Worldbuilding Realism Consultation Thread Mk. 4

[Gallia-]

Being invaded and occupied by the United States for 50 years helps.

[Yes Im Biop]

The best way to modify how much HUMAN life is on your planet is simply by fertile area.

... I've read this many times and still WHat?

[Taihei Tengoku]

How could a European nation, particularly one of a Nordic or Western variety end up with a presidential system like the U.S., or at least a parliamentary system like South Africa where the head of state and government are occupied by the same person?

Be France? For all they say about being totally independent or whatever the Fourth and Fifth Republics are a lot more American than the prewar Third.

[Radimostan]

How could a European nation, particularly one of a Nordic or Western variety end up with a presidential system like the U.S., or at least a parliamentary system like South Africa where the head of state and government are occupied by the same person?

Be France? For all they say about being totally independent or whatever the Fourth and Fifth Republics are a lot more American than the prewar Third.

Except not really, definitely not the Fourth Republic.

[Gallia-]

Be France? For all they say about being totally independent or whatever the Fourth and Fifth Republics are a lot more American than the prewar Third.

Except not really, definitely not the Fourth Republic.

De Gaulle was the Fourth Republic.

So yeah, they're pretty American.

[Nordengrund]

How could a European nation, particularly one of a Nordic or Western variety end up with a presidential system like the U.S., or at least a parliamentary system like South Africa where the head of state and government are occupied by the same person?

Be France? For all they say about being totally independent or whatever the Fourth and Fifth Republics are a lot more American than the prewar Third.

Well, my country (unintentionally) ended up being a Nordic version of France when it comes to history, so I guess that can work.

[Radimostan]

Except not really, definitely not the Fourth Republic.

De Gaulle was the Fourth Republic.

So yeah, they're pretty American.

The Fourth Republic was based pretty much on the third one, De Gaulle came to power in the very late phase of the Fourth Republic and transformed it into the Fifth Republic, and the Fifth Republic is somewhat based on the American system.

[Gallia-]

Be France? For all they say about being totally independent or whatever the Fourth and Fifth Republics are a lot more American than the prewar Third.

Well, my country (unintentionally) ended up being a Nordic version of France when it comes to history, so I guess that can work.

TBF, the USA is also less "the President" and more "Congress" or "the courts".

De Gaulle was the Fourth Republic.

So yeah, they're pretty American.

The Fourth Republic was based pretty much on the third one, De Gaulle came to power in the very late phase of the Fourth Republic and Transformed it into the Fifth Republic, and the Fifth Republic is somewhat based American system.

Yeah I confused the two.

The point is the Fifth Republic demands a strong president though, like De Gaulle.

[Radimostan]

Well, my country (unintentionally) ended up being a Nordic version of France when it comes to history, so I guess that can work.

TBF, the USA is also less "the President" and more "Congress" or "the courts".

The Fourth Republic was based pretty much on the third one, De Gaulle came to power in the very late phase of the Fourth Republic and Transformed it into the Fifth Republic, and the Fifth Republic is somewhat based American system.

Yeah I confused the two.

The point is the Fifth Republic demands a strong president though, like De Gaulle.

The point is the Fifth Republic has a prime minister depended on the legislative branch.

[Questers]

The best way to modify how much HUMAN life is on your planet is simply by fertile area.

... I've read this many times and still WHat?

Humans eat things like potatoes and wheat on an agricultural basis, unlike, say, dragons, foxes, or spiders. For agriculture you require fertile land.

The amount of humans who can live on your planet depends on how much of the area of that planet is fertile.

[Gallia-]

The Green Revolution makes fertile land sorta redundant.

[Yes Im Biop]

... I've read this many times and still WHat?

Humans eat things like potatoes and wheat on an agricultural basis, unlike, say, dragons, foxes, or spiders. For agriculture you require fertile land.

The amount of humans who can live on your planet depends on how much of the area of that planet is fertile.

Well the main land that they live on is about 3 times the size of the USA and a lot of it is plains. I think I'de be fine.

[Nordengrund]

What do you think of using ranged voting as the primary method for electing officials at the national level. Basically, how it works is that there is a list of the candidates' names and a line of numbers (let's say from 0 through 9) and you rank the candidates based on how much you like or approve of them, and the candidate with the highest rank or approval is elected.

The only real potential flaw I see is that it could be a popularity contest where the most liked or approved candidate isn't necessarily the most qualified.

[The Akasha Colony]

What do you think of using ranged voting as the primary method for electing officials at the national level. Basically, how it works is that there is a list of the candidates' names and a line of numbers (let's say from 0 through 9) and you rank the candidates based on how much you like or approve of them, and the candidate with the highest rank or approval is elected.

The only real potential flaw I see is that it could be a popularity contest where the most liked or approved candidate isn't necessarily the most qualified.

It already exists?

It's usually called instant-runoff voting though.

[Purpelia]

The only real potential flaw I see is that it could be a popularity contest where the most liked or approved candidate isn't necessarily the most qualified.

How would that be different from any other form of popular election?

[Taihei Tengoku]

The Green Revolution makes fertile land sorta redundant.

Not unless you're Stratfor!

[Athrax]

What do you think of using ranged voting as the primary method for electing officials at the national level. Basically, how it works is that there is a list of the candidates' names and a line of numbers (let's say from 0 through 9) and you rank the candidates based on how much you like or approve of them, and the candidate with the highest rank or approval is elected.

