[OOC] Precipice of War - The Big Leagues of NRP (Only generous tippers need apply)

[PringleDingle]

Hey! I just finished my NS. Should I post it in here first for approval or do I just put it in the character section?

[Vilageidiotx]

Hey! I just finished my NS. Should I post it in here first for approval or do I just put it in the character section?

@PringleDingle

OOC first. We'll keep the Character section for accepted stuff

[PringleDingle]

Kingdom of Italy

Head of State:

Gavino Nisi

Location (on map):

History

Just before the outbreak of the Great War, Italy joined the Central Powers. This alliance allowed Italy to pursue their expansionist aspirations in the Balkans and Africa during the war, however these dreams would remain just that, dreams as the war would eventually result in little change for anyone, especially Italy. Change in the case of Italy's African colonies were less than beneficial for Italy as a failed attempt to colonize Ethiopia further, resulted in the country's armies fleeing back to Eritrea with their tails tucked between their legs. This was just one example of Italy's hard fought battles during the war in which many Italian men and boys lost their lives to sate their leader's quest for glory and power. The countless bodies that returned from these battlefields were the driving force of anti-war and anti-monarchist propaganda that was spread throughout the nation by the rising radical political party, Partito Communista Italiano (Italian Communist Party). The PCI would become a very big problem for the Italian government in the later stages of the war, eventually forcing the Italian government to peace out of the war early (15th of January 1920), just as Russia had, though with less dire consequences.
The party's revolutionary fervor eventually came to a head in the Revoluzione di dicembre (31st of December, 1921), in which communist revolutionaries revolted against the Italian government, led by Vito Verona, the head of the PCI. The revolution lasted nearly two years, it's killing blow coming in the form of the death of Verona who was killed during a confrontation between PCI forces and the bulk of the Italian Home Army resulting in a crushing victory for the Italian government and the end of the December Revolution.
After the war, and after crushing the short lived December Revolution, the Italian government focused their efforts on putting down any nationalist sentiments that might arise in Libya, their only remaining colony. These efforts would turn out to be for naught, however as in 1933 a large force of Nationalist rebels rose up in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. These rebels would successfully force what little Italian troops remained in the colony to the coast, forcing them, just as their compatriots had in Ethiopia, to flee back to Italy, defeated and demoralized. This loss solidified the end of Italian colonial ambitions in Africa as Italy agreed to cede the territory to the newly formed Libyan government.
This constant stream of defeats would stick with Italy, resulting in many Italians feeling as though the monarchy was weak and unable to keep Italy strong. This feeling has persisted long after the end of the war and the losses of Italy's colonies, resulting in Nationalist sentiment being widespread throughout the nation. This growing nationalist threat, as the government refers to it as, would continue to grow in strength, eventually culminating in the assassination of King Nicola III (November 16th 1936). With his father's death, the newly crowned King Nicola IV, only nineteen when he took the throne, would make it his goal to see that these anti-monarchist and nationalists would pay for their treason. The perpetrators of the assassination, Gioachino Cuoco and Narciso Albini, would be put to death by hanging. Soon after their deaths Nicola IV would write into law that anyone associated with the rising nationalist movement, the Black Hand, would be arrested, put on trial and subsequently sentenced to hanging.
These threats did nothing to deter the members of the Black Hand, however soon after his declaration, an attempt on the King's life would be made. On the December 1st, 1936, King Nicola was in the city of Ancona, christening the newest capital ship in the Italian Navy, the Ancona. Before this the king's advisers had warned him to take the utmost precaution during the event, as Ancona had been a hotbed for nationalist sentiment, nearly as much as Rome had been. Nicola, however, foolishly dismissed this advice, keeping his security for the event low as he believed that not doing so would be an act of cowardice. That afternoon, just as the Ancona would begin sailing away to patrol the Mediterranean, two shots would ring out. Within the crowd of people that gathered to watch the ceremony stood Lorenzo Tripani, an avid member of the Black Hand and a radical nationalist. The two shots he was able to fire before being tackled by a a member of the King's security force, would slam into Nicola's torso, one of them striking his shoulder and the other burying itself in his stomach. The young king would be rushed to the nearest hospital where doctors would begin working on saving the King's life, however they would be unsuccessful in their endeavor as eight hours after the shooing King Nicola Bencivenni IV would perish, leaving no heir and no direct claimant to the throne.
Word would spread of the king's death and soon after the Black Hand would claim responsibility. With the death of the King, the leader of the Black Hand, Gavino Nisi, took this as an opportunity to stage a fullscale rebellion that he and his nationalist companions had been planing for years. The Black Hand took to the streets, claiming that the death of King Nicola marked the death of the monarchy and that if Italy was to be strong in the coming years they would need to focus on Italy, not the monarchs that ruled her.
Unlike the December Revolution, this one was not short lived. The Black Hand's forces march on Rome, burning parliment and the king's palace to the ground and slaughtering anyone with close ties to the late king. When the day was done Rome was in shambles and Italy was left traumitized.
On the 3rd of December 1936, two days after the day that would become known as Gloria al giorno d'Italia (Glory to Italy day), Gavino Nisi was named the head of the new Italian government. He took full command of the nation and immediately began to work to achieve his dream of a Glorious Italy. He began work programs that severely cut unemployment, created new trade with other European nations and began to mend the bonds between Italy and her European neighbors.
Nisi has maintained his control over Italy to the present day, keeping a firm but fair hold over the country. Since taking power, Nisi has helped Italy flourish, it's economy is booming and it's people are happy. However recently worries have begun to grow about Nisi's health and what would happen if he were to die. The country has depended on Nisi for nearly three decades and the thought of losing him, to many Italians, means losing Italy.

