Civ4 - Non-State/Transnational Actors

[JFranco]

Greetings!

This is a recommendation to Firaxis for Civilization 4. Below I outline the 3 major Non-State/Transnational Actors, Why Non-State/Transnational Actors should be included and the Learning Outcomes of including Non-State/Transnational Actors in Civilization 4.

I would appreciate clear and concise criticism from members of the Civilization series community.

Non-State/Transnational Actors

1. Include the 3 major Non-State/Transnational Actors in Civilization 4
1.1. What is a Non-State/Transnational Actor?
1.1.1. “Transnational [Non-State] Actors Organizations operating in more than one country are known as transnational actors. They often have specific interests in international issues that differ from those of any nation. Transnational actors include multinational corporations. They also include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such as Planned Parenthood and the Roman Catholic Church, which promote their interests across international borders. NGOs often align themselves with particular nations that support their interests, and come into conflict with those that show lack of support. Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) are groups whose members are national governments. Examples of intergovernmental organizations include the European Union (EU) and the Intelsat Satellite Consortium. They are usually created to promote cooperation between different nations on a particular issue or in a particular geographic region. Nongovernmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations together are called international organizations.” (Microsoft Encarta 2001)
1.1.2. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Relations

1.2. 1st Non-State/Transnational Actor: Inter-government organizations (IGOs)
1.2.1. Examples: EU, NATO, OPEC, United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, etc.
1.2.2. What interface to manage IGO status in?
1.2.2.1. Depends on the “type” (Economic, Military or Political) of IGO.
1.2.2.1.1. If similar to the EU or WTO (Economic IGO), then the “Trade Advisor” interface would be most appropriate.
1.2.2.1.2. If similar to the NATO (Military IGO), then the “Military Advisor” interface would be most appropriate.
1.2.2.1.3. If similar to the UN (Political IGO), then the “Foreign Advisor” interface would be most appropriate.
1.2.3. What does a civilization’s participation in an IGO do?
1.2.3.1. Increase commerce among member states (Economic IGO)
1.2.3.2. Reduce the likelihood of military conflict (Economic and/or Military and/or Political IGO)
1.2.3.3. Increase “reputation” and/or “legitimacy” (Political IGO)
1.2.3.4. Increase the likelihood of a “diplomatic victory” (Political IGO)
1.2.4. Assumptions
1.2.4.1. IGOs are allowed in ALL forms of Governments.
1.2.4.2. IGOs among states with different Governments are less likely to occur.
1.2.5. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_organization

1.3. 2nd Non-State/Transnational Actor: Multi-national corporations (MNCs)
1.3.1. Examples: IBM, McDonalds, Nike, etc.
1.3.2. What interface to manage MNC status in?
1.3.2.1. The “Domestic or Trade Advisor” interface would be the most appropriate.
1.3.3. What does a civilization’s support of an MNC-friendly environment do?
1.3.3.1. Increase commerce of the state
1.3.3.2. Increase the state’s “war weariness” in times of war
1.3.3.3. Decrease the state’s “reputation” and/or “legitimacy”
1.3.3.4. Decrease the likelihood of a “diplomatic victory”
1.3.4. Assumptions
1.3.4.1. MNCs are allowed in ONLY “Republic” and “Democracy” Governments.
1.3.5. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-G...e_Corporations

1.4. 3rd Non-State/Transnational Actor: Non-government organizations (NGOs)
1.4.1. Examples: Amnesty International, International Red Cross, Sierra Club, etc.
1.4.2. What interface to manage NGO status in?
1.4.2.1. The “Domestic or Trade Advisor” interface would be the most appropriate.
1.4.3. What does a civilization’s support of an NGO-friendly environment do?
1.4.3.1. Increase likelihood of receiving “aid” during a “humanitarian crisis”
1.4.3.1.1. Examples of humanitarian crises include famine, natural disasters, etc. and will need to be included in C4
1.4.3.2. Increase the state’s “war weariness” in times of war
1.4.3.3. Increase the state’s “reputation” and/or “legitimacy”
1.4.3.4. Increase the likelihood of a “diplomatic victory”
1.4.4. Assumptions
1.4.4.1. NGOs are allowed in ALL forms of Governments, but flourish in “Republic” and “Democracy” Governments
1.4.5. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-gov..._organizations

