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Governments or Companies

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:12 am
by Solutions Maximus
I have characters that live in places that are ruled by Governments, and I have characters that live in places that are ruled by companies.

Which type of organization do you believe to be the most effecient.

In my personal experience, I have found that companies aren't as willing to look after citizens if the citizen doesn't do anything to support the company. They also rule, more by means of wealth than by means of peace. They seem only interested in ideas that promote the company or bring wealth to the company.

What are your thoughts?

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:26 am
by AoM
IF you want efficiency, a company is good because it's essentially a mini-dicatatorship, with the boss handing out orders and nobody questions them, they just get the job done for the good of the company. Problem is, the players will eventually tire of characters who only work and don't have ways to climb a social ladder. That's when sleeping sickness sets in.

If you use a government, then you're trying to encompass all facets of life in that one area. Anyone who isn't happy with your decisions can try to undermine your authority. If you outright silence them, people can view you as brutal and this can lead to a lot of strife. However, a government can usually draw in a lot more people to work for it, as some people like to spawn with an inherant sense of nationalism, and many don't like the idea of being a drone for a company.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:57 pm
by Bowser
I have recently started to reform my company. I have decided on a new style of working and playing. We will have a one year work period, were we all gather resources and process materials for the Company. At the end of the year, we count the profits and people get paid. The size of the piece of the pie is still being thought out. then there will be a year off work. People can spend their money or build their own personal stuff.

At the end of vacation, we start our work year again. I hope this plan will make people productive during work time, but also look forward to vacation. No one will be allowed to work during vacation time.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:58 pm
by Litchin_flip
Well one thing I've noticed about cantr is that even when our charries are worked to the bone by company run areas we never revolt and shut down the entire system...though I havn't seen it happen to a governtment I have had charracters in on plots to undermine the government...untill I was tracked down and killed because someone in our little circle squeeled :evil:

he was one of my favs :cry:

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 5:04 pm
by wichita
Yay! Vacation. That sounds like a great idea. It would also make it worthwhile for characters to get personal homes, because they would actually have some time to work on personal projects during the shutdown period at work. Great concept, Bowser!


My characters who have landed in leadership positions usually try to keep the roleplay lively during work projects. There is something to be said for whistling while you work, and it can make all the difference. Generally I enjoy being inside when I am in the city, simply because it really gives you the opportunity to sit inside and focus on projects and character development. It is easier to accomplish when you have a bigger city outside, because you can go out to trade for your raw materials, then go back inside to process them for a while.

Kind off topic, but hopefully it relates. :D

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:13 pm
by Litchin_flip
*looks around at fellow cantr players* Theres a topic to this place...surprising!!! :o

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:45 pm
by TatteredShoeLace
While I don't offer vacation, I keep my shop as lively as possible with free shields and tools, and I don't hussle anyone to work while they're repairing their own things. And I'm considering stock options as well as retirement plans. And currency.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 7:01 pm
by Slowness_Incarnate
I don't know which one works better, perhaps a combination of both. I have a character who offers jobs, runs the government, but she also endorses private companies. The only thing she really does in the sense of government is imprison thieves....otherwise, she operates the town as if it were one BIG company.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 7:32 pm
by Litchin_flip
[/qoute]I don't know which one works better, perhaps a combination of both. I have a character who offers jobs, runs the government, but she also endorses private companies. The only thing she really does in the sense of government is imprison thieves....otherwise, she operates the town as if it were one BIG company.[/qoute]

I think that goes under the companies section...its just a company with their own personal thugs :twisted:

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 7:58 pm
by Just A Bill
I concurr, I think the best option is a government that will be there to take care of real problems, warding off attacks, chasing thieves ect. perhaps supported by occasional taxes or something similar, and pretty much lets the companies run themselves.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 8:47 pm
by Slowness_Incarnate
Litchin_flip wrote:[/qoute]I don't know which one works better, perhaps a combination of both. I have a character who offers jobs, runs the government, but she also endorses private companies. The only thing she really does in the sense of government is imprison thieves....otherwise, she operates the town as if it were one BIG company.[/qoute]

I think that goes under the companies section...its just a company with their own personal thugs :twisted:


Actually, there aren't any "personal thugs". People maintain the system because they like it, and benefit from the way things are run. If they didn't benefit, they'd have revolted ages ago, or at least tried to steal. I know there are people with LOTS of access to things, but they don't steal.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 9:41 pm
by Bowser
There is one difference between my Company and other companies people here are talking about. My company encompasses the entire region. We have laid claim to the land. It's not a business in a town. The business IS the town.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 9:46 pm
by Slowness_Incarnate
Ooo..now I know which town you mean. I actually like that town...strange.

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:32 pm
by Litchin_flip
...I think I know what place your talking about...but I'm going to go sit in the corner until this buzz wairs off

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:30 pm
by The Industriallist
The usual difference is that a government is nominally responsible to all citizens (usually anyone who wants to be one). A tribe/order is responsible to all it's members. A company isn't responsible to anyone but the owner.