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  • Subject: Political Leadership in the Halo Universe
Subject: Political Leadership in the Halo Universe
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A member of Eagle 117s group, The Watchers , A group for the theorists of Bungie.net

I was recently discussing the Haloverse with a friend and they decided to make a large point in inquiring who was the "leader" or "ruling" person(s) in Halo. If political, who, and if within the military, who it was.

I am familiar with the usual assortment of Admirals mentioned but have not gotten around to the more recent books. I was wondering if there was ever any mention of such a ruling class or characters of the "upper brass" in any of the books to date. The covenant power structure has been discussed in detail, but I often hear little about the higher ups of the human military or government.

Help would be appreciated, but also feel free to just tell me I'm off my rocker.

  • 01.04.2012 1:23 AM PDT

General Knoxx

Isn't Lord Hood the leader of the UNSC?... Sorry if I'm mistaken.

  • 01.04.2012 1:31 AM PDT

Exact science, is not an exact science.

Indeed!!

  • 01.04.2012 2:25 AM PDT

"I may not be perfect, but always been true."

Lord Hood is the defacto leader of the UNSC, although Margaret Paragonski is the head of ONI which pretty much controls the UNSC, so Lord Hood would probably have to answer to Margaret.

So yeah, Margaret is le boss of the humans.

  • 01.04.2012 3:33 AM PDT
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Do not waste your tears, I was not born to watch the world grow dim. Life is not measured in years, but by the deeds of men.

Posted by: goldhawk
We should know better, because we are better.


Posted by: RKOSNAKE
Lord Hood is the defacto leader of the UNSC, although Margaret Paragonski is the head of ONI which pretty much controls the UNSC, so Lord Hood would probably have to answer to Margaret.

So yeah, Margaret is le boss of the humans.

Lord Hood does most of the work though. Even though Parangosky could contradict an order of his, she doesn't do it much (that we know of). In times of peace Humanity would elect a president for the UEG.

  • 01.04.2012 6:37 AM PDT

An old friend.

She's a Vice Admiral. He's a full blown Admiral. She answers to him.

Also we never see Generals, Air Marshall's, etc.

  • 01.04.2012 7:03 AM PDT

Posted by: RKOSNAKE
Lord Hood is the defacto leader of the UNSC, although Margaret Paragonski is the head of ONI which pretty much controls the UNSC, so Lord Hood would probably have to answer to Margaret.

So yeah, Margaret is le boss of the humans.


Actually it would be the collective heads of the UEG, UNSC, and ONI. And in turn who owns them would be the rich billionaires and international bankers, and the banks they control the monetary flow, and thus, the government, through.

  • 01.04.2012 9:49 AM PDT
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"but you already knew that, I mean, how couldn't you?

Only when no Human brick is left atop another, shall we be satisfied with your destruction.

The U.E.G. (United Earth Government) ran all Human affairs before the war with the Covenant, it had elected leaders, and we have to presume a heavy bias towards the inner (more heavily populated) colonies.

When the War with the Covenant started getting serious, the civilian UEG government was temporarily suspended, and an emergency millitary government headed by the UEG's millitary arm (the UNSC) was put in place.

At this point the top brass of the UNSC became the de-facto and legal leaders of Earth and all loyal colonies, this is presumed to be temporary, and that the civilian government is reinstated after the war.

The highest-ranking officer we know of is Lord Terrence Hood, Admiral of the UNSCDF Fleet around Earth. He may have had equals or peers, certainly a general staff to help him, but by Halo 3 it is clear he is the leader of Humanity.

Parangosky is his subordinate, though whether she is a loyal one is up for debate.


Interestingly, the fact that Adm Hood holds the title of "Lord" shows that at least one set of royalty still exists, and has enough influence with the government to confer a title. Though any leadership roles are almost certainly symbolic/traditional.

[Edited on 01.04.2012 11:04 AM PST]

  • 01.04.2012 11:00 AM PDT

Citizens of Me! The cruelty of the old Pharaoh is a thing of the past. Let a whole new wave of cruelty wash over this lazy land.

Hear the word of Pharaoh. Build unto me a statue of ridiculous proportion. One billion cubits in height......that I might be remembered for all eternity!

And be quick about it!


Posted by: Fin5434p
Interestingly, the fact that Adm Hood holds the title of "Lord" shows that at least one set of royalty still exists, and has enough influence with the government to confer a title. Though any leadership roles are almost certainly symbolic/traditional.


The true leader of the UNSC is obviously Queen Elizabeth II's great great great great great great great grandchild...

King Lord Hood I!

  • 01.04.2012 1:23 PM PDT
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"but you already knew that, I mean, how couldn't you?

Only when no Human brick is left atop another, shall we be satisfied with your destruction.


Posted by: Madmaxepic

Posted by: Fin5434p
Interestingly, the fact that Adm Hood holds the title of "Lord" shows that at least one set of royalty still exists, and has enough influence with the government to confer a title. Though any leadership roles are almost certainly symbolic/traditional.


The true leader of the UNSC is obviously Queen Elizabeth II's great great great great great great great grandchild...

King Lord Hood I!


We'll add that to the long list of inappropriate titles Hood has then? :p


I know you aren't being serious, but "King Lord Hood" is funny in the same way people calling him "Admiral Lord Sir* Terrence Hood" is funny, or "Admiral general" or "President Prime Minister", you just use one form of address.

In this case "Lord" (the actual title he holds could plausibly be as high as Earl, but he is probably a Baron, and certainly not in line to the Throne).
If he was knighted before being created a Baron (or Earl) then it would still be appropriate to refer to him as "Sir Terrence"* informally but not formally polite.
As far as we know, he inherited the title, so "Lord Hood" not "Admiral Hood" or "Sir Terrence"* would be the one to use.


*Only applies if he has been knighted before he was made 'Lord' Hood.

  • 01.04.2012 2:26 PM PDT

Posted by:ScubaToaster
Posted by: HipiO7
This man, this man right here put it so eloquently that I actually cancelled my own 2000+ word long post.
/slow clap for respect


:)
The person who said participating is important, not winning, obviously never won anything.

Lord Hood is the Deputy Chief of the Navy, which makes him the boss in the UNSC. Parangoski is head of ONI, which leaves her on a very similar level to Hood.

I havent read Glasslands, so I dont know who has more power then the two. I have no idea who is the head of the UNSC Army, but no doubt, the boss of the Army is no where near the power the other two have.

  • 01.04.2012 2:37 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: HipiO7
Lord Hood is the Deputy Chief of the Navy, which makes him the boss in the UNSC. Parangoski is head of ONI, which leaves her on a very similar level to Hood.

I havent read Glasslands, so I dont know who has more power then the two. I have no idea who is the head of the UNSC Army, but no doubt, the boss of the Army is no where near the power the other two have.


It's been shown that Hood can overrule a decision Margaret made, as shown when he pulled out Fred from an ONI interrogation ordered by Maggie WHILE Earth was under attack by the Covenant.

However, it seems Maggie has more power in Glasslands with all of her secret projects and keeping Halsey detained.

  • 01.04.2012 2:41 PM PDT
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A member of Eagle 117s group, The Watchers , A group for the theorists of Bungie.net

Thank you everyone, this is all very helpful! I was aware of Lord Hood, but since I have not been keeping up with the current books, was unsure if any other Admirals or authority figures had made a scene.

As one can imagine this whole power share/struggle between ONI, UNSC, and the UEG, was an interesting one when speaking to someone who was completely unfamiliar with the series or plot.

  • 01.04.2012 6:35 PM PDT