Klingon Social Structure

[weslipuqlod]

posted on 11-30-2002 at 03:46 PM

Klingon Social Structure

I have expressed a belief that Klingon Society is structured, rigid. Others believe that it is more loosely organized.

For me, Klingon culture is militaristic. The very nature of Klingon society is based upon a rigid division and hierarchy of classes with the military/warrior caste on top.

The warrior class includes every warrior from the Emperor to governors and minor officials. The Emperor is the ultimate authority, source, and essence of all law, the fountainhead of the High Council, the leader and protector of his people. In the absence of an Emperor, the Chancellor fills this role.

Next are the farmers, scientists, and doctors - placed into this position because they provide livelihood and strength to the Empire.

Then come craftsmen, artisans, musicians and celebrated chefs, providing enrichment and depth to the Empire.

Finally there is the merchants or traders - somewhat despised, even though they are necessary. Merchants are considered to produce nothing and are activated solely by a desire to amass wealth.

Klingons unaffected by this rigid division of classes are the clerics, operating outside yet greatly influencing the social structure almost as a political party.

How do others view Klingon social structure?

[BuraD]

posted on 12-3-2002 at 04:03 AM

The structure is less rigid than it once was. In generations past, a warrior could not become an officer unless he was from a noble House. In more recent times, a warrior can, through his own efforts and merit, climb from being a commoner to being Chancellor and leader of the Empire.
The Empire is still semi-feudal in its government. However, it is slowly, increasingly a feudal system based on merit, especially with the losses suffered across the board in the Dominion War.

Yes, it is still based on military service for the basis of status. However, every House knows that it depends on its other classes as well to give it the economic strength to provide its warriors with the best weapons, ships and war materiel with which to gain further glory. Conquering a planet is one thing. Developing its resources efficiently for the Empire is just as valuable. Failing to do so, and squandering the Empire's resources is also a quick way to losing honor, power and influence.
 

[kalaa HoD]

posted on 12-5-2002 at 06:07 PM

Klingon Family Structure

For years, I have been working on a back story for a Klingon character. For what I have read and what I know so far about Klingons and Star Trek, there has been no concerted effort to explain or "discover" the background characteristics and the structure of the Klingon family unit. I have two theories regarding this. My first theory regards Klingon females. I believe they are not as numerous as males, and this is how it has been from the very beginning, causing the males to have a tradition of dueling and strong, warrior-like behavior to attract the few eligible fertile females that exist. I also believe this "fact" can explain much of Klingon mating ritual, religious beliefs, and the structure of the Klingon hierarchy. More on this later. My second theory is that female Klingons have developed their own hierarchy, one which has not been mentioned to any serious degree in Star Trek. It makes sense on two levels. In all human societies, males and females have certain roles that are expected from them. Because women have been oppressed in the past, it would seem from first reading this that the Klingons keep females out of their affairs for the same reasons Humans did in the past. I, however, do not believe that Klingons are as primitive as Humans in their thinking. Because Klingon females are rare, their hierarchy is actually MORE important on the homeworlds than the males. Yes, the Emperor is male, but there is nothing in any Star Trek work that refutes my theory. Does anyone disagree with this? (Oh, and by the way, this is the short version of my theory...I am willing to discuss, inform or debate with anyone willing to challenge it).
 

[weslipuqlod]

posted on 12-6-2002 at 12:19 AM

Originally posted by kalaa HoD My first theory regards Klingon females. I believe they are not as numerous as males, and this is how it has been from the very beginning, causing the males to have a tradition of dueling and strong, warrior-like behavior to attract the few eligible fertile females that exist.

Tell me more about this theory.

Originally posted by kalaa HoD My second theory is that female Klingons have developed their own hierarchy...Because Klingon females are rare, their hierarchy is actually MORE important on the homeworlds than the males.

I am very interested in this hierarchy, how you theorize it was developed and how it is more important on the Homeworld. Would this importance include off-Homeworld as well or is it limited to Qo'noS only?
 

[Klythe]

posted on 12-20-2002 at 08:17 PM

For me, Klingon culture is militaristic. The very nature of Klingon society is based upon a rigid division and hierarchy of classes with the military/warrior caste on top.

Warriors do not need to be 'militaristic'. We see very little which would pass for modern military decorum amoung te warriors. A rigid caste system seems to be counter indicated by a system that not only allows, but mandates that subordinates kill their superiors who are not up to the task. Such social climbing is rather discouraged in caste systems, I think.

Next are the farmers, scientists, and doctors - placed into this position because they provide livelihood and strength to the Empire.

Then come craftsmen, artisans, musicians and celebrated chefs, providing enrichment and depth to the Empire

And yet music and telling stories of honor are more respected getting far more airtime than farming, medicine combined. Agruably as much or more than science.

My model. It is canonical that Qo'noS was invaded a few centuries after the time of QeyleS, which was a medieval stage of development. When the HerQ were defeated, the empire was still at a medieval cultural level, but now had access to advanced space age technlogies. The Klingons obviously during the occupation or shortly there after would have realised the need for/power of science. Klingons learned what they could from the HerQ themselves and the technology they left behind. Subject Matter experts were highly revered along side great warriors of the time. Over time, klingons have done little science and technological innovation over the years, perfering to capture and reverse engineer technologies or trade for them.

The Klingon social order is a highly dynamic heirachy, in many ways like the pack structure of animals. Rutual non-lethal combat or proffession specific challenges determines who is the roles individuals play in society. Even scientists and farmers fight each other in this manner, so every klingon must be a capable fighter as well as skilled in his proffession to gain or maintain status and position.

