Ahh one of my favorite Third Imperium topics:
Does the Third Imperium have a distinctive culture and if so, what is it?
In my universe, it does. I believe you could draw inferences of culture from established canon materials of the OTU, summed up in these simple points:
- all orgs express and evolve a set of cultural traits as part of their identity
- these traits are propagated by factors we know to be present
- canon sources say there’s such a thing as Imperial culture
Below is a list of traits that seem to be aspects of Imperial culture, consistant throughout the Imperium. This is not to say this is the culture of worlds within the Imperium; as we know, those places have their own culture. I’m speaking of culture within Imperial organizations, on reservations, in SPA starports, wherever the Imperium holds sway and there’s little to no “other” local flavor. That being said, some of the cultural traits below would likely bleed into different local societies.
From the inside, these traits might seem so obvious as to be overlooked, or perhaps heralded as universal truths. But they are not. At play might be the idea that fish tend not to notice the very water they swim in.
- Don’t always start the fight, but be able to end it. Be very very powerful, but use power judiciously. This seems to be the entire operational doctrine of the imperial Navy.
- Some amount of structure and rigidity is good and necessary; schedules, systems of rank, routes of delivery, paths of service… all help provide stability across distances.
- Violence can sometimes be a legitimate tool of diplomacy.
- Travelling, starfaring is like respiration for a society.
- Diversity is a good thing, at least in spirit, and until it interferes with “normal.”
- Humaniti is just a little bit “better.” The standard alien specie are just a little bit wanting. Along with this, transhumanism is disdained.
- Being cosmopolitan is good, awareness and participation in the wider worlds is good.
- Belief in something bigger than one’s self is common – the Ancients, the Imperium. honor and duty, the value of service, the power of a contract – such beliefs are widespread.
- Standardization and homogeneity have value – money, tech, language are fine examples.
- Commerce keeps civilization going; fair exchange, a value for goods or services keeps the peace and helps everyone thrive.
- Gender equality is a given.
- Personal privacy and free will is important. Anti-Zhodani sentiment is in part an expression of these ideas.
- A person should work, be productive, earn and save, and then retire to relative leisure and enjoy the fruits of their historical labor. Productive life is more valuable than non-productive life.
- Artificial sentients are not citizens, and have less rights than sophonts.
- Psionics, psionic research and training are bad for society.
- Upward mobility is possible, earned, and encouraged.
- “Freedom” after a fashion is necessary, especially the freedom of capitalism
- Religion tolerated but not the rule.
- Democracy is rare. It’s not often aspired to, not held up in any major way as something to strive for.