Clash of Powers

In retrospect, we have all observed, commented and heard about the disastrous effects of mass betrayal from almost every character. Without a doubt, this theme could certainly be a growing concern as Gibson projects us into the future. However, I hope to take this notion further by speculating what Gibson’s idea of government could be. Can we expect to have a form of government in such a technologically savvy world, or not?

I believe it important to understand the meaning of government before anything else, and, to my knowledge, a government is a leadership system that is enforced by a set of people for a particular region. It is method of control, a perpetual practice of regulation and maintenance of those of a certain sect. With this in mind, there seems to be no concrete evidence for a true government because, throughout the story, there is always flawed or distorted perspective of what could be considered government or not. Initially at the beginning of the book we are introduced to something similar to anarchy where the government is virtually nonexistent. Case experiences the “terminal overdrive” that leads him to “[kill] two men and a woman over…ludicrous” sums of money (7). There is no higher power could establish the grounds for what is appropriate or not, and consequently, he can never be punished or legally dealt with for such injustice. Gibson even characterizes Case as a “thief, who worked for wealthier thieves” which connotes that the anarchic disorder encompasses the entire futuristic world where judgment can be relative to any person’s standards.

However the “shattered wreckage” of the Panther Moderns, “nihilistic techno-fetishists,” destroying and piling up “bodies on the barricades,” closely mirrors terrorism, a government that thrives on creating fear in the hearts of its masses (67). Certainly, they are a body of leaders, in the Sprawl, that follow the belief that people must be killed to achieve their purpose or help out those of their own. Ideally, Armitage never wanted to pay Lupus for going out of control but he had been subject under the Modern terroristic system of government, leaving him no choice but to pay.

Perhaps the most influential government of all is the dynasty or dictatorship set up by Tessier-Ashpool. Though, they appear to be secretive in nature, they have constantly usurped the abilities of ninjas and cowboys in the quest to build some sort of imperialistic regime for place like Zion, Freeside and Villa Straylight, creation of AIs and more gadgets. Tessier has also compulsorily killed those who are in opposition with them as evidenced by the killing of Jimmy, Smith’s supplier. Smith and the Finn examine “the fantastic tangle of powers the T-A’s have” and since “Jimmy got into Straylight and lifted T-A’s intricate head,” the T-A’s send their ninja to kill him (76).

These examples are a part of many more patterns. The one conclusion I can draw is that there could possibly be more violence and destruction associated with the way the world is governed. Also, I think allegiances will play a key role in governing our futuristic society. As we all know almost every character in the story belongs to a larger body that administers greater authority.  I think we cannot point exactly the political direction to which Gibson is leading us. But it is definitely worth examining.