The politics of piracy

[Black Globe Generator]

A real-world example.

I found this thought-provoking from a Traveller's point-of-view.

 

[sid6.7]

interesting....

i also hadnt thought about it but
yeah the tsunami may have "cleaned up"
things for awhile at least...

one could also note that thier are
no REAL "frontiers" anymore either
so alot of youthful "energy" has no
where to go...

thank goodness we have TRAVELLER!

 

[aramis]

I've oft stated: The imperium has no reason to actuallly prevent piracy, only to appear to thwart piracy. But to thwart piracy, there needs to be the occasional, credible and real pirate attack.

 

[mike wightman]

I think certain Imperial nobles may actually sponsor pirates in their rival's area.
Megacorps do the same IMHO, calling it trade war amongst other things...

 

[Chuck Anumia]

I agree!
Then the Pirates can sell the original cargo back to the party it was stolen from for less money.
The big looser is the insurance company.

 

[Black Globe Generator]

Originally posted by General Johnnie Reb:
The big looser is the insurance company.

Which is why Hortalez et Cie underwrites pirate-hunting privateers IMTU.

 

[Ptah]

Originally posted by Sigg Oddra:
I think certain Imperial nobles may actually sponsor pirates in their rival's area.
Megacorps do the same IMHO, calling it trade war amongst other things...

Sir! These are not pirates but privateers, adn they are merely enforcing trade sanctions against rivals engaged in unfair competition.

I agree, at least for MTU.

 

[princelian]

Megacorps funding pirates to prey on their adversary megacorps - or perhaps on independents in the region... Hortalez et Cie underwriting pirate-hunters.... oh, the possibilities in those two posts!

 

[mike wightman]

Here's a link to an earlier idea:

http://www.travellerrpg.com/cgi-bin/Trav/CotI/Discuss/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000399;p=1#000000

 

[Lochlaber]

Don't forget that pirates have the additional problem in that they need someone to fence their goods for them, compared to a privateer who can sell their's fairly easily and legally. As for real life pirates, as I understand it now, most pirates kidnap for cash, rather than steal goods because they are either too bulky, they lack access to markets in which to sell thm and/or are afraid that they will be easily traced back to them. (Serial Numbers: Not just for fun anymore)

 

[kafka47]

Another way to look at pirates, is through the prism of Star Mercs gone rogue. Much as a Merc company is like a shark combing the Interstellar ocean for garbage and dealing with things that polite society usually does not discuss, it is bound within a particular ecology. However, every so often, when either markets dry up or that there is too much competition, the tempetation to bend the rules becomes easier. As the next step from bending the rules becomes to outright break them. And, there you have your pirates operating with a legit. front company able to acquire resources and transfer bounty through externalities.

 

[Black Globe Generator]

Originally posted by kafka47:
Another way to look at pirates, is through the prism of Star Mercs gone rogue. Much as a Merc company is like a shark combing the Interstellar ocean for garbage and dealing with things that polite society usually does not discuss, it is bound within a particular ecology. However, every so often, when either markets dry up or that there is too much competition, the tempetation to bend the rules becomes easier. As the next step from bending the rules becomes to outright break them. And, there you have your pirates operating with a legit. front company able to acquire resources and transfer bounty through externalities.

I described the same process from MTU in my mercenary ship names post: mercs may find themselves taking on jobs as pirate hunters, or simply turning pirate themselves, to get by - a merc may stake out an independent system beyond the Imperial border and prey on the ships from other polities to avoid the wrath of the Imperium, or they may look for cover under the wings of a megacorporation.

Keeping up the payments on a Broadsword-class ship requires a certain flexibility when it comes to paying the bills...

 

[Laryssa]

Aarg, vote for me, Cap'n Hook! Vote for me, the honest crook! Aarg!!

 

[mbrinkhues]

Originally posted by Lochlaber:
Don't forget that pirates have the additional problem in that they need someone to fence their goods for them, compared to a privateer who can sell their's fairly easily and legally. As for real life pirates, as I understand it now, most pirates kidnap for cash, rather than steal goods because they are either too bulky, they lack access to markets in which to sell thm and/or are afraid that they will be easily traced back to them. (Serial Numbers: Not just for fun anymore)

IMHO piracy in Traveller is more like the 17th-19th century. Where pirats could (almost) openly sail into the Harbor of a colony established by a European nation and sell their goods unless they could be traced to a ship of said nation. A few decades (and cases off tea) later that changed to "exspecially if they where of said nation"

The same happened with earlier European pirats. Störtebecker could sell his goods to non-Hanse cities and did. Yet he was no Privateer.

Traveller is similar with a number of less than friendly states on the Imperial borders (And it's borders where piracy blooms IMHO). I doubt the Sword Worlds will allow Imperial police officers to check cargo.

 

[Liam Devlin]

In defense of starmercs: Those who have gone rogue find themselves on the short end of the StarMerc stick when caught.

#1) Legal Star Merc's worked hard for their liscenses in the Imperium, and obeying the Imperial Laws of War.

#2). They (Star Mercs) do tend (if & when notified) police their own, bitterly. Going rogue as a StarMerc betrays a trust entitled to these groups since the 2nd Imperium.

References: GDW's MT Hard Times

 

[robject]

Originally posted by Lochlaber:
Don't forget that pirates have the additional problem in that they need someone to fence their goods for them, compared to a privateer who can sell their's fairly easily and legally. As for real life pirates, as I understand it now, most pirates kidnap for cash, rather than steal goods because they are either too bulky, they lack access to markets in which to sell thm and/or are afraid that they will be easily traced back to them. (Serial Numbers: Not just for fun anymore)

Fencing goods isn't a problem; it's an adventure hook!

And if all those small spacecraft IYTU aren't necessarily registered, then a pirate simply needs to nab one boat a year to fully fund his ops. The rest is gravy... or relocation expenses, more likely.