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Here is a guide that has been made by Captain and Spiffor for how this game actually works. It is a reccomended guide for anyone who needs to know what this game is about, and is asking question.It will be ammended to as soon as I find more usefull informations.
What is a Democracy game ? This question is perfectly legitimate, and I needed some time to figure it out.
In the Democracy Game (DG), the whole community plays the same game, and the same Civ. Many people decide commonly what we should do next. Nobody has the same absolute power as a player has when playing Civ3 alone.
This is called "Democracy" game because we all participate, and we all give input on how we want the game to be played. For example, nobody has the power to declare war to America, it needs a vote. If a majority of citizens want war with America, than war is declared.
Technically, this is a single player game. Only one player gets to play the game physically : the President (elected every month). Everyone can access his save. Nobody can "play ahead" on this save, meaning acting before the president actually does it on his own computer.
But the President has to obey the ministers (also elected every month) who give precise orders each turn. Each minister is specialized in a specific field : war, science, economy, workers, city planning, diplomacy.
The ministers often consult the people via polls on what policy they should promote. When they poll the people, ministers have to follow the poll, or risk losing all credibility.
The people can also express their views whenever they want. We are currently following a strategy thouroughly reflected by a normal citizen.
A DG is a game, and thus it has rules. These rules are called the "constitution". The constitution can be mdified by a 2/3 vote whenever an amendment is felt needed. To enforce these rules and punish cheaters, we are making up a judicial system (currently voted on)
In a Democracy,you can't hinder people who think the same to unite. That's why we have parties : the Democratic Industrialists of Apolyton (DIA) and the United Front Coalition (UFC). DIA is more oriented towards builder strategies, and UFC is more oriented towards warmongering, but both parties are pretty moderate. We have no longlasting third party.
If you want to participate, just vote in polls and express your views in the forum whenever you think it's good. Also, you can officially join the DG by saying "I want to join" here :
the joining thread
1) The citizens on the member list form the "legislature" which passes laws into existence through voting on polls. Anyone can create such a poll and polling rules/guidelines are stated in the Code of Laws (COL).
2.1) Regular laws, policies, and other decisions can be reached by a simple majority or a 'most votes wins' result. As it is, our Code of Laws (popularly known as the Constitution) isn't clear on the exact polling result requirements to pass such laws, policies, and other decisions. Those laws, policies, and other decisions have substance (and are carried out) but are not added to the Code of Laws.
2.2) Amendments to the Code of Law, which is our "ultimate" "permanent" document, must be passed with a 2/3 vote.
2.3) It is generally accepted that 2/3 (or 50%) refers to 2/3 (or 50%) of total votes cast, not the total number of available voters. However, this is not explicitly stated either.
3) The "Government" at present consists of the citizenry (which I have taken the liberty of calling the Legislature since they all vote on polls) along with the Administration (executive team of President, VP, and ministers who are elected by the citizenry). However, most people mean the Administration (executive team) when they refer to the Government. The Administration (executive team) actually plays the game and has the responsibility for making those decisions. They can (and often do)poll the citizenry for feedback and direction in decision-making, but the COL states that they are not required to follow such polls (though they usually do follow the public will).
4) Any one may propose "bills" through discussion threads and then create polls to pass those bills into law. So far, the ministers usually take the initiative but this does not mean others cannot do so.
5) The possibility of having unofficial aides for governmental positions exist, but have no official power at present. Currently, AFAIK, no one has made use of these 'aides'.
6) There is no current Judicial system as consensus on some significant issues has yet to be reached. There is however, great public support to create one.
7) There has been talk of creating a Senate as well, however, this has not met with consensus nor sufficient public support. A non-serious Senate does exist, but I believe this is simply for flavour. (Personal opinion: I do not believe a "Senate" is necessary since we already have a Legislature, formed of all our active citizenry, that votes on laws).
8) Parties are an "unofficial" creation (in the sense that they are not in the COL) but have significant sway in the game.
9) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the War Academy, Culture Club, Thinkers Guild, etc... are also "unofficial" creations, much like Parties. The government is not required to heed their advice, but frequently does.
What is a Democracy game ? This question is perfectly legitimate, and I needed some time to figure it out.
In the Democracy Game (DG), the whole community plays the same game, and the same Civ. Many people decide commonly what we should do next. Nobody has the same absolute power as a player has when playing Civ3 alone.
This is called "Democracy" game because we all participate, and we all give input on how we want the game to be played. For example, nobody has the power to declare war to America, it needs a vote. If a majority of citizens want war with America, than war is declared.
Technically, this is a single player game. Only one player gets to play the game physically : the President (elected every month). Everyone can access his save. Nobody can "play ahead" on this save, meaning acting before the president actually does it on his own computer.
But the President has to obey the ministers (also elected every month) who give precise orders each turn. Each minister is specialized in a specific field : war, science, economy, workers, city planning, diplomacy.
The ministers often consult the people via polls on what policy they should promote. When they poll the people, ministers have to follow the poll, or risk losing all credibility.
The people can also express their views whenever they want. We are currently following a strategy thouroughly reflected by a normal citizen.
A DG is a game, and thus it has rules. These rules are called the "constitution". The constitution can be mdified by a 2/3 vote whenever an amendment is felt needed. To enforce these rules and punish cheaters, we are making up a judicial system (currently voted on)
In a Democracy,you can't hinder people who think the same to unite. That's why we have parties : the Democratic Industrialists of Apolyton (DIA) and the United Front Coalition (UFC). DIA is more oriented towards builder strategies, and UFC is more oriented towards warmongering, but both parties are pretty moderate. We have no longlasting third party.
If you want to participate, just vote in polls and express your views in the forum whenever you think it's good. Also, you can officially join the DG by saying "I want to join" here :
the joining thread
1) The citizens on the member list form the "legislature" which passes laws into existence through voting on polls. Anyone can create such a poll and polling rules/guidelines are stated in the Code of Laws (COL).
2.1) Regular laws, policies, and other decisions can be reached by a simple majority or a 'most votes wins' result. As it is, our Code of Laws (popularly known as the Constitution) isn't clear on the exact polling result requirements to pass such laws, policies, and other decisions. Those laws, policies, and other decisions have substance (and are carried out) but are not added to the Code of Laws.
2.2) Amendments to the Code of Law, which is our "ultimate" "permanent" document, must be passed with a 2/3 vote.
2.3) It is generally accepted that 2/3 (or 50%) refers to 2/3 (or 50%) of total votes cast, not the total number of available voters. However, this is not explicitly stated either.
3) The "Government" at present consists of the citizenry (which I have taken the liberty of calling the Legislature since they all vote on polls) along with the Administration (executive team of President, VP, and ministers who are elected by the citizenry). However, most people mean the Administration (executive team) when they refer to the Government. The Administration (executive team) actually plays the game and has the responsibility for making those decisions. They can (and often do)poll the citizenry for feedback and direction in decision-making, but the COL states that they are not required to follow such polls (though they usually do follow the public will).
4) Any one may propose "bills" through discussion threads and then create polls to pass those bills into law. So far, the ministers usually take the initiative but this does not mean others cannot do so.
5) The possibility of having unofficial aides for governmental positions exist, but have no official power at present. Currently, AFAIK, no one has made use of these 'aides'.
6) There is no current Judicial system as consensus on some significant issues has yet to be reached. There is however, great public support to create one.
7) There has been talk of creating a Senate as well, however, this has not met with consensus nor sufficient public support. A non-serious Senate does exist, but I believe this is simply for flavour. (Personal opinion: I do not believe a "Senate" is necessary since we already have a Legislature, formed of all our active citizenry, that votes on laws).
8) Parties are an "unofficial" creation (in the sense that they are not in the COL) but have significant sway in the game.
9) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the War Academy, Culture Club, Thinkers Guild, etc... are also "unofficial" creations, much like Parties. The government is not required to heed their advice, but frequently does.
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