[BNW] Social Policy: Rationalism (BNW)

Rationalism
The very essence of rationalism is that it assumes that the reason is the highest faculty in man and the lord of all the rest.
-- Lyman Abbott​

Introduction

Rationalism, available in the Renaissance Era, is one of the most focused branches, being entirely devoted to science (with slight benefit to gold). Only two policies in the branch does not directly increase the production of beakers. Rationalism is a key branch...

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When and why should you open this branch?

• Science
  Unsurprisingly, this branch devoted entirely to science is useful for science victories. The general boost to science, faith-buying Great Scientists, better results from Research Agreements and a free tech from finisher all make this branch extremely attractive.
  
  
• Diplomatic
  Many of the techs required for a diplomatic victory are the same as a science victory, so the same teching strategy applies with the goal of getting to Globalization early. The main difference is that you can be broke to get a science victory, while a diplomatic victory often requires money in addition to science.
  
  
• Domination
  Being able to research faster allows you to gain significant tech and unit advantages over the AI. In some cases, it can be as dramatic as Tanks vs. Crossbows. Someday they might figure out that shooting pointy sticks at that scary-looking iron beast isn't a good way to kill it. Until then, the world is yours.
  
  The biggest selling point of this branch is that it allows a smaller, well developed empire to drastically increase its science production. The only policy that is usually best for extremely large empires (especially puppets) is free thought, as it allows trading-posted cities to churn out a lot more science. The effects are most strongly felt in compact, happy empires running specialists and universities.
  
  
• Culture
  
  For BNW new culture victory, faster science will allow you to reach the key technologies allowing National Visitor Center, Hotels, Airports for a major tourism boost among many other technologies with some benefit to cultural victory, including the Internet. In addition the Internet requires the exact same prerequisite techs that Globalism does and consequently a highly similar teching strategy applies.