Traditional Axes of Power

WORK IN PROGRESS

Church	Monarchy
Anti-natal - leadership requires a vow of chastity.	Pro-natal - one of the leader’s most important responsibilities is to sire an heir. Failure to do so can cause a national crisis, even a war.
Meekness is a virtue. Most ethical life involves renouncing wealth.	Strength is safety. The appearance of weakness could destabilize society.
Legitimacy comes from dogma. Must maintain orthodoxy.	Legitimacy is established by pedigree. Must maintain purity of breeding stock.
Dominates subjects’ souls. Monopolizes culture.	Dominates subjects’ bodies. Monopolizes force.
Defends and spreads the belief system.	Defends and expands the boundaries of the polity.
Ideal leader is pious, learned, cultured, righteous.	Ideal leader is mighty, wise, diplomatic, strong.
Champions charity and mercy. Ministers to the sick and poor. Builds hospitals.	Champions order and justice. Patrols and guards the community. Builds garrisons.
Punishes sin - have you flouted norms or ignored rituals? do you have heretical beliefs?	Punishes crime - have you harmed others? have you disturbed the peace?
History has a beginning, middle and end. The focus is on preparing for the end towards which history is moving.	History is a series of dynasties rising and falling. The focus is on increasing the standing of the ruler’s dynasty.
The world is full of people, some of them saints but most of them wicked.	The world is full of nations, some of them allies but most of them enemies.
Has a predictable schedule of fast and feast.	Holds banquets to celebrate victories.
The world is corrupted but with the right sacrifices and beliefs we can reach paradise.	There is nothing wrong with the world, but our place in it can be improved.