Re: RE: [FT] UNSC

I wouldn't bet on that. Historically there have been several mercenary
organizations which have been just as well disciplined and motivated as
any national army. The French Foreign Legion is one example, and the
Swiss and Irish mercenaries of the 18th/19th Centuries are another.
Jerry Pournelle's "Co-Dominion" series of books offers a solid sci-fi
basis for just such an "independent" military force.
gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu wrote:
> I know what you mean... how can you have a truly "independent" force?
You have to live somewhere, and as far as I know, there's no separate
"Independent UN Territory" on the GZG world map.

Culturally, your upbringing is going to be shaped by the country you
grow up
in, and if you decide to be a UNSC Marine once you turn 18, then you'd
have to renounce your nation in order to become "independent". And your
countrymen are most likely going to regard you as a traitor, especially
if
you come back to "restore the peace" in your old neighborhood...

At best, the UN could have a permanent, well-organized force of
mercenaries, but I can't imagine that they'd ever be as numerous
or (potentially) well-motivated as a national army.

-- Rick "Bulletproof" Rutherford

-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Han
To: gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu
Sent: 3/14/01 11:49 AM
Subject: Re: [FT] UNSC

> 2145 The Second Solar War. With the outbreak of the 2nd Solar War, the
> calls to bring the UNSC back under control of the Political UN quietly
> die away as the need for an independent force becomes clear.
>
> The independent nature of this peacekeeping force is attractive to
> many and they have no problem recruiting members for forces,
scientists 
> for research and exploration, and funding from philanthropists.
>
> Anyway, that's my take on them.

Actually, that's the hardest part to understand about the UNSC.  If
the UNSC is technologicially advanced, the smallest of the 'great
powers', and is still controlled by the other powers (by funding, if
nothing else), then it's almost impossible for them to be 'left alone.'
The current UN is a broiling pot of politics, patronage, and what 
remaining idealists there are on the international scene.