Isidoro Playero On Merit And Stratification

[Mad_Gadfly]

An essay by Isidoro Playero
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The case Regalian State vs. Harhold of this year and the Regalian Judiciary's verdict on the alleged co-conspirators is of great significance to the legal history of the Empire. I will not speak towards the effect of the aforenamed trial's precedent, as it remains to be seen how future treason trials will proceed. However, what I find of particular interest the effect of the Judiciary's verdict in Regalian State vs. Marienritter Order. In this particular case, the Judiciary subjected those found guilty of treason to indefinite indentured servitude to the office of the Chancellor. This is interesting because under the Regalian slave laws prohibit the enslavement of Ailor, which the defendants were, but allows Ailor to enter indentured service instead if they do so willingly. The precedent effectively establishes that the Judiciary may subject Ailor to indentured service even if they are unwilling to do so, and a more radical interpretation of the precedent would imply that Ailor are protected from slavery except as a punishment for a crime.

Ultimately, this made me think deeply about the status of the Lesser Races and even the non-noble, non-aristocratic classes in Regalian society. We have witnessed how the Regalian Judiciary may effectively make unwilling servants or slaves out of criminal Ailor, how Lord Chancellors have changed the civil status of Lesser Races to strip them of all rights, and how His Imperial Holiness has demoted nobility to titles of less prestige. If it is true that individuals of any race and title may be stripped of rights and titles for wrongful actions, then it must also be true that individuals may be granted more privileges and higher ranks as a result of righteous actions. Effectively, this proves that merit offers all people the opportunity to transcend the otherwise rigid strata of our society.

I have written in the past about how the experiences of the Lesser Races are a necessary part of their redemption in the eyes of the Imperial Spirit, and how this justifies their lower status in the eyes of the law. However, we must be careful not to forget the existence of the opportunity of redemption. The redemption of Lesser Races is a testament to the ever-present possibility of transcendence to better standing as a result of merit. While it may be true that Lesser Races may have to carry the added burden of their experience as Lesser Races, this is not to say that the Lesser Races may never achieve merit equal to their Human counterparts if they lead a life of service through what they are experts in. This with the promise that they will be reborn as Human once redeemed.

It is remarkable that this is not only true with regard to race but that it is also true with regard to class. There is no reason for commoners to withhold their expertise in government when there is a shortage of merit. Nobody is an expert by virtue of being born, and it is the duty of the wise and knowledgeable to service the state where their expertise may do the most good. Just as how we would not place our faith on a fisherman to cure us of illness or on a leader polish our shoes, we would not place our faith in the blind to lead. After all, it is the role of the fisherman to fish, to teach to fish, and to be good at fishing; it is the role of the leader to lead, to teach to lead, and to be good at leading. Talent should be applied to the betterment of our society, no matter where it may come from. It is only logical that when experts do things, things are done expertly. Such is the value of merit.

Published on 6/6/308 AC
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OOC: Edits made to correct grammar, spelling, and clarity.

 

[Arhbi]

"This is the most asinine thing I have ever read," says Louis Delmotte.

 

[StFeuillien]

"This reeks of jacobinism," Guy said before using it to get his fireplace lit.

 

[Goldifish]

"Where in the world did he get his education from? The picture books from when we were children? Save your breath."

 

[Lizmun]

A single, muddied eye passed over a copy of the essay - recently delivered to her hand. The reading was slow, deliberate, and after a moment the robed merchant lounged back idly, perched on a bench in the park. There was silence in rumination, and then an amused smile. Mylene merely folded the parchment, creased it with gloved hands, and gingerly placed it into her robes. It was then she rose and continued on, her boots removing her from the private grotto she had inhabited as she refitted her eyepatch to her face. She was headed for the Daendroque district.

 

[AtticCat]

Haeddi Harhold eyed the notice with seeming expression of indifference, despite her family's mention at the top of the essay. Once giving it a good read over, followed by a second and an additional glance, the woman scoffed and casted a glance to her friend besides her, that being Margarethe Black, followed by stating, "I'm ever confused on what he is trying to make a point about. Does Playero not know that nearly anyone could break the initial standards set forth with hard work? That's already a known concept. With hard work, someone can be granted Humanum by the Emperor and Imperial Spirit, just as anyone can be stripped of their born rights if they turn their back on the Empire. Any focus minded Commoner could reach nobility, just if they applied themselves hard enough, that is just as true. What does he think he's proving?"
@Senpah

 

[MrBlwe]

Zzhao lounged in the rainbow hall, as a Mu-Allar soldier scrambled to the large Cro-Allar, offering the letter to him. The large crocodilian humanoid reaches a scary hand for the note, glaring down at it with a cold reptilian glare, a low guttural and gurgling snarl escaped from the Cro's jaws, his throat vibrating as he practically pounded a taloned finger on the stone to the right of him. "I grow tired of the Ailor's whining complaints." Zzhao hissed plainly, placing the page off to the side, allowing it to be trampled under the incoming and outgoing feet of allar passerbys.