| To the outsider and the uninformed, the Caldari
State seems a solid, unified entity. This has been true
for brief periods of their history. The latest of those
is now coming to an end. The eight Caldari mega corporations,
like all great cynics, know the price of everything
but the value of nothing and this is now tearing them
apart.
Three blocks have formed around different ideologies,
mainly in regard to foreign policies. While the forming
of these blocks does not threaten the fabric of Caldari
society it may very well move the Caldari State in a
radical new direction in regards to their relations
with the other empires.
Historians have pointed out parallels between the current
situations and those found shortly after the Gallente-Caldari
War started. Then, the mega corporations split into
two groups, one that wanted to pursue peace negotiations
with the Gallenteans and another that wanted all out
war. The matter was solved during the Morning of Reasoning,
when during a morning meeting of the Chief Executive
Panel the warmonger corporations forced the CEOs of
the other corporations to perform the Tea Maker Ceremony.
The CEOs had to drink poisoned tea; if the Maker looked
favorably upon them they would be saved, otherwise their
crimes would be confirmed by their deaths. They all
died and the warmonger corporations (the current mega
corporations) split the assets of the fallen corporations
between them and escalated to total war. Although the
Caldari State is not currently at war, the political
situation is similar in a number of ways and many fear
that drastic events may be on the horizon, with the
corporations busily drawing the battle lines.
The three factions that are becoming evermore apparent
are each led by one of the large mega corporations with
other mega corporations, as well as lesser corporations,
closing the ranks behind them. At this early stage it
is impossible to tell which faction has the most strength
as they seem equally poised.
Heading the self-proclaimed ˇ°practicalsˇ±
faction is the huge Sukuuvestaa Corporation. The SuVee,
as it is commonly known, is one of the oldest Caldari
corporations, matched only by the Kaalakiota Corporation
in size. The exploiters, which also include the CBD
Corporation and NOH (Nugoeihuvi) Corporation, have practiced
unethical business tactics for a long time, as well
as being frequently associated with organized crime
elements. The practicals see the other empires merely
as naïve markets ready to be exploited by unrestricted
and ruthless trade where everything goes. The recent
Protein Delicacy episode serves as a good example of
what kind of business these companies want. They care
little about who is a friend with whom and even less
about what long-term political ramifications their unscrupulous
business practices can have. They are mercantilist in
their views on trade, believing that profit for one
always means loss for another.
The second faction is the liberals, whose views are
completely the opposite of the practicals in regards
to interstellar trade. The liberals believe in fostering
improved relations with all the other empires, creating
a world where there are no trade barriers and free-flow
of goods. They believe in trade deals that mutually
benefit the participants and the empires can come together
in a peaceful, prosperous future world only through
cooperation. The liberals are led by the Ishukone Corporation
and also include the Hyasyoda mega corporation. Their
strong position within CONCORD is accentuated by their
belief that it is their main vehicle in promoting universal
peace and stability so that trade can flow freely and
cultures mingle peacefully.
The third faction is not all that concerned about trade,
but more about the place the Caldari State enjoys versus
the other empires in both military and economical sense.
These are the patriots and they are led by the Kaalakiota
Corporation, but also include Lai Dai and Wiyrkomi.
The patriots cultivate the Caldari heritage, reminisce
about the great Raata Empire of old and weep for their
lost home world, Caldari Prime. The most fanatical of
them cry for a renewal of the war with the Federation,
but they are a minority. The majority sees economical
dominance in the world only as a tool to promote military
power. The patriots are willing to negotiate alternative
ways to acquire Caldari Prime other than through war,
but they know that they can only see their dream come
true by convincing the Federation of the economical
and, most importantly, militaristic superiority of the
Caldari State. This is what they strive for.
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