Communism

[DavidBedford]

Hi, I recently bought CivII (I know, so far behind, but my computer isn't particularly whizzy) and have been lurking here for a while. I'm curious about the government styles that people prefer. I don't think I've seen anyone advocate communism, which I tend to use later in the game. It's great for keeping people happy and makes going to war much easier than in a Democracy. Is there a particular reason that people tend to go for Democracy/Fundamentalism over Communism? Historical real-world bias? Or something in the game I haven't noticed?

David Bedford

 

[Panzerking]

Hello David, welcome to CFC mate.

I too love Communism and much prefer it to Democracy which I find high-maintenance and difficult to manage. I think for the elite Civ Users (and there are lots of them on here) Democracy is good for the population increases which occur when cities celebrate the "we love the ruler" days, in democracy the cities increase by 1 every turn (or something like that).
Me I find that unless you have lots of the happiness wonders Democracy is unsustainable and for me always results in the collapse of the government.
I often also switch to Fundamentalism as my industrial cities (with their factories and powerplants) can churn out a fanatic a turn and these obviously cost no support sheilds to the city so these are good for my uber-militarist games!
Overall though I prefer Communism for the automatic veteran spies, ease of war, contentment of the people and no adverse effects to the science rate.

 

[The Person]

There's more to Democracy than just the +1 city size each turn when celebrating. Under Democracy and Republic all aquares produce one more trade, something that really boosts your economy and science. Also nobody can bribe neither units nor cities of democatic governments.

Granted, it takes more effort to keep a Democracy stable, but it's really worth it.

Having a huge military under a Democracy is expensive, but you can also go for the Space Race. With the increased research rate you should be well ahead of the AI.

 

[Panzerking]

There's more to Democracy than just the +1 city size each turn when celebrating. Under Democracy and Republic all aquares produce one more trade, something that really boosts your economy and science. Also nobody can bribe neither units nor cities of democatic governments.

Granted, it takes more effort to keep a Democracy stable, but it's really worth it.

Having a huge military under a Democracy is expensive, but you can also go for the Space Race. With the increased research rate you should be well ahead of the AI.

It is interesting what you say about the trade in relation to Democracy as I did not know this. If I were looking to change to Democracy what Wonders / City Improvements / things to watch out for -would you recommend to avoid the government's collapse??

 

[The Person]

Michaelangelo's Chapel is a must. You should also aim for J. S. Bach's. In general all happiness wonders are good. You should also try not to have too many military units (units with 1 or more attack) in the field, as each military unit outside a city or a fortress within three squares of one of your cities creates two unhappy faces. Courthouses also make a content citizen happy under a Democracy. Also build temples. Colloseums are also helpful in larger cities, especially after the invention of Electronics.

 

[bkwrm79]

JS Bach's and Michelangelo's are crucial. With them, I do very well as a democracy. Without at least one of them... well... there are alternatives to democracy. At least in the game.

I don't use Communism much; it's sort of a compromise between Democracy, for peace, and Fundamentalism, for total war. But there are times you need to fight and need to keep researching, so it definitely has its place.

 

[The Person]

I usually manage without Bach's, but only by manipulating the luxury slider. Don't forget that the Marketplace, Bank and Stock Exchange's bonuses also apply to luxuries.

 

[la fayette]

Celebrating Communism is the best government for all-out war (unless there's no tech left to research: I would then advise Fundy):
- Vet spies are the strongest unit in the game
- No Senate (wanting peace when you want war)
- Few problems with happiness and support of your units
- Good capacity of research (don't forget to have most cities celebrating).

 

[The Person]

Yes, a celebrating city under Communism receives the same resource bonus as a Democracy city, right? The only problem is to keep your cities celebrating...

 

[Ace]

Agreed that vet spies are the strongest unit in the game, but you don't need to be in communism to get them. My favorite trick is to build them in Democracy and than use em to sabatoge AI units. You don't have to be at war to do this, it does not effect your standing, still spotless, and each spy has an excellent chance to become vet, (and if, at first,you don't suceed, try, try again). AND it has the great advantage of screwing up those nasty AI units that just love to get in your face and always try to block your road/railroad lines!! After being sabatoged by two or three spies in one turn and reduced to a sliver of red, they tend to retreat rather quickly!! Once a spy becomes vet, it is just as good as one built under communism, but you have not had to give up the greatest advantage of democracy, the absolute protection against your units and cities being bribed by the AI.

 

[Insayn]

I prefer communisim and monarchy to republic and democracy. Mostly because they are low maintanence. The biggest draw back is slower growth and much less money and research that democracy has. Demoncracy is an exelent government for the good players, but for me it is difficult to deal with the hostile AI with no military capability especialy without the happiness wonders. Again, you can get around having a pathetic military with lots of spies and money though.

 

[DavidBedford]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like I'll have to get a lot better at controlling happiness if I want to use the Democracy government style. Would it be worth becoming a democracy in peace time and switching to communism when the AIs inevitable gang up on me and declare war? I'm wary of fundamentalism, as it sounds like it has a very negative impact on research.

David

 

[The Person]

It not only sounds to be bad on research, it is. All your research is cut in half, and if you have a science rate higher than 50% everything above those 50% percents is wasted.

 

[EquinoxOmega]

Communism is my favourite government. It is perfect for vast empires and science.