Zat Earthshatter wrote:My thoughts on each race
Caldari:
Intriguingly, the hyper-capitalist government to an extent mimics current "communist" governments such as the late USSR and China. The State takes ownership of all property, service is placed above life, and corruption is rampant.
Actually, the State has NO FORMAL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT. Anything claimed to be The State is run by the 'Big 8', the eight largest mega-corporations in the geographical land of the Caldari people. They work in tandem with each other to bring about a 'standardized' system for which to govern the people. Standardized in quotes because each corp has its own agenda behind the face they put on for the advancement of the State.
Service above life is also common in any intensely national state...like WWII Fascist Germany and Imperial Japan (which are documented influences to the design of the Caldari.)
Corruption is....not so much rampant as it is corporate espionage. I wouldnt call it corruption when you're bribing your enemy to shoot your other enemy so you can further increase power.
Zat Earthshatter wrote:Also, the Caldari have the widest income gap, as evidenced by the large numbers of Homeless and the extreme wealth of the megacorp CEOs.
Socially, values of honor and tradition are closest to feudal Japan. Mentions of ritual suicide are common, bushido code is enforced on starships, and all members of the State are demanded absolute precision and maximum effort.
Militarily, State warriors are some of the best-regimented soldiers in the universe, and are often hired out as mercenaries to make a few extra ISK. As they are so well-regimented, their weakness lies in unique situations: do something they don't expect, and they won't have the independent thought to counter it with any haste.
In short:
All of the Four Empires are flawed systems with their own ups and downs, just like a real-world culture. Make a choice carefully.
>Amarr is best avoided unless you're born into a non-slave Amarr family. If you're part of another Empire and see slavers coming, run or fight to the death.
>Caldari is good for perfectionists, but life in the State is extremely unforgiving until you are a CEO.
>Highly-skilled opportunists should look into earning entry into a Matari tribe, but don't expect to have any respect until you're fully initiated.
>The State is good choice for those with charisma, but is kind to all comers nonetheless.
The rest of this though is Kalaakiota Approved.