SL Politics

This may sound overwhelming, but how about politics in SL?

We can have a citizen run portion of the government, with elections and everything. What do you all think?

I think that if politics was introduced in SL it would have to be very well thought out and tested, because if it isn't, it will flip flop. The last game i played, they have a very intense political part of the game...for example you can run for Respected Citizen, then for Guard, Guard Captain, Burgess and Demagogue, you can even become a Judge. I think this might be better off for a theme related community.

When politics is done correctly i think it can really add to a game, when its done badly.....ick ick ick.

That's true, we don't want corruption like in r/l.

OK never mind my idea.

Hehe, i still think you should keep the idea open. The game i was referring to is Darkages. I don't know how many people in SL know about it, but in it there is political structure, but it is VERY abusable, and like in real life, it has been corrupted to the point where i think it either has to be designed over, or it just needs to be gotten rid of. The idea of politics in a virtual community and online game is very interesting.

Just has to be researched and well thought out

I think the socio-political aspects of this game are the most interesting part. I'm looking forward to the "birth or the nation".

My first thought was that we need world representation at a Constitutional Convention - no matter what the local governments look like. Perhaps each zone, and each group over a certain number of people, would send a rep(s) to a world government? Then each "state" could left to design it's own government? Sorta like Europe or the UN?

Or maybe we leave the groups out of it and just let them bring pressure on local and world governments (like unions, or PACs, or gangsters, or .... )?

Just seeds for thought so far. I would much prefer the kind of governmental drama that arises organically from anarchy, but then that's just my personal politics - and I wouldn't wish that process on anybody. ;-)


Radical Kathy Yamamoto
Officer: Leftists, Liberals and Lunatics
Open (of course) for membership

I'm not crazy about the government idea. I like SL for the freedom it gives. although it would be nice if a community had the power to enforce some rules. I just don't think it should be hard coded into the game.

I think the only way a government will spring up inside SL (that is if its not hard-coded into the game) is if it had some way to enforce its territory, and its laws. currently theres no way to enforce territory, because once you buy some land no one can take it away from you, or tell you what to do with it. and laws couldn't be enforced basically for the same reason.

Haven't there been some discussions about adding politics to SL already? At least in some sims, among some groups? I seem to remember seeing a topic about that somewhere...

Well if you consider IRC... with channel operators and what else, you could call that politics too... but it's like HELL I think, everybody's trying to abuse it!

A government would be an ok idea I think, only if it affected those that would chose to join the system, and not be held against those that don't want to join the system. If you make a government, or mafia system, let me chose not to join and not let it affect me in anyway. But maybe leave the opportunity to join somewhere down the road, and leave when I want. But if you force a government or ‘protection’ on players we’ve all had pretty much our full share that in our 1st lives, at least I have, and those I know have anyway.

I would like to see government in SL.

However, I would like to see it become a third-generation democratic republic. That is, I'd like to analyze existing modern republics and create a next-generation republic comprised of their best features combined with an alternative mode of voting guided by contemporary voting theory.

I believe that such a third-generation democratic republic would have to be installed and would not be able to grow organically. Like the rest of SL, I'd like to see the framework of the republic be fluid. That is, if one method of voting fails, we simply move to another. Unlike a real republic, this is quite possible. SL's politics could make a actual contribution to real life.

~Ulrika~

And I want to win the RL Powerball lottery.. but that isn't going to happen either.

Let's see.... government...

Make laws? Enforce them? In Second Life? Are you serious?

The laws and way to enforce them are here:
http://secondlife.com/corporate/terms.php

Everything else is roleplaying.

As I've said all along - if it does something usefull.
If it adds to the world as a whole. If the people and world benefit from it.
If the relinquishment of freedoms (which must happen) in order to be goverened is actually worthwhile.
If it can do something that I can't already do by myself with very little effort.

If it's more than just a platfrom for powergamers and virtual prom queens to wield some prized trinket over the rest of us farties.

Sorry if I seem jaded - but I've seen everything else under the virtual sun 'gamed'.. In fact I think I've seen every single aspect of SL gamed - from land swapping circles, tax money holding, and prim banking all the way to auctions/barony, rating parties, 'land find spam'.... the list is near endless.

Give me a reason to think this won't be any different.

Siggy.