A New Year - A New Direction
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by Albert Neurath
It's 2011 now, and already we are seeing some major changes across eRepublik. The two major alliances are fracturing rapidly, as old tensions long simmering underneath the veneer of unity are bubbling over. The power structue is changing, most likely permanently, as the superalliances of yesterday are converted into more regional affairs.
This is a golden time for Austria to break the cycle of destruction that has plagued it for so long. For months, we have been at the mercy of our stronger brethren surrounding us, who run roughshod over our territory whenever it suits their interests. The blame for this series of events falls partially on the old alliance power structure, which had us pinned quite literally between Phoenix and EDEN nations fighting extensively in Central Europe. With the demise of the superalliance system, we have been given a temporary reprieve from our captivity. This relief, however, will not last long unless we do something.
Depending on how the new alliances form, we may indeed find ourself once again wedged between the proverbial rock and a hard place. We owe it both to ourselves as individuals and to Austria as a whole to do everything in our power to make sure that does not happen. It is time to once again consider all of our options as a country, and not be afraid to cast off the orthodoxy of the past.
It is in our best interests, once new alliances are beginning to take form, to consider affiliating ourselves with one of these nascent powers. We occupy a very valuable piece of geography, and it would be in the interests of any European alliance to have us on their side for that reason. As a part of an alliance, we would be freed from the vast majority of attacks on our nationhood, and would be able to carry out our eLives in greater peace than we have today.
For now, of course, all that I have said is hypothetical. However, we must keep all our cards on the table, and consider all methods of preserving our sovereignty.
Albert Neurath
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best of luck to Austria in carving a new path for itself.
I'm really not known for being a great defender of neutrality ;>
United Thailand o/
Albert, you prove exellent points, but all these choices have been viewed in the past and many members including myself asked the reason why we are neutral and not joining one side. Through my answers, I have been given several, but this was the most common.
The answer is if we join a side, we will be used as a puppet by one of the countries sore sure and we will be attacked either way. If we stay neutral and don't attack anyone, no one will attack us. Plain and simple. We can do alliances between other countries, but not join one of those groups. If we join one of those groups, there will be outrage throughout this country fighting which side to choose, and we do not want this country splitting in 2 through what is going on.
I say we stay neutral. But that is my word, and you have yours and I have nothing against that, just pointing out the truth.
>"If we stay neutral and don't attack anyone, no one will attack us. Plain and simple."
You are lucky to have such a luxury. Malaysia is repeatedly attacked and/or conquered by Indonesia, just because they want to try for a babyboom.
"If we stay neutral, and don't attack anyone, no one will attack us."
That is not true. Austria is sandwiched between Germany, one of the most heavily contested areas of eRepublik, Italy, who has occupied Austria before without provocation, and the Balkan nations, who, if they so needed, would go through us like a knife through air. A policy of steadfast neutrality just means that these nations would have an easier time of getting through us than otherwise.
Here's an example. Months ago, Austria was PTOd by a group of citizens from Croatia working for the government of the time. Croatia needed Austria, which was neutral at the time, to let Croatian soldiers into the battleground regions of Europe. Austrian neutrality did not stop Croatia from attacking us. In addition, one of the reasons why Austria survived the PTO attempts was because of the assistance of our neighbours, several of whom were members of an alliance. Neutrality did not save Austria then, and outright neutrality would not do so today.
With Germany, they have been our greatest ally for a long time as you could see one of our main languages are German for eaustria if you havn't noticed.
Than you try convincing them and by meaning "them" I mean the government on choosing which sides to choose. If we choose a side, we will just seperate our country in 2 having one agree with one group and another on the other. With a country at war with itself, it doesn't work out perfectly.
Although Germany likes us quite a bit, they aren't strong enough to do much to aid us. Germany is much less militarily strong than several of its neighbors. German is one of the official languages of eAustria since it's the only official language of real-world Austria.
Also, is there any proof that joining an alliance would split the nation in two?
When "sides" are engaging in takeovers and doing many of the same things that were done to us, to others, there is no reason to take a "side." You work with your friends, you defend them and help them like they help us, you work with other nations to secure Austrian independence, but there is no need to engage in the full agenda when we ourselves are dealing with the brunt end of it. It won't mean others will take the same attitude regarding us, but all we can control are our own actions. Better to try and lead by example than be another gear in the machine.
Staying neutral is in my opinion the worst thing to do. If you're neutral, you have no one behind you to call allies or friends, you just have 'faith' that other nations will respect your neutrality. And the penalty for those nations who choose to ignore your claim of neutrality? They gain territory and power.
I believe we need to join some sort of alliance that is localised, to that eAustria can fight, but out of a corner. Strategically, that is the best way that way you gain some area on which you can place your footing and work outward from: rather than being the normally land-locked country that Austria (and eAustria) is.
I agree with Rangeley, neutral you can still be friends with countries either in the EDEN or Phoenix.
Albert, there is proof of the nation spliting. It has happened to numerous countries. Just for example, pretend I choose to go with EDEN alright. When I choose that side, some people of eAustria might disagree with me, them either being member or even President themself. With actions like these, players tend to choose sides and argue between each other. With being neutral we are choosing both sides and both sides agree with it. With the country going to war with itself, it'll end in a crisis and probably destroy our country. With this, things can not be passed and the country will lose players.
The situation of Austria isn't one where we have our head in the sand and have no friends. If you want to define neutrality as that, Austria is not and never has been neutral. It has friends in alliances, but it does not belong to a superalliance or support the entire agenda (for instance, takeovers) of any. There is a focus on bilateral relations, which ultimately are able to survive the ebb and flow of the superalliances. There won't always be a PHX (arguably its dead already) but there will always be a Hungary or Germany, and we act with this understanding.
I agree with the sentiment that we should keep all of our options open as Phx and EDEN crumble. You never know what will drop into our laps.
I loved how he could of just said "happy new year. Join an alliance" but no, sounding intellectual on erep is what all the cool beans are doing these days.
GL to you & Austria, and a happy new year 🙂