Cibola: A New Approach
Moderator: Staff
Cibola: A New Approach
I would like to apologise to the MCS staff for cluttering your forum, but given that what I'm about to say concerns recent claims, I felt it was logical to post here; please feel free to move this thread to a more appropriate location as you see fit. I would also like to make it clear that I am no way trying to hijack, circumvent or otherwise interfere with the work of the MCS- I would hope you know me well enough to realise that this is not my intention.
Having clarified that, I come to the point: I propose that a conference of Cibolan states be convened to settle, once and for all, the conflicting territorial claims being thrown at the MCS.
Why do I think this is necessary, or even a good idea? At the last count, no fewer than five states have made or have plans to make further territorial claims upon Cibola's dwindling stock of unclaimed land- and those are just the ones of which I am aware. As matters stand, I would not be surprised if the MCS rejects the majority of these claims, but history teaches us that unsuccessful territorial ambitions rarely lie quietly...a situation only compounded by the implications of MCS policy. Quite rightly, the MCS does not allow states to "reserve" land for future expansion, regardless of the historical or geostrategic arguments favouring a nation's claim to it. Unfortunately, this has the side effect of encouraging overclaiming, prompted in no small measure by the understandable concern that a rival nation might submit a successful claim first.
I believe that is what we are seeing now: desperate to avoid being pre-empted by their neighbours, Cibolan states have lodged a flurry of conflicting claims. I also believe that many of the disputes we are seeing as a result (which have the potential to destabilise the sector, let alone the continent) can be mitigated or even avoided through compromise.
That is why I feel that the time has come to step back from the starting line of this unproductive and undignified "first come, first served" race- a race which can only end by polarising the participants into winners and losers- in favour of a new approach: co-operation. Let the states of Cibola sit down and find a way to reconcile our conflicting ambitions; perhaps, just perhaps, the MCS would look more favourably upon a joint claim that has the backing of most, if not all, interested parties.
I have no illusions that it will be easy and few if any states will obtain everything they want. But I remain convinced that it is a better alternative than the useless bickering I see in evidence here- bickering that threatens to leave the MCS staff ill-disposed to anyone who even mentions the name Cibola, let alone seeks to claim land there!
Having clarified that, I come to the point: I propose that a conference of Cibolan states be convened to settle, once and for all, the conflicting territorial claims being thrown at the MCS.
Why do I think this is necessary, or even a good idea? At the last count, no fewer than five states have made or have plans to make further territorial claims upon Cibola's dwindling stock of unclaimed land- and those are just the ones of which I am aware. As matters stand, I would not be surprised if the MCS rejects the majority of these claims, but history teaches us that unsuccessful territorial ambitions rarely lie quietly...a situation only compounded by the implications of MCS policy. Quite rightly, the MCS does not allow states to "reserve" land for future expansion, regardless of the historical or geostrategic arguments favouring a nation's claim to it. Unfortunately, this has the side effect of encouraging overclaiming, prompted in no small measure by the understandable concern that a rival nation might submit a successful claim first.
I believe that is what we are seeing now: desperate to avoid being pre-empted by their neighbours, Cibolan states have lodged a flurry of conflicting claims. I also believe that many of the disputes we are seeing as a result (which have the potential to destabilise the sector, let alone the continent) can be mitigated or even avoided through compromise.
That is why I feel that the time has come to step back from the starting line of this unproductive and undignified "first come, first served" race- a race which can only end by polarising the participants into winners and losers- in favour of a new approach: co-operation. Let the states of Cibola sit down and find a way to reconcile our conflicting ambitions; perhaps, just perhaps, the MCS would look more favourably upon a joint claim that has the backing of most, if not all, interested parties.
I have no illusions that it will be easy and few if any states will obtain everything they want. But I remain convinced that it is a better alternative than the useless bickering I see in evidence here- bickering that threatens to leave the MCS staff ill-disposed to anyone who even mentions the name Cibola, let alone seeks to claim land there!