Other:

Nothing at this time.

[Dinh AaronMk]

@The Spectre

Bananas are accepted.

@PringleDingle

Pasta is accepted.

Now to edit the map.

[Dinh AaronMk]

[Dinh AaronMk]

>Sees master Googer viewing thread

OwO

[Wilted Rose]

Romania could have a cool storyarch dealing with the territory they lost to the Austrians. Lot of nationalist stuff could brew up down there. And although a bit strange, they could even lead the Balkan resistance to Austrian occupation. Take advantage of the fact that many of the minorities in the empire are probably longing for independence and reunification.

@Pepperm1nts

Thats currently happening for Romania since they took Transylvania back during the Civil War. Ethnic Romanians still outside are pushing for full reunification and withdrawl from the Federation, which they see as Austrian-dominated still

[Dinh AaronMk]

And so we don't suffer the inevitable OOC chat death, I have initiated IC posting.

[Meiyuuhi]

<Snipped quote by Pepperm1nts>

Thats currently happening for Romania since they took Transylvania back during the Civil War. Ethnic Romanians still outside are pushing for full reunification and withdrawl from the Federation, which they see as Austrian-dominated still

@Wilted Rose

Romania sounds like friend material.

And so we don't suffer the inevitable OOC chat death, I have initiated IC posting.

@Dinh AaronMk

You were the one who told us not to post until you gave the go-ahead.

[Pepperm1nts]

Use stripes for unincorporated puppet states goddamn it

Germany looks hideous

[Shyri]

Use stripes for unincorporated puppet states goddamn it

Germany looks hideous

@Pepperm1nts

There's a reason I didn't fully integrate them! lol

[Pepperm1nts]

Germany looks like it blew its brains out

Aaron please

[Dinh AaronMk]

Germany looks like it blew its brains out

Aaron please

@Pepperm1nts

>Implying that's unusual

:^))))

[Quetzalcoatl]

@Dinh AaronMk

Note: Some sections edited.

As you're the great communist pubah in these parts...

I'm thinking of having the Netherlands adopt a social-ish economy after a popular revolution.

My idea is that corporations are retained but the ownership and management of said corporations is entrusted to employees. This way an existing company would still operate for profit, but would equally distribute that profit among its employees. Ceos and executives would be elected from the workers by the workers to manage these companies. These elected leaders would permit centralized operation of the company and would appoint lower level managers whose terms would be equal to the leader who appointed them. State regulation would ensure equal distribution of profit. Small businesses would be managed the same way, but on a smaller scale.

Investment in enterprise would be permitted on a personal basis, usually through the formation of investment blocs that would pool individual capital. Investors in a company would be honorary employees of that company and thus would be entitled to its shared profits alongside their own companies.

