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The Economist- 19th March Edition

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Leaders ~ Editorial

Welcome again to this new edition of the Economist. The political scene has been fairly quiet this week, but don't worry- we have used the time to talk to interview MDU President CV James and all round American statesman Justinious. In addition, our political editor, Scipio the Great, has been investigating the current upsurge of interest in Trade Unionism in the UK.

Internationally, Mexico and Portugal have pushed the United States back within its own borders again. The Americans have taken hard blows both militarily and politically in this latest escapade, with their reputation amongst Atlantis nations sinking rapidly. Although most UK citizens remain loyal to their allies, there was little sympathy for the Americans when the reconquest of Mexico began.

In the East the battles with Romania have stopped for Indonesia, however they still have to deal with the constant irritation of Pakistani attacks. Romania on the other hand is struggling to contain the Hungarian tiger on it's Western front. The huge population surge of Hungarians has completely displaced the balance of power in the region, and until that situation is resolved further battles with Indonesia are unlikely to go well for the super-power.

In Asia, the Indian and Philippine Presidents have both been impeached. Although the Indian Presidential impeachment was merely a formality (India currently doesn't exist), the Philippine one was a completely different kettle of fish. The winner of the Presidential elections there was a Brazilian, who was attempting to steal the treasury, and was rightfully impeached.



Leaders ~ Small businesses and high taxes

This week we've heard a lot of debate on the forums about tax changes and market collapses in the UK. Oil and Gift prices hit historical lows, with Q1 oil selling for £0.49 and gifts for £1.28. This is partly due to the halt of NHS and the military, but also due to people readjusting to the new taxation.

Although the Economist is broadly speaking in favour of the taxation, we feel that the measures which the high taxation was intended to fund (restarting the NHS) should be enacted simultaneously to the tax changes. Gift prices, for example, have slumped by a third in a little under two weeks, effectively forcing many business owners to continue injecting cash to keep the business active. After speaking to several gift owners, we feel that this situation is simply not tenable, and business owners may have to let loyal employees go if the situation does not improve. So for those of you who own or work for this industry, make sure you message your local congressman and ask him to write to the government on your behalf. We need an NHS restart now- not just for our wellness as a country, but for your jobs.

This statement was made on the topic by our longest-serving Congressman, Certacito (13 consecutive terms of office):

“One effect that the halting of NHS funding has had in eUK is to virtually stop the procurement of GIFTS overnight.

Any sudden change in market conditions is BAD - we have gone from a position where the NHS-fuelled demand for GIFTS by far outstripped the eUKs production capability (and as such a myriad of new GIFT Companies were set up to satisfy the demand) - to a position where virtually no-one is buying GIFTS.

We have therefore ended up in a situation where we, as a nation, are carrying MASSIVE stocks of unsold GIFTS - and many of our smaller independent companies are in threat of going bankrupt as they are unable to shift stock.” (Source, eUK forums 17th March).

I think it is becoming clear to us all that this situation is untenable. Get the NHS restarted, get demand back up, before our economy slides any further.



Britain ~ Leading the Movement

This week we're running an interview with new MDU President CV James. Nearly everyone both inside and outside the movement knows CV, so we thought we'd congratulate him on his victory and ask him a few questions.

The MDU is one of the most vibrant parties in the eUK, how does it feel to lead the party?

I love it - it was truly an honour to be re-elected by the party again. I love the party, its ideals, and most of all, the people. We all get on so well, and whilst we often have contrasting opinions on political matters, never is a bad word said against another. The MDU is not just a party; we're a community, and to head that is something I sincerely enjoy and appreciate being given the chance to do.

In the recent elections, six members of the MDU were elected to congress. Do you see this number increasing?

This was a fantastic achievement for the party, and something I hope Oexis, and his previous party administration are very proud of. With now over 100 members, the party aims to be fielding more candidates than ever before at the next elections in 6 days. Not only that, but with our brand new party manifesto in the final stages of being drafted, I honestly believe it is a real possibility that we will be able to beat our last record.

Do you think the FTP and LSD are challenging the position of the MDU?

Oh, without a doubt. We sadly lost a few senior party members to the LSD, and for good reason - the party is fresh, innovative and edgy. Likewise, the growth of the FTP has been incredible - but whether they have affected our position is questionable, personally I see it more that their growth has spurred the MDU into an increased activity and motivated us more than ever to get moving again. The FTP and LSD have some great ideas, and some hard working experienced politicians; I look forward to working with both parties during my time as Party President of the MDU.

What are your views on NHS reform?

Ah NHS reform. Well firstly, without a doubt, reform is something the NHS was desperately in need of. Its gifting guidelines and its operation was incredibly complex, and quite simply, unsustainable. I am a staunch supporter of the NHS, but I believe it has become a body on which the population increasingly relies on instead of taking care for themselves, instead of a body to help alongside citizen care. I would like to see limits on the amount of healthcare citizens can receive per week, perhaps varying with their current wellness level, so the healthier they are, the less they are entitled too. Furthermore, I do think there should be some kind of direct citizen contribution, once a citizen reaches a certain level, perhaps 5-10GBP/week. This will prevent any citizens from receiving it who don’t really need it, and helps with the financial implications.

