Draft: Public Statistic Convention

[Sandaoguo]

Public Statistics Convention

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Mild

Description:

The World Assembly,

Believing that the principle of free and open data contributes to worldwide economic and social development, by removing barriers to unknown information,

Acknowledging that the World Assembly collects and stores a great deal of economic, demographic, and technical data,

Cognizant of the personal privacy issues surrounding the publication of identifiable data,

Hereby declares:

1. All data and statistics collected by the World Assembly, including those sent to it by member states and collected by agencies and committees, shall be published on an open platform accessible to the public and free of charge.

2. No personally identifiable information shall be published, nor shall any proprietary information be published, nor any information originating from a member state deemed unpublishable by that member state be published, on the platform described in article 1.

3. Dependent upon technical and financial ability, and in accordance with international and national privacy laws and regulations, member states shall collect, publish, and share the following statistical information on their own state:
a. Economic data regarding imports, exports, gross domestic product and its constituent components, natural resources, currency, wages, and employment sector data.
b. Social data regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender, life expectancy, and birthrates.

---

The general idea here is that the more data available to the world, the better we're off when it comes to economic and social development. Member states should, according to their ability, collect and share this data with the world. It would reduce trade barriers and make all member states more transparent about this information.

This is a rough draft, and it's been some time since I've drafted a resolution. So thoughts and critiques are welcome!

[Bananaistan]

"Isn't this optional as currently stated? If your domestic laws allow for this, please tell us; if not, there's no problem.

"I'd also be concerned about the costs to business associated with compiling statistical returns. Typically economic data is compiled by surveying businesses. Forcing such business to fill in forms does not reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

"However, we would be generally supportive of the concept.

- Ted Hornwood

OOC: I don't know how statistics are compiled in other countries, but I'm bloody sick of completing Business Inquiries for clients who are obliged by law to submit them to the Central Statistics Office.

[Sandaoguo]

"Isn't this optional as currently stated? If your domestic laws allow for this, please tell us; if not, there's no problem.

Article 3 wouldn't be optional. It's simply dependent on technical and financial ability.

"I'd also be concerned about the costs to business associated with compiling statistical returns. Typically economic data is compiled by surveying businesses. Forcing such business to fill in forms does not reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Typically, this kind of data is collected by governments themselves. The World Assembly already collects a lot of this data itself, just in order to run the various agencies and programs it does. Governments do not usually hire third party contractors to go out and survey everything and everyone. It's done from the bottom up-- imports are recorded at the docks, businesses file taxes, censuses are done, etc. Much of this data is already collected, of course, because of the numerous benefits its collection has for both domestic and global trade and government function. What's not always done is publishing and sharing of the data publicly.

As for whether or not it reduces barriers-- the trove of data and statistics is worth magnitudes more than whatever man-hours it takes to fill out forms!

[Imperium Anglorum]

Inclusion of a national security exemption might be a good idea.

[Calladan]

Inclusion of a national security exemption might be a good idea.

That wouldn't be covered by National Privacy? Or Clause 2?

[Imperium Anglorum]

Inclusion of a national security exemption might be a good idea.

That wouldn't be covered by National Privacy? Or Clause 2?

It says 'on the platform described in article 1' at the end. (Though I would insist it be called a clause.)

[Calladan]

That wouldn't be covered by National Privacy? Or Clause 2?

It says 'on the platform described in article 1' at the end. (Though I would insist it be called a clause.)

But it also says "no information that the member state deems unpublishable shall be published" - that was the part to which I was referring. I thought it meant that if the nation didn't want to publish something (such as national security related data) it didn't have to? Or did I misunderstand?

[States of Glory WA Office]

It says 'on the platform described in article 1' at the end. (Though I would insist it be called a clause.)

But it also says "no information that the member state deems unpublishable shall be published" - that was the part to which I was referring. I thought it meant that if the nation didn't want to publish something (such as national security related data) it didn't have to? Or did I misunderstand?

Neville: Basically, we can refuse to allow the WA to publish anything and there's nothing the Gnomes can do about it. We can also get out of Clause Three by stating that we believe the publishing of any economic and social data to be a breach of national privacy laws. We actually support the idea behind this proposal, but we're not too sure on the execution.

[Tinfect]

Believing that the principle of free and open data contributes to worldwide economic and social development, by removing barriers to unknown information,

"The Imperium wishes to note that the latter portion of this clause is somewhat cumbersome, and would best be altered."

1. All data and statistics collected by the World Assembly, including those sent to it by member states and collected by agencies and committees, shall be published on an open platform accessible to the public and free of charge.
2. No personally identifiable information shall be published, nor shall any proprietary information be published, nor any information originating from a member state deemed unpublishable by that member state be published, on the platform described in article 1.

