Dragaera

Assassination as a means of policy change

Casey Rousseau casey at the-bat.net
Wed Mar 9 11:49:50 PST 2005

Jeff G. asked:
> What are your personal opinions on assassination as a means 
> to effect policy by (or within) a government?

In Dragaera or in 'the real world'?

In Dragaera, I'd have to say the justifications presented by Vlad as
narrator in _Jhereg_ for assassination have nothing to do with gov't policy.
Also, the events of _Phoenix_ lead to Vlad's arc through Athyra, Orca, and
Issola.  Clearly, even Vlad is repulsed by his former occupation.

In our own world, the thin thread of support for assassination that is
created by the availability of revivification is nonexistent.  Death means
death here.  Assassination is murder.  Murder is bad.  Don't do it.  Find
some other way to affect the policy change you seek.

Casey