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Originally posted by JohnT
You're right... and you're wrong. You are quite correct that over the long term development of the series this is how it played out, but given only the original novel I will argue that both Mallow and Hardin operated under the belief that their actions, even if it was inimical to the elites of Terminus, were perfectly in accordance with Seldon's plan. Of course this doesn't make them any the less "Great Men", but they were doing what they believed Seldon thought best. Of course, your theory is the correct one, but what good is a discussion thread if we all just say "I agree"?
You're right... and you're wrong. You are quite correct that over the long term development of the series this is how it played out, but given only the original novel I will argue that both Mallow and Hardin operated under the belief that their actions, even if it was inimical to the elites of Terminus, were perfectly in accordance with Seldon's plan. Of course this doesn't make them any the less "Great Men", but they were doing what they believed Seldon thought best. Of course, your theory is the correct one, but what good is a discussion thread if we all just say "I agree"?
When I was young, this was certainly impressive to me, but now that I'm older and wiser, I'm more of the opinion that Seldon is in no better a position to decide the fate of the galaxy than anybody else.
My problem with the Foundation novels is that they aren't trying to construct something better than the Empire, some noble effort that they hope won't eventually fall apart. They're trying to recreate the Empire as near to the height of it's power as possible.
As Seldon and other Foundationers repeatedly state in the book, they like the Empire, at least before its decline. They have nothing but fond memories of the glory days, and they respect strong Emperors who can keep everything and everybody in line.
It seems to me that what must have made the First Empire great was precisely the struggle it took to forge it. To quote Douglas Adams, "In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high. Men were real men. Women were real women and small fury creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small fury creatures from Alpha Centauri."
But in the Foundation universe, there are no stakes. What Seldon is attempting to do is short cut the process and leap directly into the Second Empire, with almost no problem unforeseen. Seldon has decided that building the next Galactic Empire is too important to be left to fallible, self-interested individuals. His crises are carefully managed, with only one choice possible, dictated by the Seldon plan.
While the threats seem dangerous at the time, once Seldon makes his appearance in his magic box, everyone pretty much realizes there was no threat at all. Seldon has planned for it, the "correct" decision has been made, situation over. Everyone accepts the new status quo and is presumably better for it.
But where's the struggle here? Where's the achievement? There was no option for mistakes, because Seldon has foreseen all. From inside the system, they think they're great leaders. Seen from outside, they're merely puppets to the Seldon Plan.
Seldon is guilty of the same kind of stagnation that the Empire is experiencing. He wants a strong Empire, but not the difficult process it takes to create one.
(your post of 3-3-03)
), and have no problems with their eventual tie-in in Foundation and Earth, many hard-core trilogy fans see it as a betrayal of the underlying ideas of the original stories. 
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