In a decadent galactic empire with instantaneous communication, how would the most remote planet gain their independence?

In a very large and decadent galactic empire (think of Asimov's foundation empire), a new technology leap allows planet's government bodies to communicate instantaneously across the galaxy. It can be considered a space telegraph. It also means that there is no or few limit to knowledge access (as long as the knowledge database is part of the network).

Because of this new technology, the planets on the edge of the galaxy notice that the empire has become decadent (both on the technological level and societal level), is not able to maintain peace (warlords regularly try their luck - without success so far) and will probably ask more of its subjects in hope to restore order. The planets of the border of the galaxy are the most technologically advanced of the empire, as they were colonised later (or more exactly they only have access to the most recent technology whereas planets colonised before have to maintain and use older tech), but they are also the weakest and less populated.

How would such a planet/group of planet/political bodies gain its independence from a dying, but still strong, empire? It is expected that an independence declaration would result in a military answer but the travel time from the core of the Empire to its edge is around 100 years (but armies can be garrisoned closer). How would the independents use this time to prepare?

Except from the instantaneous communication, the technological level is pretty low for a space traveling civilisation: long distance travel can only be made by big ships (smaller or individual ships cannot go far), energy would probably be nuclear (fission or fusion depending on the planet's history), no spectacular weapons.

posted almost 5 years ago

AllirionX‭

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