> Perhaps also for his belief in democracy? (though he often
> questions it) That's the reason he gave for not working under Reinhard
> after the alliance surrendered. Yang doesn't believe in artistocracy.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Artistocracy? = rule by artists? Now that IS a scary thought! :)
> >Sun Tzu said that commanders can neglect the ruler's order once in war since
> >no one can understand the real situation of war more than the commander.
> >Yang as a history espert should know it.
>
> But that goes against democratic ideas. The people (represented by
> elected officials), and not the military officials, are supposed to have
> the final say on whether or not to continue a war. (I know, in reality it
> doesn't work this way, but that's the fundmental idea.)
Actually in modern democracies it mostly does go this way. While Vietnam in
part showed that having politicians try to micromanage battlefield strategy is
a recipe for disaster, we do have a democratically elected commader in chief
whose role is to define the overall limits of a war. Remember the example of
Harry Truman who suspended General MacArthur in the Korean War because
MacArthur was going off the deep end making proclamations about how he was
going to win the war including use of nuclear weapons on China which he had no
authority to make.
> If Yang goes
> against his own democratic belief, what difference is there between him and
> Reinhard? (Other than that Reinhard is a more able soldier below the neck.
"below the neck"?? I am not sure what you mean by this? Reinhard has more
physical prowess than Yang? If so, not very much, I think. He has a better
body and can be more charismatic around the babes? Well maybe so, but I don't
see how this makes him a more able soldier. :)
> >I suppose if Reinhard is dead
> >at that time, Reuter and Mittermeyer may shoot each other above Heinessen!
> I'd expect more diplomatic skill from Reuental. As for
> Mittermeyer, I see no reason for him to fight with his long time friend and
> comrade. Reuental, after all, has saved Mittermeyer's life indirectly
> before (by going to Reinhard for help). Besides, Mittermeyer doesn't
> strike me as the power hungry type. If Reinhard's dead and the Empire
> needs a new leader, I don't see why Mittermeyer wouldn't support his
> friend.
I suppose this would be a bad time to discuss some elements of later
developments in the novels (at least as best I understand them...)
==============================================================================
"Zu jeder Zeit, an jeder (sic) Ort, bleibt das Tun | Walter Amos
der Menschen das gleiche..." - Galactic Heroes II | amos@sedl.org