More follow-up... I doubt the interplay of the Caldari factions is so simple as to be condensed into left-right politics, but that is one way to get a quick look at where the elements of State society stand.
Gurista -«- Disassociated -«- Liberal -«- Practical -»- Patriot -»- Provist -»- Dragonaur- Organized crime underworld of Caldari society
- Effectively an outlaw ninth megacorp
- Willing to do almost anything for financial gain
Founded by the charismatic Fatal and technically-minded Rabbit, the Guristas Pirates are a professional and highly-organized outfit operating out of their home region Venal. Unlike other rogue factions, the Guristas are traditional pirates in the sense that their operation is not based around some creed or convoluted ideology, but rather plain and simple greed. The Guristas have bases close to Caldari space and from them they embark on daring raids, often into the State itself. Though they are considered more honorable than many of their counterparts, they are still extremely dangerous and not to be interfered with.
The Guristas often take over ruins in deadspace pockets, creating civilian-staffed mining colonies they protect with spaceship fleets and defense turrets. The Guristas are apparently willing to pay for revenge against capsuleers and others who destroy any civilian mining colonies under their protection. The Guristas also control a notable share of the “grey market” smuggling of competing products into megacorporate enclaves in the Caldari State. They also run one of the largest illegal currency exchanges of Caldari corporate scrip.
Disassociated- Individuals and corporations that have fallen from favor
- By no means incompetent
- Live and work on the fringes and in the shadows of society
- Politically disenfranchised, their corporations having little or no pull
- While unappreciated, a vital part of the State's economy
Standing outside the traditional power structures are two distinct groups of Caldari who together make up the "disassociated." The first group is composed of those who've fallen off the bottom rung of the megacorp ladder. While they retain their citizenship, in practice these few people simply fall through the cracks between the megacorps and have essentially disappeared from the system, usually permanently. The second group includes those who've found themselves moving between two or three different corporations—usually upper-middle management transferred between corporations in a giant game of pass-the-personnel—and who have in the process realized quite how thoroughly indoctrinated the average employee is.
Those from the first group tend to take part on some level in the criminal underworld, while those from the second often end up doing very well in non-standard careers or in unlikely places within the corporate structure, united solely by their lack of adherence to any franchised corporate ideology. Their opinions as a result are incredibly diverse, and as long as this discreteness remains the case (and their membership stays as small as it traditionally is), they'll continue to exert little significant pressure on State affairs.
Liberal- Politically progressive, preferring incremental change
- Least militaristic of the main blocs, but still quite well-equipped
- Policy of multilateralism in foreign policy: the State should coordinate policies with other nations
- Economic success through fair dealing
- Supports fair trade and economic interdependence
Comprised of the Hyasyoda Corporation and Ishukone Corporation, the Liberals bloc believes in the principles of free trade and generally cooperative relations with foreign powers. They are the strongest supporters of CONCORD in the Caldari State and strive to create a world where there are no barriers to trade and free-flow of goods. They believe in trade deals that mutually benefit the participants and think the empires can come together in a peaceful, prosperous future world only through cooperation. Their strong position within CONCORD is accentuated by their belief that it is their main vehicle in promoting universal peace and stability so that trade can flow freely and cultures mingle peacefully.
The Liberals found themselves in a severely weakened position following the death of Otro Gariushi and the undermining of CONCORD authority by the Minmatar Elders. Espousing fair treatment for all, both within the State and without, they're somewhat ambivalent about recent events; though disquieted by the sneak attack against the Gallente and the atrocities that surrounded it, they recognize that it would be unwise to criticize Heth's actions publicly—and though they prefer not to admit it, they too have been invigorated by the State's recent military victories.
Overall, then, the Liberals are ambivalent when it comes to the Heth question. While they disapprove of his methods, many of his stated ideals resonate strongly with the faction. They're waiting to see what happens before deciding which side to come down on, but regardless, they are prepared to take decisive action to prevent their own goals from being subverted.
