The Second "Revolution"

[Zimmerwald]

What is that cologne?  It's awful.  I can smell it from here...don't get distracted...don't get distracted...don't faint because of that god-awful smell...

"I will not mince words about my plans, either in regards to foreign policy or domestic.  I not only plan on regulating business, I plan on expropriating it.  Because business and freedom are mutually exclusive, and the Democratic Socialist Party stands for freedom.

"You, sir, will not be permitted to own any business.  At least not individually.  Under my plan, you will be one of 1.2 billion owners, and you will be one of 1.2 billion who will work for that business.  International investment will be directed by the government, but you will be perfectly free to enter government and to do the same work there, should you choose."

[Feniexia]

"And you think this would be right. Interesting." Dios said calmly, emotionless.

"The government would own all business. But instead of building up great industries to make our country powerful, you will ruin the whole economy, and make sure everyone is equal poor but some of you higher-ranked party members. So, you all see, it would be better to hand over control to us. We would to control the economy too, but not so much as the socialists. We would let you capitalists in your positions. We would give the industries great governmental fundings. In reward, you would only sell your goods to the people we allow to buy them, and the people would buy some more taxes. Of course, with those tax money, we would support the industry and build up new infrastructures. We could even give some money to those people down there on the streets, so they can get a workplace soon."

[Xyrael]

"So essentially, both of you don't want me buying and selling on the DSE, you only want me buying shares you say are good. What if the Descartes Stock Exchange is more profitable? How will you prevent rampant inflation if your governments constantly spend money making sure people have jobs?" The well dressed businessman looked smug, and he continued, "I'm a firm believer in forging one's own fortune, and that anyone can pull themselves up by the bootstraps. If you take away my liberty to buy goods freely, what do I get in return?"

[Feniexia]

"No. You don´t understand. We would only keep you from selling goods to our enemies, and from selling arms to citizens. Not more. And, as we said, since every business organisation will get governmental funding, so you won´t make any losses due our trade restrictions. Plus, the amrs and heavy industries would sell much more since we would spend much money to keep our army at a high standard."

[Mercantilist States]

Amir had heard about enough of this communist talk and had to say something. He interupted his colleague, Dios.

"Sir, like you, the Liberal Party believes in the mutual gains to be had from trade for all countries involved; comparative advantage as it is called in the Western discipline of economics. We understand that it is only by opening our market and easing government restrictions on businesses and flows of capital, that our country will be able to see not only the growth, but the higher standards of living, achieved by our neighbors. A stronger economy and gross domestic product will increase government revenues that will allow us to expand our progressive policies in education and health care. This, my friends, is the best way to lift our 1.2 billion out of poverty."

[Zimmerwald]

Well, this has certainly deviated from the format we had agreed upon.  It was supposed to be questions and answers, no rebuttals...Fine, if that's how they want it.  Aram saw one of the television cameras train itself upon him, expectantly.  He looked deep into the lens before beginning, imagining how the viewers would see it; an appeal to them directly, eye contact.  That was important.  He began.

"My Liberal colleague has apparantly not been paying attention to the actual state of the world.  Our economy is, in fact, a strong one, and has gained in strength ever since we took up the standard against a government that bombed its own people.  Do you know why that is?  Let me tell you the facts.

"Disparity of wealth consistently decreases as one travels east, and median income increases.  China, the six billion people of which  have recieved the full benefit of our economic policies, is home to the most well-off members of our working class.  Why?  Because our policy allowed the Chinese workers to take over their farms and factories, and run them themselves.  Furthermore, under our government, these people, and their counterparts in Achaea and East Gallipoli, will own these enterprises collectively.  At the same time, capital has abandoned the region, proving that the middlemen who owned the factories and farms are not really necessary.

"You talk about self-interest and comparitive advantage.  I say that our workers will be more productive if they have more incentive.  And the incentive I propose is no mere wage hike.  I contend, and the figures from China back me up, that workers are most productive when they own the enterprises for which they work.

"When it comes to capital, that will become social property, once again owned by all, but administered by the State.  Come work for the State and invest by all means, but the capital with which you do so will not be yours; it will belong to all, and will work for the benefit of all.

"This is not the time for the half-measures of the Democrats, a renewal of Nationalist tyranny, nor of the 'see no evil' attitude of the Liberals.  This is a time for radical action that will bring China's economic growth and prosperity to the rest of the country.  The voters will make it the time of the Democratic Socialists, and we will make Gallipoli-China great.

"Next question, please."

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: next question please?  I'm just going to end this and post the results if this doesn't get going.

[Xyrael]

OOC: I'll ask another Q... something else I want to know

A humble old man in a rather poor looking brown jacket made of ruined leather stands by the door, watching several awkward moments pass without question. Shyly he raises his hand, not caring who answers his question first. Drawing in confidence, he calms his shaking knees and poses his question.

"Many people, like me, can barely afford their homes, and all I hear is talk of more work. I don't even have a television set to watch the news, and my car breaks down every thirty miles. My boss hasn't given me a raise in eight years and my hands have arthritis and it hurts to work at the steel plant. But I can't quit 'cause I'm too old to be employed anywhere else," he pauses, trying to think of how to word his question. "What do you politicians plan to do for me, how will you make my life easier?"

