Use Surplus

So, I was looking at the csv files, and the mod guides, and I’m trying to figure out how to mod something specific.

I would like to be able to make use of a surplus, rather than just having it sit there. You know, lend it to other countries when they need it (such as during a global recession) (trading some of my large surplus for increased monthly income until the other country pays it back plus interest), start state owned corporations in all the major industries, inside and outside of my own country (funneling money into the country to improve social programs further, etc).

If that’s not possible, I would like to at least be able to collect interest on my money, as a rough approximation of loaning it out.

Can someone point me in the right direction to do that?

I am experimenting with a policy named State Owned Industry, though I have not worked out the causes and effects yet.

Apparently, Socialists would like it while Capitalists would hate it, it would cost billions to introduce, but reduce Unemployment severely.

Hmm. Interesting.

A State-Owned Industry would be a bit different than a State-Owned Company in an industry.

A state owned company would cost billions to introduce (one time cost), but would bring in significant government revenue with which to help run the country, and would bring more competition into an industry. Other companies would have to compete with what the government’s company charges, or the government gets the business instead of them.

A state owned industry (like alcohol sales in Canada) means other companies are not allowed to compete with the government, much more revenue than the above option, but as you mentioned, capitalists would not like that very much.

And then, there’s also the obvious other point of “if I can borrow money when running at a deficit, why can’t I lend money when running at a surplus?”

Would a monopoly alcohol retailer really bring in more money to the state, than a deregulated market?

Don’t know about Canada. But the Swedish state alcohol retailer makes a rather modest profit. The alcohol tax brings in much money though, whether alcohol is sold in stores or restaurants. Compare with tobacco, which is sold in most supermarkets, but the government still brings in tax.