Matchmaker, matchmaker
Day 3,361, 08:31
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Published in USA 
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by
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by Ruminantus
"Matchmaker, matchmaker,
Make me a match,
Find me a find,
Catch me a catch."
Hello everybody!
I am a fresh immigrant in the great-again United States, asking you for help with some political Intel.
What party would be more suitable for me to join?
I don't seek active political life, I only wish for a party in which I would feel ideologically at home.
So, where do I come from?
Definitely I fully embrace the democratic ideal of self-governance: people collectively making decision for their future; by the people, for the people.
But Democracy is based on two mutually competing values: freedom and equality.
For example liberty to kill or liberty to get as rich that one would be able to directly coerce the government to abide his personal interest, are scenarios that should be met with legal opposition because they undermine individual liberties of so many others. In exchange, pushing for o more socially equitable society can be made only by sacrificing aspects of the freedom ideal. Somehow, I think there should be an equilibrium characterizing the interaction of these two values.
I come more from the freedom side, considering that freedom is the primordial value, but also acknowledging the need of a least some degree of equality, seeing equality to be instrumental to freedom, hence it's value:
- guaranteeing political equality – one person, one vote.
- providing social mechanisms that ensure equal chances for every person of the community to explore its potential and the potential of the world he or she is living in.
- preventing big economic disparities between individuals, based on the argument that very reach people could "de facto" exercise more political power than the other members of the community, infringing their liberties, like: bribing the judicial to walk free from a crime, buying favors from elected representatives in order to have laws that further their chances to get even wealthier, and of course, directly buying elections to ensure the elected would work in their favor not everybody else's.
That means I'm for the intervention of the State to ensure individual liberty of individuals by lawfully implementing pro-fairness mechanisms. Such principles should be covered by immutable laws, which could not be jerked around by the ever-changing executive branch. So, I'm also for the rule of law.
Taking all the above into consideration, please tell me which party do you consider would be fit for me and me for it.
(The Transfagarasan - paved mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania)
I'll make a short list of negative arguments, listing personal turnoffs I see in each party.
It's a superficial analysis based only on their names and declared doctrine.
Federalist Party
Center-right, Authoritarian
To be for a certain particular form of organizing the state (like a federation) is not an ideal in itself. Too small of an ideal to fight for.
Also, I don’t appreciate authoritarian regimes. I’m pro democracy.
United States Workers Party
Orientation Center-left, Libertarian
I don’t like politics based on antagonism between social classes.
Libertarian is an extreme branch of liberalism (profoundly valuing freedom) that does not mix well with the left (the search of more equality, that can be achieved only by affecting personal liberties).
Socialist Freedom Party
Far-left, Anarchist
Anarchy (the lack of any system of structured power) is even more radical than libertarianism, while the far-left is well... even more left than center-left. I have the same observation as in the case of USWP, but more acute.
The Black Sheep Party
Center, Libertarian
"We don't run with the herd anymore!"
Seems to be ideologically consistent, but they also reflect a kind of elitism that does not work well with the idea of political equality (one person, one vote) and with the idea of making decisions as a community, through debate between peers.
We The People
Center, Libertarian
"We're your home for having your own opinion!"
A party is a group of people gathered around a set of ideas and shared opinions.
So, before joining, I need to know YOUR opinion on things, to see how much of a match we are. I would say I’m my own home for my own opinions. This slogan offers me nothing.
American Military Party
Center-left, Libertarian
I'm a pacifist and also against mixing the military and the politics.
The military should have civilian leadership (or at least control); war arguments should not rule a country.
American Freedom Alliance
Far-right, Totalitarian
Oh my! Freedom + totalitarianism. What a beautiful mix.
Old Farts United
Center-right, Authoritarian
"Party whose members are past giving a crap"
Funny! But I still feel like I can give one.
Tank you for your time and please note I'm not familiar with any of the above-mentioned party leaderships and that my observations are not intended to offend. Please don’t take it personally.
After this negative approach from my behalf, I'm open to hear your positive arguments for why should I join a certain party?
Thank you for your help and for welcoming me in your country, both in-game and several nice times in RL.
"Matchmaker, matchmaker
Look through your book,
And make me a perfect match"
Yours,
adiemus
Make me a match,
Find me a find,
Catch me a catch."
