I was pondering the political career of C. Rice in Off-Topic, when this wonderful thought for improving Democracy in the Civ-series came to mind.

As civ-leader, you have a number of advisers, and you take actions...

If your advisers take credit or blame for the result of your actions, then the virtual civ-population will favour one adviser over another.

During elections (every X turns) the civ-population could vote, nominating one of your advisers the civ-President. That decision can improve the game!

The type of civ-President selected by your civ-population, be s/he; Humanitarian/Culture, Authoritarian/Military, etc. would influence the attitude rival civilisations have for you.

The civ-President would have no other influence, and not directly affect your decisions.

I think this would be fun because instead of imposing rules immediately, the game would make you think many turns ahead: the unique effect of having a democracy means that any action you take, may very well influence who is elected president in future turns, which will in turn influence international attitude towards you!

Wouldn't it be civ-vicepresident? :)

You could still have a problem though with the elections interfering with your stratagy (i.e. I'm being nice now, but in a little bit I'm going to crush them, but oops! the new vicepresident won't let me go to war with out massive reprocussion). This seems kind of like a more interactive version of the advisors (except in one person), but maybe it could be something where you have "the heads of departments" in a screen, with each bring a bonus to the stratagy the computer thinks you may be following (or perhaps of one you selected at the beginng of the game).

You are absolutely right: I suppose it would be more like a VP (or perhaps, chancellor) :)

It was not my idea that a VP should/could 'prevent' you going to war, but the fear of voter reaction might dissuade you from going to war (then again, it might not: your dilemma would be dictated by the international climate of the era).

Building some wonders in the same term would swing approval towards your cultural adviser, reducing the chance of getting a militaristic VP.

Worrying about what the voters might do, would make democracies more difficult to manage - and encourages AI to reevaluate alliances periodically (which could work for or against you) :cool:

Some Small Wonders could also be affected by your VP. If you have a militaristic VP, then your Military Accademy or Intelligence Agency might be more useful, &c.

It would be cool to have VP Eisenhower or VP Churchill in your administration! :lol:

Only if I get to build the Small Wonder: Shadow Government. :)

Only if I get to build the Small Wonder: Shadow Government. :)
better yet, puppet government

It was not my idea that a VP should/could 'prevent' you going to war, but the fear of voter reaction might dissuade you from going to war Sorry, I just have remembrences of CivI where it was "Sorry, no war for you, warmonger, the senate said no", So I never used democracy, which otherwise was the best.

Instead perhaps the vp / chancellor could give you bonus points in empire morale or bonus hammers (going to be tough getting used to "hammers" instead of "shields" :) ) if you go the way that the elected officals go, using your wonder model.

This idea could work for other governments too, i.e. for monoarchy/fuedalism you could have barons, in communism you could have politburo....

That's a good idea! :)

I am guessing Politburo is Russian, meaning Police Bureau?

That's a good idea! :)

I am guessing Politburo is Russian, meaning Police Bureau?

I always thought it meant political bureau.

i think your right..i know it sure doesnt mean police bureau..lol..

"oh boy comrade...ive been electid into the police bureau, soon i shall be chairman of the party" just doesnt have that ring to it.lol :lol:

Basicly the Politburo (Politburo http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSpolitburo.htm) was the ruling body in Russia (and China I think too).

alot of communist governments modeled off the soviets have there own..its the upper political body in the government. you have to be in this to hold high office