Revolutions - Episode 11.22: Leopold's Leviathan

Release Date: April 14, 2025
Series: Season 12 - The Martian Revolution of 2247
Host: Mike Duncan

Introduction

In Season 12 of Revolutions, Mike Duncan delves into a fictional yet meticulously crafted narrative of the Martian Revolution of 2247. Drawing from twelve seasons of historical revolutions, Duncan weaves a gripping science-fiction epic that mirrors real-world revolutionary patterns, characters, and events.

Setting the Stage: The Corporate War and the Exodus to Mars

[00:04]
The episode opens with a refugee convoy fleeing Luna Port in August 2250, escaping a planet embroiled in the first major corporate war on Earth. The conflict involves Omnicorps and three other corporate entities, leading to global warfare with significant theaters in Africa, South Asia, and the islands. As Duncan explains, "The fighting around Luna Port marked the first shots in the corporate war down on Earth" (00:04).

Luna Port Evacuation:
The convoy's departure signifies a desperate escape from Earth's collapsing infrastructure towards Mars, a planet striving to establish its newfound independence as the Republic of Mars. This backdrop sets the stage for examining both the immediate struggles and the broader political shifts occurring across planets.

The Fall of Kamal Singh and the Rise of the Competents

Leadership Crisis:
Kamal Singh's failure to maintain control over Mars amid the tumultuous corporate war leads to his downfall. Duncan notes, "Nothing sunk Kamal Singh so much as his failures" (transcript), highlighting that Singh's inability to successfully navigate the crisis turned allies into adversaries.

Formation of the Competents:
In response to the chaos, Omnicorps' board establishes an emergency executive committee known as the Competents, led by Sophia Nunn, a former A-class executive. This new leadership is tasked with steering the corporation towards victory in the war, sidelining the ineffective S-class executives.

Singh's Arrest:
Kamal Singh is arrested without the usual corporate safeguards, ensuring he remains confined within an Omnicore security station indefinitely. This decisive action contrasts sharply with Timothy Warner's continued influence and support base within Omnicorps, despite previous setbacks.

Mars' Constitutional Framework: Marcus Leopold's Vision

Drafting the Constitution:
Marcus Leopold emerges as a pivotal figure, appointed to lead the committee drafting the Republic of Mars' constitution. As Duncan emphasizes, "Leopold was the principal author and architect of what emerged" (transcript), showcasing his significant influence on Mars' political structure.

Key Principles:

• Sovereignty and Assembly: Every Martian is automatically a member of the Martian Assembly, ensuring direct representation. "Every Martian was automatically a member of the assembly by virtue of being a Martian" (transcript).

• Administrative Structure: To manage routine affairs efficiently, Leopold establishes a cabinet system with ministries such as Accounts, Personnel Extraction, Engineering, Trade, Education, and Justice. Ministers are elected annually to lead these ministries, promoting accountability and shared leadership.

• Egalitarian Commonwealth: The constitution abolishes Omnicorps' class system, asserting equality among all Martians. "Every Martian was now an equal, free citizen... A drone tech was just as important, valuable and worthy of dignity as the consul" (transcript).

• Phos5 Resource Allocation: The constitution mandates a collective ownership and distribution of the essential resource, phos5, ensuring equity and shared responsibility. "Phos5 would be owned by all and shared by all... every Martian having an equal share" (transcript).

• Private Sphere Protections: Leopold incorporates rights such as freedom of thought, speech, and assembly, creating spaces free from government surveillance and interference.

Controversies and Compromises:
Despite the progressive framework, internal conflicts arise, particularly concerning citizenship rights and the treatment of Earth-born individuals. Jose Calderon, commander of the Martian Guard, challenges Leopold's inclusive citizenship policy, advocating for limited rights solely for Martian-born citizens and proposing strict immigration controls.

Internal Struggles: Calderon vs. Clare

Calderon's Authoritarian Stance:
Calderon leads an aggressive intelligence campaign against perceived threats, particularly targeting Earthlings. His methods, including surveillance and detainment, create friction within the Martian Guard and the broader Martian society.

Rise of Alexandra Clare:
Alexandra Clare, a fourth-generation Martian from the D-class, becomes a vocal opponent of Calderon's exclusionary policies. Her advocacy for universal citizenship extends beyond birthright, emphasizing the shared struggles and contributions of both Martians and Earthlings during the revolution.

Formation of the Blackcaps:
Discontent within the Martian Guard leads to the emergence of the Blackcaps, a faction opposed to Calderon's authoritarian tactics. Members discreetly mark their uniforms with a black line, symbolizing their dissent and desire for a more inclusive and just Martian society.

Key Events: Betrayals and Constitutional Ratification

Kinder James' Treason:
The episode details Kinder James' betrayal, revealing his clandestine communications with Omnicorps and his subsequent arrest. This scandal implicates Mabel Dorr, leading to widespread distrust and a pivotal shift in the constitutional debates.

Constitutional Debates:
Leopold, influenced by Clare and facing mounting evidence against key figures like Calvin and Dorr, pushes for universal citizenship. Despite resistance from Calderon, the assembly ratifies the constitution with significant amendments:

• Universal Citizenship: Approved to ensure inclusivity and recognize the contributions of all who fought for Mars.
• Exemption Clause: Grants the Martian Guard broad powers to investigate "crimes against the Republic," though ambiguously defined.

Ratification and Aftermath:
On December 11, 2250, the Martian Assembly officially adopts the constitution, unaware of the underlying complexities and compromises embedded within. This landmark decision solidifies Mars' political foundation but leaves lingering tensions regarding security and civil liberties.

The Martian Navy and Continued Conflict

Formation of the Martian Navy:
High-ranking officers Commander Cartwright and Commander Way lead the establishment of the Martian Navy, intending to support Earth's resistance against Omnicorps. Their departure underscores Mars' commitment to defending its sovereignty and aiding allies still embroiled in the corporate war.

Preparation for Earthward Campaign:
The Martian Navy organizes a fighting fleet with the strategic goal of returning to Earth to dismantle Omnicorps' dominance. This move is fueled by personal motivations, including the desire to rescue loved ones left behind and avenge those who perished during the conflict.

Conclusion and Forward Look

As the Martian Republic solidifies its governance structure, internal divisions and external threats persist. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, foreshadowing impending conflicts as Mars prepares to project its newfound independence back onto Earth, setting the stage for future episodes that will explore the repercussions of these foundational decisions.

Notable Quotes

• Narrator: "Leopold's Leviathan was an egalitarian commonwealth. The old Omnicorps class system... was abolished." (00:04)

• Alexandra Clare: "It was not class or identity that concerned me, but exploitation itself. That is what I abhorred and wanted to end." (transcript)

• Jose Calderon: "Mars is for the Martians now." (transcript)

Implications and Insights

Leopold's Leviathan offers a rich exploration of revolution, leadership, and governance within a science-fiction framework. By mirroring historical revolutionary dynamics, the episode provides thoughtful commentary on power struggles, inclusivity, and the challenges of building a just society from the ashes of conflict. Mike Duncan's meticulous world-building and character development ensure that listeners are both entertained and intellectually engaged, drawing parallels between fictional and real-world revolutions.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Mars grapples with the ethical and practical challenges of detaining Earthlings and fortifying its defenses as the corporate war with Omnicorps intensifies.