Hello everybody!
I am a fresh immigrant in the great-again United States, asking you for help with some political Intel.
What party would be more suitable for me to join?
I don't seek active political life, I only wish for a party in which I would feel ideologically at home.
So, where do I come from?
Definitely I fully embrace the democratic ideal of self-governance: people collectively making decision for their future; by the people, for the people.
But Democracy is based on two mutually competing values: freedom and equality.
For example liberty to kill or liberty to get as rich that one would be able to directly coerce the government to abide his personal interest, are scenarios that should be met with legal opposition because they undermine individual liberties of so many others. In exchange, pushing for o more socially equitable society can be made only by sacrificing aspects of the freedom ideal. Somehow, I think there should be an equilibrium characterizing the interaction of these two values.
I come more from the freedom side, considering that freedom is the primordial value, but also acknowledging the need of a least some degree of equality, seeing equality to be instrumental to freedom, hence it's value:
- guaranteeing political equality – one person, one vote.
- providing social mechanisms that ensure equal chances for every person of the community to explore its potential and the potential of the world he or she is living in.
- preventing big economic disparities between individuals, based on the argument that very reach people could "de facto" exercise more political power than the other members of the community, infringing their liberties, like: bribing the judicial to walk free from a crime, buying favors from elected representatives in order to have laws that further their chances to get even wealthier, and of course, directly buying elections to ensure the elected would work in their favor not everybody else's.
That means I'm for the intervention of the State to ensure individual liberty of individuals by lawfully implementing pro-fairness mechanisms. Such principles should be covered by immutable laws, which could not be jerked around by the ever-changing executive branch. So, I'm also for the rule of law.
Taking all the above into consideration, please tell me which party do you consider would be fit for me and me for it.
(The Transfagarasan - paved mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania)
I'll make a short list of negative arguments, listing personal turnoffs I see in each party.
It's a superficial analysis based only on their names and declared doctrine.
Federalist Party
Center-right, Authoritarian
To be for a certain particular form of organizing the state (like a federation) is not an ideal in itself. Too small of an ideal to fight for.
Also, I don’t appreciate authoritarian regimes. I’m pro democracy.
United States Workers Party
Orientation Center-left, Libertarian
I don’t like politics based on antagonism between social classes.
Libertarian is an extreme branch of liberalism (profoundly valuing freedom) that does not mix well with the left (the search of more equality, that can be achieved only by affecting personal liberties).
Socialist Freedom Party
Far-left, Anarchist
Anarchy (the lack of any system of structured power) is even more radical than libertarianism, while the far-left is well... even more left than center-left. I have the same observation as in the case of USWP, but more acute.
The Black Sheep Party
Center, Libertarian
"We don't run with the herd anymore!"
Seems to be ideologically consistent, but they also reflect a kind of elitism that does not work well with the idea of political equality (one person, one vote) and with the idea of making decisions as a community, through debate between peers.
We The People
Center, Libertarian
"We're your home for having your own opinion!"
A party is a group of people gathered around a set of ideas and shared opinions.
So, before joining, I need to know YOUR opinion on things, to see how much of a match we are. I would say I’m my own home for my own opinions. This slogan offers me nothing.
American Military Party
Center-left, Libertarian
I'm a pacifist and also against mixing the military and the politics.
The military should have civilian leadership (or at least control); war arguments should not rule a country.
American Freedom Alliance
Far-right, Totalitarian
Oh my! Freedom + totalitarianism. What a beautiful mix.
Old Farts United
Center-right, Authoritarian
"Party whose members are past giving a crap"
Funny! But I still feel like I can give one.
Tank you for your time and please note I'm not familiar with any of the above-mentioned party leaderships and that my observations are not intended to offend. Please don’t take it personally.
After this negative approach from my behalf, I'm open to hear your positive arguments for why should I join a certain party?
Thank you for your help and for welcoming me in your country, both in-game and several nice times in RL.
"Matchmaker, matchmaker
Look through your book,
And make me a perfect match"
Yours,
adiemus
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Comments
Welcome aboard! ^__^
( I have no idea what party you should join, but welcome anyway )
Thank you!