Financial and strategic institutions would be nationalized and managed by a central bureaucracy composed of party leaders. Workers in these industries would be fairly compensated for their labour as deemed appropriate by party officials.

Taxes, tariffs, and the like would be managed by the party bureaucracy. Companies would be free to conduct business and trade abroad through an intermediary party trade commission. This intermediary would be responsible for the negotiation of fair deals with foreign organizations and states.

Politically this new quasi socialist state would believe in revolution and equality, but would retain the colonies while acting to develop them and instill a sense of shared nationality.

Obviously there would be some limited inequality as successful investors would receive double or more income in shared profits, but this would be considered a fair reward for prudent decision making. The more successful Dutch industries the better!

The real corruption would be in state owned enterprise, as compensation would be set by the state. Most members of the party would employed by its enterprise.

Thoughts? It's just a rough idea at the moment so feel free to offer suggestions and ooc/ic insights regarding the rp.

[Letter Bee]

@Dinh AaronMk

As you're the great communist pubah in these parts...

I'm thinking of having the Netherlands adopt a social-ish economy after a popular revolution.

My idea is that corporations are retained but the ownership and management of said corporations is entrusted to employees. This way an existing company would still operate for profit, but would equally distribute that profit among its employees. Ceos and executives would be elected from the workers by the workers to manage these companies. State regulation would ensure this equal distribution of profit. Small businesses would be managed the same way, but on a smaller scale.

Investment in enterprise would be permitted on a personal basis, usually through the formation of investment blocs that would pool individual capital. Investors in a company would be honorary employees of that company and thus would be entitled to its shared profits alongside their own companies.

Financial and strategic institutions would be nationalized and managed by a central bureaucracy composed of party leaders. Workers in these industries would be fairly compensated for their labour as deemed appropriate by party officials.

Politically this new quasi socialist state would believe in revolution and equality, but would retain the colonies while acting to develop them and instill a sense of shared nationality.

Obviously there would be some limited inequality as successful investors would receive double or more income in shared profits, but this would be considered a fair reward for prudent decision making. The more successful Dutch industries the better!

The real corruption would be in state owned enterprise, as compensation would be set by the state. Most members of the party would employed by its enterprise.

Thoughts? It's just a rough idea at the moment so feel free to offer suggestions and ooc/ic insights regarding the rp.

@Quetzalcoatl

I actually have a similar system, but in my case, it's that most economic activity is conducted by small worker-owned businesses and prosperous small farmers, who also form networks. Originally, my entire economy was going to be based on said networks, which include factories and miners, but I was told this would not be viable for defending and spreading the revolution. So I instead had a small core of state-owned enterprises keep anything that requires economies of scale, such as heavy industry.

The investors thing is radically good, though. Mind if I adopt it?

[Dinh AaronMk]

@Dinh AaronMk

As you're the great communist pubah in these parts...

I'm thinking of having the Netherlands adopt a social-ish economy after a popular revolution.

My idea is that corporations are retained but the ownership and management of said corporations is entrusted to employees. This way an existing company would still operate for profit, but would equally distribute that profit among its employees. Ceos and executives would be elected from the workers by the workers to manage these companies. State regulation would ensure this equal distribution of profit. Small businesses would be managed the same way, but on a smaller scale.

Investment in enterprise would be permitted on a personal basis, usually through the formation of investment blocs that would pool individual capital. Investors in a company would be honorary employees of that company and thus would be entitled to its shared profits alongside their own companies.

Financial and strategic institutions would be nationalized and managed by a central bureaucracy composed of party leaders. Workers in these industries would be fairly compensated for their labour as deemed appropriate by party officials.

Politically this new quasi socialist state would believe in revolution and equality, but would retain the colonies while acting to develop them and instill a sense of shared nationality.

Obviously there would be some limited inequality as successful investors would receive double or more income in shared profits, but this would be considered a fair reward for prudent decision making. The more successful Dutch industries the better!

The real corruption would be in state owned enterprise, as compensation would be set by the state. Most members of the party would employed by its enterprise.

Thoughts? It's just a rough idea at the moment so feel free to offer suggestions and ooc/ic insights regarding the rp.

