Perhaps he cannot openly admit it, but then again it was a gross miscalculation by a 10 year old boy, so it is a very hard thing for him to do. But what is wrong with fighting within the system, leading by example on what he can possibly do? Here comes the conundrum then on which is easier when there isn't a good system: Do you rebel or do you fight within, rise through the ranks and attain the respect, adulation of others to set a proper example? I don't see anything wrong with that provided of course the person fighting within the system isn't technically a monster or if he is beset on all sides by the most evil of people (which in hinRABight there are a distinct nuraber of Britannians that do not fit the usual Emperor and Clovis model). But then again, I have yet to see any honourary Britannians that are of other conquered nations so my argument cannot really tread water. Still, Suzaku perhaps wanted to lead by example and show how systems can be changed from within.
Suzaku perhaps doesn't really care much for the liberation of countries because he believed that Japan may be a set example for other nations to follow. A spillover of good political norms if you will, hence why he doesn't pursue even farther than Japan since he believes everyone will follow suit. And despot? That is kindof harsh, we do not necessarily know much really of what he would do that would be despotic if he became head of Japan. Once he starts massacring Japanese or being impotent in his rule then perhaps a contesting of his potential despotism may be set in order.
Then again, speaking of freeing countries for the sake of other countries, it's an interesting role reversal. Suzaku in the first season fought for the sake of the people while Lelouch fought for a perfect world for Nunally and only her; while it is reverse with Suzaku fighting forward for (essentially in tainted memory) Euphemia, while Lelouch fights for all. Speaking of which, of course Suzaku's obssession with Euphie seems unhealthy, but then again if your girlfriend or love interest acted rather mysteriously and killed people under certain circumstances only to be killed by your best friend, and your desire to find the rationale of her actions come into contact with your love for her, would you probably act the same way like Suzaku did?
The negative comments of how Suzaku is obsessed with Euphie seem to be rather cruel really, because it is like you're saying "Ha ha so your stupid girlfriend killed a bunch of people and died. It's been two years. GET OVER IT!" No, you just don't get over it. Not everybody is built upon such strong foundation to let such a justification slip by them. And such events can affect a person deeply so much that he charges ahead. Like many other people and events in the world, it will have to take a shock of equal and greater magnitude to have them slip out of it. Still Suzaku could have made many attempts to be able to become more of a ******bag that he is, but he has practiced in some essence an amazing form of restraint in my personal opinion.
But then again I cannot help but wonder what people expect out of Suzaku? Everybody's wishing he'd get beaten up, derided upon, and probably killed. Granted I am guilty of also harbouring such thoughts in the past, but what did you want him to do?
-Did you want him to immediately say "oh I'm wrong lemme join Lelouch" during the earlier eps of R2?
-Do you want him to remain the naive, idealistic, warrior fighting within the system in R1? So that he can be easily derided and spat upon by you guys for being a colossal moron instead of a heartless ******bag?
I can bet a lot of you may start laughing or mocking him if he ever joins up with Lelouch as well. You may be relieved that he may be joining him, but that may not stop you from making gesticulations of how stupid or impotent he is, or even "finally it took you so long you weak minded fool. Join the right side!" etc. etc. etc. But that's just me.