Do you think that the UK should remain a part of Atlantis?

Short answer: yes. Long answer: Only if ATLANTIS reforms and is restructured. With Hassan and Shadow now more or less heading the organisation, I hope this will give some impetus for change. The alliance is far too closed for my liking, and its member states are more concerned in self-interest than helping fellow members. Most citizens of member-states know little, if anything about how the alliance works, what it does etc. - this simply isn’t good enough. How are the public meant to have any faith and support for an organisation they know nothing about?! On the case of the ESA (I’d just like to add), I am a strong supported of the European Social Alliance, and I will be pushing for the Commons to consider membership further. ATLANTIS has failed us too often; I would like to know there is another option for us should the worse come to the worst.

What do you think about the recent US invasion of Mexico and the following counter-attack by PEACE?

I was personally disgusted by the actions of the United States, as shown by my formal lodge of complain at the American Embassy. To attack a neighbouring nation without any provocation and in blatant violation of the ATLANTIS treaty was in my opinion, simply wrong – another reason why I want alliance reform. This said, in all fairness, unlike other alliance nations, the United States did pay their 100 Gold treaty violation fee and accepted their guilt. On the PEACE counter attack, it would be unfair for me to comment at this time because I do not know enough about the situation to make a balanced judgement.

Is there anything you'd like to say to the people of the UK?

Get involved with your country, with the politics. It will be hard to establish yourself at first but it is well worth it! Don’t just stand down when someone disagrees with you; argue your point. Challenge and question authority – in a game like this there is no right and wrong, only personal opinion. Fight your way to the top, but be prepared to compromise. Oh, and – why not come join the MDU?! 🙂


Thank you CV, and we wish you the best of luck in the upcoming elections.




Bagehot ~ Unions

There are a number of unions to be found on the forums all representing each sector of the market. They have all individually struggled to promote fair treatment of employees, from adequate pay to no redundancy for no reason. But their effect is limited mainly by the mechanics of the game and at the moment they are not functioning. The Guild Of Hard Workers is one of the more successful guilds. It takes on only those citizens with hard worker medals and promotes its workers as reliable and credible. Nevertheless, it is difficult to maintain the clout of a union when the vast majority of workers either don’t know or care who they work for, because getting a job is relatively easy and not having much money not being anything bad, it can be hard to get people on board with the idea of the need for a union.

However, recently a suggestion by Tommy Tommasino in public discussion has been made for the uniting of the unions to create two unions; General Workers Union (GWU) and General Managers Union (GMU). The idea is that through these unions the two sides could work together to ensure that an efficient workforce is provided for by fair pay. The GWU would act to support and advise its members and also act in lobbying the government, while the GMU would be a more powerful and effective force in both the human resources market and general market. Both would act as a pressure group to stimulate action on behalf of the workers and managers. Although, for example, there is no way to organise a strike (not many would risk losing all their hard work for that medal), media representation on behalf of the unions will create a significant reputation for a particular company if they have done wrong. And this is where the unions can do the most good and harm. Provided enough vote up a particular article there is no reason why a company can not be made well known to be bad for the worker. United together the unions can enhance their force as representing both the workforce and the general managers. But it is all down to the leaders of the unions to publicise them. Provided enough work is done to create a well known establishment that can acquire respect there is no reason why companies and workers will not want the support of the unions. The watchword of this idea is 'strength in numbers'.
 
The GWU and GMU could work to establish a healthy climate for the workers and the managers - perhaps a set level of pay for a certain level of skill, organising recruitment between the workers and managers with the union acting as a middleman and disputes as to pay and redundancy can have a forum for that dispute. Although there is not mechanic for enforcement significant steps can be made via the media.
 
Alternatives to the unions that have recently been established are the PCP's Communes and the Co-operative business established by Iain Keers. Both work at a not-for-profit level providing both in different ways for their workers. The Co-operative employs workers who have a stake in the company; all of the workers will be shareholders and have a say on the future of the business, where to invest, where not to invest, wages etc. The Communes on the other hand work solely for the workers distributing among them profits and food equally regardless of skill.
 
Bringing all these forms of support together there can be created a variety of mechanisms whereby companies have hardworking and healthy employees while the employers provide for them sufficient pay and assistance to maintain efficient productivity. It is in the interest of both sides that this works and the unions can help achieve this.

Scipio the Great



United States ~ Cross Atlantic dialogue

This week we're interviewing former President of the USA Justinious, one of the most experienced citizens of eRepublik.


Do you think the current US-Mexican war will end when they reach the US original territories?