Females are not different in the eyes of society. When they seek status or position they compete with both males and females for the positions. It is rare for females to achieve the highest ranks, only because they are slightly less strong than males. When they have achieved success in their own right, they select a mate based on his status position and strength, both physical and strength of character. The male accepts or rejects her advances based on the same criteria. Less often a male initiates pursuit of a female mate. (ie. Worf and Grilka.) I'm not entertaining other possibiliteis at this time... sorry.
 

[weslipuqlod]

posted on 12-21-2002 at 01:11 AM

Originally posted by Klythe Rutual non-lethal combat or proffession specific challenges determines who is the roles individuals play in society. Even scientists and farmers fight each other in this manner, so every klingon must be a capable fighter as well as skilled in his proffession to gain or maintain status and position.

Interesting...what more can you tell us regarding such profession-specific challenges.

[Klythe]

posted on 12-21-2002 at 05:41 AM

That is speculative on my part, but I could see a challenge between two scientists competing against eachother to discover how something works, or how to close a spacial anomaly or what not. Obviously these sorts of challenges could not just be picked as easily as a warrior picks a fight, but over time, one rival will gain advantage on another, and be regarded as the better of the two... Really nothing different that what sometimes happens when terrans become rivals, only it would happen more often for klingons where status and reputation are more important...

[weslipuqlod]

posted on 3-25-2003 at 03:57 PM

I wonder how such a challenge would translate into the application of law.
How do you think such advantages influence legal proceedings or do you feel that Klingon law is more objective?

[Klythe]

posted on 4-6-2003 at 07:11 PM

As with terrans, but probably on a more conscious level and more social acceptance that is proper... Having a good reputation will increse the value of your testimony. Your words will have more weight because you are more than competent in your duties, therefore you are assumed to carry that competence into what other pursuits you may have. Also, having a reputation, you have more to loose by testifying falsely or dishonoring yourself in some other manner

[qoSagh]

I think that the assination of Incompetant superiors would absolutely be allowed in a rigid caste system, becaue it maintains the overall integrity of the caste. It is essentially the caste's internal mechanism for removing the weak, and increasing the strength. Now I do not think that such a challenge from outside ines caste would be socially acceptible at all.

Look at Martok, Despite his rank of General there were still those that felt he was not an appropriate leader, due to his lineage. This was even more pronounced when he had the throne handed to him by Worf. There are bounnd to be those who think he is not fit to be Chancellor.

I also think that Craftsmen would be up in the same grouping with farmers scientists and doctors if only because they make the tools that these groups use, the weapons carried by the warriors and the houses that Klingons live in as well as the ships that they fly in. I think that singers and artisans would likely only be in a lesser group if that is thier sole function. A doctor who paints pictures would still be a doctor, by a minstral who earns his living singing would be a musician.

Now here is a caste question, if you are a Klingon farmer, and your child wants to be career military, is this possible? At what point does the one become a warrior by caste and not just by job title? That is why I'm not so sure that it is a hereditary caste system as a achievenent based caste system.

[Klythe]

I happen to think if there is a caste system, there are just two castes.   Warriors and kuve.   Warriors must constantly stuggle and compete against each other just to maintain but especially to gain position in society.  Warrior species can chose any occupation that pleases them as long as they complete well.    Canonically, there is only one warrior race(possibly two if you count TOS Klingons as a seperate race)

    Kuve species are those that surrendered to the Klingon Empire.   They are probably not free to pick thier occupation, instead they are assigned an unskilled or semiskilled occupation where there is virtually no chance to excel.  Basically, everything that the warriors avoid but still needs to be done.

Look at Martok, Despite his rank of General there were still those that felt he was not an appropriate leader, due to his lineage. This was even more pronounced when he had the throne handed to him by Worf. There are bounnd to be those who think he is not fit to be Chancellor.

    *waves his hands*  oooh!  Me!  I don't think Martoq is a good Chancellor.   Anyone what weak, who can't decide between overt loyalty(forgoing a challege until the right moment), or overt disloyalty(in preparation for a quick challenge) is not decisive enough to be Chancellor for the Empire.   We might as well have something rotten like KHamlet, Prince of Qo'noS as Chancellor.

    I really do not care about Martoq'l lineage, but perhaps it was that there was dishonor in his clan that remained to be resolved.  It does not matter to me.  He is unfit because he cannot chose to be loyal or to strike.  That is why I do not think he will make a good Chancellor.

Then come craftsmen, artisans, musicians and celebrated chefs, providing enrichment and depth to the Empire.

     Appearently actors and story tellers can be very highly regarded, as much if not more than some warriors.  This is why I do not think there is any sodt of occupaional-caste system.

 

[maq'mang]

posted on 12-21-2002 at 05:41 AM

That is speculative on my part, but I could see a challenge between two scientists competing against eachother to discover how something works, or how to close a spacial anomaly or what not. Obviously these sorts of challenges could not just be picked as easily as a warrior picks a fight, but over time, one rival will gain advantage on another, and be regarded as the better of the two... Really nothing different that what sometimes happens when terrans become rivals, only it would happen more often for klingons where status and reputation are more important...

Another aspect along this line is that when scientists' publish there is generally more than one person involved. The scientist may well come up with an entirely erroneous theory but it is listened to because the paper is published with a scientist of great stature. IT would all balance out for after a few Houses take losses when their power plants explode. The parties who published the erroneous theory would be dispatched and the subsequent papers published tend to be more accurate and their authors use great care.