Gentlemen,
I think this discussion has touched on the crucial question for all empire builders:
How do you suborn and assimilate foreign cultures?
As Greven ('The Count' - interesting nickname
) pointed out, there are no empirical methods for finding out. However, I think that our stormy history can provide us with some of the answers...
So, for what it's worth, I give you 'Doomdark's Official Guide to Empire Building.' Enjoy!
Basic Assumption: If your Empire tolerates vastly different cultures, it is destined to fall apart in the end. Leniency works for awhile, but as soon the empire starts to exhibit signs of weakness, it is torn asunder. To a lesser degree, this is also true of Unions and Federations. (We shall see what happens to the EU...
)
Obstructions:
1)
Civilization Factor. If the population of the annexed nation enjoyed a higher standard of living, education and personal freedom outside the Empire, absorption will require enormous brutality. The more advanced the Imperial civilization is compared to the annexed one, the easier the integration will be. Example: The Roman Empire.
2)
Democracy Factor. There will
always be some dissidents and separatists, so a certain measure of brutality is necessary to suppress the conquered people. It follows that democracies can neither build nor maintain Empires. Example: All historical empires.
3)
Cultural Factor. The more alien the annexed culture is, the harder it will be to absorb. Culture can be broken down into three separate constituents:
language, traditions and religion. If all three are alien to the conquering civilization, absorption will be almost impossible. Example: The Empire of China vs Tibet.
4)
Distance Factor. If the conquered nation is separated from the Empire by vast distances of land or sea, integration becomes extremely hard. Depending on the tech level of the Empire, integration could still be possible thanks to advanced transportation and communication techniques. Example: Spain and the Netherlands.
5)
Population Factor. If the suborned people vastly outnumbers the conquerors, absorption will always be impossible, unless the cultural differences are negligable. Naturally,
repression might still work, but what's the point?
Example: The British Empire vs India and China.
Solutions
1)
The Melting Pot Solution. If the cultural differences are slight, you can force the conquered people to intermingle with your own to the highest degree possible. Strive to disperse all concentrations of the conquered people and forbid the use of any language but your own in all official institutions.
2)
The Roman Solution. If the conquered people is primitive and uneducated you can prevent separatism by bringing in the light of your own glorious civilization. Build roads, railways, schools, public baths, etc. Soon, they will strive to emulate you all on their own, and you will hardly have to lift a finger. Just remember to keep a tight leash on those provincial governors.
3)
The Machiavellian Solution. If distance to the conquered nation is your sole obstruction you can always move your Imperial capital to the conquered territory. The close presence of your administration and goverment will make the conquered people (or colonists) feel like they belong to your nation. The obvious danger is that the reverse could happen! Examples: East Roman Empire, Mongols, Huns, Goths.
4)
The Entropy Solution. If you can keep the conquered nation shackled for long enough, its people will inevitably fall to your culture. This might require enormous brutality and will probably take a millennium or two to complete.
5)
The Final Solution If all else fails, and you are faced with a high grade of all five obstructions, the only possible solution remaining to you is to kill enough of the conquered people that you can re-colonize the area with your own. Examples: Spain and England vs American natives, China vs Tibet, Soviet vs Everyone.
As you can see, there is always a solution for the devious, cynical and ruthless Empire Builder, as long as he sits safely on his throne...
/Doomie