@Quetzalcoatl

Sounds like Proudhon, fam



Except for maybe the retention of the CEO/board of directors. In all likelihood if it were to go that far things might as well be smashed down to the level of the cooperative or close enough. Under this, workers would still get the benefit of the full value of their labor (after depositing some of it to the maintenance of the firm) without giving any more of it to a corporate head. Accounting too for the likelihood not all companies would end up organized along the same lines some might choose to elect an executive board of managers to oversee the company or a chief executive officer as you're suggesting.

It wouldn't be full blown Anarcho-Mutualism then as Proudhon, but it would at least be something akin to Market Socialism.

The next step then probably being banking reforms if you want to even go that far, or if the banks would end up being the last bastion of the bourgeoisie.

[Quetzalcoatl]

@Dinh AaronMk

Sweet, I'll fiddle with things a bit given the suggestions.

As for banks, I honestly don't know enough about them and their operation to reorganize them. I imagine they'd be nationalized and subjected to regulation, but would otherwise operate much as they would in a normal market. While personal investment coops would be powerful enough to promote new business, I doubt they could finance large business endeavors. Banks holding accounts, charging interest, and offering loans seems necessary. The government would be the primary profiteer from interest on loans.

That said, the debt of a company or coop would be the responsibility of its workers in such a system. Perhaps if a debt is untenable interest could be set to zero?

Banks are the hard part. I'll probably think on it a bit more and work on the sheet. In any case there's going to be a staunchly market socialist Netherlands out and about.

[Letter Bee]

@Quetzalcoatl, So, can I adopt your system?

[BingTheWing]

@Quetzalcoatl After its war of independence in 1926, Australia expanded northward into the Pacific. Can we have a War of the East Indies?

[Dinh AaronMk]

@Dinh AaronMk

Sweet, I'll fiddle with things a bit given the suggestions.

As for banks, I honestly don't know enough about them and their operation to reorganize them. I imagine they'd be nationalized and subjected to regulation, but would otherwise operate much as they would in a normal market. While personal investment coops would be powerful enough to promote new business, I doubt they could finance large business endeavors. Banks holding accounts, charging interest, and offering loans seems necessary. The government would be the primary profiteer from interest on loans.

That said, the debt of a company or coop would be the responsibility of its workers in such a system. Perhaps if a debt is untenable interest could be set to zero?

Banks are the hard part. I'll probably think on it a bit more and work on the sheet. In any case there's going to be a staunchly market socialist Netherlands out and about.

@Quetzalcoatl

The basic notion behind banks as far as Proudhon is concerned, or as much as I know about what he suggested per them are pretty much today's credit unions: member owned and operated financial institutions holding the money of those depositing into it and offering savings interests based on loans, like normal banks. Except the credit union is restricted from operating in the stocks and bonds market. They do offer loan programs at generally low interest rates. They're not supposed to act as aggressive as normal banks because credit unions aren't supposed to go about the work of gambling with their members' money, or their member-owners don't tend to want them to.

In a capitalist setting this is limiting because you may not be able to get the large loans needed to open new plants and what not; though Proudhon has the whole notion of ownership of use I guess to offset that; you don't own it if you're not using it. But I doubt the state would want to go that anarchist.

The alternative is a state-held bank everyone pays into as a portion of their taxes and from whence the state could operate more traditional banking roles, allowing them to dish out larger loans to finance grandiose projects to the "private" sector (in quotes, because I don't even know what a private sector in this case would look like under such a revolution). But in the long term it may again endanger the entire country to the dangers of economic collapse if the central bank fucks up and all of a sudden looses all its money and can't issue loans, effectively freezing the economy if not killing it. But it could be said in politics most people don't have that much foresight, so it could be implemented originally as a temporary fix but over time became more and more permanent as each successive generation of politicians since the revolution grew comfortable with its existence.

I also want to add as a bit of an aside since I'm in the same track of thinking: cooperatives like this as far as I've read and gathered actually work pretty well, on par in some ways to the traditional top-down model. The only thing running against them comes down to loans and financing options where it's legally harder to get the financing and business loans from banks so when they're tried they end up very small. But then when they do they tend to get pretty good.