Years ago, I wanted to make a series of issues about anarchies, however ultimately that failed when people pointed out that anarchies aren't necessarily violent. While I've long forgotten most of them, this idea still hung around, and with Venezuela last year reminding me big time of this prospect, it's time for a real stab at it.
EDIT: This idea is not specifically about anarchies.
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It's been a disastrous past couple of hours. @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, a popular but maverick @@DENONYM@@ politician, has declared himself the new leader of the nation, complete with a ready-made parallel government. Worse, some of the eastern cities and a military brigade have defected to the pretender's cause. There's a hint of a feeling that now is the time for urgent decisions before this catastrophe spells the end of your tenure in the top office.
validity: all
[option] "If we don't do something, these rebels will overrun the country!" calls Commander @@RANDOMNAME@@ from the local military garrison, while reloading a gun. "But we can still fix this! Give us the order and my troops might be fast enough to capture this traitor before this escalates. Of course, his supporters will fight back, but this might be our best shot at overwhelming this civil war before it even properly begins."
[effect] large scale fighting is ravaging eastern @@NAME@@
[option] "Yes, let's do something, but not something that crazy!" shouts possible rebel-sympathiser @@RANDOMNAME@@ while dialling in another number on the phone. "If you send in the military now, lots of people are going die very quickly. Try to talk to them, we can negotiate something. Perhaps they'll agree to a power-sharing arrangement? Or we agree to have some of the rebels join our administration? Let them appoint a few governors? Anything to save lives."
[effect] @@LEADER@@'s cabinet literally wants them dead
[option] "That sounds like capitulation you dirty scum," scowls @@CAPITAL@@ police sergeant @@RANDOMNAME@@. "The most important thing is to stop this blight from spreading and to contain the rebels in those few cities. You should declare martial law, break up any suspect gatherings and put roadblocks on enemy territory. Shut down any media and arrest anybody sympathetic to their message. With the rest of the country secure, we can then isolate and starve out those fools until they bow to you once again."
[effect] government agents are breaking up picnics
[option] "If they hate us so much, why we just let them leave?" asks a grimly nonchalant @@RANDOMNAME@@ while twirling some keys. "I mean, there's nothing stopping them from making their own country if they think this guy is such hot stuff. Just draw the borders at all the towns that love him and call it quits. Meanwhile, the rest of us can keep you."
[effect] the government grants sovereignty to anyone who signs their name
[option] "Snipin's a good job, mate" huffs a mysterious man from an RV. "Outdoors, challenging work, and it looks like a someone right here wants another someone dead. No worries, a bit of dosh and you'll be saved with a boom, headshot."
[effect] children meeting @@LEADER@@ are told to "smile and bow your head, or in a while you'll be dead"
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