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| Democracy; Attention! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 18 2011, 12:00 PM (2,272 Views) | |
| Leraq | Jul 18 2011, 12:00 PM Post #1 |
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I propose the following change to Alterran OOC politics. I suggest biannual elections by all members for the roles of: 1 admin, 5 mods, and WAD. Any citizen can run for these positions, and anyone can cast one equally weighted vote for their favoured candidate for every position. You can abstain from voting. Skye, our founder remains the root admin, who is permanent, in respect of her role as founder, and limitations on zetaboards. Why do I propose this change: Alterra is in a time of trouble: Alterra has suffered a huge blow on NS, its position of power is faulting and our population is shrinking. Both of these are happening at unprecedented rates. We have lost a large chunk of our staff, ELE and Orch have gone and Skye has suffered an RL blow severely reducing her activity. On the forums posting is at 40% of what it was in Alterra's heyday. At this time we need a strong and active staff, who the people back, to sort out these issues. I am confident that an election system would ensure this happens. It incentifies the staff to work to the best of their ability. With the new system a staff member who under performs during their time in office will result in them loosing their seat at the next elections. They will therefore be pushed to change our region for the better. As it stands mods and admins can do nothing; and they face no consequences. It ensures we have the best staff possible; key if we are to make the attempt to recover as successful as we can. Elections ensure that the staff are the ones the community is most confident will be best for Alterra. It creates needed activity. People canvass and get posting in order to win the vote of the electorate. Elections give power to all the community not just a small handful, to appoint the staff making the decisions more balanced and fair. After all these are the people who govern you, do you not want a say in who they are? This system is used to great effect in most other regions. Please do back this move, it will be healthy for Alterra. I'm sure with enough support this change will surely have to be made, unless the staff are so corrupt they will defy the will of a majority of our community? Staff; I'm sure you oppose this change, but consider this, if you really are worthy of your positions and as good as you should be, what's there to fear? Surely you'll be re-elected? I finally put this forward. In most of our RL home nations we live under a democratic system. I'm sure most of you appreciate the advantages this system brings, and would not change it. I ask that now we can introduce this system here, and rid of the dictatorship we currently are ruled by for the greater good of our community. I open the floor to comment and debate. Yours, Leraq Edited by Leraq, Jul 18 2011, 12:08 PM.
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| Florinthus | Jul 18 2011, 12:29 PM Post #2 |
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Resident Comic Relief
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I most certainly back this motion, although what you are talking about is not democracy, it's a republic. In a democracy, every person votes on every little thing that the government does. The united states for instance, is a federal republic. Don't make that hinder you though. I love the idea. More power to you! |
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| Fenwick | Jul 18 2011, 12:59 PM Post #3 |
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Corrupt, sayeth the leader of the econ committee that puts himself in the top tier of the economic positions? I kinda find that amusing. >.> To me, it sounds like you just want to make the moderation teams a popularity contest. Last I checked, this board is like a private corporation. The CEO (Skye) appointed people she thought she could trust as her board of trustees. It's not a democracy, nor is any other forum I've ever been on. The CAD forums would balk at you if you tried to "vote out" Sidnaceous because he slapped your wrists. Then again, I also know that the mods just shot down your bid for more power, so I can't say that this post isn't tainted by the urge for more of a power grab. |
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| Yasutomi | Jul 18 2011, 01:14 PM Post #4 |
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I do agree with Leraq that Alterra is going through a difficult time, however I don't agree that elections are the answer. Alterra is a RP region, so it should be about RP, not OOC politics. We already have too much of that as it is. My solution to the present situation is to 'get back to basics': we need to move away from this culture of committees, OOC arguments and petty finger-pointing and concentrate on creating a free and fun RP environment. |
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| Leraq | Jul 18 2011, 01:18 PM Post #5 |
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@Fen Well well, I should have guessed that those who oppose would not actually try to fault the proposition but resort to a personal attack. I didn't expect better from you Well try this: I won't stand for elections. I may even step out of the whole region, if it continues as this. To be honest I can't be bothered to explain the attacks you throw at me. I'm here to try to save Alterra. @Yatsu: Well, at the moment I don't think the staff we have, or the system they operate under will be able to save Alterra. I also think we are in the current situation because of it/them. Why should we trust them now, when they have not acted for so long? When they have failed to ever improve Alterra, but it has slowly degraded? Edited by Leraq, Jul 18 2011, 01:32 PM.
