Monarchy vs. Republic

[shadowdale]

I have always wondered which early government do others go for in the beginning?

To me it depends on which advances I begin with and what level I play on, but the general rule is that I go for the Republic and not Monarchy!!

The reasons will probably come while we talk this over.........

But what do you think?

 

[Magnus]

I used to love monarchy, but once I really learned the game, republic became the way for me.

 

[James913]

I usually go for monarchy because it becomes available before republic so seeing as I can't wait to get out of despot i go for it. Aslo monarchy allows me to wage an early war to expand my fledgling empire. Going to monarchy first also allows time to build MC wonder with out haveing to worry about unhappyness caused by republic as i don't like useing luxuries early in the game.

 

[starlifter]

It depends 4 me, based on starting conditions and contact/swaps. If the land is relatively difficult, like GOTM 6, then Monarchy. If easy, like GOTM 5 and 7, then Republic ASAP.

 

[floppa21]

Depends on difficulty level. Republic is ultimately more desirable than Monarchy, but Happiness is a factor, and I like to start roads/mining/irrigation fast and furious, so if I switch to Republic TOO early, a bunch of working settler units end up being disbanded. OOOOOH that pisses me off!!!
And proximity of rival civs comes into play also... War or Peace?

 

[SvenSlayer]

I MUST be missing something. How can you build a civ while being a Republic? In the beginning of the game you want to GROW, not keep your units bogged up inside your cities and fight with the senate in order to declare war on another civ. How can one play like that? Please someone tell me. I understand why some people choose Democracy because that's later in the game when expanding's not as important. (I'm not being nasty to anyone. I sincerely want to know.)

 

[H Tower]

I head for monarchy and then switch to republic as soon as i'm not at war with anyone. sometimes i end up stuck n monarchy for a long time

 

[BaseballJones]

I try to get monarchy fairly qucikly, just to get out of that horrible despotism. Then i go for republic, not always directly but just when it's convenient.

 

[Smash]

my stock answer
depends

main factors are difficulty level and,as always,terrain.Long term goal is a big factor also.

 

[CornMaster]

It's Monarchy for me....and then communism.

In Civ 1 it was Pymirids and then Communism.

No Monarchy or Republic at all.

 

[Magnus]

Originally posted by SvenSlayer
...How can you build a civ while being a Republic? In the beginning of the game you want to GROW, not keep your units bogged up inside your cities and fight with the senate in order to declare war on another civ. How can one play like that?

Easy. Republic = money and science boost, so you just buy back the shields you use for unit support, get ahead in science and kick anybody's butt who makes war with you. And one sneak attack pretty much puts the Hawk party in power, so you can pretty much mangle the offending civ. Bribers (like myself - in SP only stress that - Mp is VERY different) do very well with Republic - heck you don't even need to be at war to subvert units and cities. A happy republic is one that is prowling the world with diplomats and caravans.

 

[Becka]

Thank goodness, Cornmaster. I was beginning to think I was the only one who used Monarchy much at all. I never use Republic or Democracy. It kills my megalomaniac ambiance.

 

[floppa21]

Hey Cornmaster, you use Commie strictly? Eventually, you can't support yourself financially with all the improvements you have, no? I tried Commie and had taxes set at 80%, I was losing money each turn, and I had probably 15-18 size 32-37 cities... I mean, apart from pumpin out freight like crazy, what is there to do? Most of these cities had a bunch of improvements though... Probably only things missing were SDI, SAM, some were missing airports... Do you not build so many improvements? I can't imagine smaller cities would be better...

 

[CornMaster]

I've never had a problem with running out of money....but I don't build many improvements....and I always start selling them off once I get to Communism. I usually never get so SAM and SDI because I usually have the world by then.

 

[willemvanoranje]

There's a 90% chance that you find me in Monarchy early in the game, but there are situations............. But I voted Monarchy.

 

[thealien_83]

Monarchy.

Not really for any deep founded reason or strategic plan, but for comfort of playing. I like to have a little support, and to be able to have my citizens happy without dawdling with them all the time. Despite incessant pointers that Republic can be just as powerful in a war and whatnot I never get that feeling when playing, and I just end up annoyed with the Republic. Democracy I can deal with, both because you have it later, and because it confers larger bonuses than Republic, but with roughly the same drawbacks. But generally I go with Despotism > Monarchy > Communism > Democracy > Fundamentalism, all in due time when I begin to feel the need for it.

Despotism is unavoidable, but quickly exchanged for the more appealing Monarchy. Monarchy allows violent expansion, and let's me make the foundation for a strong, military empire. When the technology allows and I jump to industrialized society Communism soon follows, and another boom of violent expansion rocks the world, as it were. When I find myself large and mighty, I switch to Democracy and let the cash and science flow in. Eventually when I am sitting on more cash than I can count and already has all the technologies I switch to Fundamentalism and end the suffering of the other Civ's.

 

[Odin442]

Republic all the way. If I can get republic (and philosophy), I've got a good shot at being a few advancements ahead of the AI later, and those make good bargaining chips (for the good guys) or weapons (for the bad guys). Once I get republic, I usually stay there until I get stealth or really feel the need for a democracy. Far as I'm concerned, monarchy's only good as a stepping stone to my elite Dragoons.

Course, I rarely venture beyond warlord level, and ALWAYS play a highly isolationist game, so your mileage may vary.

 

[Mikoyan]

I would have to say: Despotism> Republic> Communism
and when i feel really bugged by my enemies, i always switch to fundamentalism during the war years
:slay:

 

[Aristonico]

Understand you Willem... BTW How is Mínima... Sorry, Máxima?

 

[duke o' york]

It really depends upon the terrain, and how much trade I'm getting each turn. If I am already making lots of money then the boost from Republic will allow me to invest in luxuries, keep the people happy and still take advantage of the trade bonuses. If I haven't got a massive profit every turn then I will stay in Monarchy and bypass Republic, building temples and Mike's Chapel to prepare myself for Democracy.