Legion, First off, grab all of the Ciaphas Cain novels. They are pretty much some of the best literature you'll find. I would also recomend reading the sourcebooks, but be warned, they can get quite expensive.
*End helpful,begin nerdgasm*
The universe of warhammer 40,000 is clear on many things. War is a natural part of life in this universe, death and destruction are a major factor in shaping galatic stability, Gods and Demons literally walk the Earth, ranging from minor demons such as the Demonnette of Slannesh, to the truly horrendous greater demons, and demon princes. Beings of impossible power roam the stars, feasting on the souls of the slain sentients that their vast armies of metal undeath put to rest (necrons). One thing, that is not so clear however, is true good and evil.
Inarguably, the Forces of Chaos can be considered evil (more often then not, servants of the major Gods delight in tormenting and torturing the living), but the other factions (Tau, Imperium, eldar, orks, Tyranids) are not as clear cut.
The Imperium is, undoubtibly, the largest galactic institution. Its' territories span an entire galaxy (although, the distance between Imperial controlled space and contested areas can vary by considerable margins and frequency), With numerous armies consisting of the armoured columns and billions of soldiers of the Imperial Guard, The Super human Adeptus Astartes space marine chapters, the Militant wing of the Imperial Chruch (Sisters of battle. Seriusly, they are pretty much nuns clad in powered armour with huge fu*ken guns, with a fetish for flame) to the Assassin cults. The Inquisition has a careful eye over all Imperial doings, it's reason for existance- to clense the taint of chaos and the demon, and to safeguard the imperium from those threats (Ordo Malleus or deamon hunters), To purge the alien and eradicate it (Ordo Xenos), and finally to root out heresy (Ordo Heriticus or witch hunters). The Grand Imperial fleets guard Imperial held space lanes and systems, while the faithful of the Imperial cult (the main religion of the Imperium, whos basis is the belief and worship of the Immortal God Emperor of man) spread the holy word.
They are assailed on all sides by aliens, mutants, heretics, and deamons. These mofos are literally born into conflict, and that is more then likely where the vast majority of them will die. On the barre, blasted remains of some backwater planet, ripped apart by demonic, power armoured chaos space marines.
What am I getting to with this really long section? If the imperium wasn't the way it is, it would have been utterly destroyed ages ago. diplomacy just doesn't work against an alien species who is bent on enslaving and killing you now would it? Sacrifices must be made in order to ensure the survival of humanity. Thats what it is about. Survival. They don't declare genocidal crusadeson alien species becaus they're dicks, they do it because eventually, down the road, those very same aliens could come back and end up killing them.
There is also a deep rooted fear and hatred of aliens (and intelligent AI technology) due to the events of the past. Humanity had reached the pinacle of it's technological powers, and they became complancent and reliant on machines and AIs' to do the dirty work. Eventually, they rebelled, and tore the human empire from the inside, leaving the once proud human race, shambled, despaired, and most of all, weakend. The various aliens took advantage of this and began conquering humanity, claiming it's worlds as their own.
This all changed when the Emperor reveiled himself on Terra...But thats for later.
The Imperium of present time-line is far from perfect, but it's the best that humanity could ever hope for in this time. It does what it does in order to protect itself, and ensure the survival of the human species as a whole.
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