Radical (?) Idea

I'm not sure if someone's proposed this before, but...

I think we should merge the MoAE and MoCE positions. There's not much practical difference between the two -- the MoAE is responsible for OOC stuff, but a combined position (I'll call it Minister of Culture) could do the OOC stuff in addition with keeping the history of TNP alive and well. We need to face the reality that the MoCE and sometimes the MoAE really don't have anything to do. This is even attested to by the half-joking sentiment that these jobs don't really mean anything. Having two of them is just another layer of bureaucracy. When jobs don't mean much, then you tend not to get voters wanting to do that job.

Rhetorically, there's even less difference between a Minister of Arts and Entertainment and one of Culture (doesn't Culture encompass both Arts and Entertainment?) and Education.

I support this idea whole-heartedly. I've never seen the need for a separate ministry of Culture and Education. I wouldn't mind seeing some other ministries merged and/or eliminated but this is definitely the best candidate for trimming.

I mentioned it a while back and alluded to it in my campaign thread..I did not mention it specifically because I couldn't for the life of me remember MoCE or what it stood for!! Needless to say, I give this proposal my kiss of death (ie. support!!)!!

Well, not wishing to point fingers as to who's fault it was ( ), we've managed this term without an MoCE, and with a irregular MoAE and deputy combo. Is their any need for either?

Sorry, ignore that. But I agree. I think were going to have to confront the fact at some point in the future, that their simply won't be enough people arround to fill all the ministers, deputies, justices, etc, etc's, shoes. And an MoCE/MoAE merger would seem to be the obvious one to start with...

Minister of Arts, Culture and Education? MACE!!!!

Merging the two ministries may eliminate redundant functions. The number of ministers we have in the cabinet is important though. Even numbers are good because it can result in a tie on controversial issues and and odd number assures that a close tie will go either way without abstentions.

I'm sort of indifferent on this issue.

I strongly disagree with this idea for a few reasons. While it does not hurt us when we do not have an active minister in Culture and Education, it can bring enormous benefit to us when we do. When The Pacific began the university there, they had a great basic idea and, though they executed it poorly and did not put it to its full potential use and benefit, recieved great benefits in activity and general interest in the history and ideals of the region. If you don't think The North Pacific has clearly defined ideals or a rich history you are wrong. I have told the story of The North Pacific's past to players in NationStates that you would naturally assume would be uninterested and caused them to join The North Pacific or tell other such players about its history. The ministry of Culture and Education is not about making little avatars, crests or banners for people. It is literally about emphasizing and expanding our culture. The North Pacific has the richest history of any single region in NationStates and to remove the only ministry capable of emphasizing that would be nothing short of sinful.Though we see no harm done to our region when a MoCE fails to liven up the ministry, we can and will recieve enormous benefit from someone who puts a good amount of planning and vision into that ministry. Give this ministry at least one more term and, regardless of whether or not I am elected, I will do everything I can to make sure this ministry gives The North Pacific everything it is capable of giving. If it is unable to bear fruit, I will be the first to suggest that it be removed.

I don't think anyone is suggesting scrapping the role of the MoCE. Just combining it with those of the MoAE. In many way, I'd hope taking on the MoAE roles would provide a fun diversion from all the archiving and so forth for the MoCE.

The intended functions of the two ministries are different.

I have been prodding the candidates this time around about Flem's proposal in the last election cycle about a TNP University. While I recognize the efforts underway at "The Center," we cannot be certain what the final result of their university might be and whether there might be areas that we can address with an educational facility within TNP itself or serve as a satellite to that proposed institution.

If either a feeder-wide or TNP university develops then there will be plenty of work for the MoCE to do.

MoAE is a different problem. The reality of the position is that they have to monitor and moderate the OOC forums. The wrong incumbent in that position will end up not doing anything, and not make that area of the forum attractive to those players who enjoy that sort of thing. So I suspect the real problem with that position is who has been elected to it.

If the MoCE gets revitalized through the university concept, then a merger would not solve the MoAE problem. Only better recruiting of appropriate candidates for that position would solve the problem, or a decision that the admins and global mods outside the government structure will have to moderate the OOC forums.

