06-03-2005, 01:59 AM
Greetings IDUsts --
Now that I've reached the magic 500 million inhabitants mark, I've put my mind to the Daily Issues. I'll try a few, but this is my first.
There are a few Daily Issues dealing with the armed forces, but I want one that focuses on the "Military-Industrial Complex" as Dwight Eisenhower described it. DI #14 and #147 are about funding the military in general or specific tri-service projects. DI #157 has to do with training. DI #137 comes closest, but is still about moral issues and the international arms trade. I have tried to keep the focus on the intersection of economic and defence interests.
Even after reading some helpful threads on the main NS forum, I'm not sure if I have the hang of this. Would you care to read and comment for typographical or other errors as well as its ideas?
Valid if Government Priorities = DEFENSE and Major Industry not = ARMS MANUFACTURING
ISSUE NAME: In defence of our beloved @@TYPE@@
In a rare case of tri-service cooperation, Air Marshal @@RANDOMNAME@@ -- speaking on behalf of the army, navy and air force -- approaches you with a proposal. The air marshal says, "It would be a lot easier for us to buy new tanks, fighter planes and submarines if your government created a domestic arms industry. That way we could make the weapons systems appropriate for @@NAME@@."
1. @@RANDOM NAME@@, your ambitious cabinet colleague who is currently Trade Minister, enthusiastically agrees. "This is a great idea! We can export arms thoughout @@REGION@@ and improve our trade balance! Why, with the economic success of the arms trade, @@NAME@@ will finally take its rightful place in the economic and military councils of the world, and I, er, you will be there to represent us."
Strong increase in ARMS MANUFACTURING
Strong increase in COMMERCE
Slight decrease in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease in DEFENSE
2. Laissez-faire economist @@RANDOMNAME@@ of the Ivy League @@RANDOMNAME@@ University cautions you. "Arms are just another good, and the state should only rely on the free market to provide its military and naval needs. Sure, if @@NAME@@ goes to war against our current arms suppliers, it might cost a @@CURRENCY@@ or two more to buy parts and ammunition, but I'm sure the invisible hand of the market will be happy to provide for our military needs in time of war."
Strong increase in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease in DEFENSE
3. Pacifist @@RANDOMNAME@@ cries out in horror. "The air marshal is a warmonger! Why should we subsidize the war machine? Let's abolish the military entirely! Sure it might destabilize @@REGION@@, but non-violence is always the best path."
Strong increase in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Strong decrease in DEFENSE
Slight decrease in LAW & ORDER
4. Suspiciously, both @@NAME@@'s right-wing Veterans of Unpopular Wars AND the nascent left-wing Union of Arms Workers -- who can't agree on anything else -- think this is a great idea.
Strong increase in ARMS MANUFACTURING
Slight decrease in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease in SOCIAL WELFARE
5. @@RANDOMNAME@@, a business executive, likes the idea and tells you in a private meeting where you are provided with a thick envelope of small unmarked @@CURRENCY@@s. "Let's develop a new combat aircraft that can fly at Mach 4, hover and dive into the ocean. We can call it the 'Fighting @@ANIMAL@@' to rally support. Of course, there might be some cost over-runs, but nothing a few 'confidential campaign contributions' won't fix."
Slight increase in ARMS MANUFACTURING
Strong decrease in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease of LAW & ORDER
Now that I've reached the magic 500 million inhabitants mark, I've put my mind to the Daily Issues. I'll try a few, but this is my first.
There are a few Daily Issues dealing with the armed forces, but I want one that focuses on the "Military-Industrial Complex" as Dwight Eisenhower described it. DI #14 and #147 are about funding the military in general or specific tri-service projects. DI #157 has to do with training. DI #137 comes closest, but is still about moral issues and the international arms trade. I have tried to keep the focus on the intersection of economic and defence interests.
Even after reading some helpful threads on the main NS forum, I'm not sure if I have the hang of this. Would you care to read and comment for typographical or other errors as well as its ideas?
Valid if Government Priorities = DEFENSE and Major Industry not = ARMS MANUFACTURING
ISSUE NAME: In defence of our beloved @@TYPE@@
In a rare case of tri-service cooperation, Air Marshal @@RANDOMNAME@@ -- speaking on behalf of the army, navy and air force -- approaches you with a proposal. The air marshal says, "It would be a lot easier for us to buy new tanks, fighter planes and submarines if your government created a domestic arms industry. That way we could make the weapons systems appropriate for @@NAME@@."
1. @@RANDOM NAME@@, your ambitious cabinet colleague who is currently Trade Minister, enthusiastically agrees. "This is a great idea! We can export arms thoughout @@REGION@@ and improve our trade balance! Why, with the economic success of the arms trade, @@NAME@@ will finally take its rightful place in the economic and military councils of the world, and I, er, you will be there to represent us."
Strong increase in ARMS MANUFACTURING
Strong increase in COMMERCE
Slight decrease in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease in DEFENSE
2. Laissez-faire economist @@RANDOMNAME@@ of the Ivy League @@RANDOMNAME@@ University cautions you. "Arms are just another good, and the state should only rely on the free market to provide its military and naval needs. Sure, if @@NAME@@ goes to war against our current arms suppliers, it might cost a @@CURRENCY@@ or two more to buy parts and ammunition, but I'm sure the invisible hand of the market will be happy to provide for our military needs in time of war."
Strong increase in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease in DEFENSE
3. Pacifist @@RANDOMNAME@@ cries out in horror. "The air marshal is a warmonger! Why should we subsidize the war machine? Let's abolish the military entirely! Sure it might destabilize @@REGION@@, but non-violence is always the best path."
Strong increase in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Strong decrease in DEFENSE
Slight decrease in LAW & ORDER
4. Suspiciously, both @@NAME@@'s right-wing Veterans of Unpopular Wars AND the nascent left-wing Union of Arms Workers -- who can't agree on anything else -- think this is a great idea.
Strong increase in ARMS MANUFACTURING
Slight decrease in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease in SOCIAL WELFARE
5. @@RANDOMNAME@@, a business executive, likes the idea and tells you in a private meeting where you are provided with a thick envelope of small unmarked @@CURRENCY@@s. "Let's develop a new combat aircraft that can fly at Mach 4, hover and dive into the ocean. We can call it the 'Fighting @@ANIMAL@@' to rally support. Of course, there might be some cost over-runs, but nothing a few 'confidential campaign contributions' won't fix."
Slight increase in ARMS MANUFACTURING
Strong decrease in ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Slight decrease of LAW & ORDER