You're the leader of a country, what do you do?

[Sanctissima]

So, most of us here are at least somewhat geopolitically inclined. I mean, this is a website that's basically built around the idea of making pretend-countries, so the bulk of us probably have at least a tiny bit of delusions of grandeur.

So, given a situation where you became the ruler of a real-life country, what would you do? Let's say you have some choice in the matter, and get to pick the country over which you rule. You could be the president of the US or the king of Saudi Arabia, any country at all. Heck, if you want, you could even install yourself as an absolute monarch in Poland or oust the Kim regime and institute democracy in North Korea. It's totally up to you.

The question is though, which country would it be? The one you currently live in? Somewhere else?

And, once in power, what would you do? Oppress the masses? Disinter and resurrect Ayn Rand's lifeless corpse? Appoint yourself as head of your new State religion? Invade Canada?

The choice is entirely yours.

Personally, I'd rule over my native Canada as part of an oligarchic high council. It'd be great really, we'd suppress democracy, give Russia the finger and make passionate love with America. There'd be free healthcare though, so it's all good. Yeah, I... I've got problems...

Anyway, in all seriousness, if you actually got into a situation where you were leading a country, which country would it be and how would you run it?

[Galloism]

Well, first, the US is king of the hill at the moment, so that's the logical choice.

Then, appoint myself absolute monarch.

Then, hire a bunch of smart people to actually run things and make almost all the decisions.

Set up a harem with infinite booze, and spend eternity enjoying myself.

[Gim]

Make myself a benevolent dictator and provide pension, child benefits, and higher wages from my citizens.

[Doperland]

I would say a poor African country, to turn it into a superpower- but I doubt I could do that. (Although if I could in theory have money and a well-trained private army, i'd become Supreme Commander of maybe Rwanda, or Congo, Kenya. One of those poor third world countries.) Otherwise, Russia. As Supreme Commander of Russia, i'd instantly befriend America AND China, and turn to making Russia great. Than reasserting my dominance. Poland can afford to lose... Everything, right?

[Sanctissima]

I would say a poor African country, to turn it into a superpower- but I doubt I could do that. (Although if I could in theory have money and a well-trained private army, i'd become Supreme Commander of maybe Rwanda, or Congo, Kenya. One of those poor third world countries.) Otherwise, Russia. As Supreme Commander of Russia, i'd instantly befriend America AND China, and turn to making Russia great. Than reasserting my dominance. Poland can afford to lose... Everything, right?

When in doubt, invade Poland.

[Uxupox]

If it's my own country then I'd likely get shot by my own populace. If it's the United States I'd follow Galloism agenda. Always wanted my own harem.

[Doperland]

I would say a poor African country, to turn it into a superpower- but I doubt I could do that. (Although if I could in theory have money and a well-trained private army, i'd become Supreme Commander of maybe Rwanda, or Congo, Kenya. One of those poor third world countries.) Otherwise, Russia. As Supreme Commander of Russia, i'd instantly befriend America AND China, and turn to making Russia great. Than reasserting my dominance. Poland can afford to lose... Everything, right?

When in doubt, invade Poland.

Exactly. I mean, hasn't everyone over there invaded Poland?

[Apiatica]

As commander-in-chief of the USA, I'd deport Justin Bieber, build the Death Star, send the message "come at me, bro" to the rest of the known galaxy, ensure that my actions couldn't be undone, then resign and move to a modest town house in Nunavut to live out my days in serene splendor by Hudson Bay, waiting for the Rebel Alliance to appear and undo my legacy.

[Apiatica]

Exactly. I mean, hasn't everyone over there invaded Poland?

I don't think the UK did, though, given their strategic position, they got kicked around a lot.

[Conserative Morality]

Dictator comitiorum habendorum causa for Russia. Time for world peace and democracy!

[Doperland]

Dictator comitiorum habendorum causa for Russia. Time for world peace and democracy!

That's no fair. I already called dibs on Russians and "world peace"!

[Val Halla]

Be China and invade Liechtenstein.

[Geilinor]

I'd be president of Russia, for fun.

1.) Reach a real peace agreement in Ukraine that satisfies most of the rebel groups and the Ukrainian government (if possible). Fight ISIS but support political transition in Syria.
2.) Negotiate an end to sanctions.
3.) Repeal "gay propaganda" law.
4.) Commit to democracy and civil liberties.
5.) Replace the flat tax with a progressive income tax.
6.) Work to diversify economy away from oil and gas.
7.) Reduce the power of the presidency and give the prime minister and Duma more power.
8.) Invest in renewable energy.
9.) Promote trade with Asia and the EU.

