(Untitled)

[col_kira_nerys]

Which is better, democracy or monarchy?I've seen few aristocracies of any sort that were sustainable in the long run. Sooner or later, those not born to power learn to resent it and rise up to take it. I suppose that there are probably exceptions in the universe, but no matter how imperfect a system may be where the leaders are chosen by popular

Comments

curious?

[legate_damar]

Out of curiosity did your people ever have an aristracy? Or a monarchy for that matter?

Re: curious?

[col_kira_nerys]

Not a monarchy as such, no. There are those who insist that we still have an aristocracy...that the children of important leaders and vedeks are more likely to receive certain promotions, to rise to provincial governorships...certainly that was worse in previous years. But I think the worst abuses came when the caste system was more rigidly in place. It was very closely tied to Bajoran religion, and there are certainly those who took advantage of it to sieze positions of leadership while forcing their rivals into jobs that would never permit them to become a threat.

What about Cardassia? Is the military a meritocracy?

Re: curious?

[legate_damar]

It was very closely tied to Bajoran religion, and there are certainly those who took advantage of it to sieze positions of leadership while forcing their rivals into jobs that would never permit them to become a threat.

You had a caste system as well? Was is set up as Warrior/Religious/Worker? Did all three have a ruling vote if you don't mind my asking or was it structured differently?

I think no matter what culture or race you are in there will always be someone who is out to bend the rules and distort the order established.

Our own political system was based loosely on this as well except of course the Union being the most prominent of the structures. However now that the Obsidian order is no longer in existance everything has become distorted. Perhaps that is a good thing, but sometimes I really don't know anymore. Its hard to break free from old traditions especially ones that have been in existance for over 200yrs.

Is the military a meritocracy?It is more so then other races. Generally titles are earned by reputation and

Re: curious?

[col_kira_nerys]

The d'jarras was much more comprehensive than a simple arrangement of warriors, priests and workers...it dictated the jobs that were to be available to each Bajoran, based on family titles. There was often caste-based discrimination and the system was largely abandoned, but there are still Bajorans -- notably, conservative vedeks -- who would like to bring it back. Benjamin Sisko thought that if that were to happen, it would make Bajor's admission to the Federation impossible.

I was unaware that the Obsidian Order operated in Cardassian civil society as well as among the military and politicians. Tell me, do you believe that the Order would try to reform, even after being decimated by the Dominion?