NationStates Jolt Archive

Could someone explain to a novice how any of the UN resolutions are enforced in Nation States. I know that I get a message stating that I must comply with the latest resolution, but so what? The way the game is structured I'm not sure, given the limited gameplay choices available, that I would have the power to comply even if I thought that I was in breach of a resolution.

The UN Gnomes automatically change your nations laws to bring them into compliance with any passed resolutions.

The UN Gnomes automatically change your nations laws to bring them into compliance with any passed resolutions.

That's what the FAQ says. Because the Gnomes are a roleplay device, however, we can ignore them if we choose. I choose not to.

That's what the FAQ says. Because the Gnomes are a roleplay device, however, we can ignore them if we choose. I choose not to.
Give me a break, I gave them the short answer.

Give me a break, I gave them the short answer.

Okay. *hands Bob a Kit Kat bar*

That's what the FAQ says. Because the Gnomes are a roleplay device, however, we can ignore them if we choose. I choose not to.

Actually, I have yet to see the FAQ mention anything about the gnomes. They are more of a moderator invention than official part of the UN. All the FAQ says is that the UN overrides your laws.

Actually, I have yet to see the FAQ mention anything about the gnomes. They are more of a moderator invention than official part of the UN. All the FAQ says is that the UN overrides your laws.

Nevermind then. I was wrong.

I think I get the picture

Nevermind then. I was wrong.

Yep. Your nation is automatically in compliance - the Gnomes are just the moderators making a point.

*pins a star on your chest for admitting you were wrong* Nice that it happens in here now and again.

Could someone explain to a novice how any of the UN resolutions are enforced in Nation States. I know that I get a message stating that I must comply with the latest resolution, but so what? The way the game is structured I'm not sure, given the limited gameplay choices available, that I would have the power to comply even if I thought that I was in breach of a resolution.

What the "Compliance Ministry" is really is a matter of opinion. The idea I like the best is that the compliance ministry is part of your own government, perhaps an International Affairs Office or something, and it is resonsible for drafting changes to your domestic laws based upon the general tone of a resolution ... but the absolute letter of the law is still up to you.

This idea is supported by the FACT that you may choose daily issues that contradict various existing UN resolutions. For example, you could make euthanasia (doctor assisted suicide) illegal via one of the daily issues. You may choose to legalize torture, contrary to UN resolutions, and all of the gay rights and definition of marriage resolutions don't mean anything when the game sends a daily issue your way.

If you'd like to roleplay non-compliance, feel free to do so, but also be aware that there is a very small handful of players whom will be very upset at you. They ultimately only have as much power as you give them.

Finally, the FAQ is a guide. It was something Max threw together on the last minute. It is not a "Bible" or set of rules ... *sigh*

Because the Gnomes are a roleplay device, however, we can ignore them if we choose. I choose not to.

Ignore us at your own risk! BWAHAHAHA!!! <insert spooky noise here>

Before you accept the illogical advice of certain players who appear to be ill-informed on the policies of the mods and certain technical details that provides them a point where in all actuallity none exists, see this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=400153&page=1) topic, where it is discussed in length. The discussion is mainly on the second and third pages.

Ignore the FAQ at your own peril.

While we are discussing those magical Gnomes, what happens when you leave the U.N.? Do they remove the effects of U.N. resolutions on your nation or are you SOL?

You're SOL until you deal with the laws yourself.

You're SOL until you deal with the laws yourself.

Much obliged.

Before you accept the illogical advice of certain players who appear to be ill-informed on the policies of the mods and certain technical details that provides them a point where in all actuallity none exists, see this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=400153&page=1) topic, where it is discussed in length. The discussion is mainly on the second and third pages.

Ignore the FAQ at your own peril.

Actually DemonLord, I'm extremely informed on the policies of the moderators and technical details of the UN and its interaction in the game.

If you can point to a single instance where a player have been officially warned by a moderator for ROLEPLAYING non-compliance with UN resolutions, then you might have a point, but frankly your promotion of the idea that Max's FAQ for the game (it isn't just a UN FAQ) is a Bible and set of rules goes counter to EVERYTHING that takes place in the moderation forum where the rules are constantly evolving.

In the year that I've been active in the UN and moderation forum, I've YET to see it happen.

