Issues within NationStates

[theyellowspot]

hey folks, I've only been playing NS for a few weeks, and enjoy it for the most part, though am having a hard time with the issues, basically how the choices for action usually require me to ban something, or some other action that doesn't jibe with my desire to make a libertarian socialist land. Does anyone here have experience with writing issues? Would anyone be interested on working on writing issues to submit to the game with more than two options for action? I was thinking that choices should at least be vaguely alligned on left-libertarian, left-authoritartian, right-libertarian, and right-authoritarian lines. Anyone interested?

[Sacco & Vanzetti]

You're right about the issues giving pretty rotten options for libertarians. For about 10 months now I've been refusing to "ban" or "outlaw" anything, preferring to dismiss the issue if necessary. Furthermore, I nearly always choose options which relate to "repealing laws".

Writing better issues is a really good idea - unfortunately I can't commit the proper time at the moment but if I can help a teensy weensy bit and no more, I'll do it.

[FreeLandofAIM]

Ever noticed how in NS the more liberal decisions you make, the more your economy suffers?

It comes across to me that the creator of NS made the game to put across the false fact that if you are liberal, your economy implodes.

[vequalsv0plusat]

FreeLandofAIM said:

Ever noticed how in NS the more liberal decisions you make, the more your economy suffers?

It comes across to me that the creator of NS made the game to put across the false fact that if you are liberal, your economy implodes.

Not necessarily. If your nation's big enough, you can make liberal decisions on economic issues without having the economy suffer.

But interestingly enough (assuming you have the proper level of political freedoms and civil rights), once your economy reaches a certain level, your nation is designated as Capitalizt or something similar. Which is sort of odd, as one of my nations once reached Capitalizt status and had a 100% tax rate.

[FreeLandofAIM]

Interesting.

That further suggests the game relates capitalism with a good economy. Thus I would take a guess and say the creator is a bit conservative and his opinions have come across in the programming of the game.

[vequalsv0plusat]

FreeLandofAIM said:

Interesting.

That further suggests the game relates capitalism with a good economy. Thus I would take a guess and say the creator is a bit conservative and his opinions have come across in the programming of the game.

Eh, he did proclaim himself left-field somewhere in the FAQ. Hence, I'd guess he's more of a moderate-liberal type. But yeah, the game does seem a tad biased towards capitalism.

[FreeLandofAIM]

Yeah. 'moderate liberal' can mean anything.

[theyellowspot]

Gosh darnit! i just go the medical lawsuits issue, and was so excited to see four options, two of which start with "the problem is capitalism". I was further excited to see them use the term "class traitor"(!) But since i'd rather not have the government provide the health care, and i don't want to ban lawsuits, i have to choose between banning insurance (?!) or just leaving the lawsuits in place (which means i have to choose one that doesn't start with "the problem is capitalism"), aaaaggghhh!

[FreeLandofAIM]

Well, if yours is a nation based on Anarchy Communes, than you don't really have a government but communes, so they provide the health care as opposed to corporates.

[theyellowspot]

That's what i'd love to say! But dernit, that choice isn't available. i need to get crackin' on writing issues with good choices for those of us that don't want to use banning things as the allout solution to our problems.

[Sacco & Vanzetti]

YS - let's think of an issue and kick around a few responses. The issue needs to be as different as possible from any existing ones, and we should aim to give the issue itself a libertarian slant.

There are existing issues covering medical provision, education, refugees, SETI, space exploration, firearms, road traffic, cannibalism, aristocracy, water supply, power supply, mining, road rage, internet usage, graffiti, martial arts, truancy, unions, pensions, sports stadiums, Nazi demonstrations, ritual killings, overseas aid, stem cell research, nuclear power - (from the top of my head).

Can you think of anything that might be suitable? Paternity leave, university or higher education funding, retirement, international relations, competitive sport, youth organisations, genetically modified food...

Neither list is exhaustive, just some thoughts. If anything inspires you to come up with a problem around an issue, post it and let's debate some options. I'll do likewise.

[theyellowspot]

anyone remember if there's an issue relating to freedom of religion stuff? I was just thinking about how france recently banned wearing burqas, crosses, or anything else like that in government buildings because of their separation of church and state stuff.

[Fenria]

FreeLandofAIM said:

Ever noticed how in NS the more liberal decisions you make, the more your economy suffers?

It comes across to me that the creator of NS made the game to put across the false fact that if you are liberal, your economy implodes.

Yes, I have noticed that a lot, and it is some very black and white thinking in my opinion. It seems once again that people are unwilling, or unable to think outside the box and envision a society where small business and cottage industry flourish while the government keeps strict regulations on those elements that show they cannot regulate themselves.

We can have the best of all worlds, but first we have to give up this linear, backwards attitude that only one system can be applied at a time and that hybrids cannot function; the truth is that hybrids are the future.......but of course the rich and greedy will try to stifle that everytime.....

[claptonpond]

Since the game is based on the idea of nation-states, it doesn't really lend itself to anarchism, which is against the whole idea of nation-states.

I think the only way around that is to interpret certain terms rather loosely, like, in the case of the healthcare issue above (and any others that deal with things like state ownership of resources and such), 'government' = 'communes'. Income tax is another one: I read 'the average income tax rate is 100%' as 'all property is communally owned'.

There are definitely a few issues that have too few options, but most of them just need a bit of creative reinterpretation.

[vequalsv0plusat]

Clapton said:

Since the game is based on the idea of nation-states, it doesn't really lend itself to anarchism, which is against the whole idea of nation-states.

Oddly enough, the game doesn't really lend itself to anything other than autocracy, as only one person controls each nation. Hence, terms like "Inoffensive Centrist Democracy" and "Anarchy" are largely misnomers.