In which we discuss the politics of the Mario Universe.
April 10, 2013 1:22 PM Subscribe
...Although as he self-styles himself "King Koopa," it is apparent that he claims (or is seeking) parity of esteem with Princess Peach; that is to say that he does not regard himself as a "terrorist," but as a "freedom fighter" or entitled ruler in his own right.
This doesn't address the question of whether Wario is a libertarian or not.
posted by hellojed at 1:31 PM on April 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by hellojed at 1:31 PM on April 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think Slate and Quora have some sort of partnership; Slate posts interesting Quora answers on its site every few days. The reasoning would be: Slate gets content, Quora gets exposure.
posted by toxtethogrady at 1:36 PM on April 10, 2013
posted by toxtethogrady at 1:36 PM on April 10, 2013
This looks like Slate just up and posted a question & answer from Quora. Weird.
They've actually been doing that for a while -- which given that I realize Quora has some interesting stuff, but I don't want to trawl it, is okay by me.
(If people can post things I like here so I don't have to trawl Slate, all the better.)
As for the answer to the question, I knew I was going to like it when it started answering its question of what constituted the Mario universe with "Without going into too much detail..." and then went into two+ paragraphs.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:38 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
They've actually been doing that for a while -- which given that I realize Quora has some interesting stuff, but I don't want to trawl it, is okay by me.
(If people can post things I like here so I don't have to trawl Slate, all the better.)
As for the answer to the question, I knew I was going to like it when it started answering its question of what constituted the Mario universe with "Without going into too much detail..." and then went into two+ paragraphs.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:38 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think Slate and Quora have some sort of partnership; Slate posts interesting Quora answers on its site every few days.
As cataloged under the author Quora contributor, or you can browse all the Quora-sourced Slate articles here.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:39 PM on April 10, 2013
As cataloged under the author Quora contributor, or you can browse all the Quora-sourced Slate articles here.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:39 PM on April 10, 2013
As for the answer to the question, I knew I was going to like it when it started answering its question of what constituted the Mario universe with "Without going into too much detail..." and then went into two paragraphs.
The hopeful parents were short-sighted. I don't see any want-ad for "political adviser to the Mushroom Kingdom."
posted by filthy light thief at 1:42 PM on April 10, 2013
The hopeful parents were short-sighted. I don't see any want-ad for "political adviser to the Mushroom Kingdom."
posted by filthy light thief at 1:42 PM on April 10, 2013
I used to enjoy stuff like this, you know the whole Death Star conversation in Clerks . . . now I'm just tired of it.
What Is the Political Situation in the Mario Universe?
Um . . . there isn't one? It's a video game where flowers give you the power of fireballs - the only political situation is "on fire" or "not on fire".
posted by IvoShandor at 1:43 PM on April 10, 2013 [7 favorites]
What Is the Political Situation in the Mario Universe?
Um . . . there isn't one? It's a video game where flowers give you the power of fireballs - the only political situation is "on fire" or "not on fire".
posted by IvoShandor at 1:43 PM on April 10, 2013 [7 favorites]
...the power of fireballs - the only political situation is "on fire" or "not on fire".
I think you want the discussion down the hall on the politics behind drug legalization.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:46 PM on April 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think you want the discussion down the hall on the politics behind drug legalization.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:46 PM on April 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think you want the discussion down the hall on the politics behind drug legalization.
All of you who are "on fire" over here. Those of you "not on fire" over here.
Or was that supposed to be the other way around?
/fire caucus
posted by IvoShandor at 1:51 PM on April 10, 2013
All of you who are "on fire" over here. Those of you "not on fire" over here.
Or was that supposed to be the other way around?
/fire caucus
posted by IvoShandor at 1:51 PM on April 10, 2013
If you want a picture of the political situation in Mario, imagine a boot, stamping on a Goomba face -- forever!
posted by gauche at 1:52 PM on April 10, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by gauche at 1:52 PM on April 10, 2013 [7 favorites]
Who will speak for ghost-haunted and gaunt Luigi? I will speak for him.
posted by Mister_A at 2:09 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister_A at 2:09 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you want a picture of the political situation in Mario, imagine a boot, stamping on a Goomba face -- forever!
Nine times in a row without touching the ground, you get an extra life!
posted by thecaddy at 2:12 PM on April 10, 2013
Nine times in a row without touching the ground, you get an extra life!
posted by thecaddy at 2:12 PM on April 10, 2013
The Mushroom Kingdom is a monarchy. Mario and Luigi are, I guess, naturalized citizens there? Like resident aliens. Mario does not enjoy anything approaching diplomatic immunity in the Mushroom Universe at large, and likely does not even within the Mushroom Kingdom itself.