2. Why Include the 3 major Non-State/Transnational Actors in Civilization 4
2.1. Non-state/transnational actors exist
2.2. Increase the public’s awareness of non-state/transnational actors
2.3. Non-state/transnational actors operate on the global level
2.4. Non-state/transnational actors are an integral, emerging component in the current international system

3. Learning outcomes of including the 3 major Non-State/Transnational Actors in Civilization 4
3.1. Educate the player in what “non-state actor” is and its role the world
3.1.1. The player will be able to define what a “non-state/transnational actor” is.
3.1.2. The player will be able to define the 3 dominant types of non-state/transnational actors.
3.1.3. The player will be able to identify real-world non-state/transnational actors.
3.2. Require the player to weigh a “non-state/transnational actor” in their decision-making process in terms of economic, political and social impacts.
3.3. Provide the player an understanding of the current international system and the increasing interconnectedness of civilizations.

[Naokaukodem]

Hi,

good ideas. some questions:

1. How would they take form?
2. Why Include the 3 major Non-State/Transnational Actors in Civilization 4 in term of gameplay, example: Non-state/transnational actors are an integral, emerging component in the current international system so they would represent well the modern era, being one of its most important specific aspect gameplay speaking (but i don't think NGOs are enough important to represent modern era into civ gameplay)

and happy Chrismas for god's sake

[JFranco]

I appreciate the feedback.

In response to #1, Non-state/Transnational Actors could take several forms.

First, a notation could be included on the appropriate advisor’s section of participation or support in an IGO, MNC or NGO.

Second, a small icon could be included at the bottom of the main game screen that can be clicked and will take the player to the appropriate advisor for further information on the overall status of the IGO, MNC or NGO and the individual status of each member state in detail. A detailed cost-benefit comparison chart could be included as to allow the player to make demands to other member states to balance the cost-benefit scale if skewed.

I am a bit confused for #2. Could you please clarify?

[Naokaukodem]

Originally posted by JFranco
I appreciate the feedback.

In response to #1, Non-state/Transnational Actors could take several forms.

First, a notation could be included on the appropriate advisor’s section of participation or support in an IGO, MNC or NGO.

Second, a small icon could be included at the bottom of the main game screen that can be clicked and will take the player to the appropriate advisor for further information on the overall status of the IGO, MNC or NGO and the individual status of each member state in detail. A detailed cost-benefit comparison chart could be included as to allow the player to make demands to other member states to balance the cost-benefit scale if skewed.

I am a bit confused for #2. Could you please clarify?

About #1, it was more in the sense "how would they be created".

About #2, i'm asking what would it add to the gameplay of the game, considering that it would occur only on modern era?

[petermarkab]

JFranco, I like the idea of transnational actors (TAs) influencing nation states, particularly that of organised religion giving a sense of unity to its subscribed nations. The RC church would for example intervene in a territorial dispute between two christian nations rather than see them go to war. cf the division of South America between Spain and Portugal. So it would act as a primitive UN style body!

But i wonder if the game designers have something else planned for religion given that they seem to have included it in Civ 4.

One final thought; modern TAs like multinationals, the stock market, NGOs (red cross red crescent) etc have enormous influence over the real world, but how would their influence be translated into game mechanics, and more importantly would it be fun?

[realpolitic]

I think some NGO's would be nice, with discovery of contraception, all industrial nations population slows, eventually that spreads to even developing countries, as has started to really happen here on Earth. The delay between the two would give backward civs some time to catch up. Players would scramble to add nonfood tile improvements because of slow population growth, if a PW system was used, this might cause some wars to end, as the nation got new priorities.