"The Imperium has only one notable objection to this clause; the Imperium utilizes an information classification system that assigns access rights based upon necessity and security, as examples, an Imperial Subspace Technician would have access to specific data regarding the field that is unavailable to Civilians and foreigners, and a foreign dignitary has access to specific historical record, and organizational information that is unavailable to foreign civilians.
The question is thus; we see nothing in this clause that would accommodate such a system, yet, little that would specifically invalidate it. Do you believe that these clauses accommodate such a system?"

3. Dependent upon technical and financial ability, and in accordance with international and national privacy laws and regulations, member states shall collect, publish, and share the following statistical information on their own state:
a. Economic data regarding imports, exports, gross domestic product, and its constituent components

"The first two of these statistics are null for the Imperium, we see little reason to collect information that does not exist. We recommend that an 'as applicable' statement, or one to that effect, be added. As for the latter one, the Imperium has not collected such information at any point during its existence, nor does our economic system accommodate such an obsolete and unrepresentative statistic. We recommend that the requirement for such be dropped entirely, as the information is often entirely worthless, even in those states with economic systems that accommodate such measurements."

b. Social data regarding race, ethnicity,

"The Imperium has not collected such information since the Post-Collapse Era, over 300 years ago. We see little reason to begin again a process that was used solely in the systematic discrimination and homogenization of ethnicities and cultures. Further, doing so would serve little purpose, for the aforementioned reasons."

gender,

"For the purposes of identification, protection of privacy, and ease of paperwork, the Imperium only maintains records of the biological and current-apparent sexes of our Citizens, we see little reason to collect information that the Imperium has deemed to be solely private. Further, due to Resolution Ninety-One, compliance with this measure may be... difficult, for those Member-States in which such things remain the topic of confusion and debate.

In any case, this legislation is largely inoffensive. Should the issues raised here be rectified in future drafts, the Imperium will provide support."

[Imperium Anglorum]

"The first two of these statistics are null for the Imperium, we see little reason to collect information that does not exist.

PARSONS: Is the information unavailable or are the quantities zero? Because zero is a non-null value.

[Tinfect]

PARSONS: Is the information unavailable or are the quantities zero? Because zero is a non-null value.

"As stated many times, the Imperium does not import, or export, anything whatsoever. In any case, Ambassador, my meaning was clear, this game of semantics is unnecessary, and serves only to highlight the vast inadequacies of the language the World Assembly mandates."

[Sandaoguo]

But it also says "no information that the member state deems unpublishable shall be published" - that was the part to which I was referring. I thought it meant that if the nation didn't want to publish something (such as national security related data) it didn't have to? Or did I misunderstand?

Neville: Basically, we can refuse to allow the WA to publish anything and there's nothing the Gnomes can do about it. We can also get out of Clause Three by stating that we believe the publishing of any economic and social data to be a breach of national privacy laws. We actually support the idea behind this proposal, but we're not too sure on the execution.

You can refuse to share that data on the World Assembly's platform, yes. I don't see a reason to force member states to participate in that system, or allow data about their states collected by the World Assembly to be entered into it. This isn't a Big Brother/forced scheme. As for data published elsewhere-- member states would be required to publish the data they collect themselves somewhere per Article 3. How they go about doing so is their own decision.

"The Imperium has only one notable objection to this clause; the Imperium utilizes an information classification system that assigns access rights based upon necessity and security, as examples, an Imperial Subspace Technician would have access to specific data regarding the field that is unavailable to Civilians and foreigners, and a foreign dignitary has access to specific historical record, and organizational information that is unavailable to foreign civilians.
The question is thus; we see nothing in this clause that would accommodate such a system, yet, little that would specifically invalidate it. Do you believe that these clauses accommodate such a system?"

Members states wouldn't be required to publish information they don't want to publish. Of course, assuming states are reasonable, if they don't have a genuine reason to keep data and statistics unpublished, then they would generally be publishing them. I don't write my resolutions to fit odd cases or unreasonable people, though.

"The first two of these statistics are null for the Imperium, we see little reason to collect information that does not exist.

I don't see how this is even possible, given WAR#209. (Or, really, just in a realistic sense. No country's geographic area contains all the raw materials they need to manufacture all the goods the market demands. Unless you're some kind of planet-sized country, or an interplanetary empire, in which case, refer to my "odd cases" line above!) In any case, if a dataset is null, that's still a dataset and should be shared as such. Null values are still incredibly useful for economic and social development.

The Imperium has not collected such information since the Post-Collapse Era, over 300 years ago. We see little reason to begin again a process that was used solely in the systematic discrimination and homogenization of ethnicities and cultures. Further, doing so would serve little purpose, for the aforementioned reasons."