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the names of the parties as well as the choices of buttons that the founders got to click has little to do with the parties themselves (imho), unfortunately hardily any are truly active. I would suggest going to the eUS forums introduce yourself to the different parties and see which responses offer the most entertainment for you - hopefully that is why you play (entertainment value)
This is the best advice you will get.
Thank you, I will!
THE BLACK SHEEP PARTY.
★★★★ Baaaa ★★★★
★★★★ Baaaa ★★★★
★★★★ Baaaa ★★★★
Iti doresc succes in noua aventura... imi pare rau ca ai plecat din RO
Multzam 🙂
A plecat pentru ca i-au infipt prazu in cur
I would agree that the political descriptions of each party have little bearing on what they stand for. The eUsA forums would give you a better feel for how the parties interact. The game mechanics limit the impact political philosophies actually can play so basically it ends up being the same outcome for all the parties but with a different style. The one exception may be SFP who in my opinion does provide an alternative world view from the rest of the top 5.
I've always wondered why you don't join us. When I read your last article before your recent comeback I just can agree with every word written!
I guess it's because I was corrupted by the dark side. In that I finally recognized that this is a game and mechanics matter. While I may believe certain things in RL, in eRep the mechanics don't support certain things like Free Market. Another example is the dictatorship, obviously this is the antithesis of what America should stand for. The fact it exists in game is just a mechanic to prevent the congressional citizenship power from getting abused. I remember when the congressional INS was the most important part of congresses work.
I definitely appreciate SFPs moxie and I did enjoy a lot of support from your members when I was getting started in congress. Surprisingly even when spouting pro business ideas. While I certainly understand the issue with the eUS Forums I find them a kind of necessary evil since in game provides such limited tools to actually administer the country. So if you softened your position to somehow reforming the tools of the forum I'd be more supportive. I also have a hard time with self identifying as a socialist even in a fake game. So I'll just have to quietly vote and comment your guys articles when I agree.
A true socialist idea would be that the tax monies should be spent to benefit everyone, especially the little guy. But I would never administer more into the pockets of the current elitist clique. Why? There's no real transparency how it is spent. Setting COs isn't benefiting all, it's a bad move filling the pockets only of those that fight, but new players shouldn't do that at all, they need gold for training ground upgrades and currently that's peanuts! I'm very supportive of your idea of audits, you would get the whole SFP behind you if you chose to bring it to the forum. That's a good example of hoe positions can get softer an both sides.
I do think that comes down to mechanics. The unfortunate reality is that new players will never be able to catch the damage output of the higher level players. I also think the Maverick packs are the absolute worse idea the admins came up with as it made investments in young players completely worthless.
So the challenge and this has been the elites point of view not necessarily shared by me, is that investing in new players is largely worthless in achieving the objectives of eRepublik as a wargame. While I don't have the data I'd argue that very few players are going to keep playing more than a few months, but even if they did stay even in a months time they'd put up a pittance of damage because you have to train every day. Even if they played for years they'd never catch the damage output of the tanks.
This is a failing in how the game is designed. So while I am in violent agreement with you that we should do more to develop new players we run into the problem that from the process of winning the game the elites are right in how they allocate resources. That is also the reason why this game is failing
I think we have a slim window now with the air module where we can actually develop and keep new players. As if someone is willing to pay they can in a couple of months be relevant to the air war. That won't last long though once perception is added or people keep ranking up.
I am writing an article on how to revive the USTC. While it never really contributed much to damage, I think it helped create a relatively low risk way of giving new players responsibility. The other advantage is if structured properly it could take a significant load off the distribution network of government programs that make it so inefficient.
Definitely look forward you and the rest of SFP commenting there to make the plan feasible.
Such pertinent ideas... right on spot.
Agree about the Maverick. And yes, without buying packs you won't do any real damage for a long time. Seems the elite doesn't understand that damage comes second, the community is more important, keeping new players should be a priority. Air combats are nothing for me, because the infantry kit doesn't suppress experience in air battles. CC we are wasting on COs could be better used in building the community and growing in numbers. It's laughable how little we invest there!
When it comes to first starting out, I believe that the Federalists are the best. They also don't judge you if/when you leave (not saying others do). We had a guy in leadership say that he needed something new, went to the SFP for a few months, and was welcomed back immediately when he decided to leave the SFP.
