I don't think anyone has discussed the philosophical/psychological themes presented by the leaders of the City-States, and to me that goes hand-in-hand with all of this. For example, Gridanian politics, as aforementioned, are ripe with bigotry; I'm certain this is a result of its leaders fearing the unknown, as is evidenced by how they keep the sylphs at bay, and how they immediately dismiss all Ixali actions as threats without a thought.
In Ul'dah, corruption runs rampart and this is a result of human greed. When we taste something we like, we tend to want it more and more, at the expense of others even. When the Domans approach Ul'dah for shelter, and they are turned away, for example, we see that they do not want to share their resources (granted, they probably can't, but this area is grey and we don't know if they truly have enough or if they just don't want to help).
Lastly, in Limsa, Merlewyb preaches freedom, but it's all so odd. How much freedom can she tolerate, and how much does she have to limit/allow? We as people tend to control others, especially in relationships. If your significant other is talking to a person of the opposite sex (or anybody that is a potential love interest really), what do we do as people? We might display jealousy, but more importantly we try to limit their freedom. Merlewyb struggles constantly with how much freedom she can allow in this exact way.
Social commentary inspired by FFXIV
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11-04-2014, 02:02 AMAltijacek
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11-04-2014, 02:37 AMTinyRedLeafThere's a fine line between anarchy and freedom, and I like to think that it comes down to justice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Altijacek
At what point does anarchy become freedom? When the power to be whatever you want to be comes from a collective agreement to not have your freedom get in the way of mine.
Justice was what Merlwyb brought to Limsa Lominsa, what made Mistbeard realise that the time of piracy was over.
But as Y'shtola pointed out, Merlwyb's revolution is incomplete. The Admiral had failed to extend her justice to people outside of her country.
In effect, it's an abuse of power no different from that of the pirates of old: "If you can't protect it, you don't own it."
And so long as this injustice is not addressed, Limsa Lominsa will never know true peace.