Which of these countries would you rather live in?

[John Dibble]

Simple question - which of the two following made up countries would you rather live in?

The United Socialist Islands - This is a country where the economy is completely state run. All goods are manufactured and sold by the government, and everyone is gauranteed healthcare, shelter, and a job, but that job is determined for you by the state - the state also determines how far you can go in the educational process(everyone is required to complete high school, but you can not go to college unless the state tells you to, but it is free then) based on intelligence and personality tests. Basically, individuals have their careers completely run by the state, and everyone is paid the same salary, which changes from year to year based on costs and profits to the state. Also, there is terrible beauracracy, which results in mass inefficiencies and waste. However, social freedoms are greatly respected by the state - freedom of speech is tolerated, prostitution and drugs are legal, television, newspapers, and entertainment are not censored at all(there's good variety too, it's one of the better state run industries, mainly because the workers determine content rather than the beauracracy), and people are generally allowed to do as they like when they are not working. Crime is often high due to good shortages, though it is mainly theft rather than violent crime.

The Holy Kingdom of Unity - This country is a theocracy of the religion called Unity. People are required to follow all the rules of this religion, which dictate social behavior. It is very tyrannical - all people are required to where robes in public, and the type of robes they where is based on their social status(the clergy have different robes from ordinary citizens) and you must wear the correct robes. Infractions are punishable by death. Children must not speak unless spoken to - if they do the religion requires they be beaten as punishment. Speech against the clergy and the faith is heresy, and can be punished by death. Marriages are arranged by parents, and divorce is illegal. However, the economy is outside of the control of the state - people are allowed to choose their own careers, run their own businesses, and taxes are very low. However, there is of course unemployment. Taxes are very low, mainly they exist only to pay for basic functions(though the faithful do tend to dontate generously to the clergy). Goods are normally cheap and plentiful. Crime is very low in all forms, mainly due to harsh punishment, but the faithful often turn in other citizens to the clergy for infractions(many times not truthfully) in order to gain favor, and sometimes murderers get away with it by claiming the victim was an enemy to the faith.

Neither country allows citizens to vote. Both forbid most citizens from bearing arms. Men and women are equal in both under law.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

It's like choosing between the extremes of the two major parties!

[Peter]

Whilst I would certainly have issues with the United Socialist Islands, it sounds like Eden compared to the Holy Kingdom of Unity.

[WMS]

Very clever descriptions here...

Where is Option 3: Flee to Nunavut?

[Cashcow]

Option 3: Nunavut

[Gabu]

Both sound horrible, but the United Socialist Islands sounds a lot better than the Holy Kingdom of Unity, mainly because I value social freedom over economic freedom, though both are obviously important.

[KEmperor]

No.

[Gabu]

C'mon, people, stop giving cop-out answers.

[John Dibble]

Very clever descriptions here...

Where is Option 3: Flee to Nunavut?

There is no option 3. The world of these countries consists only of these countries.

[A18]

I picked the Socialist Islands. At least I could do no work and still be as rich as everyone else (not that that is saying much).

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

no contest. The USI sound great.

[DanielX]

Option Three: Establish my own nation. A personal republic of me, myself, I, and anyone who wishes to join us.

[Richard]

Unity.  I want to pick my own career and not starve to death.

[nclib]

Definitely, the United Socialist Islands.

[WMS]

Very clever descriptions here...

Where is Option 3: Flee to Nunavut?

There is no option 3. The world of these countries consists only of these countries.

Oh, it's like 1984 then...well, time to join the inevitable resistance in either country...

[KentonNgo]

What???
(singing)
That suicide is painless.
It brings on many changes.
And I can take or leave it if I please.
(/singing)

[J-Mann]

I'd take the United Socialist Islands any day.

[J. J.]

What???
(singing)
That suicide is painless.
It brings on many changes.
And I can take or leave it if I please.
(/singing)

Theme to M*A*S*H.

[Peter]

Out of curiousity, what are the laws on homosexuality in each country?

[Alcon]

I'd pick the United Socialist Islands because they'd be less likely to kill me for being able to read. And because islands suggests a good climate.

[Platypus]

Both sound horrible, but the United Socialist Islands sounds a lot better than the Holy Kingdom of Unity, mainly because I value social freedom over economic freedom, though both are obviously important.

yup. USI for me if forced.

[Akno21]

Socialist one.

[muon2]

In terms of popular science fiction, USI reminds me of the Earth of Star Trek, and HKU is like the Empire of Star Wars with no rebellion.

[John Dibble]

Out of curiousity, what are the laws on homosexuality in each country?

It's not an issue with them. Neither care about it. The main thing I tried to do was make everyone equal under the law in both countries under the law(based on race, sex, and other non-choice factors of birth) so that they'd have the same dilemma in choice. Basically it comes down to which type of oppression you prefer - social or economic.


I'm not sure yet which I would pick. Unity sounds the worst at first glance, but the people are prosperous and well fed(as Richius points out) while the Socialists suffer from great shortages in goods, so food can be somewhat scarce and you can starve.

[??????????]

Unity sounds the worst at first glance, but the people are prosperous and well fed(as Richius points out) while the Socialists suffer from great shortages in goods, so food can be somewhat scarce and you can starve.

I agree. Option 2.