Rossheim, who acts as various members of the eponymous family including but not limited to:
*The Lichqueens Mira Raynora Major, Mira Raynora Minor and Lyssansa of Lichbrook
*The Kings Max I of Leichenberg and Max II of Steeria
*The King Sadamara Aptrgangr of Riskai and the Idunn Isles
*The Lichqueens Mira Raynora Major, Mira Raynora Minor and Lyssansa of Lichbrook
*The Kings Max I of Leichenberg and Max II of Steeria
*The King Sadamara Aptrgangr of Riskai and the Idunn Isles
Re: Cibola: A New Approach
If you want to try and make a Cibola UN, go do it. I'm not sure why you need the MCS involved. Like the (almost immediately) inert Keltian Union organizations like the one you're proposing spring up all the time. Work your magic from the ground up.
Getting the MCS involved does two things: 1. forces the MCS to judge claims on Cibola on a different set of criteria than the rest of the map and 2. stifles political simulation.
1. The MCS council judges claims based on activity and viability. When a claim is contested we don't pick the winners and losers, we wait until they sort that out. By taking an active role in deciding who gets where beyond approving claims based on our general criteria we're challenging activity where we reward it everywhere else.
2. Arms races, political deals, hedging against enemy powers - all of that is stuff that real governments do. I for one find it exhillirating seeing simulation so genuine.
Getting the MCS involved does two things: 1. forces the MCS to judge claims on Cibola on a different set of criteria than the rest of the map and 2. stifles political simulation.
1. The MCS council judges claims based on activity and viability. When a claim is contested we don't pick the winners and losers, we wait until they sort that out. By taking an active role in deciding who gets where beyond approving claims based on our general criteria we're challenging activity where we reward it everywhere else.
2. Arms races, political deals, hedging against enemy powers - all of that is stuff that real governments do. I for one find it exhillirating seeing simulation so genuine.
His Incomparable Highness,
His Matchless Grace,
His Majestic Honor,
His Eminent Splendor,
His Chivalrous Eminence,
The Rook
Lord Protector of Uantir
His Matchless Grace,
His Majestic Honor,
His Eminent Splendor,
His Chivalrous Eminence,
The Rook
Lord Protector of Uantir
Re: Cibola: A New Approach
I wasn't trying to get the MCS involved; quite the contrary. I'm saying that instead of bickering uselessly here, the nations of Cibola need to get together to resolve their disputes- territorial or otherwise- through compromise.
Exactly...and that is why it is even more important to work things out. Because if we don't, then the impasse will continue and everyone will lose.King Ailin of Uantir wrote:1. The MCS council judges claims based on activity and viability. When a claim is contested we don't pick the winners and losers, we wait until they sort that out. By taking an active role in deciding who gets where beyond approving claims based on our general criteria we're challenging activity where we reward it everywhere else.
As do I. I'm just trying to adopt the role of mediator...not always with a great deal of success!King Ailin of Uantir wrote:2. Arms races, political deals, hedging against enemy powers - all of that is stuff that real governments do. I for one find it exhillirating seeing simulation so genuine.
Rossheim, who acts as various members of the eponymous family including but not limited to:
*The Lichqueens Mira Raynora Major, Mira Raynora Minor and Lyssansa of Lichbrook
*The Kings Max I of Leichenberg and Max II of Steeria
*The King Sadamara Aptrgangr of Riskai and the Idunn Isles
*The Lichqueens Mira Raynora Major, Mira Raynora Minor and Lyssansa of Lichbrook
*The Kings Max I of Leichenberg and Max II of Steeria
*The King Sadamara Aptrgangr of Riskai and the Idunn Isles
Re: Cibola: A New Approach
Oh! I assumed that since it was here with the claims, it was an appeal to the council. In that case, have at it!Sadamara wrote:I wasn't trying to get the MCS involved; quite the contrary. I'm saying that instead of bickering uselessly here, the nations of Cibola need to get together to resolve their disputes- territorial or otherwise- through compromise.
His Incomparable Highness,
His Matchless Grace,
His Majestic Honor,
His Eminent Splendor,
His Chivalrous Eminence,
The Rook
Lord Protector of Uantir
His Matchless Grace,
His Majestic Honor,
His Eminent Splendor,
His Chivalrous Eminence,
The Rook
Lord Protector of Uantir
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Re: Cibola: A New Approach
As things seem to have calmed, and that this was never really a claim, I've moved this to Discussion