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The Utilitist Republic
Topic Started: Jun 7 2013, 10:48 PM (301 Views)
Utilitas
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The Utilitist Republic

by Utilitas

Part I - Class

Since the beginning of NationStates, players have attempted to stratify gameplayers into classes. In probably the most famous example of this, Francoism named players as either feederite or userite.[1] Although francoism as a political structure has fallen into disrepair following Krulltopia's transition out of the francoist era, it's faux-communist ideology remains as the best known NationStates ideology. Francoism has made its mark in other online games as well, especially in CyberNations.

However, the current NationStates class system is far different from the world envisioned by Francos Spain and Unlimited. Today, there are three classes: Invader, defender, and native. Invaders are players who go out of their way to attack other regions, whether they grief the region to its end or merely tag it. Defenders are players who go out of their way to protect other regions from invaders. Natives are players who play a passive role in the social structure. They do not invade or defend, but merely feel the consequences of any attacks. It is for this reason that the are at the bottom of the social structure, although it has not always been this way.

This essay is about the creation of a new class: the Utilitists. While defenders and raiders have long-lived in a world of black-and-white morality, Utilitism rejects absolute morality in the face of Aggregate Morality. Aggregate morality is the idea that all players make actions that are both "good" and "bad". However, neither side is completely in the right.

At the beginning of time, defenders were at the top of the social pyramid. However, through various misfortunes, they have been relegated to a second class position. Invaders, once at the bottom of the class pyramid, are now at the top. Invaderism is currently the "in" philosophy. Soon, Utilitism will be.

Part II - Morality

Throughout NationStates history, defenderism has been based upon the idea that defenders hold a moral high ground over raiders. 10000 Islands, the most prominent defender region in recent history, claims that "We stand against the bullies and thugs of this game."[2] The United Defenders League calls itself "a body of moral agents."[3] The history of defending has been based upon the idea of helping others and fighting perceived evil within the game.

However, the history of these moral defenders has been at best, spotty. 10000 Islands has invaded regions, just like the "thugs" that they fight. The United Defenders League has been caught interfering with regional politics multiple times. In the past, defender agents from the Red Liberty Alliance committed forum destruction not once, but twice. Defenders have not backed up their words with their actions. One might say that they have “talked the talk”, but they have not "walked the walk."

Utilitism is closely related to defenderism: it shares a similar goal. However, it is different in one main respect. Past defenders have characterized morality as black-and white. Defenders are good and raiders are bad. This stance has left defenders open to charges of hypocrisy from raiders, charges that are frankly deserved. At the same time, it has completely absolved raiders of any responsibility for their actions by eliminating any charges of hypocrisy that can be thrown back. And, it has given raiders an ideology that most of them have embraced: They like playing the "bad guy".

Utilitism on the other hand, is based on aggregate morality. This means that everyone will make good and bad actions, however, the sum total of the actions of Utilitists is better than the sum total of the actions of raiders. Utilitists do not deny that they will sometimes be the "evil" players. However, when all things are considered, they will be more good than bad.

The rejection of absolute morality is an important step towards flipping the tide in the gameplay war. Utilitists are not hypocritical when they do bad actions, because they acknowledge that this will happen. They do not pretend to be perfect. Defenders on the other hand, portray themselves as saints. This is a picture that is simply not true.

Part III - Political Ideology

Utilitists believe in limited democracy. Widespread democracy leads to an inefficient government. Democracy creates cracks in a region’s membership. Facing strong enemies, these divisions hurt a region, making it weak. Once the region is weak, its enemies can destroy it.

Utilitist government has one strong leader, the Justiar, who is advised by a cabinet of his choosing. He makes laws alongside a legislature, which is semi-elected. This allows the people some say in government, but not so much that it will disrupt unity. The judiciary is chosen by the executive as well. A utilitist government is fair, but strict. Anything short of loyalty is not tolerated.

The government represents the general will of NationStates as a whole. His rule is not for personal gain, but for the gain of all players. Officials in Utilitist governments must remember that their actions will have an affect on everyone in NationStates. They must do what is best for the game, not for themselves or their friends.

Utilitism believes in a large bureaucracy. This bureaucracy allows citizens to get involved in ways outside of the legislature. Utilitism is meritocratic: positions are given based on skill, not seniority. If a player is good, he will go far and will not be held back by supposed "superiors" who lack their energy and talent.

Utilitism also promotes a large internal security force. This force is constantly vigilant, watching for enemy agents that try to destroy the region. These dissimulators will stop at nothing to make the region burn. They must be caught before they have the chance. The necessity for security may mean that surveillance inside the region is necessary. This is okay, as long as the regional borders are protected.

Utilitism as a political ideology is strong and efficient. It does not allow petty infighting to quash the general will of the region. However, it is also not oppressive. All citizens have the opportunity to advance themselves in government through diligence and hard work. Utilitism is created to be efficacious and it succeeds in this.

Part IV - Military Ideology

As a military ideology, Utilitism is primarily rooted in defender tradition. The Utilitist army strives to protect innocent natives from being exploited by raiders. This is done through classical military missions, and the use of intelligence operations. Utilitism maintains that external intelligence operations are alright, so long as they stay in game and do not elevate to personal vendettas. Utilitists are pragmatic in defending, doing anything that they can to keep regions safe.

However, utilitists cannot be afraid to exert their control over the aggressors of the game. Utilitists can invade other regions if it is believed that the invasion will help the collective security of NationStates. Invader regions deserve to have a taste of their own medicine. They must be crushed to pave the way for a safer NationStates on the whole.

Unity is paramount of Utilitist regions, and only as a united force can utilitists demolish invaders. Utilitism advocates for the creation of UtilIntern, a super regional organization that will advocate for Utilitist interests abroad, help to create a common Utilitist culture, and coordinate military operations. All regions will have a say in the future of Utilitism and the future of the NationStates world.

Conclusion

In the coming years, the Utilitist dream will become a reality. Utilitists will reign supreme at the head of the social pyramid. Natives will be right below, as there will be no more need for defenders. And raiders, the lowliest of the low, shall be relegated to their rightful position at the bottom of the game. All of NationStates shall be free, and all regions may prosper in its glory. Defenders and raiders have had the past; now, it is our time. Utilitism is the future.

References

[1] http://z4.invisionfree.com/thepacific/index.php?s=5e225f170cc1d1edbf1e34b1caec8dd6&showtopic=2365&st=0
[2] http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iIeWJ_f8oFoJ:www.nationstates.net/region%3D10000_islands+http://www.nationstates.net/region%3D10000_islands&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari
[3] http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Oe_xsgs-Q5oJ:s4.zetaboards.com/UDL/+http://s4.zetaboards.com/UDL/index/&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari
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