Competing Causes

Day 1,544, 23:16 • Published in Austria Austria • by Rangeley


Over the past several days, A.Emmerich has attempted to achieve the support of four different groups for his PTO cause. A similar pattern in strategy emerged for all: flattery, kind words, even re-assuring promises at first - until it becomes clear they will not support him. Then, it becomes a different story. Here are each of the cases.

Government Officials

Shortly after his announcement, A.Emmerich sent a message to previous cabinet members, offering us a chance to serve in his “council.” He downplayed what was going on, saying really he did not plan to change much of anything. He said he valued our work, and trusted us, promising that even if we did not support him, he would understand. We would not be ostracized. He would not even try to seek government orgs, such as the Central Bank, because he did not want money.

When he was rejected, he called on us to leave Austria. He said there would be no room for "traitors" such as us, that he would use the Kuruc militia to block our political future. He seized every government org, emptying several and declaring attempts to secure them “thievery.” He announced he would pursue censorship against political opponents, although not explaining how this would work when its not even possible in game mechanics.



The Congress and Public

He turned next to the people of Austria. The old cabinet was "thieves," he said, and nothing more than "traitors" for opposing him. He would truly lead Austria to greatness - a glorious new empire. He asked people to believe him, not the rest of the cabinet. He proposed his new welcome message for a vote.

It failed. No longer a “glorious empire,” Austria was now nothing to him - in his words, a nation of a few people. He explained it didn’t matter, and that Austria should not be optimistic about its future. He began writing now in Hungarian, changing his intended audience, all but abandoning communication with Austrians.

Hungary

To his new audience, he extended a hand of friendship to Hungary and its government. He explained that Austria and Hungary had an alliance which could never break, and which would last forever. As a demonstration of this, he would hand over Burgenland to Hungary permanently in a new treaty.

The “treaty” of course was nothing more than a creation of A.Emmerich, neither approved by congress or the public. Word of the PTO had reached Hungary, and they called on A.Emmerich to delete his false article, and to stop his hostility against the nation of Austria. A.Emmerich became furious, throwing insults at the Hungarian government. He had hopes that, because the president had to step down for real life reasons, the next president would reconsider. However, they too regard A.Emmerich as a trouble maker, as with every other neighbor we have.

Hungarians in Austria

Turning now to Hungarians located in Austria, he presented a new message. Austria needed “intelligent Hungarian leadership,” he explained. Together, they could achieve greatness over all others in Austria, leading hand in hand and aiding Hungary best.

Of course, none of A.Emmerich’s proposals were about logical improvements. His plan is focused on centralizing power on himself. When the Szeklers refused to endorse his totalitarian plans, his tune changes again: he declared them to be "traitors," even that they were power hungry.



Patterns

The pattern is clear. If you can further his goal, he flatters, compliments, exchanges pleasantries. If you can’t, well, we made that clear. But its not just that he becomes abrasive; its what he chooses to become abrasive about.

Nobody said to him, “Austria shouldn’t be great!” Nobody said to him, “Austria and Hungary shouldn’t be friends!” He doesn’t get mad about these things, because they never happened - and he probably wouldn't care anyways if they did. He gets furious instead at people who stand up to his quest for power, tossing them aside even mere minutes after desperately pursuing their support. This is not rational leadership - it is not leadership that is working towards a greater cause. The cause is no bigger than himself.

Competing Causes

His mask is removed, and he has revealed himself for what he is. While we cannot go back in time, and change history, we can use this awareness in the present. Where he dedicates himself to nothing greater than himself, we have the chance to do something more. To work together to help a nation - to help our friends - to help our allies.

It is truly this, and not selfish pursuits, which is most rewarding; whose results are most enduring, and most worthwhile. For the cause of Austria, we persist.