Comparison: Current Ukrainian Situation & Frank Herbert's Dune

Hello Everyone,

For my first post on WLIA, I would like to give an essay of Frank Herbert's 1963 novel, Dune, as compared to the current events in Ukraine, which started in late November and early December of 2013.

*Please be aware that there are spoilers for the book. If you are planning to read the book or are currently reading it, I suggest waiting to read this. If you would like to read the book but don't wish to buy it, the PDF is here.  *

Dune takes place 21,000 years from now, and the story is mostly on the desert planet of Arrakis, the one source in the universe of melange spice, one the most important resources, desired by all. Human society at this point is an empire, ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (from the House Corrino); all planets are distributed to smaller lords (dukes, counts, barons, etc.) in a sort of space-feudal system. 

As the only source of melange spice for the whole of humanity, whichever lord controls Arrakis as his/her fiefdom will easily rake in the profits, as the spice is both physiologically and psychologically addictive. Naturally, whoever controls Arrakis controls humanity, in essence. 

The Padishah Emperor decides to give the planet to his distant relative, Duke Leto Atreides, of House Atreides. Shaddam IV openly gives Leto control of Arrakis, knowing that he cannot refuse for multiple reasons, however, he secretly backs Baron Vladimir Harkonnen of House Harkonnen, and enemy of House Atreides. 

The Emperor gives Harkonnen the elite imperial soldiers, disguised as Harkonnen troops, so that the baron can take over and kill the Atreides family in their new castle on Arrakis. He succeeds in killing the Duke, but fails to kill some of his chief retainers, as well as the Duke's wife Jessica and son Paul. Jessica and Paul enlist the aid of the Fremen, a nomadic peoples that live in the desert (think Sand People/Tusken Raiders) who have suffered greatly under the despotic rule of the Baron. Out in the desert of Arrakis, water is currency, and every drop counts; Paul and Jessica learn the ways of the Fremen, and become part of Fremen society, eventually taking key religious roles among the people. Paul becomes some kind of a warrior-prophet, and eventually leads the Fremen against the Baron, his men, and the Emperor himself. He overthrows them and places himself as the new emperor.

Back in the real world, the situation in Ukraine has grown increasingly bad after President Viktor Yanukovych declined the European Union's invitation to become a member state in late November. This has resulted in rather violent riots that have continued for two months between governments and pro-government forces and pro-EU forces. However, I am not a political analyst, so here are some articles from The BBC that can explain the situation in greater detail.

At this time, I would like to point out 3 major similarities between groups in Dune and the current events in Ukraine:

Viktor Yanukovych and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen:
- Both are backed by a stronger power; in Yanukovych's case, Russia, and in Harkonnen's case, the Padishah Emperor. Both men oppress their people: Yanukovych's constant use of riot police from the get-go, his anti-protest laws, and Harkonnen's oppression/attempted genocide of both the Fremen and House Atreides.

Russia (Vladimir Putin) and the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV:
- Both back oppressive governments/people. Both are large powers that use their influence to affect events going on around them, mostly in a negative way, it would seem.

The Protesters and the Fremen/House Atreides:
- Both are oppressed by their respective governments. Both have risen up violently against their oppressors, and fought for their rights.