Magic vs. Might
Jan. 18th, 2015 03:12 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
metatrix.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
deathtocapslockThere is an inherent divide between magical creatures (such as goblins) and wizards. This is based on two things:
1. Wizards can pass as muggles if they wish to. Magical creatures cannot. The implication of this is that magical creatures are much more vulnerable to muggle violence, and also that Secrecy means that magical creatures must go into isolation and hiding, while wizards must simply keep their magic a secret when interacting with muggles.
2. Wizards continue to be born of muggles, whereas there is no such thing as a magical creature born of non-magical parents. (Theoretically, I suppose a half-giant or half-goblin could be born of a union between a magical creature and a muggle, but there is no indication in canon that this is possible). The first implication of this is that magical creatures face extinction more easily than wizards do (even if you wiped out all living wizards, muggleborns would continue to be born). The second implication is that wizards cannot maintain Secrecy simply by isolation. They need to address the issue of muggleborns.
The statute of secrecy reinforces the divide between magical creatures and humans (wizard and muggle). Wizards are able to directly trade with muggles. But goblins cannot. They can only trade with wizards or other magical creatures. This limits their economic prospects a great deal.
Magic vs Might is an alternate model where all magic-bearers (creatures and wizards) unite against non-magic bearers (muggles). Any one magical race would likely be unable to keep muggles subdued. But united altogether, they stand a chance against the muggles. This is the model that the Death Eaters (and later Umbridge) are backing.
What the goblins fear most is wizards and muggles united against them. They wouldn't stand a chance. So it is in the goblins' best interest for there to be conflict and mistrust between muggles and wizards, as well as within wizards and within muggles. I wouldn't put it past them to fund both sides of the conflict. It is in their interest to do so. I also would not be surprised if goblins in reality have no use or desire for wands, but simply use it as a negotiation point to maintain their position as the wizarding world's sole bankers.
Incidentally, any time you have a closed economy, some people stand to get extremely rich. I envision a scenario where certain wizarding families with Ministry connections support Secrecy and isolation because they benefit financially. These families would make money by selling muggle goods to wizards. This only works if wizards are unable or unwilling to purchase muggle goods directly from muggle stores. These Ministry-connected families would want to encourage ignorance of the muggle world, prejudice and fear of muggles, and, interestingly, complete assimilation of muggleborns and half-bloods into wizarding society from a young age. This last is where things like Hogwarts, the Slug Club, and the ban against underage magic all come in. These families would also be motivated to collude with goblins to maintain a closed economy and a fiat currency. I wonder if this is how the Potters made their fortune.
Thoughts?
1. Wizards can pass as muggles if they wish to. Magical creatures cannot. The implication of this is that magical creatures are much more vulnerable to muggle violence, and also that Secrecy means that magical creatures must go into isolation and hiding, while wizards must simply keep their magic a secret when interacting with muggles.
2. Wizards continue to be born of muggles, whereas there is no such thing as a magical creature born of non-magical parents. (Theoretically, I suppose a half-giant or half-goblin could be born of a union between a magical creature and a muggle, but there is no indication in canon that this is possible). The first implication of this is that magical creatures face extinction more easily than wizards do (even if you wiped out all living wizards, muggleborns would continue to be born). The second implication is that wizards cannot maintain Secrecy simply by isolation. They need to address the issue of muggleborns.
The statute of secrecy reinforces the divide between magical creatures and humans (wizard and muggle). Wizards are able to directly trade with muggles. But goblins cannot. They can only trade with wizards or other magical creatures. This limits their economic prospects a great deal.
Magic vs Might is an alternate model where all magic-bearers (creatures and wizards) unite against non-magic bearers (muggles). Any one magical race would likely be unable to keep muggles subdued. But united altogether, they stand a chance against the muggles. This is the model that the Death Eaters (and later Umbridge) are backing.
What the goblins fear most is wizards and muggles united against them. They wouldn't stand a chance. So it is in the goblins' best interest for there to be conflict and mistrust between muggles and wizards, as well as within wizards and within muggles. I wouldn't put it past them to fund both sides of the conflict. It is in their interest to do so. I also would not be surprised if goblins in reality have no use or desire for wands, but simply use it as a negotiation point to maintain their position as the wizarding world's sole bankers.
Incidentally, any time you have a closed economy, some people stand to get extremely rich. I envision a scenario where certain wizarding families with Ministry connections support Secrecy and isolation because they benefit financially. These families would make money by selling muggle goods to wizards. This only works if wizards are unable or unwilling to purchase muggle goods directly from muggle stores. These Ministry-connected families would want to encourage ignorance of the muggle world, prejudice and fear of muggles, and, interestingly, complete assimilation of muggleborns and half-bloods into wizarding society from a young age. This last is where things like Hogwarts, the Slug Club, and the ban against underage magic all come in. These families would also be motivated to collude with goblins to maintain a closed economy and a fiat currency. I wonder if this is how the Potters made their fortune.
Thoughts?
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no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 07:16 pm (UTC)I like your thoughts on the Potters.
Also note that Bowman Wright, inventor of the golden snitch, was a half-blood from Godric's Hollow. Where did he get the gold for the snitches? Was he related to the Potters?
no subject
Date: 2015-01-20 12:20 am (UTC)Do we know if Goblins do this completely independently of the Ministry, though? Or is the Ministry using the Goblins to manipulate the economy (and then blaming it on the goblins)?
golden snitches
Date: 2015-01-20 12:42 am (UTC)Because while the snitches are 'golden' I don't believe it has ever been stated that they are actually made of gold instead of merely a golden color or perhaps something similar to electro-plating?
Considering a snitch really can only be used once, it would seem likely that they would be melted down once caught, so the gold could be reused.
It would also put an even worse light on James having stolen a school snitch.
Altho' IF actual gold IS used in the snitch's manufacture, then I'm now imagining a partnership with Flamel to get the gold at a 'good' price - *snicker* - the cost of lead and something extra for his expertise and time.
I do rather wonder just how much the goblins might have disliked the Philosopher's Stone and thereby Flamel.
Re: golden snitches
Date: 2015-01-20 02:59 am (UTC)I don't remember that being mentioned. Maybe it's the spells that expire, and the Snitch itself can be reused, once the correct spells have been re-applied?
Those thoughts on the manipulation of wizard feelings towards Muggles, in order to thus manipulate the economy, are *int-eresting*, indeed. I wouldn't be surprised if that *was* how the Potters, and other wealthy magical families, *started* their fortunes. Since James was uprejudiced enough to actually marry a Muggleborn, however, I would guess they've been out of that aspect for some generations.
Considering the present-day Malfoy attitudes towards Muggles and Muggleborns, though, I'd guess *they* are still actively involved in such manipulation
Re: golden snitches
Date: 2015-01-20 03:17 am (UTC)BS plot device"flesh memory" to determine which side's seeker touched it first. That however would only apply in "real" matches, right? School training doesn't count.James is still a prick for steeling school equipment, though. Can you imagine a RL student stealing a hockey puck?
Anti-muggle Prejudice
Date: 2015-01-20 04:51 am (UTC)Re: Anti-muggle Prejudice
Date: 2015-01-20 06:26 am (UTC)Re: Anti-muggle Prejudice
Date: 2015-01-20 09:31 pm (UTC)