A Matter of Trust
Hey, my beloved procrastinators! It's been a while since we had our last installment of ridiculously over-simplified and unbearably polarized hypothetical situations, inspired by the NationStates online game - you know, that place where you're the benevolent ruler of your own fictional state, which you're completely free to shape as you please, based on the stupid choices you make in situations like the below presented. Last time when we delved into the depths of True Democracy(tm), and the bulk of you guys sided with Miss Sharp, the civil rights activist who was arguing in favor of letting people be, and that compelling people to exercise their voting right would do more harm than good.
Well, now the situation I'm presenting to your attention is not too different from that case, except this time the focus will be on those evil oligarchs that we call politicians.
The Issue
A new survey conducted by private organizations has found out that confidence in [Insert Country Name]'s political system is at an all-time low. Politicians and political think tanks are scrambling to find a solution.
The Debate
1. "Isn't it obvious?" states Marlon Chicago, host of a political talk show. "Politicians get away with things that would land us regular folk in jail. Corruption, fraud; you name it, they do it - and with no consequences. How about you make it harder for them to get away with their crimes by enforcing tough jail time. Maybe then you'll earn back the public's trust."
2. "It's probably because we're constantly seeing the same people in power over and over again," argues Hack Woolf, a columnist for the The Insert Country Name Inquirer. "We should shake things up a bit and bring some fresh faces into the political game. Let's introduce term limits on all public offices. That'll definitely increase confidence in our political system!"
3. "I couldn't help but notice that confidence was particularly lower among women," notes Roberta Nguyen, editor of Bonjour magazine. "It's time we rid this country of its old boys club by introducing gender quotas. Mandate that women must hold at least 50% of all public offices in [Insert Country Name]; everyone knows women are so much more trustworthy than men."
4. "People don't trust us?" gasps Erika McQuack, one of your many PR advisors. "Then it's time we earned it back! Let's get out there among the people and show everybody that politicians are just like them! Be totally transparent; personal blogs, documentaries, 24 hour TV shows. Yes, it may cost a bit, but if the public know everything about you, they'll have to trust you!"
5. "If the people don't trust us then we'll make them," suggests Col. Stan Doodinas, your military aide-de-camp, slamming his fists on the table. "We'll just use force and intimidation to win back support. Some may call it brainwashing or terrorism, but I call it love. As a plus, it should be really easy to implement!"
The legislature of Insert Country Name is preparing to adopt a decision.
Poll A Matter of Trust
Of course, those who are already familiar with how this game is played, would already know that the options are so extreme for a reason.
Well, now the situation I'm presenting to your attention is not too different from that case, except this time the focus will be on those evil oligarchs that we call politicians.
The Issue
A new survey conducted by private organizations has found out that confidence in [Insert Country Name]'s political system is at an all-time low. Politicians and political think tanks are scrambling to find a solution.
The Debate
1. "Isn't it obvious?" states Marlon Chicago, host of a political talk show. "Politicians get away with things that would land us regular folk in jail. Corruption, fraud; you name it, they do it - and with no consequences. How about you make it harder for them to get away with their crimes by enforcing tough jail time. Maybe then you'll earn back the public's trust."
2. "It's probably because we're constantly seeing the same people in power over and over again," argues Hack Woolf, a columnist for the The Insert Country Name Inquirer. "We should shake things up a bit and bring some fresh faces into the political game. Let's introduce term limits on all public offices. That'll definitely increase confidence in our political system!"
3. "I couldn't help but notice that confidence was particularly lower among women," notes Roberta Nguyen, editor of Bonjour magazine. "It's time we rid this country of its old boys club by introducing gender quotas. Mandate that women must hold at least 50% of all public offices in [Insert Country Name]; everyone knows women are so much more trustworthy than men."
4. "People don't trust us?" gasps Erika McQuack, one of your many PR advisors. "Then it's time we earned it back! Let's get out there among the people and show everybody that politicians are just like them! Be totally transparent; personal blogs, documentaries, 24 hour TV shows. Yes, it may cost a bit, but if the public know everything about you, they'll have to trust you!"
5. "If the people don't trust us then we'll make them," suggests Col. Stan Doodinas, your military aide-de-camp, slamming his fists on the table. "We'll just use force and intimidation to win back support. Some may call it brainwashing or terrorism, but I call it love. As a plus, it should be really easy to implement!"
The legislature of Insert Country Name is preparing to adopt a decision.
Poll A Matter of Trust
Of course, those who are already familiar with how this game is played, would already know that the options are so extreme for a reason.