LotR - Prologue

[mark12_30]

Kuruharan wrote:

Ordering and farming the land is in a sense dominating it.

To which Fordim replied:

It points to the difference between orcs/Mordor and Hobbits/the Shire as being a difference in degree rather than kind.

Only if you believe that any discipline is abuse and that any excercise of authority is subjugation. I certainly don't believe that (and I don't think Tolkien did). There is every difference between maintaining peace, prosperity, and productivity, vice, wrenching and using what is useful (from the land or the people) regardless of the cost or consequences. Intent is key.