Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 1, Thursday, 1-6

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Welcome to class," she said, flipping her files shut and glancing around the room. "My name is Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot. You can call me Alex, or if you'd rather, Miss Cabot is fine. This class is called Nation Building and the Origin of Government."

"I had a whole detailed explanation for what I'd like to do with this class, what the topic means to me, and how we should think about government. I was going to start today by reading that off to all of you, but I've just changed my mind." She straightened up, walking briskly over to the chalkboard and drawing a squarish shape on it. "Instead, today we're going to dive in with a thought experiment. We'll deal with technicalities later on."

She turned around and tapped her knuckles on the board, in the center of the shape. "Congratulations," she said. "This is a country, and it has just been entrusted -- in its entirety -- to you. It's a decent size, and it even comes with its own population. However, there is absolutely no civic infrastructure. There are businesses, but all of those are privately run. What I'm trying to say is that there is no government whatsoever. No publicly funded services, no mayors or governors, and no organization. Except, of course, for you.

"In other words, you're running the show. You can declare yourself Grand High Emperor for Life, or El Jefe, or whatever strikes your fancy. You can rename the capital city after yourself. You can blow the whole of the country's limited funds on hiring harem girls or cabana boys to dance for you. You can even paint yourself naked and run down the street.

"Before you get carried away, I'd like to point out that doing the above won't leave you much time until someone more sensible assassinates you and does all of the things you were supposed to be doing. So let's take it as a given that you decide to be a responsible leader who gives a damn about your constituents. Which is good, because they're going to need a lot from you." She dusted her hands off. "So. What's first? I'd like you to tell me what your number one priority is, and why."

Comments

Sign In - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

With your name, and if you'd like, you can name your new country, too.

(Alex isn't going to ask, IC, but what fun is that?)

Re: Sign In - NAT01

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

[As-Yet-Unnamed Country, as wolves are not known for their creative ability]

During the Lecture - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

Take notes, or pass them, but please be discreet. Extended conversations might get you detention.

Re: During the Lecture - NAT01

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

Firekeeper was neither taking nor passing notes, since she lacked the ability to do so. She and Blind Seer were, however, paying rapt attention to the lecture.

Re: During the Lecture - NAT01

[glacial_queen]

Karla had been looking forward to this class since she'd first signed up. Glee, glee, glee, glee, glee.

It was all she could do not to wave surreptitiously at Alex and bounce in her chair.

Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

You're in charge of this brand-new country. There is a great deal which needs to be done. What's your first action as its new ruler? What would you like to build, create, or investigate? What area do you feel is the most urgent? And what steps will you take to remedy the oversight?

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

If there was one thing Firekeeper had learned about human societies since she'd come to associate with them, it was that war was almost inevitable.

"Gather a force of fighters," she decided. "I do not need to conquer other lands, but humans is greedy. They always want more. So I make sure to protect my territory."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[wrongkindofsith]

"If the land has no infrastructure, then it's probably in chaos," Cara said. "Therefore my first priority would be bringing order, then keeping it once established."

Not that things had worked out so well the first time she'd had plans along those lines, but she was much less likely to get stabbed in the back this time.

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[notlikejack.livejournal.com]

Okay, this was going to be such a cool class. Bobby hadn't seen it on his schedule at first, but he was totally excited about being able to take it.

"I think I would probably try to make sure everyone has enough food and shelter from the weather first," Bobby said thoughtfully. "And I think there should be a group of advisers set up - I mean, there's got to be representative government, right? There's probably not a system for elections yet, but maybe some of the businessmen and church leaders and people like that could be appointed?"

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[nohaircutsplz]

"What, it's just--full of random people?" Medusalith asked, sounding astonished. "But they could be anything!"

She came from a special place.

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[likes_scoundrels]

"Whatever I do, I can't do it alone," Leia said. "I'd pick people I trust to help me, and I'd ask the people to send me representatives so I can be aware of their needs."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

Squall considered for a while before answering.

"I need information -- on the people, their customs, and their current way of life. I also need to establish order and the rule of law. For both of those, I'll need a group of guards. So, that's where I'll start -- gather and provide minimal training to a group of fighters I can trust."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[daventryprince.livejournal.com]

"I believe," Alexander said, after a moment, "my first priority would be to have a look at how the country is currently going. Does it work under its current structure? If it does, there is little reason for me to do much to change it. If it does not, though, then I should like to access what those problems are and ask how can we fix those problems. And then go about to the best of my ability to fix them..."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"I would gather counsellors, people who hold a position in this country to advise me and give me insight in its current situation," Faramir said. "I would assume that I am a stranger among these people, so it would be best to have someone by my side who they do trust. According to what they can tell me, I would concentrate on building up a force to defend the people. Admittedly, my own experience is colouring my decision as it would be most needed in my own world."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Leda rather thought that the fact that there was no government was a good thing. But she thought that might be beside the the point of the exercise.

