Terrence Fugate wrote:

> Was Poictesme on the path to decivilizing?

>  I'd argue Blackie Perales was a neobarbarian. Was Blackie Perales the
> only pillaging thug?
>  Would enough out of work farm hands finally reach critical mass?
> Enough to overthrow the government?

Symbiotic with the government. Pay Blackie Perales to eliminate this
meddlesome individual or group, so that the powers that be can maintain
their privileges.

>  This doesn't inspire a lot of faith in the planetary government.
>  "_Huh-uh!" That was one of Klem Zareff's fellow planters. "We don't
> want Jake Vyckhoven or any of this First-Families-of-Storisende
> oligarchy in this at all. That's the gang that bankrupted the
> Government with doles and work relief, and everybody else with
> worthless printing-press money after the War, and they've been
> squatting in a circle deploring things ever since. Some of these days
> __Blackie Perales and his pirates'll sack Storisende__, for all they'd
> be able to do to stop him._"

Jack Arnold Alexander Tancred Gurney to the rescue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBKG6oaeCGw

>  Governments can stay in power by force of arms without their subjects
> having faith in said government, but democracies, representative or
> direct, require the voters to believe in "the system"
>
>  One problem Eastern Kentucky had in the 1960~1980 time frame was the
> absolute corruption of the local county government. The school system
> was the plum of financial patronage, with the highway/roads next. The
> fix was in, support !@$%^ or you won't work for the school system or
> get your road repaired.

Three stages to government

1. Competence that achieves goals
2. Corruption that complements competence in pursuit of goals
3. Corruption for its own sake and goals are a hindrance