There are myriad benefits to the collection and publication of socioeconomic statistics, including but not limited to: trade, business development, oversight of compliance with domestic and international laws, cultural development, anthropological record, etc. The whole point of this resolution is that this data is important and should be collected by those who want to be in the international community of the World Assembly.

[Tinfect]

Members states wouldn't be required to publish information they don't want to publish. Of course, assuming states are reasonable, if they don't have a genuine reason to keep data and statistics unpublished, then they would generally be publishing them.

"Ambassador, there is absolutely nothing unreasonable about our system of informational classification. In any case, on further reading, it appears that the Imperium is able to fully withhold information it deems unavailable to foreign personnel, we withdraw this objection."

I don't see how this is even possible, given WAR#209.

"Ambassador, the Imperium would very much like to know why you believe Resolution 209 prohibits the Imperium from maintaining borders closed to both transit and trade."

(Or, really, just in a realistic sense. No country's geographic area contains all the raw materials they need to manufacture all the goods the market demands. Unless you're some kind of planet-sized country, or an interplanetary empire, in which case, refer to my "odd cases" line above!)

OOC:
The Imperium is, in fact, an Interstellar Socialist Empire. I've reference this fact countless times, and even outright stated it to you when you decided to on a 'realism' rant. Do pay attention.
IC:

In any case, if a dataset is null, that's still a dataset and should be shared as such. Null values are still incredibly useful for economic and social development.

"We fail to see how in this instance. In any case, this objection is of little concern to the Imperium."

There are myriad benefits to the collection and publication of socioeconomic statistics,

"And what benefits might arise from wasting resources and time so as to trace the genetic history of all of our citizens?"

trade

"Which the Imperium wishes absolutely no part in, and has exactly no relevance to genetic history whatsoever."

business development,

"Which is handled adequately by Civil Oversight's recent alterations to Imperial Business Law, and has absolutely nothing to do with a citizen's genetic history."

oversight of compliance with domestic and international laws,

"The Imperium is in full compliance with all World Assembly Legislation, and, quite obviously, with all Imperial law at this time. We fail to see how tracing the genetic history of our citizens would assist in continuing this."

cultural development,

"Observation of which is handled on a Planetary and National Level, rather than based upon genetic history."

anthropological record,

"Observation of which is handled on both the National and Planetary Level, again, as basing the observational standards on genetic history is pointless."

The whole point of this resolution is that this data is important and should be collected by those who want to be in the international community of the World Assembly.

"You have not proven that this information is important, Ambassador. Merely that your government operates on the mistaken belief that ethnicity guide social evolution more heavily than economic status. We recommend that your Government endeavor to raise the position of your lower-classes, and implement policy that moves to eliminate racial biases."

[States of Glory WA Office]

member states would be required to publish the data they collect themselves somewhere per Article 3.

Neville: Except they wouldn't. Clause Three states "in accordance with...national privacy laws and regulations". Simply make it so that publishing any social and economic data constitutes a breach of those laws. This proposal contains an opt-out and for that reason, we're voting against.

[Sandaoguo]

OOC:
The Imperium is, in fact, an Interstellar Socialist Empire. I've reference this fact countless times, and even outright stated it to you when you decided to on a 'realism' rant. Do pay attention.

Look, I get your setup. I don't write my resolutions from that perspective. So if you're requesting changes because the resolution assumes the average country, instead of an interstellar empire, then just assume I'm not really gonna find those changes convincing. I write from an MT-realism perspective, because that's what I know. If you roleplay something outside of the average country, you'll just have find some way to make the resolution work for your story.

[Sandaoguo]

member states would be required to publish the data they collect themselves somewhere per Article 3.

Neville: Except they wouldn't. Clause Three states "in accordance with...national privacy laws and regulations". Simply make it so that publishing any social and economic data constitutes a breach of those laws. This proposal contains an opt-out and for that reason, we're voting against.

In my experience, despotic countries like this generally don't follow international law anyways. It's better to assume good faith and write from there, and in this instance the convention is better by letting member states decide for themselves how to collect and publish socioeconomic data. Just as long as it's collected. And if a despot doesn't want to and bans the publication of this data, there are reputational costs for that among the international community.

[AtlantisB]

Oh yes, free trade is the only right policy, contributing to the values of international freedom, peace, and prosperity and creating a better world.

[Tinfect]

Look, I get your setup. I don't write my resolutions from that perspective. So if you're requesting changes because the resolution assumes the average country, instead of an interstellar empire, then just assume I'm not really gonna find those changes convincing. I write from an MT-realism perspective, because that's what I know. If you roleplay something outside of the average country, you'll just have find some way to make the resolution work for your story.

OOC:
I'm not asking you to accommodate the weight of a massive interstellar empire to neuter your draft mate, I've tried to provide reasonable advice, the fact that it comes from a less-than-standard source isn't all too horribly relevant.