For reference please see Super Mario Sunshine, in which Mario submits to the legal authority of Isle Delfino (impliedly reachable by plane from the Mushroom Kingdom) in an entirely un-warlord-like manner.
King Koopa (Bowser) is sovereign of his own thing, but whether that's a nation (of Koopas and other allied species) or also a country (i.e. the "Koopa Kingdom") is not, as far as I know, ever made really clear. I don't know that anyone ever challenges the validity of Bowser's kingship, and while he is a villain he is not, strictly speaking, a criminal in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Suck it, Quora.
posted by Poppa Bear at 2:16 PM on April 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
For reference please see Super Mario Sunshine, in which Mario submits to the legal authority of Isle Delfino (impliedly reachable by plane from the Mushroom Kingdom) in an entirely un-warlord-like manner.
King Koopa (Bowser) is sovereign of his own thing, but whether that's a nation (of Koopas and other allied species) or also a country (i.e. the "Koopa Kingdom") is not, as far as I know, ever made really clear. I don't know that anyone ever challenges the validity of Bowser's kingship, and while he is a villain he is not, strictly speaking, a criminal in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Suck it, Quora.
posted by Poppa Bear at 2:16 PM on April 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think you want the discussion down the hall on the politics behind drug legalization.
IvoShander may be more interested in these discussions again after drug legalization.
posted by Jahaza at 2:17 PM on April 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
IvoShander may be more interested in these discussions again after drug legalization.
posted by Jahaza at 2:17 PM on April 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
Oh, and it's probably an hereditary, non-constitutional monarchy. I don't think they have a Prime Minister or Congress or Parliament or any of that.
posted by Poppa Bear at 2:18 PM on April 10, 2013
posted by Poppa Bear at 2:18 PM on April 10, 2013
Here's the real issue, to me. We know that the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland are closely aligned, politically, as shown by the extremely close friendship between their respective monarchs, Peach and Daisy. And we know that there was a time when the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland were both under near-constant threats, but in the past several decades, while the Mushroom Kingdom continues to be under attack, Sarasaland has had peace and prosperity, with Daisy really only showing up to bring in her cruise ship and play tennis or what have you.
So the question is - what did Daisy, seemingly so close with Peach, do to secure her safety and her kingdom's security, and what is keeping Peach from making the same move?
posted by Navelgazer at 2:23 PM on April 10, 2013 [6 favorites]
So the question is - what did Daisy, seemingly so close with Peach, do to secure her safety and her kingdom's security, and what is keeping Peach from making the same move?
posted by Navelgazer at 2:23 PM on April 10, 2013 [6 favorites]
Luigi is just a more competent champion for Daisy than Mario is for Peach. That is why Luigi splits his downtime between ghost hunting and helping Mario find green stars. It's all about the floaty high jump.
posted by Elementary Penguin at 3:10 PM on April 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Elementary Penguin at 3:10 PM on April 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
Aren't Goombas just another kind of Toad? Would that make Bowser their liberator?
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:36 PM on April 10, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:36 PM on April 10, 2013
Look deeper: Bowser is just a puppet for Nintendo's software developers, who are really the ones in charge. They pit Mario against Bowser and Bowser against Mario to suit their own nefarious ends. Mainly to sell Wiis, but still.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:12 PM on April 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:12 PM on April 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
I don't think you can discus the politics of the Mushroom Kingdom without mentioning the fact that their currency is horrifically undervalued. Obviously it's not a superpower in the region, as they've clearly undergone some sort of Zimbabwe style hyperinflation.
posted by zixyer at 6:40 PM on April 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by zixyer at 6:40 PM on April 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
Also: Dr. Mario Weighs In on Universal Health Care (McSweeney’s)
posted by cyberscythe at 7:59 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cyberscythe at 7:59 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Pretty sure this was linked on the Blue previously but can't find it now.
The Mario Universe has no geo-political situation. It just has a Princess who likes cake.
posted by Molesome at 4:12 AM on April 11, 2013
The Mario Universe has no geo-political situation. It just has a Princess who likes cake.
posted by Molesome at 4:12 AM on April 11, 2013
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posted by boo_radley at 1:26 PM on April 10, 2013 [1 favorite]