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| Yasutomi | Jul 18 2011, 01:46 PM Post #6 |
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Leraq, you're not only on a committee...you chair one. So with all due respect, I consider you to be a part of the very system you're complaining about. Now if you feel that the system is failing Alterra and want to see it changed, then first you have to do the honourable thing and resign as a committee chair. Only then will you have the moral credibility to challenge staff and system. Secondly, I'd be interested to know how you actually plan to solve the problems facing the region, aside from simply changing the people in charge. What sort of new policies would you like to see implemented? How would you encourage RP and end the pointless finger-pointing? I'm not interested in wishful thinking and empty promises...I want actual, well-thought-out proposals. |
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| Fenwick | Jul 18 2011, 01:46 PM Post #7 |
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Welcome to politics, sweetheart. I guess you just don't like getting called out on your own BS. Oh, and good job ignoring the actual opposition to your proposition in comparing the board to a private business with Skye as CEO rather than the "democracy" that you want to try to make it. You sound just like Grey Anderson in Jericho, blaming Johnston for the situation there and offering no real suggestions other than having a mayoral election. Mods are here to moderate our behavior and to make sure that everyone follows the rules. They are not a recruiting force. They are not a team to force people to participate. Mods/Admins are the Police of the forum. In any case, this is pointless as no change in structure should be made without Skye's approval. With any luck, she'll be back shortly and you can discuss this with her and the rest of the administrative staff at that point. |
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| Florinthus | Jul 18 2011, 02:06 PM Post #8 |
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Resident Comic Relief
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I dont understand what the big deal is. I thought this was a game, which means its for fun. I have to say that in the end, isnt fun the reason we do these sorts of things? Why does it have to be a fight? |
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| Leraq | Jul 18 2011, 02:20 PM Post #9 |
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@ florinthus: I was trying to keep this polite. I could have swarmed my responses with personal attacks, and name calling. I have tried not to. It appears others have no intention of arguing without trying to humiliate their counterparts. @fen; we have a popularity contest now, nothing would change! The current staff's decisions are swayed by who they 'like' or more to the point find annoying. I have proof of that. As for demoractic forums, there are many: democratium, europeia, absolution, democratic socialists, imperial clindean order? Just a few from the top of my head! Also Skye is no longer here to be CEO. We have been left floundering, now is the oppertunity for regime change. @Yatsu; What would I do to 'repair' Alterra: 1. I would ensure recruiters were rewarded. No-one wants to do it, it's immensely boring. I would introduce a reward system, and I would introduce recruiting log books. High ranked positions, staff and cmte chairs would have set quotas to complete. They are, after all, supposed to be guiding our region, and leading by example. I would introduce new recruiting techniques, like the 'pipe' method we use in other regions. I would introduce elections; so that new members have a chance to become staff, and the quality of staff increases. Incentive is the only way to drive the region. Ambition is key. I would also appoint NS Ministers. These guys make sure Alterra is kept on the scene in NS. They would contact other regions; maybe even oversee mergers and alliances. We need to understand success on NationStates is key to attracting members, and keeping Alterra important. These are just a few ideas I have. As for cmtes not being beneficial. I'm afraid I beg to differ. They moderate godmodding, and are key. Though I will hear any argument contrary that you have Edited by Leraq, Jul 18 2011, 02:46 PM.
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| Florinthus | Jul 18 2011, 03:00 PM Post #10 |
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Resident Comic Relief
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Incentive? This is a game. What incentive could you possibly give. Why don't you ask the people who left why they left. I agree with Yatsutomi that this was made to be a roleplaying community. We need less politics, not more. Let's have the bare minimum amour of OOC government as possible, so that we can go back to doing wha we made this place to do. I left my last region Capitalist Paradise because the red tape got me frustrated. Really though? You cannot blame Skye Rocket for whatever is happening. I don't know the details of what exactly is going on but it must be serious. Can you imagine what it would be like to log on again for the first time in months to find out some bloody coup had happened? In the end, this is a game, and real life always comes first. You have to grin and bear it. |
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