But I'm biased, obviously xd
obviously
As others stated, a good point of view can be achieved by taking a tour into the forum, but I add a couple of different suggestions, as they can probably give you more chances to choose and be satisfied with your choice.
If I was you I would take a tour into the newspapers of the most influential citizens of each party, and try to understand their way of playing. You seem to be quite experienced as a player, and you could also ask for specific policies about game related stuff on the forum or in a message. I am sure you would have a more complete idea.
The main topics I would ask about are:
- Newbie policies (how people and parties should involve newbies and allow/disallow a career into politics)
- Meta policies (if they love or dislike to move outside of the game page to deal with others players or take some game decision)
- Flame/troll stuff (if flaming and hard-trolling should be allowed/encouraged as part of the game or should be discouraged/blamed as a lack of respect)
- Taxes policies (some big debates used to be related to that)
- Plato's updates (most players have some kind of disappreciation towards some changes that took place in the game since V1, but many are really blaming admins for some specific features, which they dislike or try to boycot)
Something that you could probably be surprised of (as I was some years ago), if you don't know eUSA yet, is that foreign affairs aren't really a big topic of discussion since some years. Most of the eUSA citizens like or dislike pretty much the same countries and alliances.
Those were my suggestions. You showed good will and courtesy, a heritage that will make you feel comfortable in any party you will decide to go.
I'd join SFP, obviously. 🙂
Good Luck.
Welcome to SFP man! Make great America again! 😁
Pacifism is very antithetical to the construction of the game itself. A pacifist nation accomplishes nothing because it prevents its citizens from gaining XP and enjoying all facets of the game. Look at the awards on your profile page. 9 of the 14 possible achievements are focused on fighting and the ability to fight effectively.
With that said, the AFA is a garbage party that has spent the majority of its existence granting citizenship to infiltrators actively trying to overthrow the government.
The USWP is the oldest active party in the United States and one of the oldest active parties in the entire history of eRepublik.
The ideological descriptions are limited, by the way. A party can only be authoritarian, libertarian, or anarchist.
The best way to pick a permanent party is to decide where you fit ideologically, and the reason for that is more because that party will be populated by those kinds of people. After that, in my personal opinion, the best party to join is the party with the most competent leaders and officials. In this regard, there is no comparison between the USWP & Feds versus every other party.
If you want to join a small party that has a small influence then go right ahead, but if you want to join a party that makes a difference your best choice is either the USWP or the Feds.
In my personal opinion the USWP trumps the Feds for quite a few reasons (chiefly, the fact that it's led by eRep veterans of the highest order). But really, it's between those two.
If all you want to do is chat about video games on IRC or Discord then you have a number of options to choose from. But, if you want a real party with real goals then you have to choose between:
1. Center-right, Authoritarian (Feds)
or...
2. Center-left, Libertarian (USWP)
In short: libtards and dictators.
Fed Party. We are THE Largest and MOST active party in eRep. WTP would be my next recommendation, but they are not nearly as active or cohesive.
United States Workers Party
USWP because this is an online game and USWP is home to some of the eUSA best players.
Is it worth it?
Let me work it.
I put my thing down,
flip it and reverse it!
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
If you're pro democracy then it's SFP obviously!
And we fight for the well-being for the whole of us as a nation, not only the elitist few!
Welcome to the eUSA
Why don't you just try them all out? Join them for a few days, sleep over at the party headquarters, see how they go about their business?
And then write an article how it was!
Good Luck!
It all means nothing. Though, in reality, this game is mostly either fascist or libertarian in the strict sense of the word.
FIST
Where are you coming to us from?
eRO
And what are you looking for in your party besides ideological symmetry ?
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Integrity and fun oriented community. I think that, in a game, the so called money has no value except the entertainment they may bring by spending them. I'll appreciate persons that approach governance through this perspective.
Join the EZC party, then.
Thank you for your help!
https://www.erepublik.com/en/article/mirror-mirror-2630334/1/20
Nu te cunosc și nici nu am auzit de tine ( am câteva luni în joc) dar îți doresc succes! Dar o spun cu părere de rău că comunitatea românească a mai pierdut un membru. Nu mai vorbesc de cei ce s-au lăsat de joc în decursul anilor.
Sper să îți găsești cale ce te face fericit, aici, și poate vei reveni alături de noi!
Toate cele bune!