The only real potential flaw I see is that it could be a popularity contest where the most liked or approved candidate isn't necessarily the most qualified.

It already exists?

It's usually called instant-runoff voting though.

The reason it's called that is because typically in IRV, the system is designed to automatically remove the lowest-supported candidate, redistribute his or her voters based on their second preference, and then continue until someone receives at least some degree of majority support. So instead of wiping out all but the top two candidates in a crowded field and scheduling a runoff election a few days later, it's got an automatic runoff mechanism.

[The Akasha Colony]

It already exists?

It's usually called instant-runoff voting though.

The reason it's called that is because typically in IRV, the system is designed to automatically remove the lowest-supported candidate, redistribute his or her voters based on their second preference, and then continue until someone receives at least some degree of majority support. So instead of wiping out all but the top two candidates in a crowded field and scheduling a runoff election a few days later, it's got an automatic runoff mechanism.

I know why it's called that. I am simply pointing out that a system like what Nordengrund proposes already exists and is more commonly used than actual range voting.

The problem with "popularity" voting is not unique to instant-runoff or range voting systems anyway. The winner of the 2016 US presidential election was hardly the most qualified candidate in the field.

[Athrax]

The reason it's called that is because typically in IRV, the system is designed to automatically remove the lowest-supported candidate, redistribute his or her voters based on their second preference, and then continue until someone receives at least some degree of majority support. So instead of wiping out all but the top two candidates in a crowded field and scheduling a runoff election a few days later, it's got an automatic runoff mechanism.

I know why it's called that. I am simply pointing out that a system like what Nordengrund proposes already exists and is more commonly used than actual range voting.

The problem with "popularity" voting is not unique to instant-runoff or range voting systems anyway. The winner of the 2016 US presidential election was hardly the most qualified candidate in the field.

That's more just an issue with democratic vs meritocratic systems. The people ger to decide what factors go into being the best. I suppose you could create a systen designed to vet candidates able to run for democratic election, but that seems incredibly easy to corrupt

[Gallia-]

The Green Revolution makes fertile land sorta redundant.

Not unless you're Stratfor!

Well, TBF, the Green Revolution requires 12,000 years of technological development.

[Welskerland]

Would you consider it 'unequal' for marriage to be reserved for a heterosexual couple, but homosexuals can have civil unions where they have all the same benefits? Welskerland is a fairly religious nation, but most people don't have a problem with same sex relationships, but just don't want it to be called marriage. Aside from terminology, they are treated by the government as pretty much the same thing.

[NeuPolska]

Would you consider it 'unequal' for marriage to be reserved for a heterosexual couple, but homosexuals can have civil unions where they have all the same benefits? Welskerland is a fairly religious nation, but most people don't have a problem with same sex relationships, but just don't want it to be called marriage. Aside from terminology, they are treated by the government as pretty much the same thing.

Sounds fine

[Crookfur]

Would you consider it 'unequal' for marriage to be reserved for a heterosexual couple, but homosexuals can have civil unions where they have all the same benefits? Welskerland is a fairly religious nation, but most people don't have a problem with same sex relationships, but just don't want it to be called marriage. Aside from terminology, they are treated by the government as pretty much the same thing.

Well it's been enough to drive court cases and legislation across umpteen western nations that had already granted civil partnerships...

And then things go the other way with hetero couples starting court cases so they can have civil partnerships instead of marriages.

I kind of like the approach of the government just treating every union as a purely civil partnership agreement regardless of the form of celebration and ceremony and allowing folks to just call it whatever they want.

[Welskerland]

Would you consider it 'unequal' for marriage to be reserved for a heterosexual couple, but homosexuals can have civil unions where they have all the same benefits? Welskerland is a fairly religious nation, but most people don't have a problem with same sex relationships, but just don't want it to be called marriage. Aside from terminology, they are treated by the government as pretty much the same thing.

Well it's been enough to drive court cases and legislation across umpteen western nations that had already granted civil partnerships...

And then things go the other way with hetero couples starting court cases so they can have civil partnerships instead of marriages.

I kind of like the approach of the government just treating every union as a purely civil partnership agreement regardless of the form of celebration and ceremony and allowing folks to just call it whatever they want.

I think I will go with that. Maybe marriage will be privatized, but the government recognizes civil unions defined as between two consenting adults.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

I know why it's called that. I am simply pointing out that a system like what Nordengrund proposes already exists and is more commonly used than actual range voting.

The problem with "popularity" voting is not unique to instant-runoff or range voting systems anyway. The winner of the 2016 US presidential election was hardly the most qualified candidate in the field.

That's more just an issue with democratic vs meritocratic systems. The people ger to decide what factors go into being the best. I suppose you could create a systen designed to vet candidates able to run for democratic election, but that seems incredibly easy to corrupt

Democratic vs meritocratic is not a black and white issue. While democracy is relatively easy to universally define as a concept and its objective (although putting in practice is not as easy) , meritocracy is a lot more subjective than you make it out to be.

Case in point: the most qualified person for the presidency of the US, or any other nation, may not be the best candidate if you factor in communication skills or determination/intention. You could argue the former could be included in "being qualified", the latter, not so much.