International Committee of Pan-Galactic Meritocracy Opening
((Near the end of 5 IO, aka 3753))
The delegates sent from across the galaxy were received in orbit above the Adrallan homeworld, and escorted down to the planet pat the arrayed Adrallan Navy, showing off the latest ships and designs of the Oligarchy to impress the distinguished guests. The hallmark of the descent was when they were brought past the Colossal Tuak Heavy shipyard and saw the galaxy's first Heavy Battleship near completion, the Endbringer mk. 2. The delegate's ships were then escorted down to the capital city of Naseban, where they saw huge glimmering skyscrapers, with a central building not only towering over the rest, but also nearly three times as wide as the others. This was the Capital building, Axis Tower, central point of the city, the Oligarchy, and by self-proclamation, the galaxy at large. That would be the place of the Committee meeting.
As the delegates arrived steadily in a room a fair number of stories below the top of the tower, but still higher than nearly any other buildings in the city, they saw the Adrallan reception representatives who would be leading the committee meeting. As expected Chief Ambassador Hezavi Chelik and High Counselor Malira Serrico were present, though curiously neither Arcarius Zamin Nibi nor Exarch Jaq Cibio were there. Perhaps they had other business to attend to. The Delegates are also reminded of the huge size difference between themselves and the Montadonians, with Chief Ambassador Chelik being nearly 13 feet tall when standing, and the High Counselor only slightly shorter at 12 feet tall. The Hero of Skyheart was there, Admiral Genin Relacy himself at a sizeable 12 feet as well, prominently wearing the Francian medal given to him and his 1st Fleet, which had only been grudgingly accepted by the Oligarchy. Though these curiosities are soon forgotten as the official meeting gets under way, and the High Counselor stands to speak.
"Esteemed guests of the Oligarchy, we welcome you to the First International Committee of Pan-Galactic Meritocracy. I believe it is proper to begin this meeting by establishing and clarifying the tenants of Meritocracy that we support. First and foremost we stand opposed to the slavery of Nepotism, where people's position is determined from their birth, with no regards for their personal skills or talents. Instead we support a more fair society, where all citizens are born with equal opportunity and can achieve in whatever field they desire with proper effort and skill. However, equal opportunity is not the same thing as total equality, as demanded by the socialists and communists. Ultimately all people are not equal, there are those who are smarter, stronger, and all-around better than others. To force unfair equality is just as bad as unfair inequality.
Forging a true meritocracy is not an easy task however. So long as families exist, and people inherit wealth and connections from their parents, there will always be inherently unequal opportunity for citizens, but the solution we came to in the Oligarchy to remove the family entirely is seen as extreme by other polites. There are less drastic measures that can be taken to make societies more fair though, and best achieved through the Republican system, for despite its flaws, it offers the chance for citizens to strive and earn their place, unlike nepotistic regimes, sycophantic Fascist states, or totalitarian communism. By putting a government open to popular scrutiny and checks on power, it prevents those in power to secure dynastic control over it. However it is still flawed by over-bureaucratic systems and prone to corruption for elections, both of which are solved in the Oligarchical system we enjoy here.
To truly create an Meritocratic state though, a polity must first establish universal and equal education for its citizens to ensure equal opportunity. to maximize the efficiency of the state, citizens should also be directed toward field they are skilled in, and focused as needed, as seen in the Pillar system of the Oligarchy. Structure in society encourages positions to be based on merit of individuals, rather than by connections, and should be enforced to create a fair society that gives citizens the positions they deserve. Such fairness is not only good for the citizens themselves, but also the state, since it prevents positions being held by unqualified individuals who gained it through connections or wealth.
While this is far from all I have to say on the matter, this is a meeting after all, not a speech. Thus I open the floor to others for their questions, comments, or opinions on the subject of Meritocracy in the Galaxy."
High Counselor Serrico sits down and eagerly awaits the responses of the assembled delegates.
((Basically it's an open forum, representatives may speak as they desire on the topic of meritocracy at their will. You could also ask about other topics, which may or may not get a proper answer, depending on the question.))
