Join the new world

Or: Does anyone know what's happening and where we're going?


Having been away for a few days this last week, it seems the proposed referendum on Democracy/Dictatorship took place

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/-uk-dictatorship-democracy-referendum-march-2015-2508369/1/20


The results are somewhat inconclusive

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/-huey-george-update-6-from-10-downing-street-march-2015-2511006/1/20


A little on the background as to how we got where we are now.

Unless you've been living in a cave on the far side of the moon for several weeks, you will know that the Dictatorship module has been introduced into eRepublik

http://www.erepublik.com/en/main/latest-updates/0/208


There followed an immediate announcement from Trico of his impending attempt to seize power in eSerbia

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/be-prepared-1-2500486/1/20


The eUK, quickly realising the potential threat of an outside force getting hold of an eUK Military Unit and instigating a hostile coup, was one of the first countries to enforce what was considered a domestic protective coup.

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/-uk-cp-dictatorship-military-coup-update-2500838/1/20


Where are we now?

It is my understanding that having successfully established a dictator, legislation was subsequently agreed and enacted that (with certain caveats) the elected CP was to be handed the Dictator position following the CP election of the fifth of each month. Although I was not party to the legislation, it is clear the handover has not happened this month.


Where should we go now?

Whether by force, by appointment or by agreed handover to an elected CP, dictatorship offers added protection from a hostile Coup. Without the re-establishment first of a democracy someone/group with hostile intent cannot instigate their own coup.

However, both the elected Government and Congress existing without the power and responsibility that goes with their respective positions under a democracy, inevitably decay. Indeed, considering how regularly and quickly some governments and in particular Congress stagnate and fade as the month passes, the question is - where will eUK be in six months time if we are still discussing the same situation/problems?

Some have argued that the current government lacks quality - an opinion, but not necessarily a fact. If we are going to allow judgement to be cast so easily on every new administration then in reality the new system will not work. Even if it is true, is it as a result of the dictatorship? Do citizens wish to be part of government or run for Congress if they already know they have no power? How many people in the eUK have simply adopted passive collaboration?

The recent Congress elections where TUP did not have an ordered list have been used to suggest proof as to the need for dictatorship and the dangers of allowing Congressmen their powers. But I would argue as they don't have those powers, the argument is against something that does not exist and may not have happened under different circumstances. Can it be proven that the TUP PP would not have re-ordered the list if we had a democracy?

I've also seen arguments put forward that Congressmen are being denied their 5 Gold because of the dictatorship. True but to put it bluntly, if motivation for getting elected is primarily 5 Gold, then should they be in Congress?


Conclusions

I personally was very much in favour of the establishment of dictatorship, because of a perceived external threat, but I am now in two minds.

Dictatorship clearly offers security from hostile coups, but if it further decays the process of government and representation of the populace in government then does this not just speed up our decline? The worldwide population continues to decline and the active eUK population with it.

If we could guarantee the same levels of participation, to the same standards by both government and Congress in a dictatorship, which was guaranteed to follow the process as stipulated in the enacted legislation, then there are benefits. For example, parties can select for Congress less experienced members in full knowledge that they can't actually do any harm whilst learning the ropes.

In the end, as some people regularly state, we are supposed to be playing a game here. It is not a matter of life and death.



Just as a final point (for now) - I did recently consider an alternative option for a dictatorship. Appoint the outgoing CP as Dictator each month instead of the incoming CP.


Yours

Paul