Alistair's words caused confusion.
Modern politics was complex for them.
Politics is the highest art.
Alistair agreed.
Modern politics was humanity's highest achievement.
Silence fell.
No one understood Alistair's thoughts.
He was deeply engrossed in thought.
Everyone watched him, urging him to proceed.
He coughed, taking control.
"A life for a life, debts must be repaid. Agree?"
The Shandorians and Sky Islanders nodded, agreeing with this basic value.
But Wyper stood, asking, "But in our war, how do we account for past killings?"
"If the Shandorians conquered, you could judge them. But I'm in charge; this rule starts today."
They hesitantly nodded.
No one had consulted them so democratically; they were unsure.
But Alistair's words were logical; they agreed.
What was the point of further conflict?
Internal strife was ridiculous against a stronger force.
It was pointless.
The Shandorians witnessed Ace and Hancock's battle; the priests were beaten by Enel; no one wanted to fight anymore.
"Next point."
Alistair thought this point was settled.
It was exhausting… discussing political systems with natives.
He skipped it.
"Next, the elderly and children, even without relatives, will be cared for by the state. Agree?"
"Why the useless talk?" A Sky Islander grumbled.
"Would we abandon our elders and children?" Everyone nodded, but the Shandorians sensed something.
The Shandorians were more mature than the Sky Islanders.
"It's different," Alistair said seriously. He welcomed questions; answering them helped everyone—the pirates, Mihar, Van Augur, Ace, Robin, and Hancock.
"That was a custom, an unspoken rule. But did the Shandorians agree?"
Alistair apologized to Wyper: "No offense, just a hypothetical."
"Shandorians might have harsh conditions; the elderly might die alone. This could become a custom, conflicting with your customs. This could cause conflict."
"But if we clarify this now, it becomes law, written on wood, stating what's permissible, obligatory, inadvisable, and prohibited."
"Doing what's permissible is duty; what's obligatory deserves reward; what's inadvisable deserves censure; what's prohibited deserves punishment."
These four correspond to: moral and legal, moral but illegal, immoral but legal, and immoral and illegal. Establishing these creates order.
"Is caring for the elderly moral and legal?" Alistair asked.
The Shandorians and Sky Islanders were silent.
More Shandorians arrived but were ignored by the Sky Islanders.
Everyone pondered this.
"It's both duty and deserving of reward," Dalton said.
"It's a family's duty, but you mentioned those without relatives; the state should assume that responsibility. Families fulfill their duty; the state rewards it. For those without relatives, the state's actions are its duty."
Dalton's explanation was insightful.
"Caring for the elderly and orphans is the state's duty. Objections?"
Alistair looked around.
"None." The Sky Islanders and Shandorians agreed.
"Objections to land, food, and goods being collectively owned?" Alistair continued.
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