I feel like it’s relevant that the majority of games, socialist or otherwise, eradicate poverty so conclusively that the Poor demographic rapidly shrinks as those people move up into the middle class.
Those of the middle class often possess their own capital, invested into home and/or business ownership, secured by generational wealth and handsome earnings, which, under steadfast “trickle down” wealth-busting measures would logically represent a “third way” economy whereby socialism is realised not by radical enforcement, but a citizenship which has been allowed enough capital to own land, property, production means, shares, or all of the above. With this capital, a democratically free market is within sight, representing the Distributism Model.
Given that the game so judiciously presents Capitalist and Socialist methods which ultimately compliment one another, modelling the “third way” economy seems appropriate, so I’ve proposed some policies inspired by, and complimentary of that ideology:
Distributism
- Cooperative Market Foundation - A state office promoting, organising and expanding communal market spaces to create and sustain decentralised small businesses and entrepreneurs. (Tiny bump to GDP inefficient for the spend, but causes Distributed Markets)
- Contract Labour Regulation
- Land-Grant Office - A devolved set of regional boards which value and sell land so that it is equitably owned and appropriately protected or developed. Land rights of ordinary people for family and cooperative entrepreneurship is prioritised over that of larger corporations. (Farmers indifferent due to mixed feelings. Contributes to Distributed Markets)
- Consumer Fabrication Subsidies
- Microagriculture Subsidies
- Distributed Markets Situation - Thanks to a large entrepreneurial class, low economic barriers to entry, and an economy sympathetic to small business, your economy is highly distributed. While extremely competitive, most can try their hand at a personal business or cooperative, and perhaps reap the rewards. (A difficult situation which increases GDP and everyone appeal. Caused by Cooperative Market Foundation, Land-Grant Office, Consumer Fabrication, Microagriculture, Enterprise Ownership Laws, Small Business Grants, Enterprise Investment Scheme, Legal Aid, Business Startup Campaign, Postal Service and Competition Law. Prevented by Intellectual Property Rights and other Monopoly-encouraging policies)
Social-Capitalism
- Home Economics Curriculum - A curriculum for educational bodies that teaches effective home management to all ages, particularly adults. Energy saving, DIY, health, and household business modules teach people what they need to keep thriving and productive homes. (Tiny bumps to gender equality, Energy Efficiency, Health, and Self-Employed)
- Mutual Aid Campaign - A promotional program encouraging people to help and exchange with one another equitably or charitably, which celebrates efforts to do so, especially with elderly, infirm, and disadvantaged individuals. (Pleases socialists, retired and religious folks, with a slight cut to poverty)
Socio-Economic Law
- Enterprise Ownership Laws - The laws for how companies can be legally owned, complicating mergers and buyouts. Low levels illegalise the inheritance of shares, higher levels require publicly traded companies, and the highest levels require industrial democracy, meaning employee stakeholders, and co-determination. (Pleases Socialists and Middle Earners, causes Distributed Markets)
- Executive Service - Laws requiring that management staff, particularly executives, are required to perform a share of tangible front-line labour as part of their employment contracts, performing alongside the workers that they direct. Such efforts foster trust between ranks of a company, and combat complacency at higher-paying levels of employment. (Increases Socialism, reduces Capitalism, has a negligible subtraction to Strikes)
- Financial Services Regulation (From Africa) - Regulating financial services establishes market confidence, stabilizes a financial system, protects consumers, and reduces financial crime. Inspection and enforcement agencies strengthen the implementation of regulation. Tough but fair financial market promote investment in sustainable models, nurturing a lucrative and conscientious finance sector. (Reduces GDP at high levels, though Global Economy is buffed, and the Flash Crash event and similar financial pitfalls are less common. Corruption is reduced, International Trade boosted. Contributes to Ethical Market Direction)
- Ethical Market Direction Situation - Social responsibility, rigorous regulation, and critical consumership has resulted in a measurable shift in the market towards brands establishing a precedent for sustainable, liberal, and ethical sensibilities. Fair trade supply chains, contientious banks and progressive lifestyle products are steering the market towards addressing public and global goods. (Caused by high Financial Services Regulation. Causes low levels of Charity, Environment, and Global Stability)
Champagne Socialism
- Philanthropy Foundation - An office with powers to organise high profile public and private charitable events and drives promoted by celebrities and the rich. (Pleases Capitalists & the Wealthy. Increases Charity and reduces Tax Evasion)
- State Charites - The nationalisation of the charity sector, making their administration a publicly funded cost, and their management & operations subject to the scrutiny of government oversight. (Increases Charity, reduces corruption.)
- Champagne Socialism Situation - With a longstanding tradition of socio-economics, effective welfare and responsible utilisation of wealth, your nation’s most affluent members have adopted a tradition of redistributing wealth, adjusting their expectations for anti-capitalist interventions. (A hard situation to earn. Caused by Egalitarian society, Philanthropy Foundation, high Labour Laws, Workers on Boards, Work Safety Law (Worker Satisfaction) Wealth Taxes, all of which contribute via very long inertia times. Lowers Brain Drain, Corporate Exodus and Tax Evasion)