In fact, I can cite a number of examples where players roleplayed non-compliance (ignoring Max's humourous game FAQ), had other players cry to the moderators about their roleplaying, and had the moderators RULE that they were within the bounds of the game. Specifically I will point to Joccia (Feb. 2004) and then Frisbeeteria & others vs. Sophista (Summer 2004). Given that Frisbeeteria is now a moderator, I honestly don't see this moderation ruling changing.

Furthermore, there are a number of daily issues that UN players are totally free to choose that directly contradict existing UN resolutions.

The FACT remains that UN resolutions only change nation's game stats, but do not set up any restrictions on either roleplaying nor on their ability to reserve course via the daily issues.

I really don't mind you claiming my post is "illogical" or whatever, but your advice is frankly WRONG, and I think it is really misleading for you to promote the ideas that simply aren't true.

When the Most Glorious Hack uses the UN Gnomes he is teasing ... pulling our legs. The gnomes might wave their fists at you, but it never has been the job of a forum or game moderator to ENFORCE roleplaying.


Bottom line, players are welcome to ignore the NationStates FAQ's advice on UN resolutions, but several things will still happen:

Your game stats and country will always move in a direction similar to that of all other nations when a UN resolution passes or is repealed (the magnitude of that move of your stats is determined by the current state of your stats).

You will always be free to choose daily "domestic" issues that contradict UN resolutions ... do it. Very few players will notice nor care.

If you continue to roleplay that you are ignoring UN resolutions, many players will most likely ignore you.

Bottom line, players are welcome to ignore the NationStates FAQ's advice on UN resolutions, but several things will still happen:

Your game stats and country will always move in a direction similar to that of all other nations when a UN resolution passes or is repealed (the magnitude of that move of your stats is determined by the current state of your stats).

You will always be free to choose daily "domestic" issues that contradict UN resolutions ... do it. Very few players will notice nor care.

If you continue to roleplay that you are ignoring UN resolutions, many players will most likely ignore you.

They do, I can't even tell. I don't even know if I am complying or not, and I still happily interact with everyone [at least to my knowledge]. How would you even roleplay that you are ignoring UN resolutions? And why bother ignoring the UN when you could just leave it?

I've thought about repealing a few resolutions, but I just can't be bothered because they don't seem to have any effect anyway.

They do, I can't even tell. I don't even know if I am complying or not, and I still happily interact with everyone [at least to my knowledge]. How would you even roleplay that you are ignoring UN resolutions? And why bother ignoring the UN when you could just leave it?


That my friend is EXACTLY the logical argument I was hinting at before. Namely if you (a nation) find your government frequently ignoring UN resolutions, then clearly it is time to seriously reconsider your relationship with the UN.

The counter argument is just as simple and good ... perhaps nations stay in the UN because they hold out a remote hope that the UN might change and do so in a way they like, but in order for this to happen they need to participate.

The counter-counter is really fun ... if you are in the organization, but not following it, why the heck should anybody listen to you? Or if you are *not* in the organization and trying to control it, again, why should anybody take you seriously?

I've not really seen any strong / logical counters to that. :) Doesn't mean there aren't good arguments, but they aren't something I find in my reading here.


I've thought about repealing a few resolutions, but I just can't be bothered because they don't seem to have any effect anyway.

Oh, when you join the UN, the game itself does not really go back and change your government. We just pretend / roleplay that your government is supposed to adopt all UN resolutions as binding.

My argument, something the Texans and Goober, seem to agree with (in varous posts) is that our nations can creatively enforce the various ideas in the resolutions ... which is a point supported by numerous roleplaying examples and the daily issues.

In fact, I can cite a number of examples where players roleplayed non-compliance

[...]

When the Most Glorious Hack uses the UN Gnomes he is teasing ... pulling our legs. The gnomes might wave their fists at you, but it never has been the job of a forum or game moderator to ENFORCE roleplaying.

True enough, but I'm also not above having the UN Gnomes roleplay the forcing of said Resolutions in their usual cantankerous manner.

True enough, but I'm also not above having the UN Gnomes roleplay the forcing of said Resolutions in their usual cantankerous manner.

What? I demand a recount! :p

*is taken away yelling by a group of Gnomes*