> you started out by asking how come Gram was the leader of
> the Sword Worlds when Sacnoth was so much more powerful.
> Since then I've tried to defend the notion that the economic cycles
> are possible.
> I believe I've accepted that these cycles *might* exist and that if
> they do they would explain Gram's leadership of the Confederation. My
> concern has been that I can't see what *causes* these techno-economic
> cycles (since we've agreed they have no `real world' parallel) and
> that I don't see how they explain the tech level disparities.
Perhaps the fluctuations in the SWs TLs are due to a variety of internal
causes. I'm not entirely sure I understand the feudal technocracy govt
but suppose it allows for a large amount of 'infighting' among the
junior levels of the technocracy on each world.
This may only take the form of buying out each other's economic assets
on up to sabotage of various forms and possibly assassination and
warfare. Suppose every so often these small manueverings among the
technocrats build to a particularly large crescendo that results in a
large loss of the economic/industrial infrastructure with a
corresponding drop in TL.
Furthermore perhaps this postulated internecine rivalry may be more
prevalent on some worlds (such as Sacnoth) than on others (Gram) which
causes more of an introspective world-view and prevents Sacnoth from
gaining political control of the Sword World governing body despite a
higher level of technological achievement. In fact it isn't all that
difficult to imagine, given such a scenario, that Gram may very well
sponsor various acts of espionage and intrigue just to ensure their
position and also to see that Sacnoth doesn't come to power.
Just an idea that occurred to me while enjoying the "The Hans and David
Show." :)
PBJuzyk | 'Most plans don't even survive
Reading, PA | contact with Reality'
Terra/Solomani Rim (1827 G867975-8) | -Hammer Lanthrop, *Smash & Grab*