[Anollasia]

I don't know what I would do if I was leader of Canada, but if I was leader of Turkey, I would pretty much revert Erdogan's legacy, continue Atatürk's reforms, increase civil rights (such as legalizing same-sex marriage, or at least promoting more understanding of other sexualities), remove conscription, protect the environment better, demolish the Presidential Complex (and return it to how it was before), demolish the mosque being built on Çamlica Hill in Istanbul (because that thing is just hideous), less capitalism, invest more in tourism, end police brutality, keep politicians and government officials under the law, allow people to criticize the government, continue the peace process with PKK, invest more in education, stop building mosques everywhere (unless there's very high demand), and defend territory against ISIS.

[Sanctissima]

As commander-in-chief of the USA, I'd deport Justin Bieber, build the Death Star, send the message "come at me, bro" to the rest of the known galaxy, ensure that my actions couldn't be undone, then resign and move to a modest town house in Nunavut to live out my days in serene splendor by Hudson Bay, waiting for the Rebel Alliance to appear and undo my legacy.

You'd better not be planning on deporting Justin Beiber back to Canada.

Because if so, the joke's on you. We plan on exiling him to Nunavut.

[Eastern Equestria]

I'd be Poland and I'd colonize the vast reaches of space.

[Sanctissima]

I'd be Poland and I'd colonize the vast reaches of space.

But Poland cannot into space.

[Arcturus Novus]

I'd take Israel, and convert it into a fully Palestinian-run state. That, or come into an area like, I don't know, Nicaragua or Chad or another country with a low standard of living, and make it a communist paradise.

[Seleucas]

If I had the chance to be the leader of a country, I would turn it down without a second thought.

If I had no choice but to become the leader of a country, I would resign immediately.

And if there was no way to get out of it, I would do absolutely nothing while in office. I have no desire to lead or participate in any government.

[Eastern Equestria]

I'd be Poland and I'd colonize the vast reaches of space.

But Poland cannot into space.

It can once we liquidate all those silly things like healthcare, welfare, parliament, and then reininstitute the funds into our new space agency!

[North Calaveras]

Become a benevolent dictator, allowing people more personal liberties, though in exchange I would create a kind of "cult of persoanlity" i have what I want, and the people are more free.

[Conscentia]

Only a real life country? Since I speak English and live there, I suppose It's preferable to rule the UK. I'd abolish the monarchy as a political position, and give myself the title of "Regent" - the powers of the regent being equivalent to that of the old monarchy and entire parliament combined. The parliament would still exist, I'd just be able to override anything it does so the whole thing basically just exists to do my job for me. I'm simply not interested in micromanaging everything.

After that probably start a decades long process of reforms... I might start by federalising the UK (it's largest constituent parts being England, London, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), switching the voting system from FPTP to STV, and establishing a Swiss-style directorial system to function as a collective head of state. The directory would have 5 members - one for each constituent of the federation. (Again, it'd basically exist to do my job for me. Actually, the redundancy of my own position is quite important - it means that I will eventually be able to abolish my own position without dismantling everything I've created.)

Then I'd probably have my government introduce negative income tax, introduce a land value tax, and abolish university tuition fees. I'd also look into having them reform the national curriculum. I'm especially interested in increasing the teaching of critical thinking as a subject, and expanding the teaching of psychology with the goal of making it the fourth core science.

More reforms and policies would follow later.

[Internationalist Bastard]

Do everything in my power to give up my power

[The Hobbesian Metaphysician]

I'd take Israel, and convert it into a fully Palestinian-run state. That, or come into an area like, I don't know, Nicaragua or Chad or another country with a low standard of living, and make it a communist paradise.

Meanwhile to screw with you.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/artic ... nd-samaria

[Alyakia]

Only a real life country? Since I speak English and live there, I suppose It's preferable to rule the UK. I'd abolish the monarchy as a political position, and give myself the title of "Regent" - the powers of the regent being equivalent to that of the old monarchy and entire parliament combined. The parliament would still exist, I'd just be able to override anything it does so the whole thing basically just exists to do my job for me. I'm simply not interested in micromanaging everything.

go away cromwell you're dead