[SUBMITTED] A Symbolic Meaning

[Daarwyrth]

CURRENT DRAFT:

[Title] A Symbolic Meaning

[Validity] None(?)

[Description ] A young, rising star within your nation's ruling party has brought forward a new plan to ensure that the party remains in power for years to come, namely to have its symbols be tantamount to the national ones, so as to increase the likelihood that citizens will associate your party with the state itself. Yet the question remains what symbols best represent your party, and thus the new national identity of @@NAME@@.

[Option 1] "Law and order, that's what our party has always stood for," declares one of the more senior party members at the impromptu conference in your office. "Let Lady Justice's scale and sword be our guiding symbol forward in a society of blind obedience to the law. That's what the blindfold is for, no?"

[Effect 1] market stalls using scales for foodstuffs are broken down for profanation of the national symbols

[Option 2] "Ugh, you and your obsession with blindfolded women," scoffs @@RANDOMNAME@@, the rising star in question. "Our party embodies progress and prosperity, what better way to represent that by venerating the cornucopia, and a healthy support plan for businesses? Before you know it we'll be swimming in abundance!"

[Effect 2] the horn of plenty is abundant for some and empty for others

[Option 3] "Then you haven't been paying attention to recent developments in our neck of the woods," notes one of the environmentalists of the party, while plucking moss from @@HIS@@ hair and eating it. "I propose we raise the @@ANIMAL@@ onto an even higher pedestal. It would help in creating awareness on the plight of our wildlife, and Mother Nature."

[Effect 3] the lyrics of the national anthem have been replaced with @@ANIMAL@@ sounds

[Option 4] "The fact that no one mentions the symbols of our faith, means that we have strayed from the path of righteousness a little too far," sweetly notes @@RANDOMNAME@@ of the religious bloc of the party with a chuckle. "I suggest we return to piety and devotion to the divine with haste by raising its holy symbols as our own."
[Validity] Has not banned Religion

[Effect 4] pyres have become a symbol for @@NAME@@'s blazing piety and devotion

[Option 5] "Dignity, elegance, majesty: what better way to represent those than by a crowned head," notes the sole monarchist within the party, while straitening @@HIS@@ purple jacket. "With a royal family at the helm coming from our party ranks we'll forever stamp our identity on this nation, and ensure there'll always be a national symbol to rally behind in times of national joy or hardship."
[Validity] Doesn't have Monarchy

[Effect 5] the royals always seem to wear the ruling party's colours

[Option 6] "Did our proud citizens in uniform die for diddly-doo?!" fumes retired General @@RANDOMNAME@@ with the all-too-familiar pulsing vein in @@HIS@@ forehead. "Generations of @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@ have served with our current national symbols in their hearts and minds. All we need is some mandatory reminders for you youngsters it's worth dying for them."

[Effect 6] it's a little drafty in @@NAME@@ these days

[Daarwyrth]

DRAFT 3:

[Title] A Symbolic Meaning

[Validity] None(?)

[Description ] A young, rising star within your nation's ruling party has brought forward a new plan to ensure that the party remains in power for years to come, namely to have its symbols be tantamount to the national ones, so as to increase the likelihood that citizens will associate your party with the state itself. Yet the question remains what symbols best represent your party, and thus the new national identity of @@NAME@@.

[Option 1] "Law and order, that's what our party has always stood for," declares one of the more senior party members at the impromptu conference in your office. "Let Lady Justice's scale and sword be our guiding symbol forward in a society of blind obedience to the law. That's what the blindfold is for, no?"

[Effect 1] market stalls using scales for foodstuffs are broken down for profanation of the national symbols

[Option 2] "Ugh, you and your obsession with blindfolded women," scoffs @@RANDOMNAME@@, the rising star in question. "Our party embodies progress and prosperity, what better way to represent that by venerating the cornucopia, and a healthy support plan for businesses? Before you know it we'll be swimming in abundance!"

[Effect 2] the horn of plenty is abundant for some and empty for others

[Option 3] "Then you haven't been paying attention to recent developments in our part of these woods," notes one of the environmentalists of the party, while plucking moss from @@HIS@@ hair and eating it. "I propose we raise the @@ANIMAL@@ onto an even higher pedestal. It would help in creating awareness on the plight of our wildlife, and Mother Nature."

