User blog comment:Fimmion/Why Skyrim was rigged from the start/@comment-5135631-20120630145923

The Empire declared themselves unfit to rule anyone but themselves the day the signed the Concordat. That is completely giving way to the Aldmeri Dominion.

Hammerfell is fine on it's own, and Skyrim would be as well. What the Empire don't understand is that they ARE the bad guys. They ARE trying to ruthlessly put down a COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED REBELLION. If the Empire just swallowed their pride and let Skyrim be, then Skyrim could coordinate itself and decide whether it wants to fight the AD or keep to themselves, rather than be dragged into Southern affairs by conservative businessmen and lordlings thousands of miles away.