Im rereading Ali, Ace and Garfield's advice... Thanks guys.
For me, in playing diety its almost too easy to use the fundy government. If my back is against the wall i will revert to it, but that is in desperation and my last option. Democracy is a challenge to rule in both war and peace. Im not sure why i insist on playing in it.

I dont think i have ever bribed someone to declare war on another civ as it is generally too expensive. Sometimes the requested amount is well beyond outrageous. To take enemy cities i generally buy their revolting cities with veteraned spies for a half price sale. Using a vet spy always yields a cheaper purchase price than a plain diplomat on the capital side of a city. I always try the far side. Interesting and logical. Buying the first city often allows me to attack and sustain attacks on several other cities during that turn, if i refuse to talk with them. Otherwise i may have to go into revolt to achieve my goals for this and the next turn.
Ali... "continued peacekeeping activies" that is what i love to see. It generally seems to occur after someone has done me wrong. You can easily crush someone when your senate continues to state that. Most often tho i get sued for peace.
It would be interesting to have 2 skilled players going head to head, one with democracy and the other with fundy. I would give odds to the fundy but a good democracy player's units or cities cannot be bribed and with a bank full of cash a demo player could buyout the fundy. Lots of variables tho. Your newly purchased cities might lack happy makers and plunge your entire civ into anarchy if you cant get it under control. Gotta buy temples, marketplaces and such pronto.
Great game, always a challenge.
I would like to play someone head to head. My son and i tried it but it is tedious and very time consuming. Interesting tho. He tells me a new version is coming that can be played on his X-Box and a game just lasts a couple hours or so. Hum. I dont like or never got the hang of Civ 3 or 4 which he sometimes plays. I enjoy 2 aplenty. Sid and crew did a great job. Very few flaws and it never crashes or locks.
AZA