[Effect 3] the lyrics of the national anthem have been replaced with @@ANIMAL@@ sounds

[Option 4] "Might makes right," says retired General @@RANDOMNAME@@, @@HIS@@ camouflage suit making him barely visible against the office backdrop. "Our symbols should be the military's symbols, and it would be good to instil some militaristic fervour and discipline in all layers of our society, but especially in those who come of age."

[Effect 4] it's a little drafty in @@NAME@@ these days

[Option 5] "The fact that no one mentions the symbols of our faith, means that we have strayed from the path of righteousness a little too far," sweetly notes @@RANDOMNAME@@ of the religious bloc of the party with a chuckle. "I suggest we return to piety and devotion to the divine with haste by raising its holy symbols as our own."
[Validity] Has not banned Religion

[Effect 5] pyres have become a symbol for @@NAME@@'s blazing piety and devotion

[Option 6] "Dignity, elegance, and majesty, what better way to represent those than by a crowned head," notes the sole monarchist within the party, while straitening @@HIS@@ purple jacket. "With a royal family at the helm we'll forever stamp our party's identity on this nation, and ensure there'll always be a national symbol to rally behind in times of national joy or hardship."
[Validity] Doesn't have Monarchy

[Effect 6] the royals always seem to wear the ruling party's colours

DRAFT 2:

[Title] A Symbolic Meaning

[Validity] None(?)

[Description ] A young, rising star within your nation's ruling party has brought forward a new plan to ensure that the party remains in power for years to come, namely to have its symbols become the new national ones, to increase the likelihood that citizens will associate your party with the state itself. Yet the question remains what symbols best represent your party, and thus the new national identity of @@NAME@@.

[Option 1] "Law and order, that's what our party has always stood for," declares one of the more senior party members at the impromptu conference in your office. "Let Lady Justice's scale and sword be our guiding symbol forward in a society of blind obedience to the law. That's what the blindfold is for, no?"

[Effect 1] market stalls using scales for foodstuffs are broken down for profanation of the national symbols

[Option 2] "Ugh, you and your obsession with blindfolded women," scoffs @@RANDOMNAME@@, the rising star in question. "Our party embodies progress and prosperity, what better way to represent that by venerating the cornucopia, and a healthy support plan for businesses? Before you know it we'll be swimming in abundance!"

[Effect 2] the horn of plenty is abundant for some and empty for others

[Option 3] "Then you haven't been paying attention to recent developments in our part of these woods," notes one of the environmentalists of the party, while plucking moss from @@HIS@@ hair and eating it. "I propose we raise the @@ANIMAL@@ onto an even higher pedestal. It would help in creating awareness on the plight of our wildlife, and Mother Nature."

[Effect 3] the lyrics of the national anthem have been replaced with @@ANIMAL@@ sounds

[Option 4] "Might makes right," says retired General @@RANDOMNAME@@, being barely visible because of @@HIS@@ camouflage suit. "Our symbols are our military's symbols, and it would be good to instill some militaristic fervour and discipline in all layers of our society, but especially in those who come of age."

[Effect 4] it's a little drafty in @@NAME@@ these days

[Option 5] "The fact that no one mentions the symbols of our faith, means that we have strayed from the path of righteousness a little too far," sweetly notes @@RANDOMNAME@@ of the religious bloc of the party with a chuckle. "I suggest we return to piety and devotion to the divine with haste by raising its holy symbols as our own."
[Validity] Has not banned Religion

[Effect 5] pyres have become a symbol for @@NAME@@'s blazing piety and devotion

[Option 6] "Dignity, elegance, and majesty, what better way to represent those than by a crowned head," notes the sole monarchist within the party, while straitening @@HIS@@ purple jacket. "With a royal family at the helm we'll forever stamp our party's identity on this nation, and ensure there'll always be a national symbol to rally behind in times of national joy or hardship."
[Validity] Doesn't have Monarchy

[Effect 6] the royals always seem to wear the ruling party's colours

DRAFT 1:

[Title] A Symbolic Meaning

[Validity] Has low Patriotism

[Description] A recent study on the various national symbols of nations across @@REGION@@ left your citizens in a state, as the entry on @@NAME@@ was filled with empty spaces and multiple question marks in close succession. Yet when asked what the country's national symbols were, many a citizen came up empty. As a result, the subject has now occupied the center of attention during today's cabinet meeting.

