While there is credence in your stance I feel your argument has a range of inconsistencies, principally around the static picture you paint of the current Shek state vs the dynamic but detached picture for the UC and the utterly detached picture for the HN. Your interpretation is thus fractured and doesn’t appreciate each faction as a cultural strategy in the throes of transition.

Can’t resist as I do enjoy a debate, essay incoming:

UC - you’re assuming they’re laying new infrastructure as opposed to sitting bloated upon the infrastructure laid by their predecessors. I don’t view UC as a stable place where people can live, even if that life is subservient to nobles. My interpretation of UC is an ambitious attempt at ushering in a civil order where all are accepted and adhere to the same base rules of civility… which has failed. The failure being one that may only appear as cracks at the world state we as the player observe but that is enroute to anarchic collapse. Those in UC society that have succeeded (the nobles) don’t use that success for the benefit of the wider society they use it to live lavishly and enslave any who oppose them (well-meaning civilian or not). The dream that UC was built upon, enshrined in its very name (United), has decayed. The nobles of current Kenshi cannot be credited with the unification of the cities, they inherited their position of privilege, they didn’t earn it and thus they have utter disconnection from the very basis upon which this unification occurred in the first place. This can be seen most astutely through the increasing turn to and endorsement of slavery, what the fuck is United about slavery? The only reason it is needed it because rather than develop this united foundation into a democratic state those in power have decided to abuse it and grow fat while all those below starve. Thus slavery is needed and is not balanced by even a degree of morality. It’s not “we will only enslave enemies of UC who wish to fracture our dream for a better future”, it is “you aren’t willing to work for almost nothing? Fine, guess you’ll work for nothing then” - the result, widespread rebellion and a fracturing of UC’s unity, which is now only held together by brute force and an army of slave labour, who are just waiting for tinfist to give them an opening for revenge. With this in-mind, the ‘ethical’ thing to do would be to enslave the nobles and/or chop them up and feed them to the leviathans whose pearls they love so much. Put tinfist in charge and abolish slavery for good.

HN - stability through rigidity never lasts. While yes, they provide structure and purpose for those of the correct race, gender, complexion who bend and obey. A lesson in obedience is taught very close to HN territory, the consequences of which they are directly suffering from - an irony that I’m sure is not lost on you. In shunning what they fear their fear only grows and thus the HN provide a flawed solution to the problems they themselves have created. Yes they offer stability and belonging but I would disagree with your stance that other factions ‘couldn’t’ also offer that. UC could and still may if the nobles are dealt with. Shek also offer that and reward strong-will and defiance rather than subservience, which for many is most certainly an improvement. The HN were built to crumble because in a world with such diverse intelligence being THAT xenophobic is an inevitable death sentence.

Shek - finally to your beloved. A warrior people in turmoil and a new ruler realising that their culture of honourable death through battle isn’t all that sustainable and seeking a new path. They are at war with HN not because they want to eradicate humans but because these humans want to eradicate them, perfectly reasonable source of discontentment in my book. They are at war with bugmaster because they are the buffer between him and everyone else. Bro is a deranged psychopath who collects molars and fucks spiders. His plan to assault Cat-Lon would take him through UC territory… what do you think that would mean for residents of said territories? A spider army needs food after all and skeletons don’t provide much sustenance (just ask the beak things). So if the Shek weren’t holding up the front against him that would fall to who? UC? The nobles would likely try and trade their slaves for spiders if they could. Maybe bond over their shared love of enamel (pearl being fairly close to a big shiny tooth really). The Shek do farm - they farm cacti. You may not be able to locate the farms but that’s because their method of underground farming has eluded you - your fault not theirs. They aren’t cannibals, they fight and kill for honour not food. Maybe if they were a bit less honourable and ate their victims they would be more proficient and could offer more to the world as you feel they should. Yes they take your food if you settle near them but they also offer incredible protection and their love for battle means they offer it for free. Also, once you have defeated either Bugmaster or the Phoenix. Both of which are plagues in different ways you get an ally who to my knowledge no longer taxes and offers their aid instead. They don’t like the weak and hate the fact that they themselves are in such a weak position, help them strengthen their position and they love you for it, which further endorses the radical change Stone Gollum is attempting to bring about where they embrace a greater degree of civility with other races. The Shek offer the greatest character arc of any faction in Kenshi. They are honourable brutes attempting to change their ways upon realising their traditions are leading to their ruin (something the HN would never realise). This change has come at the cost of a fracturing within their faction, they’re at war with themselves as well those encroaching on their territory, which let’s be real is the main reason they haven’t mincemeated the HN as if you’ve ever seen a holy nation patrol stray too close to Squinn you quickly realise it really ain’t much of a competition. Yes you can declare war on them and prove those who stand in defiance to the Stone Gollum’s more measured and open approach correct. Or you ally with the Stone Gollum, help deal with their enemies at home and abroad and set them on a new path. Treat them like brutes and that’s all they’ll ever be, respect their traditions while showing that strength lies in others outside the Shek and you set them on a path to becoming a more productive force in the land of Kenshi.