GDP is largely worthless as an economic indicator, and becomes completely worthless when you take into account Nations that aren't free-market states, or any State that keeps wide-reaching restrictions on what exactly can be sold. If a half-million assault rifles are produced in a state-owned-factory, with State-owned materials, in a state where civilian firearm ownership is prohibited, they don't count towards the GDP at all, having absolutely no monetary value.*

In socialist states, consumer spending is heavily reduced for obvious reasons, government expenditure is hardly comparable to that of Capitalist states, due to difference in economic policy that generally means the only currency expenditure of the state is the paychecks, unless currency has been eliminated entirely somehow, capital investment is generally nonexistent, for, again, obvious reasons, and imports are likely to vastly outweigh exports due to resource limitations and the general focus on its own borders that these states tend to have.

As for the matters of Trade, yeah, sure Autarky might not exactly be the best of decisions for lesser-states, but when it's literally the addition of two-or-three words that would resolve the issue, not doing so is just throwing away votes.

*And as a specific Imperial example that would be used In-Character, A Rassvet Dreadnought would probably bankrupt pretty much every MT nation in the WA combined, but it is worth exactly 0 Iron Marks because it can't be sold, and the resources and technologies used to construct it are the sole property of the state, and can't be sold either.

In my experience, despotic countries like this generally don't follow international law anyways. It's better to assume good faith and write from there, and in this instance the convention is better by letting member states decide for themselves how to collect and publish socioeconomic data. Just as long as it's collected. And if a despot doesn't want to and bans the publication of this data, there are reputational costs for that among the international community.

IC:
"Ambassador, it is hardly despotic to respect the privacy of one's citizens. In any case, your implication that States that do not unduly intrude on the lives of their citizens are not in compliance with international law is both patently false, and incredibly naive."

[Imperium Anglorum]

OOC: GDP is the market value of all final goods produced in a nation in a given time. For goods not sold, to make sure that income equals expenditure, the cost of that good is used. So the cost of the goods produced by the government are really just the sum of the wages of paying people to produce them.

[Tinfect]

OOC: GDP is the market value of all final goods produced in a nation in a given time. For goods not sold, to make sure that income equals expenditure, the cost of that good is used. So the cost of the goods produced by the government are really just the sum of the wages of paying people to produce them.

OOC:
The point stands either way, especially with modern production technologies that increasingly remove the necessity of needing workers. Even if we assume every rifle is hand-assembled, the cost is still vastly lower than what it would be otherwise.

[States of Glory WA Office]

Neville: Except they wouldn't. Clause Three states "in accordance with...national privacy laws and regulations". Simply make it so that publishing any social and economic data constitutes a breach of those laws. This proposal contains an opt-out and for that reason, we're voting against.

In my experience, despotic countries like this generally don't follow international law anyways. It's better to assume good faith and write from there, and in this instance the convention is better by letting member states decide for themselves how to collect and publish socioeconomic data. Just as long as it's collected. And if a despot doesn't want to and bans the publication of this data, there are reputational costs for that among the international community.

Neville: Look, all I'm asking for is at least one clause that member states can't opt out of. Toothless proposals are a big pet peeve of mine.

[Sandaoguo]

The notion that conducting a census or collecting data on import/export is a violation of individual privacy deserves only one response, and I intend to give it that.

@States of Glory: There is a mandate to collect. Do you have an idea of what you'd like to see in terms of making that mandate stronger?

[Tinfect]

The notion that conducting a census or collecting data on import/export is a violation of individual privacy deserves only one response, and I intend to give it that.

"I have made no such statement, Ambassador. Do consider the context of my prior statements before assuming something that is simply untrue. You have utterly failed to demonstrate the necessity of collecting various social datas that the Imperium considers private information."

[States of Glory WA Office]

@States of Glory: There is a mandate to collect. Do you have an idea of what you'd like to see in terms of making that mandate stronger?

OOC: For that particular mandate, I'd like the part about national privacy laws removed, but it's clear by this point that this isn't going to happen.

Alternatively, I'm open to another mandate as long as it doesn't contain an opt-out, but I'm not sure what mandate would be best.

Finally, you could always forbid member states from doing something. It doesn't need to be anything too drastic.

Any of the above would sway my opinion from 'Against' to 'For'.

[Christian Democrats]

3. Dependent upon technical and financial ability, and in accordance with international and national privacy laws and regulations, member states shall collect, publish, and share the following statistical information on their own state:
a. Economic data regarding imports, exports, gross domestic product and its constituent components, natural resources, currency, wages, and employment sector data.
b. Social data regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender, life expectancy, and birthrates.

What if a nation, let's say, doesn't want to collect data on race because it sees race as irrelevant?

OOC: A good example is Mexico. It doesn't collect racial data.