Federal Government Struggles With Housing

SACRAMENTO---The Albanese Government is struggling to deal with its approach to the housing crisis. They have found that local governments are fighting with state and federal government rezoning. The position has also reached the Christian Democrats. Peña Nieto has framed the many disputes as an idealogical dispute against big government. The extent of the homeless problem is 43 people per 10,000. That makes the number to the crisis 361,200. The CLP proposed more high-density residential zones.

Hey there lads!

It's been a while and I've been tinkering with real life economics systems to make our RP experience more realistic, while also maintaining simplification where possible. As such, I present to all of you the first BETA version of the EU Economics System v2.

Now what's new you may ask?

As of the moment, we've scrapped the entire system in favour of one that is easier to compute, less reliant on NationStates random numbers, more flexible to players, and takes into account RP situations.

Let me explain how the new system works.

The new system only relies on 2 data from NS, the population and average income. The population data is still computed the same way as before, but we're figuring out a new way of computing this to counteract the bias in population growth for smaller countries. The average income is still 1/6th of what is in NS, but now it is immediately treated as a value expressed in Euros instead of the former treating the computed value as Local Currency Unit.

This new system focuses on computing a GDP expressed in Euros. To help you better understand the system, here's a sheet for you to try experimenting values with.

Econ_Sheet_v1_INSERT.xls

This sheet will be important, as my proposal involves nations having to utilize a sheet of their own to make projections, with official data released by the ECB every 3 months from reports made by countries using their individual sheets.

From here, you can read either the longer explanation on computations, or the shorter and simpler version at the bottom.

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MAIN EXPLANATION

First, let's go over to how the GDP is calculated.

In real life, the GDP has multiple ways of being determined, but we'll focus on the expenditure approach. This utilizes the following formula:

GDP = Personal Consumption + Business Investment + Government Consumption + Net Trade

Personal Consumption
Personal Consumption, which is also expressed as Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE), is the amount spent by every individual on goods and services to meet their everyday needs. This is computed by multiplying Average Consumption with the population.

Business Investment
Business Investment, which is also expressed as Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), is the value of domestic investments made by private individuals in the country. We've simplified this by taking the average value invested by an individual on local businesses and multiplying it by the population.

Government Consumption
Government Consumption, which is also expressed as Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE), is the amount spent by the government on goods and services, excluding payments to manpower and bond holders. This is computed as a percentage of the Government Budget, which can be adjusted by setting a percentage of the Budget under the value Budget Consumption %.

Net Trade
Net Trade, also known as Net Exports, is the value of international trade volume involving that country. It is computed by subtracting the Total Value of Imports from the Total Value of Exports.

Now that we've established some terms, let's go over the values needed to compute these parts of the GDP.

Average Consumption
HFCE requires the Average Consumption (basically HFCE per capita), which is determined as a percentage of the Average Income spent by individuals on goods and services they need to live. This is like the average cost of living before taxes. You can adjust this by setting a certain percentage of the Average Income under the value Average Income Exp. % with the sheets. You may look at the Sample RL Values Sheet on Row 11 for references on real life examples. However, it is much more recommended to look at the value of HFCE while setting the Average Income Exp. % and compare it with RL values on Row 8, or on https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.CON.PRVT.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true&view=map. to see if you have a reasonable and realistic amount.

Average Investment
GFCF requires the Average Investment (basically GFCF per capita), which is determined as a percentage of Average Income invested by individuals on local enterprises. This does not automatically mean that everyone invests in businesses, but rather shows how much of the average income is invested by each person theoretically that equates to the value of private investments in the country when combined. This can be adjusted by setting a certain percentage of the Average Income under the value Investment per capita %. For a realistic value, you can also compare your % with values on Row 36 in the Sample RL Values sheet.

Government Budget
Government Budget is used in determining the GFCE, and is determined by multiplying the government revenue per capita with the population. The government revenue per capita shows how much the government earns from individuals on average, which may be in the form of taxes or other sources of capital. The government revenue per capita can be adjusted by setting a percentage of Average Income under the value Government Spending %. For a realistic value, refer to Row 24 of the Sample RL Values sheet when coming up with a value for Government Spending %, and Row 25 of the Sample RL Values sheet when coming up with a value for Budget Consumption %.

Trade System
The trade system sounds complicated at first, but it's actually pretty simple when you get the grasp of it.

Players will be able to set a maximum value of Imports that enter their country, which may not exceed 10 trillion Euros or 75% of the Gross National Income (computed as Average Income x Population). Whichever limit has a lower value will apply

Other countries will then negotiate with that player to get a share of the Import Value, in exchange for shares on Export Value, Defence Pacts, or other bargaining chips. Shares of the Import Value correspond to a part on Export Value of the Import shareholder.

The maximum Value of Exports a country may have shall not result in a Trade Surplus or Deficit of more than 1 trillion Euros.

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IN A NUTSHELL...

AVERAGE CONSUMPTION

Average Consumption = Average Income Exp. % * Average Income

Average Income Exp. % is the adjustable value, expressed as percentage of Average Income.. Mean Average Consumption in EU countries value at around € 18,174.45 in 2022.

