Ancient Democracy idea

[GriffonSpade]

Watched a documentary on ancient Athens yesterday, and got me thinking about the Ancient Democracy government idea.

Only 20% of the population of Athens could vote: none of the women(~50% of the population) could vote, and that leaves only some of the men (~40% of the men) could vote (the other ~60% were slaves or from other cities).

Athens actually taxed (demanded tribute from) other cities in their sphere of influence, and they chafed under Athens until ultimately Sparta attacked and defeated them.

So how does this translate into game terms?

Under Ancient Democracy, citizens of the capital govern directly by voting on issues. Ancient Democracy offers the highest possible level of trade in the capital, but other cities suffer for it. Citizens under the Ancient Democracy become unhappy easily.

Under Ancient Democracy, there is no corruption in the capital, but other cities have the same high levels of corruption as Despotism.

Citizens outside the capital chafe under tributary demands, and control over them is maintained largely by martial law.

Features:

* Each of your cities will avoid 1 unhappiness caused by units.

* Military units away from home and field units will each cause 1 citizen to become unhappy.

* Trade production will suffer massive losses. (Except in the capital)

* Trade losses will increase quickly with distance from capital.

* Each of your cities will avoid paying 3 Shield upkeep for your units.

* Each of your cities will will suffer a -1 Trade penalty. (Except in the capital)

* If you lose your capital, the chance of civil war is 100%.

* You can have up to 1 city before an additional unhappy citizen appears in each city due to civilization size. (Except in the capital)

* After the first unhappy citizen due to civilization size, for each 10 additional cities another unhappy citizen will appear.

* The maximum rate you can set for science, gold, or luxuries is 60%.

* Your units may impose martial law. Each military unit inside a city will force 1 unhappy citizen to become content. (Except in the capital)

* Each worked tile that gives more than 2 Food, Shield, or Trade will suffer a -1 penalty, unless the city working it is celebrating. (Except in the capital) (Cities below size 3 will not celebrate.)

* Each worked tile with at least 1 Trade will yield 1 more of it. (Only in the capital)

* Has a senate that may prevent declaration of war.

* Makes it impossible to do the action 'Incite a Revolt' to your individual cities. (Only in the capital)

* Makes it impossible to do the action 'Bribe Enemy Unit' to your individual units. (Only if Home City is the capital)

Also, a governments.png with ancient democracy icon. (Ancient Greek temple on a saturated sepia field)

governments.png (6.05 KiB) Viewed 3019 times

So what do you think about this for an alternative starting government? It would be better for those who aren't expansionistic or as interested in conquest. Also, I'm uncertain if it's possible to check if a unit's home city is the capital.

Also, there should be a 'tribute' treaty type, causing the client civilization to pay gold every turn to the receiver. It would allow the receiver free movement in the territory of the client as per 'alliance', but the client's military units would be blocked from the territory of the receiver as per 'peace'. The client being unable to pay at any time would break the treaty, and it could be broken at any time by the client, even with senate (The receiver's senate would block them if they tried to break it, though.)

[Drachefly]

I definitely think there is a role for a government like this in the game.

You did a good job keeping it from being broken, I think. I'd let the tax sliders go out to 80%.