T2 External Consulate - Persian Monarchy Gambit?

[Bertie]

In our discussions about whether our next government should be Republic or Monarchy, a major argument in favor of Monarchy was that it supports more “free” units than the Republic and makes it easier to manage war weariness. Because we plan to be at war for quite awhile, the argument was, Monarchy would cause fewer headaches than a Republic. The argument in favor of the Republic is that it’s much more productive than a Monarchy; increased production and greater commerce make up for the lack of unit support. War weariness is a problem, but a minor one; carefully management virtually eliminates this as a consideration.

Well, the AI also sees the advantages of Monarchy when it’s at war; and it isn’t as capable of managing war weariness under Republic as the human player. Thus when embroiled in war before it’s revolted from despotism to a higher form of government, the AI often gives preference to Monarchy over Republic. This is a mistake which we can exploit.

Persia is both industrious and scientific, a powerhouse combination of characteristics under Republic. We’d prefer not to face a Potent Persia. So why not try to influence Persia from going for Republic but steer it instead towards Monarchy? This would cripple Persia to a degree, giving us an advantage. This is the “Persian Monarchy Gambit.”

How do we do this? I’m posting this thread because mad-bax is without internet access for a short time; but he suggested getting Persia embroiled in a war, the likely combatants being the Byzantines, French, and Chinese. This doesn’t guarantee that Persia will necessarily head for Monarchy rather than the Republic (which is why it’s a gambit), but it greatly increases the chances of this happening. Another benefit of this gambit is we might influence some of the civs warring with Persia also to forgo the Republic in favor of Monarchy. And a third benefit is that we’ll get several of our rival civs concentrating on fighting rather than expanding production. This is a win all around.

In order to accomplish this we will have to set up embassies with the Byzantines and French; and enter into MAs against Persia.

Comments? I’ll be posting a poll on this.

 

[Octavian X]

I dunno. It's an awfully risky gambit, supposing that the Persians actually come out triumphant in any wars we arrange. It may also happen that the Persians will be able to directly invade us, or at least persuade a closer neighbor to join the war.

And, of course, there's a very prohibitive cost that goes along with paying for such a gambit. Embassies and military alliances will cost us money. Surveying our curreny embassies, I see that China absolutely refuses to enter into a military alliance against the Persians. The other civ with which we have an embassy, the Hitties, has yet to meet Persia.

 

[Furiey]

This sounds like an interesting idea and I would like to see if we can get it to pan out as we want, but an assessment of the costs would be useful.

 

[TimBentley]

I see that China absolutely refuses to enter into a military alliance against the Persians.

The AI never accepts an MA when neither party is at war with the other civ. They would be willing if we declared war on Persia. Perhaps a look at the power graph could help show how expensive the MAs would be.