NationStates Jolt Archive

Hello. I want to make an issue centered on outsourcing; the hiring of less-expensive overseas employees by corporations and industries. While outsourcing is healthy for the company, the nation which is that company's home is deprived of those jobs. Some people believe that despite this, the wealth generated by the company in the long-term will aid the company's home nation, while others think the loss of jobs is a 'sell-out' and is cancerous to the economy. Here is the blurb along with the options I'd give:

Outsourcing in @@NAME@@ is at an all-time high, sending ten-percent of all high-paying jobs overseas. Many of the unemployed are protesting, demanding their jobs back.

The Debate
1. Economic activist @@RANDOMNAME@@ says, "If @@NAME@@ is going to reach its full corporate potential, it must have a strong economy and low unemployment. That's obvious. By sending jobs overseas we are raising unemployment and stagnating the economy. Outlaw outsourcing and give the hard-working people of @@NAME@@ their jobs back!"

2. @@RANDOMNAME@@, spokesperson for the megacorporation Silicon Horizon says, "We understand that people feel angry about being let-go. But the money we save by hiring cheaper workers becomes reinvested in the local economy. It will take a little time before the advantages become obvious to our people. But in the long-run this is the best solution for everyone. Let outsourcing continue as it is."

3. @@RANDOMNAME@@, owner of a small furniture store, says "Look, I'm just the owner of a small mom n' pop business. But even I must outsource or I wouldn't last a day. But if the government were to compensate me for hiring the more expensive workers of @@NAME@@, I'd be happy to hire them. That's not just good government, that's good business."

What do you think?

3. @@RANDOMNAME@@, owner of a small furniture store, says "Look, I'm just the owner of a small mom n' pop business. But even I must outsource or I wouldn't last a day. But if the government were to compensate me for hiring the more expensive workers of @@NAME@@, I'd be happy to hire them. That's not just good government, that's good business."

What do you think?

That is very well written. I also like how you added the small business support option there as well.

Another, 4th, option would be to place heavy controls and taxes on company's that outsource and then use that money to reinvest in the local economies as well. It is a variation on option 3, but could be shown to have a political freedom hit.

Are you planning on sharing your game stat modifications here? :)

Another, 4th, option would be to place heavy controls and taxes on company's that outsource and then use that money to reinvest in the local economies as well. It is a variation on option 3, but could be shown to have a political freedom hit.

Are you planning on sharing your game stat modifications here? :)

Sure, that's an excellent suggestion. Let's see here...

4. @@RANDOMNAME@@, a well-published pro-government capitalist, suggests "This is indeed a thorny issue, but there is a solution where everyone wins. It lies within Capitalism. Instead of compensating businesses who don't outsource, regulate and tax those which do. Those funds can then trickle-down to the local economy from the government."

How's that sound?

As for game stats, I honestly have no idea what I'm doing or where I should post these suggestions. I don't even know what game stat modifications are! :P I've been operating solely on intuition...

Okay. I educated myself a bit on how things are done here. In particular, I read up on the expected method of issue submission. I doubt I know enough to say with confidence I'm submitting my issue in a completely satisfying way, but I'm willing to take this step by step as long as others are patient.
Here is everything again, with some corrections:


Outsourcing in @@NAME@@ is at an all-time high, sending ten-percent of all high-paying jobs overseas. Many of the unemployed are protesting, demanding their jobs back.

Validity: Nations with strong economies or greater.

Options:

[option] Economic activist @@RANDOMNAME@@ says, "If @@NAME@@ is going to reach its full corporate potential, it must have a strong economy and low unemployment. That's obvious. By sending jobs overseas we are raising unemployment and stagnating the economy. Outlaw outsourcing and give the hard-working people of @@NAME@@ their jobs back!"
[effect]it is illegal for businesses to hire or subcontract anyone not born and living in @@NAME@@
[stats]Happiness goes up, economy goes up, political freedom goes down, corporate growth goes down.

2. @@RANDOMNAME@@, spokesperson for the megacorporation Silicon Horizon says, "We understand that people feel angry about being let-go. But the money we save by hiring cheaper workers becomes reinvested in the local economy. It will take a little time before the advantages become obvious to our people. But in the long-run this is the best solution for everyone. Let outsourcing continue as it is."
[effect]an ever-increasing number of workers are born and living in foreign nations
[stats]Happiness goes down, economy goes down, political freedom goes up, corporate growth goes up.

3. @@RANDOMNAME@@, owner of a small furniture store, says "Look, I'm just the owner of a small mom n' pop business. But even I must outsource or I wouldn't last a day. But if the government were to compensate me for hiring the more expensive workers of @@NAME@@, I'd be happy to hire them. That's not just good government, that's good business."
[effect]all businesses which do not employ or subcontract any foreign employees recieve tax breaks
[stats]Tax rate goes up, happiness goes up.

4. @@RANDOMNAME@@, a well-published pro-government capitalist, suggests "This is indeed a thorny issue, but there is a solution where everyone wins. It lies within Capitalism. Instead of compensating businesses who don't outsource, regulate and tax those which do. Those funds can then trickle-down to the local economy from the government."
[effect]any business which hires or subcontracts any foreign employees gets higher taxes and regulations
[stats]Tax rate goes down, politial freedom goes down.

Any thoughts?

This is one of the best, if not _the_ best, issues I've seen. It's relevant, well-thought-out, well-written and proofed. I only wish they could all be this good.

This is one of the best, if not _the_ best, issues I've seen. It's relevant, well-thought-out, well-written and proofed. I only wish they could all be this good.

Wow! I'm honored! Thank you very much! :)

Okay I believe this one's ready for submission (whenever that maybe, no rush). Thank you, mods! :)

[stats]Happiness goes up, economy goes up, political freedom goes down, corporate growth goes down.

[stats]Happiness goes down, economy goes down, political freedom goes up, corporate growth goes up.

[stats]Tax rate goes up, happiness goes up.


[stats]Tax rate goes down, politial freedom goes down.

Any thoughts?

You did a great job. I've preserved your order, but wanted to say that by your option 4, I'd added text that reads something along the lines of "Made in @@NAME@@ labels are sewn or stamped into all products," And I'd decrease the apathy with option 4. Afterall, government came in and zapped the people jumping ship.

I peronsally would monkey around in one of your options with Soda Sales. I use Retail Sales and Soda Sales as sorts of opposites. If people are spending more locally, Retail Sales goes up. In your options, when money is sent to local communities pump up your retail sales. When people aren't able to afford retail items, I have them blow their money on liquor. Since the game doesn't have a stat for cigarettes and alcohol, I would use Soda Sales instead.

Future NationStates should have a stat for Entertainment as well. Movies, plays, art, etc.

Anyway, great job!

What about an option where you don't penalize buisnesses for outsourcing, or don't support buisnesses for hiring local workers, but instead just force all companies to pay the same wages to foreign workers as to local ones? That eliminates the "cheap worker" incentive for hiring foreign workers, leaving the hiring choice to whoever makes a better laborer. It also minimizes complicated gov't involvment...just a thought.