This post is really long, so sorry about that, but this debate was just to fun and interesting to read to not make me want to contribute in some way. So here are some of my opinions and the arguments I use to support them, I hope it?s readable and contributes something to this wonderful discussion.
First to begin I?d like to use two good quotes I?ve heard again and again from various sources and in varied context. Those who keep silent consent and all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. The empire and those who support it are all complicit in every wrong perpetrated by the Thalmor against all the people they supposedly rule, thus their reign is unjust; furthermore, an evil act no matter if it is necessary is still evil. Taking away religious freedom can not be construed as anything else, even allowing the freedom to worship whatever you choose to be removed is evil and those who use or allow evil to support their rule are naturally tyrants and a tyrant?s rule is never just. So those who even indirectly support the continuation of such evil tyranny are as responsible for the suffering of the oppressed as the oppressors are themselves. It is the obligation of every citizen to overthrow his government if it should turn against its? citizens.
Secondly the white-gold concord was signed thirty years prior to the events in the game. So basically I as a Nord in the game am beholden to foreign hostile powers through no action of my own, because of a war someone, somewhere else lost, probably before I was even born.
Third my homeland has been overrun by refugees of different species, who threaten our very way of life by challenging our traditions and bringing their own. No matter that such sentiments are inherently bigoted and discriminatory, it is a legitimate concern of a citizen of any state to worry for the health and welfare of said state and the sudden influx of so many immigrants could do nothing, but strain an already tense and uneasy populous, especially considering how traditionalist Nordic culture is. The Stormcloak movement screams fervent nationalism and cultural pride to me and as in most fantasy settings those two things are intrinsically tied to race and species. So in my view it?s not so much that the Nords hate outsiders as it is that they want to preserve their way of life, which make no mistake is under very real threat from forces both internal and external, both hostile and benign.
Fourth Ulfric Stormcloak is the leader of the rebellion, but the rebellion is not Ulfric Stormcloak. Regardless of his intentions or motivations, which in my opinion are never anywhere near fully fleshed out, he is the figurehead to which the Nords have chosen to rally. Whether or not he is an evil douche bag extraordinaire is of virtually no importance whatsoever, leaders rise and fall, but a just cause is always worth fighting for.
Finally the Nords in Skyrim bear a strong resemblance to Klingons and other such fantasy warrior peoples and their ethos seems to revolve around strength, honor and tradition. Has the empire shown any of these attributes lately? It didn?t have the strength to fight off the Thalmor, nor did it have the honor to respect the beliefs and practices of the people it rules and their respect for tradition seems only to extend as far as their desire for ease and expedience(they stole the Jagged Crown simply so Ulfric couldn?t have it.) The empire as it is now acts more like a dying regime, fighting to hold on to its? power, waging a fruitless war to hold on to the last vestiges of past glories when it might very well be better served by diplomacy and negotiation. I think it is very telling that the empire attempted to seed parts of Hammerfell to the dominion to appease the invaders, entirely to save its? own skin and is now fighting a bitter war against half the population of another because its? people desire to control their own destiny, seems like history repeating itself and a prime example of why you shouldn?t try to force someone else to pay the price for your failures. Does an empire united stand a better chance against the dominion? Maybe, but if its leaders aren?t true to the people they govern you?re only going to face further rebellion down the line. It seems to me like the empire has confused what is right with what is convenient. In the face of en existential threat like the Thalmor whose presumed goal is the complete and utter annihilation of mankind, you could seemingly justify anything, but I like to think that you have to question the leadership of a government whose code of morals never seems to impede its? progress.
First to begin I?d like to use two good quotes I?ve heard again and again from various sources and in varied context. Those who keep silent consent and all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. The empire and those who support it are all complicit in every wrong perpetrated by the Thalmor against all the people they supposedly rule, thus their reign is unjust; furthermore, an evil act no matter if it is necessary is still evil. Taking away religious freedom can not be construed as anything else, even allowing the freedom to worship whatever you choose to be removed is evil and those who use or allow evil to support their rule are naturally tyrants and a tyrant?s rule is never just. So those who even indirectly support the continuation of such evil tyranny are as responsible for the suffering of the oppressed as the oppressors are themselves. It is the obligation of every citizen to overthrow his government if it should turn against its? citizens.
Secondly the white-gold concord was signed thirty years prior to the events in the game. So basically I as a Nord in the game am beholden to foreign hostile powers through no action of my own, because of a war someone, somewhere else lost, probably before I was even born.
Third my homeland has been overrun by refugees of different species, who threaten our very way of life by challenging our traditions and bringing their own. No matter that such sentiments are inherently bigoted and discriminatory, it is a legitimate concern of a citizen of any state to worry for the health and welfare of said state and the sudden influx of so many immigrants could do nothing, but strain an already tense and uneasy populous, especially considering how traditionalist Nordic culture is. The Stormcloak movement screams fervent nationalism and cultural pride to me and as in most fantasy settings those two things are intrinsically tied to race and species. So in my view it?s not so much that the Nords hate outsiders as it is that they want to preserve their way of life, which make no mistake is under very real threat from forces both internal and external, both hostile and benign.
Fourth Ulfric Stormcloak is the leader of the rebellion, but the rebellion is not Ulfric Stormcloak. Regardless of his intentions or motivations, which in my opinion are never anywhere near fully fleshed out, he is the figurehead to which the Nords have chosen to rally. Whether or not he is an evil douche bag extraordinaire is of virtually no importance whatsoever, leaders rise and fall, but a just cause is always worth fighting for.
Finally the Nords in Skyrim bear a strong resemblance to Klingons and other such fantasy warrior peoples and their ethos seems to revolve around strength, honor and tradition. Has the empire shown any of these attributes lately? It didn?t have the strength to fight off the Thalmor, nor did it have the honor to respect the beliefs and practices of the people it rules and their respect for tradition seems only to extend as far as their desire for ease and expedience(they stole the Jagged Crown simply so Ulfric couldn?t have it.) The empire as it is now acts more like a dying regime, fighting to hold on to its? power, waging a fruitless war to hold on to the last vestiges of past glories when it might very well be better served by diplomacy and negotiation. I think it is very telling that the empire attempted to seed parts of Hammerfell to the dominion to appease the invaders, entirely to save its? own skin and is now fighting a bitter war against half the population of another because its? people desire to control their own destiny, seems like history repeating itself and a prime example of why you shouldn?t try to force someone else to pay the price for your failures. Does an empire united stand a better chance against the dominion? Maybe, but if its leaders aren?t true to the people they govern you?re only going to face further rebellion down the line. It seems to me like the empire has confused what is right with what is convenient. In the face of en existential threat like the Thalmor whose presumed goal is the complete and utter annihilation of mankind, you could seemingly justify anything, but I like to think that you have to question the leadership of a government whose code of morals never seems to impede its? progress.