Imperial Rules of War
In order to containthe most disasterous effects of armed conflict, the "rules of war" as a collection of unwrtitten concepts that have accumulated as cases have arisen. The rules of war have never been disseminated by an official Imperial Edict or decision of the Moot. This is to prevent the impression that the Imperium is endorsing war, and to allow the Imperium maximum flexibility to intervene whenever and wherever the Imperium deems it necessary.
The main aim of the rules is to maintain the social, economic and military well-being of the Imperium and its worlds. They give the Imperium the authority to intervene when this well-being is threatened by military action. Imperial analysts are of the viewpoint that the main causes of instability are long-term dislocation and excessive extra-planetary influence.
Long-term social or economic dislocation is suffered when a region experiences social upheval or is unable to carry on its prewar economic activity.
Excessive extra-planetary influence is even more vague. Historically, the Imperium has allowed minor wars between worlds as an outlet for built-up sociopolitical tensions. The Imperium considers a short war preferable to continuing pressures that result in continuing conflict, sabotage, political agitation, and so-on. Attempts by extra-ploanetary forces such as off-world governments or corporate interests, to seize control world's affairs are beyond the scope of this "safety valve" rationale, and will be dealt with by the Imperium.
Assistance is tolerated as long as it is approriate. For example, the Imperium has allowed megacorporations to provide training, arms, equipment and even fully erquipped combat units to a local government, on a limited scale. When it looks like an extra-planetary power is carrying the primary burden of the conduct of the war, the Imperium intervenes, claiming that the power is using a local dispute as a cover for aggression.
Imperial intervention is guaranteed if anyone uses weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, biological, chemical, nanotechnological or electromagnetic weapons. Again, the definition of a weapon of mass destruction is vague to allow the Imperium flexibility. Imperial nobles and officers are given vast authority to enforce the rules of war, and to persue and apprehend those who break them.
Type
Decree, Governmental
Signatories (Organizations)
Comments