I had to revisit this Thread.
For the first time I TRULY invested in working on a cultural victory with Hawaii. I started on a continent with Korea, China, and Iroquois. On the other land mass was Rome, Byzantium, Celts, and Portugal.
There was peace and tranquility on my continent and I became the dominant civ up until the Industrial era. I was ahead in culture, tourism, science, and had the largest military that I never had to use.
On the other side Rome and Celts took turns knocking off Byzantium until they ceased to exist. Rome boxed in Portugal's growth and proceeded to conduct a war for the continent against the Celts.
I sat idly by and let this happen because I was getting along with everybody who loved me for my resources and trade routes.
But now I'm in the modern era and I'm one of only 2 freedom civs, the others are order civs and Korea and Rome are about 5 techs ahead of me. Korea is ahead because he never had to deal with a war and Rome is ahead because he has Boudicca's head on a pike next to Theadora. So now Rome is a runaway and Korea is headed to a science victory.
And NO ONE is allowing open borders with me. All but the Iroquois are guarded against me. I'm in the year 1960.
Should I have interceded in the other continental wars between Rome, Byzantium and the Celts? Ju still to slow Rome down? Should I have gone to war with Korea to slow him down?
Now Korea is on the verge of being to far in science and Rome is on the verge of getting too big. Should I, still having the biggest military, still declare war to knock them down a peg or is the game already lost?
I guess the optimal play would have been to bribe China and Korea into fighting so they wouldn't pick the same ideology and gang up on me. I also should have helped Boudicca beat back Rome.
I see why the US is SO involved in evwry countries affairs it's like you have to keep the world off balanced just to stay on top.