Protection

One of the first things that one seems to do after creating a city is protect it, by putting arms there or building a wall around it, Why is it they we take such a strong stance, even in the world today about protection. The United States boasts itself on having the strongest military in the world. I recently heard Francis Fukayama speak. Fukayama has written about the international political economy and the modern economic society. When I heard him speak he spoke about the world and economy in terms of multiculturalism. In Civilization we do not see so much the other civilizations interacting with one another other than in war or in trade. Only the leaders communicate with one another. Average Joe Smith in my Civilization does not have the ability to communicate to Average Joe Smith in the Roman Civilization.

According to Fukayama the United States Army equals that of all other armies in the World. This has never been the case the World’s history not for Rome or the Untied Kingdom during their reign and colonization of the world. Which made me think, if I made a military force that was bigger than all other forces in the game I would be unstoppable in the game. I could bully other civilizations into giving all of the resources and technology I need, I would have unlimited access to water and could most likely conquer any lands I wanted Today I think we place such an importance on military and military force because of the society, which we live. Because of this one of the first goals in Civilization is to create a strong, impenetrable city that cannot be taken over by raiders or opposing armies. Fukayama went on to say rather than putting all of our funding toward the military why not educate our selves on other cultures around us that pose to be a threat. Fukayama suggested why go to war right away with a nation that we know so little about, few speak the language of and understand. So, yes we can have walls that reach the sky and the strongest military in the world. However until we and all civilizations make and effort to understand the world around us intellectually before picking up the big guns and going in we will be vulnerable to attack until the end of time. I applied this idea to my game of civilization, while I cannot have all of my citizens directly communicate with other civilizations. But rather than having my first goal be military in my game I now devote half of my turns to creating technology and intellect.

I have started a new game of Civilization. I find myself experimenting with some of the things I do in the game, more so than I did in the beginning. I have no progressed to the Middle Ages and have established trade and power amongst the other Civilizations, and like last time I created a strong military force. However one of the changes I have made in my strategy regarding trade is that, I am more forthcoming about trading with other civilizations that have more to offer rather than them coming to me. This then helps me appear to be a stronger empire.
I recently read the book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by Jack Perkins. I refers to how countries, particularly the United States are able to expand there “empire” the money, loans and debt. Although it applies to the modern world, I think parts are applicable to my own came of Civilization. I do believe that this theory of having an empire through acquisition of debt could also be acquired through trade like this has consequently influenced my strategy in playing the game. So instead of going to war with other countries that I really do not need to expand my boarders, I am attempting to control the smaller civilizations through trade. Jim Garrison is quoted in the book saying:

Taken cumulatively, the integration of the world as a whole, particularly in terms of economic globalization and the mythic qualities of “free market” capitalism represents a veritable “empire” in its own right…. No nation on earth has been able to resist the compelling magnetism of globalization. Pg 199- 200

Although in the game it does not quite apply to the scale you can take aspects from it and apply it to the game. By supplying them with key elements they need for their economy, they consequently listen to me and I therefore have influence over what they do. I am able to go to them this game and tell them to stop trading with my civilizations biggest threat. I am therefore in control without ever going to war.

Reference:
Perkins, John – Confessions of and Economic Hit Man.

My game of civilization has come to an end. I have finished the game! I am so excited, and have already started a new game of civilization. It is great because I am able to use my first game and for background knowledge. I can use all of the mistakes I made in my first game and learn from them.

Back to my original game, I did finish my game being the top civilization. However other civilizations were quickly catching mine. Civilizations that were a threat before are now almost none existent while one’s that I never paid attention before are suddenly right on my back. This whole portion of the game reminds me a bit of an “arms race”. Everyone seems to have the tactic of whom cam get the most the fastest and you will come out on top. Towards the end of the game we are all trying to development the cities more, get better technology and make new discoveries to come out on top. We want to be the civilization to discover rock and roll and have strong military power.

I look forward to playing my new game and using my other game as almost a trial and error experiment. Maybe this time I will go to war sooner…