Monarchy/Republic

[Jaguar]

I just decided to dig civ back up after about 7 or 8 years of not playing.

I remember that Monarchy was either way too good compared to Republic, or maybe the other way around. Which one is it?

 

[Mindphaser]

Same here... i orderd civ a few weeks ago and again i'm totally addicted to it!

About your question concerning Monarchy/Republic, im always playing with Monarchy but i think that this is something personally.
Just read the manual for all the differences.

 

[Marx]

I Usually move onto Monarchy as fast as possible. Monarchy is more attractive than Despotism on every point.

Usually I move onto Democracy between 500 BC and 500 AD. You don't have to fight a war. The Extra Trade of Republic is enough to bribe your enemies.. Some moment they will declare you war.. Than try to capture their Capital. Without capital it will be less expensive to bribe your enemies.

Monarchy is perfect, but when my empire is about ten or fifteen cities it's time to move onto Democracy (or Republic)

Monarchy
Easy to Fight Wars
Only One Tax per square
You can have up to the size of your city free units. If your city is four you can have four units without using your city's production. (I could be possible their is a maximum of 10 free units for each city.

Republic
Hard to have much units outside their homecity (except diplomats/caravans and settlers)
Every unit will use one production
Two Trade per square
Less Corruption

 

[Vladoasca]

I always choose to play Monarchy because it keeps more options open. I can have the best economy in the world, "and" move my troops all over the place. Under Republic this can be troublesome. I tried it once, and my Senate refused to allow me to move my troops as I pleased, even though some bloody Aztecs were stationed right on my railroad and wouldn't let me pass. In my own country! I never allow foreign troops to tresspass, I like my borders secured.
Like I said, it is possible to have the best GNP/capita in the world and never switch to Republic, so I don't regard the switch as a big improvement.

 

[Licentia]

I just decided to dig civ back up after about 7 or 8 years of not playing.

I remember that Monarchy was either way too good compared to Republic, or maybe the other way around. Which one is it?

When I first started playing Civ, I refused to go into Republic because of how my people got upset when I took a unit out of town. Then around 1500 AD the opposition would start attacking me with their superior technology. I'd get so frustrated and wonder what the heck happened. Then I finally tried Republic, and I realized that Republic/Democracy gave so much more trade that my Science would advance much faster. So if you are playing for the science race then you want Republic/Democracy (I prefer Democracy to prevent all corruption). However, if you are playing to conquer, then you want Monarchy or Despotism. Monarchy gives more food but less shields (Until that extra food makes the city big), and Monarchy doesn't make the citizens mad if you take a unit out of town, so long as the town is sufficiently guarded.

 

[Licentia]

Hmm... I've never had much success playing in Monarchy (Going for the Science Race). I guess you guys must be building tons of cities so that makes up for it. I only build 4-7 cities.

 

[silverthorne]

Monarchy is good mid game. But if you stick with it too long you'll far way behind on the technology ladder. The difference in trade is enormous. Not using republic and democracy is why some people can only win with conquest at the higher levels (king, emperor).
I like to switch to republic asap. Then switch back to monarchy during the cannon, gunpowder era, and then go back to republic around industrialization regardless of whether I get w. suffrage or not. Of course I change this to either extreme depending on the circumstances.

 

[Noli]

I like to go to Republic ASAP and stay. I believe all the food, production, and trade are faster no matter what. Does anyone prefer to use Democracy over any other form of government?

 

[Irish Caesar]

Democracy is wonderful--no courthouses necessary.
Of course, I usually use Republic with Women's Suffrage: all the benefits with no unhappiness.

 

[trada]

Aye! I'm playing a Warlord game of civilization right now and it's tough. But thanks to the wonder of Democracy I can manage my rather large empire while pacing ahead in the techs. Of course, the nasty Egyptains are doing too well for my likings and I might just have to swap to Monachy to wipe 'em out.

Democracy > Republic.

 

[lost_civantares]

Definitly democracy for me, I can easily zip up the tech tree with it much better than with others.

 

[carniflex]

Monarchy is more attractive than Despotism on every point.

Despotism is more attractive than Monarchy in one major point:
Under despotism, Military units have no maintaining cost till the number of military doesnt exceed the city size.

Under Monarchy, each military unit has a maintaining cost of one shield/turn, like in all other governements.

(Note: we're speaking of Civ1; in Civ2, its different)

 

[carniflex]

Monarchy
Easy to Fight Wars
Only One Tax per square
You can have up to the size of your city free units. If your city is four you can have four units without using your city's production

No. It is despotism.

 

[carniflex]

I remember that Monarchy was either way too good compared to Republic, or maybe the other way around. Which one is it?

Republic is way too good compared to Monarchy.

Monarchy is most of the time useless.

In the very beginning, despotism is better for expanding.

Then, after you've built enough cities, republic is better so as to make them grow, thanks to the "we love president" day.

Then, when you have numerous big cities, if you want to get rid of your ennemies, just discover and switch to communism. It has only advantages compared to monarchy.

