A revisit to politics

[aegisx]

Xrati said:

aegisx, You think in human terms. A society that does not use monetary values and has no sectorate classes would be VERY hard to bribe.
Your last statement is very correct and is why I will not use any Intel system. Obviously, you agree too!

Siirenias, good points but again, all human based in "human logic".
Blackmail - Only useful when something of great value can be lost to the victim.
Bribes - totally useless except human races.
Threats - Pretty much out in the open, no need for intel here.
Subterfuge - Open to different interpetations, I cannot comment on such a diverse topic.
Insertions of loyal ex-patriots - The key word here is LOYAL, to whom? Probably a good idea for a true counter-operatives (double agents).

Now, tell me what's so good about intel? I still don't see it. It always turns into a 'game within a game' mentallity and I don't buy games like SE4 for the way their intel plays out.

Of course I agree that they are tough with AI's, but I do not agree that Intel operations against aliens wouldn't work. Sure, there may be some races, like hive mind, that would be very difficult to exploit. But that doesn't mean others wouldn't have traits that would make them vulnerable. You are assuming humans are the only ones with these traits.

[Xrati]

Humans are probably one of the few races that would stoop so low as to use Intel.
Done correctly, each race would have different traits to apply to its intel. Each race would be able to effect other races in ONLY certain areas of intel. Soooooo, what you would have is different races requiring different strategies against one another. Again, a game within the game. The intel could be it's own game! I don't want to go there!!!

[Renegade 13]

While I agree with your overall assessment (that intel sucks)...

Xrati said:
Humans are probably one of the few races that would stoop so low as to use Intel.

Making this assumption is as bad as making the assumption that all races would be corruptable (which you refuted).

[narf poit chez BOOM]

One alien race in fiction is completely loyal to their leaders.

They still play games of Intel, because:
A) They can fake loyalty to another leader out of loyalty to theirs.
B) It is possible (Although very difficult) for them to switch loyalties.
C) Leaders. Multiple. Only one of which they are loyal to.
D) They have multiple-clan organizations - Such as a judicary Assasins' Guild.

[Siirenias]

SO far as I can tell...intel really doesn't do much but cosmetic damage. I mean, sure, you can taint worlds, maybe blow up a ship or two. But against a competent opponent, all you accomplish is depriving your enemy of real estate on which he must build Intel installations for self defense.

[Xrati]

Renegade 13 said:
While I agree with your overall assessment (that intel sucks)...

Making this assumption is as bad as making the assumption that all races would be corruptable (which you refuted).

Fist hand experience!!!