Klingon High Council vs. Klingon High Command

[Enterprise1701]

Memory Alpha claims that they're the same thing, but Memory Beta claims that they're different. Neither, however, pinpoints any source(s) as saying so. I guess Memory Alpha says so because Star Trek variably has Klingon soldiers taking orders from "Council" or "Command". I'm more inclined to believe Memory Beta's explanation since I think that the Klingon government would have a distinct legislature and senior military division. Is this grounded in any statements in the novelverse?

 

[BillJ]

Live-action would trump anything going on in the novels. But, with the Klingons being a one-note warrior culture, I could easily see the High Council and High Command being the same thing. The Vulcan High Command seemed to control every facet of Vulcan society during Earth's 22nd century.

 

[Enterprise1701]

Live-action would trump anything going on in the novels. But, with the Klingons being a one-note warrior culture, I could easily see the High Council and High Command being the same thing. The Vulcan High Command seemed to control every facet of Vulcan society during Earth's 22nd century.

But an ENT episode mentioned that it was distinct from the Council.

 

[BillJ]

But an ENT episode mentioned that it was distinct from the Council.

Honestly, I don't remember that. But then, I don't spend much time revisiting the 22nd or 24th century shows. So you may very well be right.

 

[Christopher]

Yes, "Kir'Shara" did establish that the Administrator of the High Command governed with the approval of the Council. The use of "govern" implies that the High Command functioned as the executive branch with the Council as the legislature. So a military state, but not exclusively so. Although it seems that the High Command had accrued so much power that the High Council had become kind of a figurehead institution, much like the relationship between Cardassian Central Command and the Detapa Council. (Man, the writers liked reusing that Command/Council duality, didn't they?)

 

[Enterprise1701]

Then with the Romulans, senators and proconsuls looked like they were dual politician-soldier.

Apparently some Star Trek work used "Romulan High Command", but Memory Alpha doesn't say anything specific. I believe though, that a Vanguard novel specifically stated "Imperial Fleet Command" as the leadership of the Romulan Imperial Fleet.

 

[DimesDan]

I have no idea what the answer is, nor do I particularly care one way or another.

Shouldn't something like this be discussed up in General Trek as it's only linked to Trek Lit in the most flimsy of manner.

 

[JD]

He was asking if the novels say anything on the matter, so it seems appropriate to me.

 

[Sci]

Then with the Romulans, senators and proconsuls looked like they were dual politician-soldier.

I honestly can't think of any particular film or episode in which Romulan Senators are equated with high-ranking members of the Romulan military. There seems to be a clear division between the Senate and the Imperial Fleet.

And I see no particular reason to see the Klingon High Command as anything other than an informal term for the generals in charge of the Klingon Defense Force, distinct from the High Council that governs the Empire. Sort of like the distinction between the Pentagon and the Congress.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

And I see no particular reason to see the Klingon High Command as anything other than an informal term for the generals in charge of the Klingon Defense Force, distinct from the High Council that governs the Empire. Sort of like the distinction between the Pentagon and the Congress.

This.

 

[trampledamage]

I have no idea what the answer is, nor do I particularly care one way or another.

Shouldn't something like this be discussed up in General Trek as it's only linked to Trek Lit in the most flimsy of manner.

Don't worry so much, Dimesdan, we don't need to be that strict. Yes, it could go in Gen Trek, it can also go here. I'm happy with it here.