Have any of you suggestions for keeping the peasants happy and the gold flowing in the early and mid game? Most of the other civs are up to 8 cities or more, and I'm struggling to keep 5 from slipping into anarchy. I am usually at a lack for both until I can adopt Ideology policies and build Stock Markets.
Complex answer. First money. If you have money-givers resources (gold, crabs), go for them soon. Explore fast, some goody huts give gold. Raise an anti-barb squad, so you can kill barbs and pillage their camps. Sometimes you get yields from CS thanks to this barb-killing. Roads are expensive too early, so wait until the city has grown a little to connect it (some roads for tactical reasons are ok, though), or connect it by sea. Don't neglect trade routes, and check the trading screen to see what route is more profitable. Sell your luxury excedents. Sell your last luxury copy if you need more money. Sell your tactical resources if you really need the money. Markets have a merchant specialist slot which you can work in case of need (tell your city manager to focus on gold, and it will work it when needed). Coastal cities give more gold with lighthouses. The social policies use to yield some gold too, just prioritize.
If you are aggressive, go and raid your neighbours. You can save hammers on stolen workers, and run with the pillaged gold. This also cripples your neighbours, so you can deal easily with them later. Bring a small army near a City State and demand tributes before they get a good army.
Next, you are going to receive most of your income by city connections and pop size, so grow your cities. Invest in happiness (and culture) to grow further. Don't build everything, some buildings don't justify their cost. Sea trade routes yield more, but keep one or two land trade routes to feed your towns and villages.
For happiness, that's even more complex. Don't settle/conquer new cities if your happiness is too low. Check every city unhappiness sources and deal with them (usually means building walls and barracks, or temples). Or explore the world seeking natural wonders and trade a lot to get all the luxuries. Use an artist to start a golden age. Check a happiness guide in the Strategy section.
. So I could just let the religion change in any city to build a cathedral and then again reconvert it back with a prophet.
