Civilization, Taxation, Markets and Society

From: jrives@tridom.uucp (Joel Rives)

Date: Tue, 19 May 1992 14:46:42 +0000

As one of T'Nyc's major landholders, i am extremely aware of the pros & cons
of land ownership, taxation and the responsibilty therein. I would not
recommend simply copying T'Nyc's system. However, i do feel that some mechanism
for collecting taxes is required.

Let me just spill out some thoughts on the issue.

If we are going to have ownership/stewardship of land and taxation, we must
also have some mechanism for popular change of this state. By this, i mean
several things. The most extreme case would be violent revolution -- a
popular uprising. The person in charge must be responsible for maintaining
certain standards (ie. a visible protective force, administration of
public services, public improvements, etc...).

It might be valuable to introduce food and other pershable goods into the
game system. Most farmers in a province will pay taxes by donating a
percentage of their crops. A barter system would help to enrich this
scheme tremendously. These perishables must, therefore, have some intrinsic
value. This could be achieved by requiring all units to consume them. Granted,
this would add some complexity to the game, which some may argue is excessive.
Much of this could be handled automatically. In the general case, the player
need do nothing extra. The maintenance cost, which is already automatically
deducted, could be modified to adjust to a unit's situation. For instance, if
the unit already has enough perishables (food, clothing, etc...) there is no
need for the unit to pay maintenance cost. The quantity and quality of
perishables required by a specific unit will very depending upon the unit's
skills, levels, etc.... Large armies on campaign would have to stockpile
perishables. Optionally, if the season is right, an army might opt to pillage
crops from the invaded territory. The army might also opt to destroy cropland
in an effort to starve an entrenched army out of their castle walls. The
possiblities are numerous and mimic historical situations very well.

New avenues would open up for marketing. Powerful lords, socially important
units of all kinds will require HIGH quality perishable goods (exotic foods,
spices, perfume, etc....). Quick turnover of some perishables will add to
the flavor (pun definately intended :-) I can even envision PC merchants,
which are commisioned by the local lord to sail forth and procure various
exotic goods not attainable locally.

These are just a few thoughts.

--
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Joel M. Rives                           INTERNET: jrives@eng.tridom.com
O-O Analysis, Design & Implementation   UUCP:     joel@ad.UUCP
Avalon Designs, Inc.                    VOICE:    (404) 514-3398
Consulting with  AT&T Tridom                      (404) 377-0764
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References

Re: What's wrong with Olympia today (long)
Bill.Viggers@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Bill Viggers)
Tue, 19 May 1992 04:57:58 +0000
Olympia - Future Implimentation Propositions
morrow@romulus.rutgers.edu (John Morrow)
Sat, 16 May 1992 02:32:15 +0000
Re: What's wrong with Olympia today (long)
srt@aero.org (Scott "TCB" Turner)
Tue, 19 May 1992 04:35:20 +0000

Referenced By

Re: What's wrong with Olympia today (long)
Bill.Viggers@comp.vuw.ac.nz (Bill Viggers)
Tue, 19 May 1992 04:57:58 +0000
Olympia - Future Implimentation Propositions
morrow@romulus.rutgers.edu (John Morrow)
Sat, 16 May 1992 02:32:15 +0000
Re: What's wrong with Olympia today (long)
srt@aero.org (Scott "TCB" Turner)
Tue, 19 May 1992 04:35:20 +0000