GOVERNMENT REVENUE PER CAPITA

Government Revenue PC = Government Spending % * Average Income

Government Spending % is the adjustable value, expressed as percentage of Average Income.. Average Government Spending % in EU countries are around 24.94% in 2022.

AVERAGE INVESTMENT

Average Investment = Investment per capita % * Average Income

Investment per capita % is the adjustable value, expressed as percentage of Average Income. Average Investment per capita % in EU countries are around 20.95% in 2022.

HOUSEHOLD FIXTURES CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (HFCE)

HFCE = Average Consumption * Population

HFCE in EU countries range from € 25,967,000,000.00 to € 2,722,786,000,000.00 in 2022, with larger and more developed countries having higher values. Refer to https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.CON.PRVT.CD?locations=EU&most_recent_value_desc=true for more real life EU values.

GOVERNMENT FIXTURES CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (GFCE)

GFCE = (Government Revenue per capita * Population) * Budget Consumption %

Budget Consumption % is the adjustable value, expressed as percentage of Government Budget. Government Consumption in EU countries are around 79.85% of their Government Budget. GFCF in EU countries range from € 4,578,559,220.00 to € 901,613,925,680.00 in 2022, with larger and more developed countries having higher values. Refer to https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.GDI.FTOT.CD?locations=EU&most_recent_value_desc=true for more real life EU values.

GROSS FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION (GFCF)

GFCF = Average Investment * Population

GFCF in EU countries range from € 4,578,559,220.00 to € 901,613,925,680.00 in 2022, with larger and more developed countries having higher values. Refer to https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.GDI.FTOT.CD?locations=EU&most_recent_value_desc=true for more real life EU values.

NET TRADE

Net Trade = Total Export Value - Total Import Value

Total Import Value is the adjustable value, set from a % of Gross National Income (Average Income multiplied by population). Maximum Value is 10 trillion Euros or 75% of GNI (whichever limit is lower).

Total Export is based on the total value of imports that other countries accept from you. You have to negotiate with other countries for shares of their Total Import Value to increase your Total Export Value. The limit on your Total Export Value depends on the net trade, which cannot have a deficit or surplus value exceeding 1 trillion Euros. It is recommended to reach out to admins or other players for assistance on this, as this is the trickiest part of the system.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)

GDP = HFCE + GFCE + GFCF + Net Trade

7 May/Mayo 2024

The Governments of The Duxburian Union and Spain have agreed to join the desert, solar energy project.

Roscoes denies sabotage of Czechslavonic economy
Roscoes today has responded to the arrest of its executive and some members of the main shareholding family. It said in a statement "We are concerned and sad to hear of the arrests and would like to talk with the Czech Slavonic government to resolve the issue. However we absolutely deny any sabotage or intent of sabotage of operations in Czech Slavia. Simply put as the assets in the country were no longer under company operation or ownership we had no obligation to continue supplies or maintenance contracts in the country or share any of the intelectual property of the company this is standard international procedure in such events as nationalisation.

We offered jobs to the former employees as we do any time we close a division or an operation in another country to ensure that workers have the option at least to remain with out company and security of a job by giving priority to those employees. We don't believe in laying off or people losing their job if we have jobs available elsewhere for those individuals as a matter of respect for their contributions to the company.We value employees and they are our greatest assets and deserve to be rewarded with job security where possible.This again is a standard part of our core values."

It is not known if the company is in negotiations but it is expected the company will enter negotiations with the Czech Slavian authorities.

The three were surprised to be arrested given their lack of links to core functions of the company so agreed to the questioning as they would have nothing to give. Roscoes would surely do someting once they heard about the arrest. James and Amaziah would continue to attend the festival with the Llunas-Roberts their good friends.

Česká tisková kancelář

The National Security Corps detain three Duchian citizens suspected of attempting to sabotage the Czechoslavonic economy

The National Security Corps has detained Yohanna Mizrachi-Roscoe, Danya Mizrachi-Roscoe and Mathias Mizrachi-Roscoe during a festival in Litoměřice. All three are suspected of attempting to sabotage the Czechoslavonic economy. "All the evidence points that these three individuals were directly involved in the sabotage that the Roscoes company is still attempting against the Democratic Republic. One of the suspects is part of the Roscoes Management Team, yet the attempts at sabotage continue. It seems most unlikely the rest of the family is unaware of the many crimes of the Company." the prosecution has stated.

"The criminal imperialist octopus has expected that our country would fall into one of its long tentacles. But we have refused to sell our conscience , the tentacle has been cut off, people's democracy has been saved and the saboteurs can expect the people's justice." read an article in the newspaper of the Socilist Republican Party, Světlo pravdy (English translation - The Light of Truth; formerly known as Rudé právo).

The National Security Corps has not provided any other information.