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: here is the arrangement in which they are standing.

Audience
edge of stage
Amir-Aram-Machus-Akbar

IC: The moderator flipped a few pages of the rule book.  He was sure there was something in here about questions for multiple candidates...  He had been issued the regulations only two days before the debate, and hadn't had time to fully familiarize himself with the material.  Why did Yin have to fall ill now...  He found the page, squinted at the small print, and addressed the candidates.

"You shall each answer in turn, beginning from the right and ending on the left."  He clarified "that means you answer first, Amir."  He shouldn't have said that last bit; he saw Amir scowl at him.  But it couldn't be helped.

[Mercantilist States]

"What was your name, sir?" Amir posed to the man as he gathered his thoughts.

"Li," the man responded.

"Thank you, Li, for the question. I am from a small town on the islands which, like many towns across our great nation, is struggling with absolute poverty. I may be wearing a nice suit and standing on this stage giving the appearance of a politician, but I am not a rich man. What I am is a believer. That is, in the power of our people and the power of democracy; the power of market and the power of trade. We can end poverty, and we can do it in a decade.

"To begin, we must allow for personal ownership of property (OOC: if this already exists as I describe it, forgive me and just ignore this part). Land that many of you have invested your hearts and souls into should be yours. You should be allowed to improve it without fear of it being taken by the government, protect it with your life, and be allowed to capture the gains made from it. This is the most basic of incentives; and there is no greater motivator than incentive. As my colleague said earlier, our workers will be more productive if they have incentive.

"Second, we must open our markets to international trade. The ability of our farmers is our greatest national resource. Our fertile lands, our greatest gift. We must move from subsistence farming and fishing to commercial export. Just imagine exporting pounds of grains and importing auto-parts for our automobile manufacturing sector. Imagine trading fish for television sets. With trade, that television set and new car you want will be cheaper. In short, free trade lowers prices.

"Additionally, this will allow for an influx of new foreign monies into our economy and allow local economies to experience growth. With larger local economies, local governments will have a larger tax base and thus have more funds available to improve infrastructure, build schools and hospitals, and expand health care and housing programs.

"Next, we must increase the purchasing power of our currency. If the yuan appreciates against the NS$, it means that the money you have in your pocket right now will be worth more. You will be able to purchase more goods. This begins by attracting foreign investment and, again, bringing more money into our economy. And like with trade, a stronger yuan will allow that television set and new car---"

Amir was interupted by the moderator.

"Sir, your time has expired."

"Thank you Li."

[Zimmerwald]

"My colleague acknowledged that I made a good point.  I will now return the favor.  He said that you should own the land you put your effort into.  I would extend it to all property, and to the country as a whole.  If you work on the land, you should own that land.  If you work in a factory, you should own that factory, as part of a cooperative with your fellow workers.  If you are a citizen of Gallipoli-China, you should have your stake in the ownership of Gallipoli-China.

"I don't know where this misconception comes from, but I must stress that Gallipoli-China as a nation is not poor.  My colleague seems to be operating on that misconception.  It is false.  The GDP per capita is about 6,500,000,000,000 yuans.  However, by and large, the people of Gallipoli-China are poor.  I am sorry to say that your story, Li, is common.  I know poverty; I had to hide in the hills from the Nationalist government.  Under my plan, that wealth would cease to be concentrated in the hands of a few, and would be distributed according to the amount one actually produces.  With reasonable allowances for old age, disability, and other extenuating circumstances.  This distribution is the only thing that will get you the new car, the new television set, the new computer, all the commodities you need. 

"Furthermore, free trade will not help our economy.  Free trade, and the free market itself, favors the exploiter, and I will never allow Gallipoli-China to be an exploiter.  Free trade gives a nation two options: dominate others, or be dominated.  Look at Islas Filipinas.  Their trade was free, and they ended up dominated by their largest trading partner.  That trading partner illegally and immorally stole a portion of their territory.  That is not what I want to see happen in Gallipoli-China.  We must instead cultivate strong trade relationships with a few trustworthy nations, with which we may deal on a plane of equality.  Foregin investment equals foreign domination.

"Again, it comes back to ownership.  My plan of economic protection, of trade with trusted nations, is designed to keep Gallipoli-China the property of its citizens, not the property of some foreign investors, who would only see you, Li, as an object to be exploited."

[Mercantilist States]

OOC: To note, I actually never used the word poor. I was actually just using the assumption that there are undeveloped areas of your country which still have absolute poverty (a $10k GDP per capita would indicate that); if that's not true then forgive me and just ignore those parts or read "absolute poverty" as "poverty". A lot of it is political rhetoric anyway. If that's what you're doing too, then nevermind.

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: my character's trying to make your character sound out of touch, someone the voters won't want to elect.  You're absolutely right, there is much poverty in G-C at this time, but my character's trying to twist your words.  He wants voters to think that you're saying the nation is poor, because then he can claim that your character thinks about things, not people.

But let's let Talmann answer now.

[CAP]

OOC: I'd like to ask a question, but should I wait for the others to respond?

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: yes, please wait until the other two have answered.  Now, please answer so CAP can ask his question.