post-war nation]

Admiral Hiroshi Estigarribia = Conqueror of the Vilani People, benevolent Protector afterwards

[Estigarribia treated the conquered Vilani with respect, and worked to assimilate them into the Rule of Man]


Douglas MacArthur =====> Hiroshi Estigarribia

 

[Maladominus]

As an addendum to my (provocative) comparison above... I also have a question.

OK, so MacArthur made sure that after Japan was defeated, MacArthur insisted that the Japanese Monarchy not be abolished, and that the symbolic title of the Japanese Emperor be kept. (but no longer divine)

Now, turning to the Estigarribia.... when his victorious Terran Navy crushed the Vilani Imperium, does anyone know if he abolished the traditions of Vilani Nobility?

Curious.

 

[kafka47]

From what I recall in the various documents that have circulated about the Rule of Man...he did not so much abolish local nobles just allowed them previleged access to Terran administrators (usually young Terran Naval Officers). By breaking up the caste system, however, in favor of individualism, he openned up the nobility for Terrans to become the new aristocracy.

I see the Terrans playing the role of the bourgeosie after the defeat of the English Revolution or the Napoleonic era and whilst Estigarribia was no Bonoparte but his successors were.

 

[robject]

As an addendum to my (provocative) comparison above... I also have a question.

OK, so MacArthur made sure that after Japan was defeated, MacArthur insisted that the Japanese Monarchy not be abolished, and that the symbolic title of the Japanese Emperor be kept. (but no longer divine)

Now, turning to the Estigarribia.... when his victorious Terran Navy crushed the Vilani Imperium, does anyone know if he abolished the traditions of Vilani Nobility?

Curious.

I know, partly. He initially suspended the position of Emperor, although it seems as if Estigarribia became the de facto emperor. But civil structures were retained... I've got a copy of the Instrument of Surrender right here... (rustling of papers)...

Transmission begins... text emphasis mine.

Here's a text to translate! I envision an interlineal presentation. And this
becomes the founding document of the Second Empire.

The Instrument of Surrender of the Vilani Empire. To Admiral Estigarribia.

***************************
This Instrument Records That:

The Most High Command of the Vilani Empire surrenders all Vilani Armed
Forces to Admiral Hiroshii Estigarribia, Supreme Commander of the Allied
Armed Fleets and Forces of the Terran Confederation. This surrender includes
all Vilani space, interface, air, and surface forces, including
para-military, self-defense, and civil armed forces.

The office of the Emperor is suspended. All oaths are assigned to the
Supreme Commander until they are renewed. Violation of oath is a breach of
this Instrument and invokes disgrace and distrust.

Civil authority shall continue to function under existing laws and
procedures, subject to instruction and direction by official representatives
of the Supreme Commander.

The Supreme Commander gives a solemn assurance that personnel who surrender
shall be treated with dignity and respect. Officers are permitted to retain
their sidearms after executing an oath of fealty. Soldiers and spacers are
permitted to retain their edged weapons after executing an act of fealty.

This Instrument of Surrender is executed simultaneously in Anglic and
Vilani. The Anglic text is authoritative. The final interpretive authority
of the text of this instrument shall be Admiral Hiroshii Estigarribia or his
designee.


********************

Kisekhii sazashima mekhake:

Kiksiigurna kadug lakaamash bilanidingim iirgi baasa bilanidin ka Esdigarribia
Khiraashii lakaamash, iirgi lakaamash baasa kaanpederadiin derranin. Lemmugaari
siigsurash iirgi baasa bilanidin shishak in sugaadak in kaniisak in shirikak.
Lemmugari siigsurash iirgi baasa bilanidin nekak in daakak in gubarak.

Kiluuru shikashek karunak. Kimimaarzishar namerimgim baasa ka kadug lakaamash
nikshugibilakiig. Sazashima kikshegar lu nikshegazush anamerimingim
nikniduuramidur baakek in dulagamek.

Ukaazuii urusham ka aadlii maragiimkhu in gimishgaar nimdamshauu kaamar in
kamshar ka guzulaniig addushar baasa lakaamashin.

Mikag amarnar lakaamash kaduggim gaaksaii peshiir lu siigsurask iirbad in
shisad. Akkharna shumelam dadakar ka amzabar lu nikdan amiirim. Akkharna
shudiir dadakar ke pesham in pishekkha lu nikdan amiirim.

Lupaashad kimdanim siigsurash sasisadum ka angilikiin in bilanidin. Diimzilar
sasisadum angilikiin. Khii muurzuka sasisadum medarzamin lakaamash Esdigarribia
Khiraashii in lu legaash.