NationStates Jolt Archive


A Guide to a Successful NS United Nations

Tuesday Heights
27-05-2004, 02:51
A Guide to a Successful NS United Nations
With the recent batch of bad proposals taking the floor, the carelessness voting of UN nations, and the irresponsibility of some (but not all) UN Delegates, I feel compelled to set forth some observations on what the NationStates United Nations

First, a foremost, a definition of the RL United Nations is needed:
"An organization of independent states to promote international peace and security."

If NationStates is loosely based on the RL interpretation of the way the world works around us, then, it is safe to say that the NS UN is also loosely based on the RL United Nations. However, everywhere I've looked, no formal NS definition has been established that defines just what the UN nations does within the confines of this political simulation.

Therefore, some liberties can be taken in making observations on how to improve the United Nations in NationStates. These are merely my suggestions for improvement to make the UN more successful and realistic in this simulation. All feedback is welcomed, and criticisms are also welcome as they help improve the content of ideas and debate here.

So, here is my list of improvements, followed by a description of why their improvement is needed and how to go about improving them:

Proposals take a more "realistic" role.
UN Delegates take more personal, RL responsibility.

First, and foremost, the quality of UN proposals must improve. Such resolutions that are three sentences long and written in bad English serve no purpose but to enable nations to find loopholes if passed, and thus, is invalid as to bringing a serious nature to the game in the role-play capacity the UN describes.

Since no nation actually "has" to follow the rules of the UN, they are expected to, and if they break those rules, they are subject to UN jurisdiction all in the capacity of role-playing. If one takes the game seriously, as do I, I the current state of the UN is that it no longer serves the function

1 Infinite Loop said (in another UN thread of mine) that non-serious proposals serve the purpose of adding humor and a bit of fun to the game.

I totally agree with Loop, I do understand why these types of proposals are written and brought before the UN. I'm not in the least bit trying to be holier than though and try to impose what the RL UN does in NS, as that is against the rules. I simply am pointing out that can't even the funny proposals have a bit of serious deocorum?

Second, UN Delegates must take more responsibility as their role in the delegacy position. There are thousands of UN Delegates, and only a handful of active ones ever read, go through, vote for or against, proposals.

For the UN to be successful, more regional delegates must take part in weeding through proposals and voting on them when they reach quorum. That means that all UN Delegates, when they are endorsed to be in that position, should take their role in the UN more seriously and more professionally.

Yes, it is a game, but for the serious and the humorous proposals to reach the floor, the Delegates must take a more active role in the process immediately.

I understand this is game, but to some of us, we wish this game was more of a political simulation than just for kicks. We try to accommodate those of you who are here just for kicks, but sometimes, it’s hard to do that. Hopefully, this can be the start of a peace between those who want the UN to be more serious and those who just want to have some fun.
NewfoundCana
27-05-2004, 03:09
Hi Tuesday Heights.
I was just wondering about the protocol for proposals that don't fit the categories and descriptions provided when you try to submit a proposal. I submitted one the other day, An Act to Cure Arthritis, but it didn't really fit there.
What should we do in those cases?
Komokom
27-05-2004, 04:56
Well, just to butt in, with the most polite intent naturally, usually one could try privately contacting a Moderator and see what there opinion on the matter would be. But don't quote me on that, I am unsure if Moderation would thank me much for a deluge of tele-com's.

And again, there is this lovely forum here, you can always maybe ask around, use a catchy title like,

" Could YOU Catagorise This Proposal Correctly ! "

Then again, with title like that, maybe expect some critter-cysimsic-characters posting ... :wink:

- T.R. Kom
Le Représentant de Komokom.
Ministre Régional de Substance.
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/komokom.jpg (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/24401/page=display_nation)
<- Not A Moderator, Just A Know It All.
" Clowns To The Left of Me ... Jokers To The Right, Here I am ... "
Cacodaemonomania
27-05-2004, 05:05
I agree with your intent, Tuesday. I would, however, amend that definition to include something about the protection and furtherment of human rights.
Tuesday Heights
27-05-2004, 05:08
I agree with your intent, Tuesday. I would, however, amend that definition to include something about the protection and furtherment of human rights.

I just took that definition from my friendly desktop dictionary. :)
Komokom
27-05-2004, 05:20
What I can currently dig up as to what the N.S. U.N. is for and / or does :

" The UN is the world's governing body. Membership is voluntary, but all member nations must abide by UN rules. "

- From the Main U.N. page.

" The UN is the world's governing body. It proposes and votes on resolutions, which are then binding on all member nations. In other words, it's a hot-bed of political intrigue and double-dealing. "

+

" The UN is your chance to mold the rest of the world to your vision, by voting for resolutions you like and scuttling the rest. "

+

" UN resolutions are a way to bring all member nations into line on a particular issue; be that environmental, democratic, free trade, or whatever. "

- From This Link In The F.A.Q. (http://www.nationstates.net/pages/faq.html#UN)

Hmmm, looks like T.H. is right, there is not too much telling us the intent of the U.N. Sure, there is some stuff there, but not an great lot.

This is a good idea T.H. but must be dealt with carefully, a direct definiton of the N.S.U.N. is a powerful and possibly dangerous thing.

And would ultimately need a Moderation green light I suspect. :wink:

I know of another general definition floating about but can't for the sake of me remember it or where it is.

- T.R. Kom
Le Représentant de Komokom.
Ministre Régional de Substance.
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/komokom.jpg (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/24401/page=display_nation)
<- Not A Moderator, Just A Know It All.
" Clowns To The Left of Me ... Jokers To The Right, Here I am ... "
Tuesday Heights
27-05-2004, 05:29
This is a good idea T.H. but must be dealt with carefully, a direct definiton of the N.S.U.N. is a powerful and possibly dangerous thing.

I was more using the definition as a guide of where I got my thoughts and opinions from. :wink:
Komokom
27-05-2004, 07:11
" Ah " . :)

- T.R. Kom
Le Représentant de Komokom.
Ministre Régional de Substance.
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/komokom.jpg (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/24401/page=display_nation)
<- Not A Moderator, Just A Know It All.
" Clowns To The Left of Me ... Jokers To The Right, Here I am ... "
Tuesday Heights
29-05-2004, 05:43
BUMP.