Practical- Politically static, preferring stability over anything else as it is best for business
- Policy of non-interventionism in foreign policy: the State should stick to its own affairs
- Supports favorably imbalanced trade or free trade, which makes it all the easier to exploit foreign markets
The Sukuuvestaa Corporation, CBD Corporation, and Nugoeihuvi Corporation between them make up the Practical faction, which cares little for limiting concepts like ethics. Heading the faction is the huge Sukuuvestaa Corporation, or the SuVee, as it is commonly known, one of the oldest Caldari corporations and matched only by the Kaalakiota Corporation in size. These so-called exploiters have carried a reputation for practicing unethical business tactics for a long time, as well as being frequently associated with organized crime elements. The practicals see the other empires merely as naïve markets ready to be exploited by unrestricted and ruthless trade where everything goes. The Protein Delicacy episode serves as a good example of what kind of business these companies want. They care little about who is a friend with whom and even less about what long-term political ramifications their unscrupulous business practices can have. They are mercantilist in their views on trade, believing that profit for one always means loss for another.
Generally the most pro-Heth of the three political groups, the Practicals appreciate the new opportunities he's delivered, and while being forced to cede political control to his Providence Directorate is not a slight that they will easily forgive or forget, they're generally prepared to play along with him for as long as his actions remain productive. They're fully aware, though, that this state of affairs won't last forever, and they're quietly assembling plans to ensure that when he is brought down, the Practicals won't find themselves hamstrung by the other corporations. If in the end they have to topple Heth themselves, then that's what they'll do. In the meantime, they're content to beat the war-drums and use the fighting as a cover for their other activities.
Patriot- Politically conservative, preferring to maintain the status quo
- Most militant of the main blocs
- Policy of interventionism in foreign affairs: the State should exert power
- Supports autarky, or economic self-sufficiency, for the State
- Economically protectionist
Generally regarded as the most powerful faction, the Patriots are an alliance of Lai Dai Corporation, Wiyrkomi Corporation, and the mighty Kaalakiota Corporation, who between them and their subsidiaries possess capabilities rivaling those of the other two Caldari political factions combined. They are genuinely patriotic and extremely proud, less concerned with trade and more with the position of the Caldari politically and militarily in the international community.
The Patriots cultivate the Caldari heritage, reminisce about the great Raata Empire of old and long wept for their lost home world, Caldari Prime. The majority sees economical dominance in the world only as a tool to promote military power. A small minority called for a renewed war with the Gallente prior to YC110, but before the actual outbreak of war, the Patriots were willing to negotiate alternative ways to acquire Caldari Prime. They felt that they could only see their dream come true by convincing the Federation of the economical and, most importantly, militaristic superiority of the Caldari State, and this is what they strove for.
Caldari superiority, both militarily and economically, is still the chief concern of the Patriots. However, that rather jingoistic pride has been mortally injured by Tibus Heth's politically vicious rise. As a result, they generally refuse to admit, even to each other, that many of the things Heth has done are exactly what they themselves have wanted to do all along. While the wounds are still too fresh for them to feel anything but hatred for him, they realize that to defy him openly would harm the State (and their dominant position within it) immeasurably, so for now they play along with him and pretend (as much to themselves as to anyone else) that they're not immensely enjoying giving the Gallente a black eye.
Provist- Politically radical, willing to take drastic steps to affect change quickly
- Implemented a system of centralized political power by creating the CPD
- Founded on pure meritocratic ideals
The Caldari Providence Directorate is a gendarmerie founded by Tibus Heth shortly after the launch of his successful coup against the Caldari Constructions Corporation. It was initially manned by Caldari Constructions workers loyal to Heth. Templis Dragonaurs were secretly appointed as the agency's officers and were responsible for providing State-wide internal security and running Heth's anti-Gallente/Caldari supremacy propaganda campaign. Noted for their physical perfection and trademark dark blue uniforms, these men and women were nicknamed Provists by the Caldari population.
Templis Dragonaurs- Dangerous political reactionaries
- Highly dedicated group willing to conduct terrorist acts
- Undertones of Caldari racial superiority
The Templis Dragonaurs are an ultra-nationalist Caldari terrorist organization whose origins date back to the Tikiona States. They are easily the most anti-Gallente political entity in New Eden. The organization was secretly involved in the destruction of Nouvelle Rouvenor. Tibus Heth was supposedly a member for six years, although his involvement was never officially proven.
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Topic: [Draft] Caldari Corporate and State Structure (Read 16233 times)