Outside the office, Mark relaxed visibly. Maybe it was the alcohol taking effect, or, more likely, it was thanks to the rather solid looking door that stood between the intimidating Commissar and himself. Mark had not been expecting to see a death today...
Thinking over the question, and struggling to recall the details of the Rheinland political system to mind, Mark slowly built the beginnings of an answer in his head. Steeling himself to enter the room once more, he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Then, he pushed open the door and strode in. He must appear confident, he thought. These people did not seem to appreciate weakness.
"Comrade Commissar. The Gottkanzler of Rheinland creates the illusion of democratic government to please his people. They feel involved in the governance of the state. The federal nature of the Rheinland system has clearly been designed to ensure that citizens living far from central government still feel that they have a voice speaking for them. The use of independent-seeming Governers for each system is one of the GottKanzler's tools for creating the impression of listening to each citizen's wishes. In reality, this system is worse than a joke, Comrade."
"The Governers are elected by central Government, not by the people. And worse, they have no real power. The Kanzler must directly approve each and every legislative reform that they think of. The system is designed to look like one thing, while being something completely different. Perhaps if the Revolution were able to spread this knowledge of how the bourgeouise elite are manipulating them, the people might be more inclined to join or support groups like the Bundschuh or the Unioners. This would obviously destabilise the Rheinland government- and Rheinland has a history of radical political thought, Comrade. The Unioners, The Bundschuh, even the LWB and the Hessians. All of them have some political agenda. The people of Rheinland are clearly crying out for change, and the GottKanzler is simply not listening"
At this, Donovan paused for breath. Not for too long, however. He did not want the Commissar to think that his soliloquy was over just yet.
"Comrade, the GottKanzler also uses the myth of an economic renaissance to curry favour with his people. After the damage caused by the 80 year war, and then the Nomad wars, the Rheinland economy had seemed to collapse, and the people felt disheartened. Now, Reinhardt tells them that the economy has recovered, that Rheinland will be great once again. It is all lies. The new military ships are funded by expensive borrowing, and the success of industrial giants like Daumann and Republican comes at the expense of smaller companies and the citzens. The GottKanzler supports those companies that seem 'important' with subsidies, and the people suffer. Rheinland is, in reality, on the brink of financial collapse. And we, sorry, I mean you, can use that."
"Comrade, how you act must depend on your goals. If you hope to destabilise and destroy the Rheinland regime so that a more sympathetic government might rise from the ashes, you would do your best to inhibit the growth and success of Rheinland corporations. By halting their progress, you will speed up the collapse of Reinhardt's crumbling financial edifice. But this, I think, is not your intention. You do not, I suppose, want the people to suffer. Instead, it is my belief that you want the people to realise how they are lied to, and how the capitalist system fails them. To do this, you must make the citizenry of Rheinland aware of their dilemma, and present yourself as sympathetic to their cause. That way, they will be drawn to our Revolution of their own volition. Perhaps, the whole of Rheinland will join the cause."
"Comrade, you asked me how I think that you could stop the GottKanzler from currying favour from his people, and I fear that I have overstepped the bounds of the question. In short, and to answer the question succinctly, I would suggest that you reveal the lies and two-facedness of the Rheinland political system to the people, while at the same time presenting yourself and your cause as the solution to Rheinland's problems. You must destroy the large corporations' ability to operate effectively, and thus make plain the folley of Reinhardt's subsidies. Then, I hope, the Revolution may succeed in Rheinland."
At this, Donovan stopped, his speach clearly over. He looked expectantly for a response, and while he waited he could feel the tension building. He had to stay focussed, and stop his knees from shaking. The strain almost showed on his face, and a bead of sweat began to form on his brow.
"Please, let that be enough. Don't let them kill me" were the thoughts echoing in his mind.
