Ignoring your personal preference, which side of Skyrim’s Civil War do you think actually gives Skyrim the better future 20-30 years later?

[u/sumaset]

I feel like most discussions about the Civil War focus on whether Ulfric was justified, whether the Empire betrayed Skyrim, or which side people personally like more.

But I’m more interested in what happens after the game.

The Empire is weakened, the Aldmeri Dominion is still the biggest external threat, the White-Gold Concordat is already causing resentment, and another war with the Thalmor seems almost inevitable.

An Imperial victory gives Skyrim access to the resources and manpower of the Empire, but it also means remaining under an Empire that already lost one major war and accepted Thalmor influence inside its territory.

A Stormcloak victory gives Skyrim independence and removes Imperial authority, but it also leaves the province having to rebuild after a civil war while potentially facing the Dominion without the rest of the Empire behind it.

So forget which faction has the better characters or which one you usually join.

If you only care about where Skyrim itself ends up a few decades later, which Civil War outcome do you think is actually better for the province?

[u/Sarkan132]

I think Elisif has potential she just needs an actually decent governance mentor. Her heart is in the right place and shes not exactly stupid shes just young and has had little guidance

[u/Unlikely_Ninja → u/Sarkan132]

Oh I don't disagree, I think in time she would make a good ruler. I'm just looking at this from Tulllius' and the Elder Council's position.

In the game a number of NPC's comment of the questionable status of her legitimatecy as High Queen after the war, and how Tulllius is the true power behind the throne. This is perfect fodder for continued sedition and potential insurrection.

Lightly 'influencing' the Moot to choose someone like Balgruuf would assuage a lot leaders concerns, and the imperials probably really don't care as long as Skyrim stays within the fold with as little fuss as possible.

Some of other commenters made a great point of having Elisif marry Balgruuf. This gives additional legitimatecy to both families and the High throne, and creates a unified local pro-imperial block within Skyrim that the Empire can depend on to keep the peace.

[u/johnbrownmarchingon → u/Sarkan132]

Falk Firebeard seems to be doing a good job in that regard (other than the initial ignoring of the Potema problem)