[Option 1] "We love @@ANIMALPLURAL@@, right?" notes the Minister for the Environment. "Why not craft a clever little origin myth around one swallowing and spitting up our founders on the lands that make up @@NAME@@ today, and form a patriotic cult around them? I'd be great for raising awareness on the environment and the plight of the wildlife!"

[Effect 1] statues of @@ANIMALPLURAL@@ line every corner of every street

[Option 2] "Z, z, z, I'm already asleep," ridicules the Minister of Labour. "Come on, we want to appear ambitious and enterprising! I propose we ingrain the patriotic notion of 'the @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ dream' into our citizens, in which everyone can aspire to shoot past the sky to height's unlimited, and seize opportunities endless. It's the perfect symbol to rally behind!"

[Effect 2] sloths are no longer welcome in @@NAME@@

[Option 3] "We could make some sport as our national symbol?" perks up the full of figure Minister of Health. "Something that encapsulates what it means to be a @@DEMONYM@@, something that'll unite our citizens in roaring euphoria and patriotic pride whenever there's a match or competition on. I bet it would also help in reducing our obesity figures, heh."

[Effect 3] a failure to cheer is a reason to fear

[Option 4] "If our faith wasn't listed as our national symbol, then we have strayed a little too far from the path to righteousness," says your Minister of Religious Affairs sweetly, finishing with a chuckle. "And it's the fault of those pesky little heathens. I propose we strengthen faith in the divine across all layers of society, and raise its holy symbols as our own."
[Validity] Has medium religiousness

[Effect 4] pyres have become a symbol for @@NAME@@'s blazing piety and devotion

[Option 5] "We have science centres that are the envy of @@REGION@@, and scientists that make Bertie Onestone appears like dunce," declares the Minister of Education and Research. "Do away with the silly humanities, and let our mastery of chemistry, our understanding of physics, and our pursuit of undiscovered knowledge be our symbol of national pride!"
[Validity] Has high scientific advancement

[Effect 5] the loss of the humanities has left @@NAME@@ without its humanity

[Option 6] "Or we could just install a monarchy," notes the Minister of Foreign Affairs while straightening @@HIS@@ purple jacket. "Many monarchical nations use their royal families as national symbols to rally behind, whether it's during moments of joy, or periods of national hardship. If it works for them, I don't see why it couldn't work for @@NAME@@ too."

[Effect 6] complaining about how much the new royal family costs has united many a @@DEMONYM@@

[Sacara]

Competently written.

However, it is not very unique, in my opinion. We already have a couple of issues whether it lists out different areas where the government should focus their time on. This draft just feels rather forced and generic.

[Australian rePublic]

Great issue, but it's not like countries choose their own symbols, these things are a result of hundreds or thousands of years of cultural evolution

[Bears Armed]

Great issue, but it's not like countries choose their own symbols, these things are a result of hundreds or thousands of years of cultural evolution

Except when they're imposed by a new regime after a revolution... or, perhaps, when the party newly in government via an election is an extremist movement that decides to replace the traditional symbols with its own ones...

[Daarwyrth]

Great issue, but it's not like countries choose their own symbols, these things are a result of hundreds or thousands of years of cultural evolution

Except when they're imposed by a new regime after a revolution... or, perhaps, when the party newly in government via an election is an extremist movement that decides to replace the traditional symbols with its own ones...

Do you think adding that to the description would strengthen the drafts premise? Perhaps focus it around how to symbolise the party's might in a national symbol? Perhaps that would also address Sacara's comment and help "spice up" the issue draft a bit?

[Bears Armed]

Except when they're imposed by a new regime after a revolution... or, perhaps, when the party newly in government via an election is an extremist movement that decides to replace the traditional symbols with its own ones...

Do you think adding that to the description would strengthen the drafts premise? Perhaps focus it around how to symbolise the party's might in a national symbol? Perhaps that would also address Sacara's comment and help "spice up" the issue draft a bit?