I do actually. I don't perceive Mexico, Portugal, or PEACE to continue the assault on to US territory. There have been plenty of rumors of a large scale attack to "take out" the US, but its credibility is suspect, but even in the case that is correct we will fight a good fight. It is my earnest hope that once the war reaches US territories it will be ended mutually by both sides.

Do you think the failures in the war will reflect badly upon the USA, or just the current government?

I think it reflects on both, as it should. The citizens of the US elected our President who proposed the war, and our citizens elected the Congress who approved of the war almost unanimously. I believe this will ultimately be looked at as failure in oversight and planning by the government, but the way the US reacted to the war, the subsequent consequences with ATLANTIS, and then with the impeachment fiasco will ultimately reflect badly on the US citizens.
I do believe this image can be repaired if given time.

Do you think the war was unjust; should Atlantis have fought alongside the USA anyway?

This is a personal issue I have been trying to extend to the US and to those I talk with, and that issue is about the relative "justness" of war. I don't believe any war is ever fully justified, but because this game relies so heavily on war the aspect of a "just war" should be altogether separated. So I will say there was no reasoning behind the war to make the US look good, but I also dont believe that should be the goal when in a war. A country should never oppress or try to eliminate another, but neither should they attempt to justify their actions beyond the truth. Which is just for war's sake.
All ATLANTIS nations are free to fight where and when they feel they should. That being said it would have been fun to fight alongside our allies, but it was not necessary. This was primarily a US war and there is nothing wrong with us finishing what we started.

What key issues (domestically) do you think the USA has to tackle if it is to move forward as a country?

Education. Thats the first thing that comes to mind. We have a strong economy, and the frameworks for a strong government, but without a properly educated populous we are doomed to repeat the past over and over again. Our own congress suffers from this month after month and its frustrating to say the least. Although some of us have been around for a very long time, the vast majority of the US is less than 4 months old and as such is ignorant to all issues both foreign and domestic.

What do you think the eUSA could learn from the eUK?

How to get along? lol, I'm not sure, but I know that lessons are certainly there to be learned. In my personal opinion the UK seems to be able to disassociate RL political views from erep views and then move forward in the most acceptable fashion. If the US could do that it would benefit us greatly.

What do you think the eUK could learn from the eUSA?

Now thats a tough one. When I think of eUK and eUS I dont think of one being "better" than the other and just different in their own ways, and as such it makes it hard to think of something. If I had to pick something I would say they should learn from our mistakes and ensure they dont happen to you.

You're on the UK forums, and a lot of UK citizens are registered on the USA forums. This is partly do to our countries shared language and real life friendship, but do you think that increased dialogue between Atlantis nations would be help build friendship between all alliance countries?

I am very happy about this new intermingling between our two forums and two countries. It is my hope that this raises the international awareness of our own community which for the most part is isolated from international issues. I also think that it would greatly strengthen our alliance and the friendship between all our countries to keep the dialogue open.

Finally, do you have any message for the readers of the Economist?

Hrmm, just that they are in the right place at the right time to take advantage of their opportunities. You can quote me on that if you like, and they are more than welcome to come and sign up on the eUS forums. http://eusforum.com/index.php

We'd like to thank Justinious for taking the time to answer our questions, and wish him all the best for the future.



Europe ~ The problem of population

We all know of the problem of high population in London. As a landlocked region, the huge population there is largely unnecessary, and we constantly try to convince Londoners to move out to the provinces. Now, Spain is doing the same thing.

For the Spanish, the problem is much more relevant. They have two hostile forces on their borders, both of which have formidable national armies, bolstered by Indonesian forces. As such, the President, Evighet, is encouraging members to move from Madrid out to the borders. Here is a brief excerpt from the President's speech:

“The government strongly urges that:

The citizens of Madrid move to Galicia, Extremadura and Castila y Leon... the people of Valencia and Murcia are moved to Navarre and Aragon.”

So why does high population in a single area represent a problem? It means that the advantages of having high population (strong defence) are limited to one region, and the disadvantages (difficulty with resource management, in the UK the NHS) are concentrated.

The difficulty of moving population is that many of the citizens in the capital regions of both Britain and Spain are inactive and dying. The other problem is the cost. In the UK, free tickets are available for those moving out of London, such state funded programs are rare however. For those UK citizens interested in moving out of the capital, send a request for a moving ticket to Transport for London.



**The Economist**


Top ten world salaries in gold (after tax)

1.Q5 Universal Food..........|Brazil.......|1.07
2.Picanha Tupi....................|Brazil......|1. 06
3.Artilharia Tupi.................|Brazil......|1.06
4.food2all...........................|Ro mania...|1.03
5.VIP Guns.........................|Romania... |1.01
6.Burger President..............|Spain.........|0 .99
7.Estatal de Armas Q5........|Spain.........|0.99
8.Red Hot Chilli Cupcakes.|Romania...|0.99
9.Renaissance Restaurant...|Romania...|0.99
10.Supreme Weapons...........|Spain........|0.96