Written Constitution?

CannonFodder · August 20, 2002, 01:36

Does anyone else think it might be a good idea to make a written constitution that includes limits on the number of turns a President can play during his term? This little hiccup we've had seems like a grand opportunity to improve upon the system so that mixups like this don't happen again.

Anyone else agree? And does anyone else have suggestions for what rules we should write down?

This is just brainstorming, so feel free to post whatever idea comes into your head.

Darkness' Edge · August 20, 2002, 04:47

Ask me three weeks ago, and I'd be opposed to the idea.

But now, I'm starting to see the need for a BASIC constitution. We don't need to follow the poor example of the Civ3 game, but a very basic one, concerning matters such as maximum turns played, and impeachment processes, may come in handy.

Hydey · August 20, 2002, 05:04

No need to put it in writing, just use our common sence to overcome such matters.

Darkness' Edge · August 20, 2002, 05:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Hydey
No need to put it in writing, just use our common sence to overcome such matters.

I believe common sense just failed us.

Defined rules in regard to number of turns would assist inexperienced presidents in knowing what to do, and guidelines for an impeachment process would clear up a lot of things.

Hydey · August 20, 2002, 05:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Darkness' Edge

I believe common sense just failed us.

How so? the game continues , the president is aware of his errors and many of us are putting our hand up to help lift the stocks of our flagging civ.

I see no need to have definitive written laws preventing free thought patterns.

civman2000 · August 20, 2002, 08:06

WE can just have a general mutually understood set of rules, but it does not have to be written....

-Jrabbit · August 20, 2002, 08:41

Quote:

Originally posted by CannonFodder
Does anyone else think it might be a good idea to make a written constitution that includes limits on the number of turns a President can play during his term?

Anyone else agree?

Been there, discussed that, rejected same.

We can deal with problems without a constitution. This is the

Civ2 Democracy Game. If we were dealing with hundreds of unruly posters like the Civ3 game, it would be a necessity. This is more of an informal community game.

Taking it too seriously would just suck all the fun out of it.

Hydey · August 20, 2002, 18:20

Quote:

Originally posted by -Jrabbit

Taking it too seriously would just suck all the fun out of it.

I must agree with that.

atawa · August 20, 2002, 18:28

Quote:

Originally posted by Hydey
I see no need to have definitive written laws preventing free thought patterns.

You got my vote in upcomming elections

CannonFodder · August 21, 2002, 00:35

Who ever said it had to be as extensive or as limiting as the Civ3 demo game's constitution? The idea is just to have a very basic set of rules. Putting them on e-paper would help clear things up for people, especially those who missed out on the first demo game.

ixnay · August 21, 2002, 02:29

Didn't we have something like that written up for the last game?

I seem to recall that we had the basic framework for a constitution set out.

Marquis de Sodaq · August 21, 2002, 08:55

No, we should just work thru it each time. Having set rules can spoil potential creativity, too, not just limit failures. So we elected a despot? Elect somebody else next time. Our internal political strife has given the AI an edge in the early going, we can overcome!

Can't we all just get along?

GROUP HUG

-Jrabbit · August 21, 2002, 09:00

We had a committee, there were discussion threads, but in the end it was decided we were managing fine without a constitution.

As a result, we kinda "knew" what to do when things went awry. The main point was that we would just discuss problems as they came up. Anything without obvious consensus would be polled.

Sort of a "vox populi (+1)" approach.

MrWhereItsAt · August 21, 2002, 16:49

If I could quote all of Hydey, -Jrabbit, civman, atawa and MdS, I would.

I happened to chair (unofficially, officially the head was James Adams - remember how useful HE was?

) that Constitutional Committee, and after clarifying one or two little things, there were no problems. Everyone made slip ups, no-one seemed annoyed, we all had a virtual alcoholic beverage or three and we got on with the game.

I still see no need for a written Constitution beyond those oh-so-vague understood responsibilities I summarised yonks ago. But, if anyone feels the need, by all means post a poll. If there is a majority for a Constitution, OK, things have changed. But just judging by this thread, you may find you are in the minority.

This seems to have been the first issue for a long time that has caused anyone any concern, but we are getting through it. I beleive 123john knows he can rely on practically anyone here, especially previous Ministers and Presidents to give help at any time, on any aspect of the game. Mistakes were made, names were called, a few of us woke up with evil hangovers (well, I did anyway), but this will pass and, at the end of the day (I HATE that expression), we will all get on with the game.

/me adds to the group hug

atawa · August 21, 2002, 19:23

Quote:

Originally posted by MrWhereItsAt
This seems to have been the first issue for a long time that has caused anyone any concern, but we are getting through it. I beleive 123john knows he can rely on practically anyone here, especially previous Ministers and Presidents to give help at any time, on any aspect of the game. Mistakes were made, names were called, a few of us woke up with evil hangovers (well, I did anyway), but this will pass and, at the end of the day (I HATE that expression), we will all get on with the game.

I think 123john's presidency was just about the best thing that could happen to this game.

It started out as a

crusing to the next victory, but this whole episode was realy quite funny

I never asked for a hanging of a president in the Capitol's biggest square before

Darkness' Edge · August 21, 2002, 21:28

Quote:

Originally posted by atawa

I think 123john's presidency was just about the best thing that could happen to this game.

It started out as a

crusing to the next victory, but this whole episode was realy quite funny

I never asked for a hanging of a president in the Capitol's biggest square before

too funny

but, i think i agree

it's been an interesting time

CannonFodder · August 22, 2002, 01:37

Do we have any current rules about turn per term limits or impeachment proceedings?

CannonFodder · August 22, 2002, 01:47

We could just catalog the very basics of our government system so that new members would know at least what the general ideas are. No actual rules, just a simple set of guidelines.

This would be a good place to start, I suppose: http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...threadid=49340

However, it's a little out of date.

(Go ahead, nominate me to do it.

)

-Jrabbit · August 22, 2002, 14:40

Go ahead, CF.

Do a little research on our 1st game and compile the results here. You'll find stuff on elections, term limits, resonsibilities of High Council posts, etc.

Then start a "Rules As We Know Them" thread and we can fine-tune them.

Don't forget the Group Hug!!

H Tower · August 22, 2002, 16:08

term limits are 3 then out right? do we count the last game as part of that?

CF: just ask if you need help

*group hug*
*stabs random citizen in back during hug*

-Jrabbit · August 22, 2002, 17:58

I though it was 4 consecutive, and maybe 3 for a single position. One month off, then start again.

It may have changed though...