Well, obviously you can't specify how the current governing party came to power or for how long it has been in power, but an option to use its symbols as the [new] national ones so that people will be more likely to associate the Party [at least subconsciously] with the Nation and thus to support it's remaining it in power? Yes, I think that that could work quite nicely.

[Daarwyrth]

New draft is up that's basically a rewrite of the issue, with a few hints of the previous draft. How does this one sound?

[Daarwyrth]

I'm resuming work on this draft again, so if anyone has new feedback or commentary that would be most appreciated!

[Daarwyrth]

Any new comments or thoughts?

[Umbratellus]

Well, from first glance, the way you reframed it sets a very authoritarian tone in general, so the lack of a "the symbols are fine as is" option stands out. There should be at least one person criticizing the move to replace the historic symbols with one that exclusively benefits your party; either that, or change the validity to be for autocracies.

[Daarwyrth]

Well, from first glance, the way you reframed it sets a very authoritarian tone in general, so the lack of a "the symbols are fine as is" option stands out. There should be at least one person criticizing the move to replace the historic symbols with one that exclusively benefits your party; either that, or change the validity to be for autocracies.

While I see where you're coming from, I feel that a "they are fine as they are" option would essentially be the dismiss button, so I'm reluctant to add in an option for keeping things as they are. And it doesn't have to be autocratic necessarily. A dominant political party could still enforce such things and remain a democracy. I'll consider what you said tho!

[Umbratellus]

Well, from first glance, the way you reframed it sets a very authoritarian tone in general, so the lack of a "the symbols are fine as is" option stands out. There should be at least one person criticizing the move to replace the historic symbols with one that exclusively benefits your party; either that, or change the validity to be for autocracies.

While I see where you're coming from, I feel that a "they are fine as they are" option would essentially be the dismiss button, so I'm reluctant to add in an option for keeping things as they are. I'll consider it tho!

Well, if you wanted to avoid that, go for an option to promote the traditional emblems and your native heritage instead. Could go for either a more culture/artistic route or a more traditionalist/xenophobic bent; either works. Something like "Our existing emblems are beautiful as is, it is only ignorance that hides them from the masses!" or "This is an affront to our heritage that you're trying to force through! Promote the beauty of our old symbols!" That way it adds an option for people who don't want to go for the (kind of corrupt sounding) maintain your power indefinitely option.

[Daarwyrth]

Well, if you wanted to avoid that, go for an option to promote the traditional emblems and your native heritage instead. Could go for either a more culture/artistic route or a more traditionalist/xenophobic bent; either works. Something like "Our existing emblems are beautiful as is, it is only ignorance that hides them from the masses!" or "This is an affront to our heritage that you're trying to force through! Promote the beauty of our old symbols!" That way it adds an option for people who don't want to go for the (kind of corrupt sounding) maintain your power indefinitely option.

Hmm, a heritage focused one doesn't sound too bad, I'll consider it. And it's not about maintaining power indefinitely, but rather ensuring the people will associate the national symbols with the symbols of the party. Because none of these options lead to an Autocracy for example.

While my initial response to "That way it adds an option for people who don't want to go for the (kind of corrupt sounding) maintain your power indefinitely option" is that the dismiss button is exactly for that purpose, namely to keep things as they are. But I'll consider adding something about the national heritage, maybe integrate it with one of the existing options. I'd imagine the military would be about preserving the national identity, so I could perhaps squeeze it in there alongside the military symbols thing.

[Daarwyrth]

A new draft is up with a few minor changes to the text

[Daarwyrth]

New thoughts or comments?

[Outer Sparta]

You could also have an option 5 alternative for nations that have not banned religion and instead they raise the symbol of the national religion as their party logo.

[Chan Island]

Why isn't there an option of some fuddy duddy traditionalist saying the current old symbols are fine as is? You'd think they'd command at least some veneration if they are the country's national symbols, and this issue feels all the poorer without that acknowledgement.

[Daarwyrth]

After a long while, I have updated this draft with a new version! The military option has now been moved to the end and speaks of the current national symbols remaining the same. Feedback and commentary are most welcome!

[Daarwyrth]

If there are no more comments and feedback, I'll be considering submission sometime soon

[Daarwyrth]

The issue draft has been submitted. Thank you all for your comments and feedback!

[Australian rePublic]

Good Luck!