If you ask me I do think Art and Entertainment should have their own ministry because the OOC section is just so different from the rest of forum. However I've always advocating merging Communications and Culture and Education... it's all the same vibe to me.

The main reason I'm hearing from Fedele and Grosse is that the MoCE may one day provide usefulness...

Not to be sarcastic, but whether that one day is tomorrow or 2 years from now remains to be seen. The University idea, as I recall, was first proposed many months ago. I realize that work is being done on it, but I see no reason that a combined Minister can't patrol OOC at the same time.

If we keep the MoCE as a separate entity solely for this purpose, then until there are some activities up and running, people elected to the MoCE won't have much to do at all..

A fully-running University would provide a nice boost to the region, no argument there -- but the question is whether having separate MoAE/MoCE's would be a bigger detriment to the region.

Slightly related question:

If two of existing ministries were to merge, would that mean that the cabinet would have some space for a new minister responsible for taxation and government budget?

Lazy Wizard:

Slightly related question:

If two of existing ministries were to merge, would that mean that the cabinet would have some space for a new minister responsible for taxation and government budget?

Click to expand...

Well, that possibility can't really ever come along until we find some way to fix the money supply. Right now, every new post means another $10 is available to be spent, which naturally would create some inflation issues later on.

Also, we're mainly focusing on down-sizing the government somewhat, so adding new offices isn't a priority unless a need is clearly evident. Right now, government budgets are maintained by the ministers - last term, several Ministers donated some of their fund to their Ministry's account - I gave $10,000 to the MoIIA budget, for example.

If we keep the MoCE as a separate entity solely for this purpose, then until there are some activities up and running, people elected to the MoCE won't have much to do at all..

Click to expand...

Yeah. The only things I ever had to do as MoCE was 1) Organize the archives, which isn't something that has to be done every term, and 2) run the Awards Ceremony, which is only once a year. Nowadays, they're supposed to be doing the Wire as well, but that has always seemed like more of the MoC's department to me, and I'm rather confused as to why it was entrusted to the MoCE in the first place.

No offense to you A&E people out there, but MoAE is something that can easily be fit in alongside some more serious duties. It's not like you have to moderate that much (if at all), and the OOC forums are the only thing in this region that will more or less run themselves (Ok, so someone has to keep score on a few things, like Deal or No Deal, WWPN?, etc., but even those can sit for a day or two and no harm done). Also, the Awards Ceremony would run a hell of a lot better if we had someone running it who was elected mainly on their entertainment value. Despite my best efforts the last two times, I don't think they went overly well, and the first one especially would have been a disaster if IndieGirl hadn't been helping me out at the time. Someone with a naturally fun disposition would do much better at that than a MoCE, who may or may not share those qualities.

I think this plan is something that we can definitely at least start to work out the details with.

Hersfold:

Well, that possibility can't really ever come along until we find some way to fix the money supply. Right now, every new post means another $10 is available to be spent, which naturally would create some inflation issues later on.

Click to expand...

From my point of view, the fact that the posts keep cumulating is not an issue of inflation. I compare it to exploiting natural resources, like drilling oil and mining coal. Actually inflation is not a problem at all. Assuming that the region keeps growing slowly, the total amount of money in the game has to be growing too ($/member-ratio). I think discussion of this slighlty OT matter is worth of being continued at its own thread, perhaps at the Economic Conference in the (hopefully near) future.

Hersfold:

Also, we're mainly focusing on down-sizing the government somewhat, so adding new offices isn't a priority unless a need is clearly evident. Right now, government budgets are maintained by the ministers - last term, several Ministers donated some of their fund to their Ministry's account - I gave $10,000 to the MoIIA budget, for example.

Click to expand...

I have not enough experience to have an opinion of the current size of government. What I see is that if we are truly willing to have a working economy, it requires someone to concentrate on it at government level. It could be the PM, too, I'm not aware if that position is loaded with work now. Please correct me if needed.

[edit: spelling]

I think I'll try to work up some language on this soon.