DEs - Who's left? Megalomaniacs and Heros

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 157427

> > bboyminn:
> > 
> > <snip> 
> > I believe true 'branded' Death Eaters are very few. 
> > Best guess, maybe 50 to perhaps an unlikely 100 in 
> > number. 
> 
> Mike:
> If I could add on here, I think your estimation of 50 
> *branded* DEs is pretty accurate. ...edited... This 
> would put the count of *free* DEs at 33 or more, plus 
> the 10 who escaped from Azkaban in OotP, makes the 
> count 43+. Round numbers, I'd put the DE count at four 
> dozen.
> 
> ...
> 
> By my calculations that's 48 minus 17 leaving LV with 
> about 30 give or take a few. And that includes Snape. 
> ... I don't think there is a lot of recruiting going 
> on these days. Coercion, yes, but he's not increasing 
> his DE ranks.
> 
> And although this last batch don't appear to be the A 
> Team, he did seem to lose a lot of A Teamers at the MoM. 
> ... Hence, my reason for calling into question LVs 
> strategic planning vs his tactical planning.
>


bboyminn:

First, I think you are right about coercion vs recruitment.
It has been many years since Voldemort was last in power, 
and I think the wizard world has gotten used to a peaceful
and prosperous life. So, while Voldemort is forcing a lot
of people to work for him, I don't think he is getting
many volunteers. Of course, he might gain some of the
disenfranchised like the giants and werewolves, but
beyond that, I think the volunteers are few.

Next, regarding Voldemort's strategic and tactical planning.
I think Voldemort suffers from the same problem that all
megalomaniacal evil overlords suffer from; an absolute
unshakeable belief in his own infalability. In Voldies mind
any plan he comes up with is the absolute perfect plan. No
DE dare challenge that plan even if they see flaws in it
because the /price/ of opposing an evil overlord in even
the smallest way is very very high. So, they do their best
to muddle through an ill-conceived plan. 

Naturally, when things go wrong, it's not because Voldemort's
plan wasn't pure genius (at least in his mind), it's because 
the blundering incompetent DE's didn't do it right. Which is 
probably true, but it doesn't account for the fact that the 
plan was ill-conceived to begin with. 

Also, when you work for an evil overlord megalomanic like 
Voldemort, there is no room for individual thinking. You do
exactly what he said, so you can't be blamed personally when
it all goes wrong. Even if along the way, you see a better way
of accomplishing your goal, the safe choice is to just stick 
to the plan. 

Partly you don't express superior ideas because that threatens
Voldemort's power. If for one small moment he thinks you are 
smarter or more capable than him, he will kill you to eliminate
the competition. It's all a very paraniod thing. Not at all 
condusive to winning wars.

Really, like all tyrannical organizations, Voldemort and the
gang are hopelessly disfunctional, which is why nut cases like
this never stay in power for long. Eventually a 'Harry-The Hero'
comes along and kicks their butt.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn