Change the text of the WA Compliance Commission's telegram

[[violet]]

This suggestion was inspired by a discussion in Forests RMB.

Short version: there is a disconnect between the way WA compliance is portrayed in the World Assembly Compliance Commission's telegrams and the position of staff and the rest of the game regarding WA compliance.
To address this I suggest that the telegrams text be changed to more closely align with "reality". Something like

The World Assembly wishes to notify you of the passage of the resolution [resolution title goes here]. As a member of the World Assembly %nation% is bound by General Assembly law. Please ensure that %nation% is compliant with all the resolutions mandates.

Long version: Currently WA law has no effect on nations beside a small stat change. Players are perfectly capable of running their nations however they like regardless of what the General Assembly thinks of it. Changing that would require going going through all the issues every time the GA passes a new resolution to ensure that WA members would only get options that comply with WA law. Obviously the editing team is having none of that, and has taken the position that it is up to players to comply with with WA law; or not, as the case may be. This view is echoed in the GA where it's accepted that WA resolutions are not actually enforced by the World Assembly and the rules rightly treat attempt to mandate certain issue options as a meta-gaming violation.

On the other hand the telegrams sent out upon a new resolution's passage claim that the WA enforces strict adherence, even changing a nations laws so that they comply with the newly passed resolution.


On an unreleated note the subject field is too short. Booooo :c

[Ownzone]

I second this request and would like to add a review of the text in the help menu especially the part about the World Assembly:

The World Assembly is the world's governing body. It's your chance to mold the world to your vision, by voting for resolutions you like and scuttling the rest. However, it's a double-edged sword, because your nation will be affected by any resolutions that pass. (Unfortunately you can't obey the resolutions you like and ignore the rest.) In other words, it's a hot-bed of political intrigue and double-dealing.

Your nation can join the WA, but it's not compulsory. If you remain outside, you're unaffected by its decisions. If you're ready to mix it up in international politics, though, the WA is for you.

WA resolutions are a way to bring all member nations into line on a particular issue; be that environmental, democratic, free trade, or whatever.

These text and the curent text on the telegram imply that resolutions approved by the WA are mandatory regulation for WA members and internal laws have been enacted to make sure a nation is in compliance with the passed resolution. The latter part is certainly not true and the first part can be evaded. A good example is the Marriage Equility resolution. The resolution says I am required to allow same-sex couples to apply for and receive state-authorized marriage. However it does not override previous choices I made with issues regarding this subject nor does it prevent me from receiving issue no.314 the very same day the resolution is passed which allows me to ban marriage altogether thereby violating the rules set in the resolution.
Several involved parties on the Forest RMB have stated that it is technically difficult to synchronise the issues with the WA resolutions and that it can even be questioned whether that needs to be the case in the first place. I think it does but that techical difficulties got in the way......however if they are not in line and sometimes can even contradict eachother it should be clear from the texts that that is a possibility and that approving a WA resolution does not automatically bring all member nations into line and compliance on a particular issue as it now suggests it does.

[Auralia]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

[Frenighen]

Personally, I like WA telegrams. They make you think that WA is a serious international organisation and stuff.

[Aclion]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

This would also solve it, but really I like getting the teles, like Frenighen said. They also feel more personal then the notifications.
I mean it's still better the the contradiction, but I would be sad.

[Ainin]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

Totally agree.

Or at least have a filter to block these incredibly annoying TGs.

[Imperium Anglorum]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

Agreed.

[Bears Armed]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

I disagree. Keeping the notification as an unblockable TG makes it rather harder for players to "justify" non-compliance by claiming that they didn't see any notification of a resolution's passage.

[Auralia]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

I disagree. Keeping the notification as an unblockable TG makes it rather harder for players to "justify" non-compliance by claiming that they didn't see any notification of a resolution's passage.

Can't we just tell them they're wrong and that WA resolutions are binding regardless of whether the player opts out of the notifications? Also, isn't the act of opting out an implicit acknowledgement of the obligation to manually monitor the passage of WA resolutions?

[Luna Amore]

Keeping the TG as mandatory may cut down on the "Hey why'd [x] stat drop?" questions after a bill passes.

[Auralia]

Keeping the TG as mandatory may cut down on the "Hey why'd [x] stat drop?" questions after a bill passes.

Again, though, there's no reason why that information can't be included in a notice.

[Fauxia]

Keeping the TG as mandatory may cut down on the "Hey why'd [x] stat drop?" questions after a bill passes.

Again, though, there's no reason why that information can't be included in a notice.

Except you previously said they were good because they could be filtered?

[Auralia]

Again, though, there's no reason why that information can't be included in a notice.

Except you previously said they were good because they could be filtered?

Yes. If you want to know why stats drop, you can stay subscribed to the notices. If you don't want to know why, you can unsubscribe. Player's choice.

[Ainin]

I think it would be preferable if the WA notification telegrams were just abolished and replaced with equivalent notices. Notices are better since they can be filtered using the Subscriptions page. The only reason why the WA notification telegrams are telegrams is because they predate the notices system.

I disagree. Keeping the notification as an unblockable TG makes it rather harder for players to "justify" non-compliance by claiming that they didn't see any notification of a resolution's passage.

How do TGs warning of the passage of SC resolutions help enforce compliance?

[Fauxia]

I disagree. Keeping the notification as an unblockable TG makes it rather harder for players to "justify" non-compliance by claiming that they didn't see any notification of a resolution's passage.

How do TGs warning of the passage of SC resolutions help enforce compliance?

Good question.

I think perhaps it should be a non-filterable notice that warns that it will affect stats (doesn’t have to say which ones)? It’s annoying to have to explain that stat effects are just WA resolutions kicking in.

[JURISDICTIONS]

I'd like for the OP and supporters to note that WA compliance is enforced. The effect of the enforcement of the WA resolutions is what causes the national statistics to change in the first place.

Regardless of your answering of daily issues, your nation will always be presumed to be in compliance with WA mandates. This is not new.

Therefore, we do not need a change in language for the World Assembly telegrams. The facts, from the in-character perspective of NS, are clear that your nation is always and forever in compliance with the World Assembly, so long as you are a member of that body.

[Aclion]

I'd like for the OP and supporters to note that WA compliance is enforced. The effect of the enforcement of the WA resolutions is what causes the national statistics to change in the first place.

Regardless of your answering of daily issues, your nation will always be presumed to be in compliance with WA mandates. This is not new.

Therefore, we do not need a change in language for the World Assembly telegrams. The facts, from the in-character perspective of NS, are clear that your nation is always and forever in compliance with the World Assembly, so long as you are a member of that body.

Not's not a position supported by the staff or GA law. It only appear in the WA compliance telegram.

[Frisbeeteria]

Not's not a position supported by the staff or GA law. It only appear in the WA compliance telegram.

Double negatives aside, don't presume to speak for staff. I completely agree with JURISDICTIONS interpretation, while allowing for the possibility of roleplaying noncompliance by breaking your own national laws. The laws and stats are automatically in compliance by virtue of your WA membership. That doesn't mean that your citizens (and/or lawmakers) never break the law.

[JURISDICTIONS]

Not's not a position supported by the staff or GA law. It only appear in the WA compliance telegram.

Double negatives aside, don't presume to speak for staff. I completely agree with JURISDICTIONS interpretation, while allowing for the possibility of roleplaying noncompliance by breaking your own national laws. The laws and stats are automatically in compliance by virtue of your WA membership. That doesn't mean that your citizens (and/or lawmakers) never break the law.

Thank you! *bows*

I'd like for the OP and supporters to note that WA compliance is enforced. The effect of the enforcement of the WA resolutions is what causes the national statistics to change in the first place.

Regardless of your answering of daily issues, your nation will always be presumed to be in compliance with WA mandates. This is not new.

Therefore, we do not need a change in language for the World Assembly telegrams. The facts, from the in-character perspective of NS, are clear that your nation is always and forever in compliance with the World Assembly, so long as you are a member of that body.

Not's not a position supported by the staff or GA law. It only appear in the WA compliance telegram.

Maybe so. However, the in-character explanation of the game about the fact that your nation will always be in compliance is clear.

"Laws have been enacted", is a true statement. Your national statistics are changed based on the different type of resolutions that pass because the laws of your nation are changed when the resolution goes into effect.

Additionally, from a legal and pie-in-the-sky theoretical standpoint, your nation can *try* to disobey the World Assembly. I say "try" because the World Assembly resolutions are a higher law than your national issues lawmaking. Therefore, we can assume that the World Assembly Compliance Commission has its ways from keeping your illegal national law from being implemented. (Also, as Fris mentioned, you can role-play people breaking the law, if that's something you're interested in doing.)

Either way, it's not about what GA Law says, it's not about what the Staff says, it's about the lore of the game. The lore says that the World Assembly has full compliance from all nations, all the time. Therefore, it does.

Now, the mechanics of the game are an entirely different ballpark. -- National Issues are made for all nations to enjoy, and not every nation is in the WA. Furthermore, the game does not keep track of your answers, it just changes your national statistics to reflect your change in policy. This commonly shared ability between National Issues and WA Resolutions to change your national statistics is the underpinning, in my view, of how the WA keeps your nation compliant. It has nothing to do with actual game compliance because the WA resolutions are always being repealed and passed. It would be a nightmare for anyone, including the volunteer staff to try to sort out the legal quagmire between current WA resolutions, and the plethora of National Issues.

So, I applaud you Aclion, for trying to argue your point. However, I do not believe that we need a change in the WA telegram.

[Norskhavn]

This suggestion was inspired by a discussion in Forests RMB.

Short version: there is a disconnect between the way WA compliance is portrayed in the World Assembly Compliance Commission's telegrams and the position of staff and the rest of the game regarding WA compliance.
To address this I suggest that the telegrams text be changed to more closely align with "reality". Something like

The World Assembly wishes to notify you of the passage of the resolution [resolution title goes here]. As a member of the World Assembly %nation% is bound by General Assembly law. Please ensure that %nation% is compliant with all the resolutions mandates.

Long version: Currently WA law has no effect on nations beside a small stat change. Players are perfectly capable of running their nations however they like regardless of what the General Assembly thinks of it. Changing that would require going going through all the issues every time the GA passes a new resolution to ensure that WA members would only get options that comply with WA law. Obviously the editing team is having none of that, and has taken the position that it is up to players to comply with with WA law; or not, as the case may be. This view is echoed in the GA where it's accepted that WA resolutions are not actually enforced by the World Assembly and the rules rightly treat attempt to mandate certain issue options as a meta-gaming violation.

On the other hand the telegrams sent out upon a new resolution's passage claim that the WA enforces strict adherence, even changing a nations laws so that they comply with the newly passed resolution.


On an unreleated note the subject field is too short. Booooo :c

I fully agree.