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Pilot project of state company management democratization will kick off at September 1

Democratization of state company management as one of the priorities of the President for Life Albína Reiserová will be started at September 1. It will concern micro, small and medium companies, primarily in smaller municipalities, moving much of the management powers away from the managers and into the hand of the workers directly. About 5% of the state owned companies will be affected, and none of them associated with strategic resources. Work distribution, wages, disciplinary actions investment of funds, will all be decided by two possible processes, depending on the democratization method chosen. In some companies these will be decided by a vote open to all the workers, they will be advised and the vote will be oversighted by the established management. In other companies new managers will be selected randomly by a lot for a year and they will decide on such issues, they will likewise be advised and oversighted by established management.

The established management is expected to prepare the workers in mandatory curses fot their new rights and responsibilities. These projects will affect mostly transport, accommodation, textile, entertainment and glass production industries. The results will be examined each quarter of the year and based on indicators of productivity, the projects might be expanded or terminated.

YouGov Scottish Parliament Poll

SNP: 28%
LAB: 27%
CON: 17%
GRN:9%
LIB: 8%

AlBA: 4%

Declaration of State of Defense

In light of the deteriorating situation domestic and international, the government of the Republic of Istkalen, with the support of the National Assembly, has made the decision to declare a state of defense in the territory of the Republic of Istkalen.

With reactionary and generally anti-republican groups engaged in a coordinated campaign of agitation, violence, and lawfare against the duly elected government of Istkalen as the Nyetthem-Hampton City axis again mobilizes for nuclearization and war, we found no other course of action available to us. It is our sworn duty to protect, at all costs, the sovereignty and independence of the nation from enemies internal and external; both sovereignty and independence being so directly threatened on all possible fronts, it was necessary to resort to the most extreme possible measures to rally all Istkalen around the cause of its survival.

In accordance with the Basic Law established by the Head of State, the ability of the Censorate and Courts of Justice to limit or proscribe government action will be severely curtailed until such time as the state of defense ends. Certain officials important to the functioning of the state will also be taken into protective detention. Martial law, including the temporary replacement of people's committees with military-civilian councils appointed jointly by the Ministry of the Interior and the command of the Republican Defense Forces, will come into effect in certain areas, to be defined at later dates as is necessary.

The activity of political and independent trade organizations will be temporarily subject to certain restrictions; the workers' associations will be given the responsibility of regimenting civil and political society, in addition to economic organizations or endeavors, so as to serve the aims of national defense. Economic and cultural coordination committees will be established to help organize this process.

Elizabeth Íkrat
Prime Minister of the Republic of Istkalen

countersigned
Ilmaras Kalessed
Head of State of the Republic of Istkalen

Hey y'all, Axel here.

I have drafted a decently sized update to the War System, mostly focused on cost balancing. Guess what everything is more expensive now! Before going official I wanted to post the patch notes so those interested can discuss and share issues they see or whatever comments they might have.

This update focused mostly on reworking ground forces so that they are an equal concern when budgeting. Also raised upkeep costs of every single unit. Big capital units are also way more expensive to have now!

Another big change is the Ground-Based Superweapons or soon to be called Strategic Forces! Where ICBMs are way more expensive to have, this was mostly done as I feel a lot of countries have ICBMs when they probably should not, as such the cost associated with them is raised so that hopefully only nations with practically uses for them will attempt to implement them. (Why would you spend millions on an ICBM just for it to have a "conventional warhead"). Check the notes for more specifics!

WAR SYSTEM v5.3 PATCH NOTES

You can also find the Beta worksheet for this update:

RIGHT HERE: CLICK ME FOR THE NEW AUTOWORKSHEET!

Can not wait to hear feedback, otherwise changes probably go live in 2 weeks!

Nation Name: Kingdom of Reitzmag
Applicant's name and applicant's authority to apply on behalf of their nation: Ben Wallace, Minister of the Crown for Defence
Nation's IC Count : 161,117
Does your nation meet minimum requirements for nuclear weapon production? : Yes
Reasons for applying: Upon considering the opinions of experts and the Armed Forces, and the sentiments of the people through Parliament in terms of improving national security, the Ministry of Defence has found it imperative that maintaining a strong deterrent in the wake of an increase in number of nuclear powers would be necessary in protecting peace and security within the region in the long term. Because this decision is contrary to the country's traditional policy of opposition to weapons of mass destruction, it shall be on record that the decision was made with strict consideration of various factors and a strong rationale.
Reasons for approval: The Kingdom of Reitzmag has maintained its position of improving and exemplifying its standing in both military and diplomatic areas, fostering ways for cooperation while promoting its interest with cautious responses to various global and regional situations. While the country disagrees with the previous opinion of the ENAA that its policies are a product of paranoia or romanticism of conflict, it has strongly maintained implementation of those including the conscription system which has been found to have achieved many of its goals such as the reduction of crime rates and unhealthy living. In addition, the country has consistently adhered to its newly adopted defence doctrines and rules of engagement tailor-made in conjunction with its allies to consider the status quo and possible future geopolitical situations. Finally, the continued presence of external threats has made it consider various responses with extreme caution, dismissing any provocation it has deemed to have no logically real implication to the country while maintaining vigilance for any sudden change in those situations.