It has always fascinated me how the lore of Eve makes such a big deal of the turmoil, prejudice, and outright hatred that the four nations have toward one another, yet if I, as a former child slave of the Brutor tribe, want to work for the Amarr Navy, well, they’ll sign me right up! In fact, there is little practical difference between having four nations who absolutely despise each other and four nations trying to outdo each other singing “Kumbiya” at the local church social (not sure if that is a commentary on church socials…). All in all, it is somewhat disappointing that there isn’t more of a dark, racist pull between the nations. Really, given the nature of the national groups, only the Gallente would have anything like “politicial correctness”. The other three nations would have shot it dead long before it came knocking.
So, why is this missing?
Other games have it. Everquest had it. Star Wars Galaxies (RIP) had it. WoW has it. So, why not the only true sandbox game? The great conflict between CVA and Ursha’khan provided some form of this and Faction Warfare, broken as it is, also provides some moderate territorial discussions that sometimes brings in RP. But, by in large, there is no indicator of any racism in the game dealing with the four factions. To be fair, racism really isn’t the word we are looking for, probably more like culturalism.. the belief that the culture you were born in is superior to all other cultures, despite whatever flaws it may have. But, as it is in real life, it SHOULD be a factor in our sandbox world. Things like that affect our actions, and affect our outcomes.
Let’s take for example the comment I made earlier, as a Minmatar, it should be neigh-impossible for me to do work for the Amarr Navy, and it should be only possible if I REALLY, REALLY work at it by being a trustworthy.. traitor. The same should be said about the relationship between the Gallente and the Caldari. But even amoung friends.. there is that thought that the world you were born in is better than your “friend’s”. That is what a real aspect of a virtual sandbox would be. I’m Minmatar and I’m better than Amarr because… and I ought to have some darn good.. and especially personal reasons.
But the question is.. how do you make a flaw real enough that it benefits the game?
2nd Anomaly From the Left 
I’m still confused on the difference between Caldari and Gallente. I mean, I thought they’re from the same planet and conflict only happened within the last 200 or less years? Or is “race” even the right term? Would it be more accurate to describe each of the four races as nationalities instead?
Same solar system, not the same planet. I think race is the correct term in that culture/environment usually defines race, and the Caldari and Gallente lived on different planets with seperate cultures and ideologies. If would be even more so in comparision with each other in view of all the empires.
I always thought that giving bonuses to racial ships would be a good start, while I am caldari, I fly all races sub capitols, but I fly amarrian capitols and supercaps.
There should be a bonus that you fly your racial ships at least one level above what another race can fly them, and conversely even if you have another racial ship trained to 5 effectively flying against a minmatar pilot in the exact ship he is flying he should be flying at level 6 with his racial bonus.
Just a thought, but I think it would shake up the game considerably.
Zandramus
I think Zandramus hits on it. There is no practical, in-game reason for touting one or another race. Bragging rights – which is all we _truly_ have, atm – only goes so far.
Oh, it’s had its moments, and so’ve I. Star is Gallente both by ethnics and bloodline, and yet I’ve always adhered to Caldari to the point of joining Caldari FW and helping push it to dominance (as the first – and I think only – faction to have conquered all its and its direct opponent’s FW territory) back in the day. That was a rivalry, back then, and there was some racial flavor that still lingers to this day. But really, that’s all it is. Flavor. Scratch it, and it flakes off, because it’s otherwise meaningless.
To elicit a given behavior, there has to be concrete reason or stimulus to bring that behavior about. Flavor just won’t do it; bragging rights only go so far. Had, for instance, that Caldari victory been evocative of some sort of greater reward (other than a nice little decoration on Star’s awards tab) with the same sort of bar set for anyone who could come along and do the same, there might be a reason. Or, as Zandramus pointed out, a solid racial bonus applied for operating one’s own equipment … and perhaps some penalties in other arenas, as well. Sadly, there’s not.
And nowadays, it seems like between implants and remaps, race and bloodline are blurred to the point of meaninglessness to anything except looks and the physical location of where you get your start. Maybe a couple ticks in racial frigates. Otherwise, there’s absolutely nothing to stop a body from immediately moving into other, non-racial specializations.
And, like Star, ridiculing the silly Space Frogs even while being one …
But capsuleers are a ‘5th’ race are they not? They may have origins in Amarr or Galente, Minmatar or Caldari, but being a Capsuleer sets them apart. If that is the case, then the cultural elitism can be present in the back story, but not really impact the gameplay.
There is a corporation skill you need to train – multiculturalism or something to have increasing percentages of corp members from other races in your corp…