Question for the IISS

[Spyder_GS]

Is there a compiled list of star nations anywhere? Please note that I am not talking about individual worlds subordinate to a superior government.

For example, the Vargr Extents contain a large number of independent nations (unless I am mistaken) with allegiance to no overriding authority unlike the many worlds of the Imperium.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Flynn]

I hope this might be able to answer your question:
http://www.mu.org/~joe/traveller/archive/HIWG/allegance.codes.txt

Hope this helps,
Flynn

 

[Spyder_GS]

Thanks Flynn! That's perfect!

 

[kafka47]

I think that you are wrong about the Imperium. There are hundreds of micro-polities within the Imperium's borders but most have been subject to Imperial law, simply because it is easier than running a state of their own.

These are called client states although, I would prefer the term Pocket Empires, as it allows these states, in theory to withdraw any time.

I kinda view the Imperium as a gigantic form of the NATO alliance. All share common defense and free trade exists between all member states (Article 4). States may raise their own planetary/system forces a la France but expected to contribute to the overall defence of the realm when threatened.

The shared values have crystallized over time to form the social structure that is reproduced everywhere. After social status is just that. A rank within the larger society. The rank of Baron can equally apply to a democratically elected President as well as a heretitary monarch in the Traveller universe. Nobility is a trait of character and something bequeathed by an abstract system of social norms that keep the whole thing functioning.

As to a list of all System codes such a task would probably be impossible as it would vary significantly over time. As we have seen with Hard Times the disintergration of the Imperium only throws up new challenges, as worlds declare their independence and allegance whenever a faction's fleet is in the interstellar neighbourhood. Making any sort of attempt to catalog allegience codes more problematic than sifting through a Balkan teacup.

 

[Spyder_GS]

That's an interesting take on the Imperium. I always viewed it (and protrayed it in my game) as being closer to the United States where each state is separate, yet must adhere to federal laws. While the US constitution prohibits use of the military as domestic police, the Imperium does not and in fact routinely conducts internal operations when it deems necessary.

Once again, this applicable to MTU. How you run yours is up to you.

 

[kafka47]

The governance structure, I see the Imperium operating very much like the United States...in fact, it has been hinted at a few times in GDW sources that the Third Imperium is akin to the US.

But, as a daily operation, the Imperium would have to be looser. Otherwise, it would end up in a bureaucratic nightmare. Simply, put, the Imperium is a hegemonic order (in the Gramscian sense) that spans over a rather small portion of Chartered Space but exerts a far great influence in the lives of numerous citizens on countless planets without actually doing much about it.

 

[clementk]

Originally posted by kafka47:
I think that you are wrong about the Imperium. There are hundreds of micro-polities within the Imperium's borders but most have been subject to Imperial law, simply because it is easier than running a state of their own.

These are called client states although, I would prefer the term Pocket Empires, as it allows these states, in theory to withdraw any time.

Client states are seperate states under the influence of the Imperium but not a part of it. Some historical examples are the various Eastern kingdoms at the time of the late Roman Republic / Roman Empire some of whom never became part of the Empire* or the buffer (satellite) states during the Cold War. IMO the term Pocket Empires does not inherently imply patronage from a larger political unit so a Pocket Empire does not have to be a Client State.

I usually go along with the Imperium rules between the stars, 18th c. British Empire meets Austria / Roman Empire at some point in time view.

Casey

* just as not all Client States in the OTU become part of their Parent State over time

 

[Straybow]

NATO members don't pay taxes to NATO. Warsaw Pact members couldn't afford to pay, they were subsidized by the USSR (except maybe Hungary).

Member states pay taxes to the Imperium with cuts of taxes going to subsector and sector Duchies along the way. Polities spanning multiple systems below the sector Duchy level can be arranged any way they like.

 

[mike wightman]

NATO members don't pay taxes to NATO.

So NATO is self funding or funded through private donation?

That's news to me

Part of the military budget of NATO members is spent to maintain the NATO infrastructure. That money comes from taxes.
Who paid for the NATO troops in Bosnia etc.?
OK, your government can withdraw from NATO at any time, but while it's a member it has to pay

But I understand what you mean, NATO itself does not set the taxes, the contributing governments do so.

I wonder if Imperium member worlds can withdraw as easily?