"I think my first order of business would be making sure I know exactly how things are running. Are the businesses exploiting people? Are resources getting to those who need them? It'd be foolish to make too many decisions without the right information."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[glacial_queen]

It seemed to be a popular answer, but it would be Karla's first step nonetheless. "I'd have to set up at least the First Circle of my Court," she said. "I can't be everywhere at once, so being able to delegate responsibilities to trusted people will make ruling that much easier and more efficient. If there's a kind of chaos everywhere, I need to be able to send my people to the four corners of the country and get reports of what's needed throughout my Territory."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[thegirl-onfire.livejournal.com]

"I'd need advisers, sure," Katniss said, because it really was the most logical thing to say. And honestly, if she ever had to really lead, the first thing she'd do would be to find people who knew what to do, and ask their advice. It was already what she did in interviews, with Peeta -- he was a better speaker, so she delegated their words to him.

"But more importantly, once those people are in place, I'd need to create a power structure. I can't hold it all. It would corrupt me. Power needs to be distributed evenly, so one person, or group, can't subdue everyone through sheer force."

Since that was how she was here, after all.

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[wwiii]

Warren bit his lip, considering the topic with the limited understanding he had on the way politics outside of his father's business worked. And then, failing that, he simply shrugged.

"I'd say the first thing to do would be to make certain that the country is capable of supporting itself. Private business can only do so much, and the stability of a nation is pretty drastically affected by the resources that are immediately available to it."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[child-of-rer.livejournal.com]

It was a question which Sov hadn't considered before, but which they felt they should have. What was the most important thing? Karhide's rulers had as a rule been rather eccentric, but king Argaven had made sure the country prospered.

"I'd make sure the resources available were spent in a good manner."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[littlelionlad.livejournal.com]

"I think my first act would be to set up a council of advisers," Anduin said. "Not just from noblemen, but from every class, so I can be aware of everyone's needs, and not just the needs of the rich and supposedly important."

Re: Discussion: Your First Priority - NAT01

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

"Ascertain what human resources are available," she said quietly. "And then, in equal parts form the militia, investigate the surrounding area--you must know the area better than anyone if you wish to live there, and create and fortify a settlement, however rough it may start as."

Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Alex said. "And now, I'd like some idea of your background with government. Both what kind of environment you left, in coming to Fandom, as well as your own personal role in it, if any. If you were part of a ruling council, if you led some kind of rebellion against the dominant structure, or if you had no involvement whatsoever. You can introduce yourself while you're at it, if you'd like, and if you have ideas on specific things you'd like for this class to cover, now would be a good time to mention those."

Re: Discussion: Intros, Background, Suggestions - NAT01

[kestrelswolf.livejournal.com]

"I am Blysse Norwood, and he is Blind Seer," she spoke for both herself and the large wolf accompanying her. "Before we comed to Fandom, we see many different government. We grow up in a pack, with wolves, which have a One Male and One Female, and others who follow without question. Then, we comed to Hawk Haven because the King needed an heir, and some thinked perhaps I were princess. This was how we first learn of human ways, and of war, since it is not a thing the Royal Beasts have much use for," frowning slightly, she skipped over several books some details since extensive speeches were not really her style, and went right for the reason she was taking this class: "The summer before last, we was part of a force that take control of a small group of islands. Most was happy to have us there, but some did resist. And there is always threat of attack from outside. I think- and Blind Seer agree- it would be most useful to know about how to make so people from different groups can live together in a small area without fighting so much."

Talk to Alex - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

She'll be here after class, if you have any questions, concerns, or other matters. She's also looking for two TAs.

(One TAship has been spoken for, OOC, and the other hasn't. If there's a lot of interest, I might RNG spot #2. If no one else volunteers, she'll stick with one.)

Re: Talk to Alex - NAT01

[glacial_queen]

Karla stayed until after the rest of the class filed out. "Professor Cabot?" she said. "Do you have a minute or so? I wanted to tell you how much I'm excited about this class. I think it might be the most useful class I might take here at Fandom."

So, yeah, Alex. No pressure.

OOC - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

I really hope this makes sense? Most weeks won't be this free-form, but it seemed like a fun way to start things off. Starting next week we'll have actual topics and normal things like that.

This class will probably be discussion heavy, so I'd like to encourage everyone to ping off one another and make the threads as messy as you'd like.

If you have any questions for me, they go here.

Re: OOC - NAT01

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

And this is where I crash out for some much-needed sleep. Pings will be answered when I return!