[USA] New Thinking - The Trade and Military Alliance (TAMA)

Day 878, 01:49 • Published in USA USA • by mjdiv

For over a year, I've been on a quest to find out how, within the limitations of eRepublik's game mechanics, an alliance could be formed which was not simply military, but also strengthened by mutual prosperity and trade between member nations around the world. I have served in Congress 5 times promoting the ideals of free trade and setting the stage for eUSA to chart a new course as an example in the New World. I've been a voice in the Cabinets of 9 different Presidential administrations from Secretary of Media all the way to Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Planning. And while my understanding of game mechanics has solidified, my belief in people and the ideals I represent have remained the same. In my 15 months of being an eRepublikan and experiencing this social experiment at many different levels, I am 100% certain that no nation in the eWorld will ever be safe from being overcome, either militarily or politically, without the strong support of allies. This includes Hungary, Indonesia, Spain, Poland, Canada and, yes, USA too! Although we need not rush in to bite the hook of the first alliance's fishing line that is dangled in front of us, we do need to consider what kind of alliance we will have in the near future to bring about not only security but also prosperity. I've been publishing articles around the world and, so far, every nation I've published in has given me tremendous feedback. Yes, there are many other people in the world who are willing to work hard to make this work!

Many of the alliance ideas I have heard recently revolve solely around the idea of a military alliance to guard against attack from enemies. While that is a valid reason for having an alliance, I propose that more be done to strengthen such an alliance and hold its members together. If the only thing that keeps a nation in an alliance is the prospect of security from attack, then nations are just as likely to jump to whatever alliance of the day appears to offer the most military protection.

For everyone out there who thinks their country will "win" by their one country conquering the world, I assure you that you will never see that day come about. Alliances can beat alliances, but no one country will ever beat the world. If we are anti-Phoenix or anti-EDEN, we would not simply be against the imperialistic tendencies of one nation; we would be against all of the nations under Phoenix's/EDEN's protection. We will not win a war against a Phoenix/EDEN alliance by pure military force. The way to change the dynamics of the situation is by a change in ideology. Whatever imperialistic alliance that is formed automatically becomes an enemy to the other alliance(s) and strengthens their cause.

I hear some people saying "But we need to expand! We need those high-iron territories! We need diamonds! And what about making sure we have titanium?" You know what? You're right! But why does that have to involve conquering other countries? Unlike other nations, we have all the resources we need for our citizens and to function well as a society. The iron, diamonds and eventually titanium will give strength to our military capabilities (as cheaper resources for weapons and gifts). A way to do this would be through trade.

I hear more of you saying "Trade...pff...that's boring! We need RAWR!" There will still be plenty of wars in the world to participate in, especially the liberation kinds. I hear more of you saying "that will never happen...no one will agree to it". Tell that to the dozens of people who have sent me dozens of PMs from all around the world by people in the governments of different nations and ordinary citizens alike who would like to see this come about!

In order to have a strong alliance, the alliance must respect the sovereignty of all of the nations involved. It must also benefit every member of the alliance (big and small) and not be simply for the support of it's strongest nations. The alliance members must be able to think in terms of "we" and "our" and not just "me". To give strength to such a group it would also work toward the prosperity of each member involved.

Some may see what I propose to be idealistic, but everything starts out as an idea. Ideas that are fueled with passion and moved by action can make them reality. So, I will start with an idea. Those who add to these thoughts will help turn a good idea into a great one.

I propose the creation of an alliance that has all of these aspects:

1. Centered around raw materials. Of high importance (and these areas should have higher populations to build higher walls) would be territories with high resources in all of the raw materials. These resources should be made available in free trade to all members of the alliance. The alliance is not only a military alliance, but also a trade alliance, to promote prosperity of all of the nations involved. Nations within the alliance will have 1-5% maximum import taxes on all high resources that the alliance has secured. Non-alliance nations may be embargoed, but not nations within the alliance. The nations within the alliance are free to adjust their income taxes and VATs (sales taxes) how each nation sees fit according to their respective congresses, but will not raise import taxes to protectionist levels.

2. Each nation must have an organized military that will be required to come to the defense of members of the alliance that are being attacked on their home soil. Members will not be required to assist in offensive operations, only defensive ones. However, the nations are allowed to coordinate in offensive operations if they wish to. Each nation is also free to have MPPs with nations that are outside of the alliance.

3. Members must respect the sovereignty of member nations unless agreement has been made between attacking and defending nations to do otherwise.

4. To protect the military/trade alliance from nations with unfair trade practices that do not allow foreign competition, those nations would be embargoed by all nations within the alliance unless they agree to allow American companies (along with the other allied nations) to sell to them by eradicating prohibitive trade barriers.

With the above type of alliance, each nation will benefit from military support of all nations involved in the event of attack and would also all share in growth of prosperity, all having adequate, inexpensive access to high-resource-producing regions and being able to trade among member nations without barriers of high tariffs. What would keep the countries from raising their tariffs? Well, the loss of trade and military partners in what could be the most economically beneficial alliance in the world!

I have contacted the governments of every Brolliance nation and have had people from each of the governments respond positively. I will continue to take this message across the world to all nations who are ready for a counterbalance to the EDEN/Phoenix stalemate. A change of thinking is necessary in a changing world. It was said that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. We cannot create a second EDEN and expect it to work better than the first one. We need a completely different ideology. The pen is mightier than the sword because the written words and thoughts that are in the minds of soldiers and citizens are what hold them together in times of crisis. Brute force alone only works when you're ahead, but falls apart when you're not. But the proper mindset together with action are what create phenomenal explosions into possibilities that beforehand may never have existed.

We are at an important crossroads, America! We can continue with doing things as they've always been done and getting the results we've always gotten. Or we can step out of the box and dare to create something fantastic. Nothing great was ever accomplished by those who have said "we can't". All great things have started with resistance but with fortitude and perseverance were created by those who say "we can".

I'll leave you with a final thought: "Whatever the mind...can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill.

For the past year, I have been long at work trying to bring this mindset to eUSA and I am continuing to try to bring this mindset to like-minded people around the world. If the people continue have an open mind and speak up instead of accept the status quo, then our leaders will eventually listen!

Special Thanks
There are many people around the world who deserve thanks for contributing to the TAMA cause, but there are a few people who deserve special recognition for providing the inspiration and support to help make TAMA become a reality:

AidenAstrup and Greystrand (eUSA),
Tyler F Durden (eCanada),
James Rellori (eAustralia),
President patton (eIreland),
President danyeo (eJapan)

Interest is growing in this type of alliance worldwide. Join the discussion with like-minded people around the world who are interested in the Trade And Military Alliance on IRC in [url=irc://irc.rizon.net/TAMA]#TAMA[/url].

Have fun and enjoy another day in eRepublik!