One of the most interesting thing about RR and Imperium, two games which draw me to them time and again, are the parallels one can draw between what happens in the game and what happens in real life politics.

The following is just a matter of my opinion, of private musings which everyone can freely disagree upon.

During the summer RR divided into two factions, a "peace party" and a "war party". These divides can been seen in many place in the world, and the arguments and sentiments that was used by both sides in RR were similar to arguments one sees with such issues as China and Taiwan for instance. The "war party" sees Troy in much the same way China sees Taiwan, as a rebellious province that must be incorporated by force into the motherland. Its very existence is an embarrassment, an enduring emblem of Communist weakness... and the ultimate re-incorporation of Taiwan is a matter of honor. Because Taiwan was once Chinese, just as Troy was once Roman, Taiwan must become part of China just as Troy must be become part of Rome. Arguments to do with culture are also similar. In RR, we argue whether the Trojans are a separate people of a different culture, or still Romans because they continue to worship Roman Gods and have Roman customs. On both sides of the Taiwan-China debate, it is argued whether there is a Taiwanese culture separate from Chinese culture and customs. The "peace party" was somewhat less historical, probably because its always easier to talk of war than peace in the real world. However, ideas of diplomacy, communication and cultural exchange and long-term assimilation are there to be seen too, in the United Nations, and even in internal Chinese/Taiwanese dialogues.

I was reminded of these parallels today because I see new ones now, 4 months later. However, instead of China and Taiwan, RR seems to me to have moved to a pre-Iraq, post-911 era. The United States and Britain have been trying to pass a UN resolution granting them the right to invade Iraq. While such a resolution is not necessary, it would lend enormous legitimacy to the US cause. France, however, threatens with a veto, forcing the US to give up on the resolution, and create instead a "coalition of the willing". There is no doubt that had Aulius gained his S.C., he would not now be on much more slippery ground in terms of legitimacy. A Consul, as we know, can choose any official arena of war he desires. However, Aulius' right to go to Asia will now stem solely from the notion that Troy is a rebellious province...instead of an independent nation with which we have a long-standing treaty of neutrality and no officially declared war.