Realpolitik of the Smoky Skies - The Reboot

Et_Absoluti said:

Well, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss oligarchy as inherently bad.Many famous philosophers thought it was a pretty good form of government. And it seems a little bit of inevitable to have the same few people in power who gain influence, especially if they do a good job.

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((Yes, but depending on the time they lived, they probably also thought a lot of other things which we now regard as 'bad' were quite good.

By what qualification are oligarchs deemed to be suitable candidates for shaping the nation's future? Usually solely because they have the wealth to buy influence.

In my view having lots of money does not automatically equal being 'better' than everyone else. If you ever want to move down a path of limited democracy, an idea I abhor, then surely you'd want electors picked based on more meritorious aspects than simply their ability to make and hoard money? Especially when considering how much wealth is inherited --- not earned.))

((I'm actually not inheritently hostile towards the idea of a meritocracy, although there should be plenty of checks from democratically elected representatives, in my opinion. However, as Churchill said, democracy is merely the least worst form of government as have invented thus far.))

Magnive said:

((I'm actually not inheritently hostile towards the idea of a meritocracy, although there should be plenty of checks from democratically elected representatives, in my opinion. However, as Churchill said, democracy is merely the least worst form of government as have invented thus far.))

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((The main problem I have with a meritocracy is . . . 'meritorious' according to whom?

Get ten people in a room and try and get them to agree on who the most meritorious in society are. You'll probably get about five difference answers. Now try and roll that out to an entire nation.

e.g. Some people think the uneducated shouldn't be allowed to vote while others think intellectuals can't be trusted.

Edit: Others think the rich know best because otherwise they wouldn't be so monetarily rewarded. Others think employers because they give people jobs. Others the workers because they do the real work and without them employers wouldn't make any money. etc.))

((I'm thinking along the lines of instead of letting a 26-year old be the Danish Minister of Taxation (it actually happened, believe it or not) somebody who spent the better part of their life studying economics and the like should head it, or at least somebody with goddamn real experience in the subject.))

Magnive said:

((I'm thinking along the lines of instead of letting a 26-year old be the Danish Minister of Taxation (it actually happened, believe it or not) somebody who spent the better part of their life studying economics and the like should head it, or at least somebody with goddamn real experience in the subject.))

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((Haha, yeah. Good point. In fact, that's one of the arguments, believe it or not, against democratising the UK House of Lords --- all members would become career politicians rather than subject matter experts. For example if the prime minister of the UK wants a non-partisan, non-politician economist to be a minister he or she can have said economist 'ennobled' and appointed a ministry without facing election.

Not making any judgements about the worthiness of this Member of Parliament or not, but in the Australian federal election, 2010 one of the candidates who won a seat in the House of Representatives was only twenty years old.))

Generally, a lot of those things we consider bad, served their purpose in the period they were used. Oligarchy does not necessarily mean rule by the rich though. (We should probably get back to the game) We might even want to get a social group for this type of stuff so as not to derail the thread.

Et_Absoluti said:

Generally, a lot of those things we consider bad, served their purpose in the period they were used. Oligarchy does not necessarily mean rule by the rich though. (We should probably get back to the game) We might even want to get a social group for this type of stuff so as not to derail the thread.

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Welp, looks like the senatorial candidates have just had a good discussion over the direction our young Pulian democracy should go!
Seriously, though, if you get a social group for discussing politics like this, invite me. I like this sort of thing a lot.

cpm4001 said:

Welp, looks like the senatorial candidates have just had a good discussion over the direction our young Pulian democracy should go!
Seriously, though, if you get a social group for discussing politics like this, invite me. I like this sort of thing a lot.

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Same

Is it possible to get a screenshot of the social policy screen?

And a listing of what production options the cities have?

Count me in, if you are going to make a social group for this.

I don't think I can make the group seeing as I am pretty new.

((And of course: count me in too

Unless it's through social media. ))

((So, I decided to do something and actually made the SG, you bunch of lazy bastards. I've invited those who expressed interest here. It's public, so I believe that everyone should be able to join if they like.))

Are there still any barbarian camps near? I might go on a campaign and write a book about it.

Et_Absoluti said:

Are there still any barbarian camps near? I might go on a campaign and write a book about it.

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We have one between Hong Kong and Coventry, plus the two that were identified from CS quests.

What military units do we have,whats their hp,and their promotions?

((cpm: Did you get my message regarding policy and production screens? Looking to campaign on it soon.

Also, I've replied to Magnive's thread.

And . . . I've created a new one to talk about an election taking place today --- the 2015 Queensland election --- it's the state where I grew up, but it also has a connection with Nebraska's Unicameral. Want to know more? Go check it out.))

People of Haven of Peace! There is a major source of waste in our government! The second politician who is assigned to this cities is idle,complacent. Will you stand for this! The frontier cities have no representation in the senate! I trust that you will change this in the next election. Two parties dominate the government, their sights focused on the capital! It is not through malice, it is natural for a man to focus on his home. However the frontier is my home! We are beset by Luddites, who would see all our work broken down and abandoned! I say NO! This is our home and I must protect it! I have already drafted a plan to put together a task force to remove the Luddite threat once and for all.

And though it saddens my heart, I must do it. I will be leaving the PAU and forming my own party!

!THE PULIAN IMPERIAL PARTY!

Any members from the other parties may join as they wish! Be warned however we are not here to prevent any progress from being done in the government! We with to cooperate with the other parties to establish Pulian dominance.

Senatui populoque Pulias!Per Unitatem Vis!Unum Imperium, Una Fides, Una Cultura!
(Kinda anxious about this. If no one joins it will be hard to have any power in the senate)(Will make Party Info Soon)

((Is it possible to rename my character from simply Melda to William Melda? I'm intending on aging my character in line with the years that pass in the scenario, and eventually having characters retire for their descendants to take over. e.g. William Melda is presently 38 years old, married and has one son aged 15.))

Et_Absoluti said:

People of Haven of Peace! There is a major source of waste in our government! The second politician who is assigned to this cities is idle,complacent.

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((Ouch. Harsh but true. ))

Et_Absoluti said:

(Kinda anxious about this. If no one joins it will be hard to have any power in the senate)(Will make Party Info Soon)

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((You don't have to gain a majority of seats to be part of government, as long as no one party wins a majority they will need to make agreements to make up the numbers --- you could potentially snag demands like a ministry or a military task force or some kind of desired reform if the government is desperate enough to gain your vote in the Senate. ))

Edit: Just so there's no confusion my first comment was aimed at what the Honourable Et Absoluti has termed 'the frontier cities' not the capital.

((*Looks around confused* You were a member of the PAU? Second time I lose a member I didn't know I had. ))