Do you use economical (republic, democracy, capitalism) or militaristic governments (despotism, monarchy, socialism)?
Or combination of both?
I am new to this game and I'm not sure what type would be better. I have used militaristic governments because threre is lot of fighting.

A combination of both

Always economic. I figure I can overcome any military bonuses w/ a strong economy.

Republic
Monarchy
Capitalism

Works like a charm...

I'm always personally more economically inclined. Sometimes go for despotic (can't remember why, haven't played for a while) to begin with, but I'm always capitalist at the very end. The oil bonuses are too much to resist.

it says alot when capitalism and democracy are different governments.... as if with capitalism democracy is void :nope:

I would prefer to make units faster and cheaper than have more money to spend, thus I play militaristically. (Although personally I disagree with the effects and paths the governments take , I don't think winning via wonder construction is that fun.(Ignore my sig when it comes to Rise of Nations))

With a strong economy due to the Republic, the game is far easier because you lack the resource crunch. However, Monarchy is THE BEST way to go because the powerful mounted units are cheaper, and the King allows for more efficient seiges. As for late game, it depends on what your situation is. I usually go Socialist cause if ive survived that long, Im a warmonger.

Well, following the tactics of the Highlords, I´m always a warmongreing godess ;).

Work from Despotism right the way to lovely Socialism!

I like The Comrade:D

it says alot when capitalism and democracy are different governments.... as if with capitalism democracy is void :nope:
Whaddaya mean, 'if'?! It should read, 'when'!
Uh oh, I'd better stop before this goes OT. :nono:

Usually, my choice of government depends on my position on the map. If I can't field a large army but have plenty of resources, I'll go economic. If the map is full of players packed close together, I gear toward military. In the end, though, when nations have researched everything and have far-flung empires, governments don't make much difference.

It was a DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC

If it is a small map I go for Military but if it is a Long game I go Economic
But for Russia I think it's best to go Republic since you need to expand quickly with that extra city, then go Monarchy and buy all your cheap Cossacks then upgrade them to Tanks

Cossacks are light cavalry, so wouldn't they upgrade to armoured cars?
Sorry, I'm being me again.

Yup, Cossacks upgrade to armoured cars along with the horse archers. The Cataphracts upgrade to tanks.

Always Republic, then Democracy.

It all depends on the nation.

I know this is an old thread but how, exactly, do the patriot generals' powers work? Do they retain the old government's abilities; i.e., does your Despot (supply, Line-of-Sight, plunder) retain those if you advance the government to Dem and he becomes the President (production, building, and healing)?

It seems to me like the Patriots could be crucial for winning certain kinds of engagements if you plan their advancement ahead properly, and if you managed to rig up enough of these kinds of engagements you could win a war. In a game where all other paths might lead to attrition, the economic side of the government wouldn't define the battle like this would.

I know this is an old thread but how, exactly, do the patriot generals' powers work? Do they retain the old government's abilities; i.e., does your Despot (supply, Line-of-Sight, plunder) retain those if you advance the government to Dem and he becomes the President (production, building, and healing)?In my experience, no. I wish it did.

I usually go "Republic-Democracy-Capitalism". I want my patriots to be FREE Supply wagons. :P

Socialism, Tovarich!

In my experience, no. I wish it did.

That's a shame then :(

edit: just sandboxed this out, and you're right

I'm always personally more economically inclined. Sometimes go for despotic (can't remember why, haven't played for a while) to begin with, but I'm always capitalist at the very end. The oil bonuses are too much to resist.
Despotism
Democracy
Capitalism.
Best systems right there (in order).

If Capitalism is first, then yeah. Democracy is bad, but not as bad as Despotism.

Or are you referring to the game? In which case Despo probably is best.

i am economic until the modern era because i love tanks so i build a bunch of them.

A word