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OWNINGJustice vs. Violencepolitical conflict for Control
In a conflict for Control both characters want to define the rules of the game. They want to own the other + make them conform to their own ideals without physical violence. But as they are afraid of being betrayed they start cheating or try to dominate public opinion to secure their legacy. Both shy away from liability: They want to own without being owned back, yet want to change the rules forever in their favour. With Violence if necessary.
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Crime
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POWER |
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GANGSTERCrimeWANT
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CRIMEFIGHTERActionWANT
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LET IT GO
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NEED
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NEED
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take risks
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| The Gangster wants to increase his influence, dominate the free market and conquer the world for his own profits. | The Crimefighter wants to defend liberty and sacrifice his life for a world where everyone gets a fair shot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Conformity blocks Mastery The Gangster wants to do whatever profits his business. In his world violence dictates the rules of the game. He teams up only to beat competition. He’d like to play fair, but if he doesn’t do the dirty work, someone else would. |
Both want to rule over the other + make them conform to their way. |
Ambition blocks Community The Crimefighter wants to stand his ground for everyone. To him violence is only acceptable to defend rules that are beneficial to everybody. He is a true hero, that does what needs to be done. Never truly living is the price he pays. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Both characters live in the same hierarchically organised system or group and strive to keep or seize control of it’s laws + command. It’s a battle between eternal ideals and politically opportune ideas. Both characters are stuck in their social roles: The Gangster tries to seize control, because he sees himself at risk to be excluded from the group. He operates outside of the socially accepted norms and thus strives to change them to his advantage. The Crimefighter acts as independent agent within the group and seeks control over the system only in order to maintain justice. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CONTROL Absolution of Tyranny + Greed The Gangster is trapped in his past. To undo it, he wants to seize control and legitimise + normalise his wrongdoings. | BOTH WANT CONTROL |
CONTROL Defense of Liberty + Justice The Crimefighter wants to control the rules of a system not for his personal profits, but for the greater good. | |||||||||||||||||||
| The Gangster teams up with others and might also represent their concerns, but ultimately his political efforts are about his own self-interest and his own social standing as a leader. While the Gangster is ready to sacrifice anyone but himself, the Crimefighter would rather sacrifice his own life, than to unfairly assume power. He thinks no-one should be above the law, and doesn’t seek to take the personal responsibility of leadership. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGACY Be Remembered as a Hero The Gangster furthermost wants to provide to his own people. But as he does so, by doing shady things, he wants to keep control of his reputation. He thinks he has not yet achieved enough and needs to live on to redeem himself. But he can’t bail out from his illegal activities: it would cost his legacy. | BOTH BELIEVE THEY NEED LEGACY |
LEGACY Make good Life Possible The Crimefighter doesn’t care for prestige or a place in the spotlight. He wants everyone in his society to thrive and prosper. To him his Legacy are his efforts for his community and the hope that his sacrifice actually contributes to a brighter future. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Both characters pursue impossible ideals of leadership: The Gangster seeks absolute submission under his rule, while the Crimefighter pursues a leaderless self-government of the group to maintain justice for all. Naturally these goals cancel each other out. One can’t own everything forever and one can’t serve justice without personal risk. Only if both characters break each others insane absoluteness, they can achieve unity within the group and redeem themselves and their legacy. | |||||||||||||||||||||