I can only suppose I did not make myself clear enough.
I made the Judge Dread analogy in terms of the judicial powers
of the Tavrchedl', and in fact attempted to clarify that this
was my metaphorical intent in the very next sentence. I in no
way was trying to imply that the Tavrchedl' resorted to any kind
of arbitrary violence. I was merely trying to demonstrate how
powerful the Tavrchedl' had to be, going by the description in
Alien Module 4.
In terms of the Tavrchedl' being judge, jury and "executioner",
it actually demonstrates the undeniable tyranny of Zhodani society
(hence my quip about the Zhodani having no lawyers). A person
can not appeal the judgement of the Tavrchedl', even if the Tavrchedl'
is wrong (and anyone can be wrong, even the Tavrchedl' - they are
not God). There is no justice for the common man or woman in Zhodani
society (other than the Tvarchedl'), and there are no checks and
balances on the Tvarchedl' itself that we know of. Yes, it can be
argued that they are a benevolent despotism, but they are a despotism
nonetheless.
Catie Helm