 

[Alex Johnson]

My take:
Despotism: good for beginners. Limits on food, trade, and production (mainly the first two) make it hard to grow massive cities, but you can maintain a huge standing army. I sometimes never switch on low difficulty levels and have no trouble winning quickly with a military victory.
Monarchy: Pretty useless unless you are at Prince or higher difficulty and have no other government options. Removes the food/trade/production penalties on your cities, so they will start to grow fast. Imposes a maintenance cost on each unit, but this is generally countered by the production improvement if you have a coal mine.
Republic: Very good benefit of increased trade. Otherwise feels like monarchy. Good if you want a high science society and race for the modern era techs without much conflict. Then switch to a more military government and crush their mustketeers with your tanks!
Communism: I don't remember why, but I always used to play this government on Prince or higher difficulty. It must have some kind of great benefit, but I don't recall. I almost always go for a military victory so it must be some kind of easing of penalties relating to military units.
Democracy: Less corruption, increased trade as Republic, but very very difficult to wage war. Good for the knowledge/production maximizing players who just want to have a spaceship victory.

If I'm playing a low difficulty level (Chieftain or Warlord) I often ignore government changes and play all the way through as a Despot. It's the only way to keep the game from getting rediculously easy, even after years away from the game. If I'm playing a high difficulty level (Prince or King) I usually race towards the Pyramids wonder and switch to Communism. Since I'm such a warmonger, Democracy was unplayably painful to me. I haven't figured out a good way to play the ultimate difficulty level (Emperor). I usually lose quickly, but I might have won once. I can't remember clearly.

 

[trada]

Despotism: good for beginners. Limits on food, trade, and production (mainly the first two) make it hard to grow massive cities, but you can maintain a huge standing army. I sometimes never switch on low difficulty levels and have no trouble winning quickly with a military victory.

I think the same word for word.

Monarchy: Pretty useless unless you are at Prince or higher difficulty and have no other government options. Removes the food/trade/production penalties on your cities, so they will start to grow fast. Imposes a maintenance cost on each unit, but this is generally countered by the production improvement if you have a coal mine.

Well..
I like to think of it as Despotism's more civilized twin. They are very close except Monachy is more Civil and less Warlike. Bottom line: There is really no point chosing Despotism over Monachy if you're building up your civilization rather then tearing down another.

Republic: Very good benefit of increased trade. Otherwise feels like monarchy. Good if you want a high science society and race for the modern era techs without much conflict. Then switch to a more military government and crush their mustketeers with your tanks!

Eck. I never, ever choose Republic. Mainly because it's for smaller civs. If you try to keep a large empire under it the corruption with cripple any thought of extra trade.
Isn't there one unhappy citizen for every military unit outside it's city? What happens if you need to defend against an invasion? You say switch to a more military government.. but that takes time while you could be in..

Communism: I don't remember why, but I always used to play this government on Prince or higher difficulty. It must have some kind of great benefit, but I don't recall. I almost always go for a military victory so it must be some kind of easing of penalties relating to military units.

Communism! My favourite friend. If you want to keep ahead in techs and trade but don't want to cut down on military you surely can't go past Communism. I get it as soon as possible and stick with it. Sure you don't get as much trade as Republic or Democracy but hey! You will stay ahead of the AI annnnnnd have your sword ready.

Democracy: Less corruption, increased trade as Republic, but very very difficult to wage war. Good for the knowledge/production maximizing players who just want to have a spaceship victory.

Zero corruption! Good when you are big and left alone. Which is like never.


Those are just my thoughts: please don't take this as 'trada trying to kill my ideas.'

 

[Tenochtitlan]

Republic+ Women's suffrage = Great

 

[simonnomis]

The only government types I use are:

1.Despotism; at the start for expansion

2.Republic; ASAP, once the cities are founded, it lets them grow and the trade benefits are crucial

3.Monarchy; In the latter stages of the game, assuming you dont have Womens suffrage, this is the most useful form of government. You can achieve Republic level trade by bumping up luxuries (until We Love King Day - then drop luxuries down and maintain) while at the same time embarking on ruthless military campaigns.

I never use Communism or Democracy, the above options are sufficient for me.

 

[Alex Johnson]

I read the manual! It was incredibly clear. If you don't know about governments then read the manual.

All governments (default, overruled by specific government bonuses):
* each unit costs 1 shield to maintain

Despotism:
* unit cost waived until number units > population size of city
* if a square produces 3 or more food/shields/trade, it is reduced by 1
* very high corruption, increases farther away from palace

Monarchy:
* high corruption, increases farther away from palace

Republic:
* if a square produces 1 or more trade, it is increased by 1
* may NOT start a war, may NOT refuse peace when offered
* each unit NOT in home city causes 1 person to be unhappy
* medium corruption, increases farther away from palace

Communism:
* medium corruption, uniform across planet

Democracy:
* if a square produces 1 or more trade, it is increased by 1
* may NOT start a war, may NOT refuse peace when offered
* each unit NOT in home city causes 2 people to be unhappy
* NO corruption, uniform across planet

 

[trada]

Thanks Alex.

Despotism is actually a much over-looked govenment. The fact that 'unit cost waived until number units > population size of city' helps a heck of a lot when mass-producing armies to go on crazy conquests (see my German Raiders thread).