Dawn of the Republic: Corporate Alliance

[Lav Savak]

Ahh, I did not know if a PC business counted as a Faction or not.

 

[Korvo]

The Republic is by an large a government founded on trade, and so regulation of trade is a large part of what the Senate is involved with, so the Senate does have some significant influence in terms of determining whether a party outside of the Republic should do business. Planets are largely autonomously, sure, but they operate within the agreed framework of trade guidelines set by the Senate. Is there wriggle room in there? Absolutely. But if the Senate does clamp down and publicly denounce a corporation, then it is probably going to have a fairly major impact.

Agreed, but it's the likelihood of such a thing happening that I doubt.

They could send an ambassador or representative delegation, sure. They wouldn't have full representation in the Senate, however, as an outside third party. Their voice in the Senate would not be a voting voice.

Not exactly what I meant, but very good to know!

Generally speaking, the closer to the core, the more wealth you'll find. There are certainly exceptions to that rule,

There's actually many exceptions to that, but most are in Legends since the new Canon has yet to develop. Muunulinist (however you spell it) is a significant example, but it's far from alone

for sure, but losing trade rights withing the Core Worlds would be a major blow to any company. You can mitigate that damage in various ways, sure, but...yeah the Core Worlds aren't just the heart of the Republic because they're in the middle of the galaxy. They're old and incredibly prosperous worlds that have been the center of trade for millenia, so it's something to be aware of.

I fully agree, it'd be a huge blow. However, it is hard to reconcile a financially broken system with also being the wealthiest. So are they in a recession or are they wealthy?

To be fair, that was in the middle of a war that was bankrupting them. Desperate times and whatnot. We can't realistically argue that the Republic we'll be RPing in will be in the same dire position.

Very true, man. But hey - y'kow what they say about history

Actually, this is a Republic on the decline - we're essentially starting at the start of the Dark Times, not the end.

Yikes, the clarification is much appreciated

So the Republic's lost a lot of territory and influence, sure, and their best days are behind them...but they're still the dominant (and largely unopposed) galactic power at this time.

Also was not aware of that. Again, good to know. As for the latter, tis what I had expected, but thanks for the emphasis.

I wouldn't say they don't have an army, they just don't have a single standing army in the name of the Republic - local planets have their own militaries and police forces that are busy with local concerns.

Which is what I'd expected

Regardless of how you try to spin it, if the Senate enacted sanctions,

Which, again, is where my doubt lies. Does that not require a senate consensus?

the CA would lose...let's say a quarter of the galaxy in terms of potential markets, some of which are the oldest or wealthiest planets in the galaxy.

So the Republic has spread across one fourth of the known galaxy at this time - very good to know. But again, what is their financial status? Are they shattered from the wars like in the outset, or are they still rich?

It's going to hurt the CA more than it is the Republic, since the Republic's prospered under pre-existing trade agreements for millenia.

That seems almost contradictory, if the Republic's on the decline as you said, but I'll take your word for it. Really appreciated all the points made!

 

[Tristyn]

Answering what Outlander said:

Considering most of us will be taking our time to RP building up our tiny businesses into larger ones, the Alliance will only be formed a few works or months after the next timeline arrives. Meaning we will have lots of time for the admins to review these growing businesses and decide if creating a much larger and more powerful faction would work.

If these businesses prove to be interesting and successful enough ICly and OOCly then being allowed to form this alliance should come easy. We won't have to worry about having too many assets, resources or armies or what ever, because all of this will have been justified.

So don't worry about the CA being too over powering.

 

[Outlander]

Answering what Outlander said:

Considering most of us will be taking our time to RP building up our tiny businesses into larger ones, the Alliance will only be formed a few works or months after the next timeline arrives. Meaning we will have lots of time for the admins to review these growing businesses and decide if creating a much larger and more powerful faction would work.

If these businesses prove to be interesting and successful enough ICly and OOCly then being allowed to form this alliance should come easy. We won't have to worry about having too many assets, resources or armies or what ever, because all of this will have been justified.

So don't worry about the CA being too over powering.

Eh. I still think just having one faction and building that is better, but if it is made over months, then it should be fine.

 

[Green Ranger]

@Korvo:

On the few main points you raised, I'll respond as best I can.

First, does the Senate need to more or less be at consensus to pass that kind of law? The likelihood is that any Senate vote will simply require a majority to pass. It's just more practical for the realities of the RP.

Secondly, faction territories - before you or anyone else gets any idea, that's literally an umber I pulledo ut of my ass to use as an example. We haven't made any decisions on territory specifics yet.

Finally, the economic state of the Republic - wealthy or in recession? I'll be hoenst, we never like delving too heavily into the economics of Star Wars, since it's a) exhausting, and b) not very interesting, but when the vast majority of trade flows through the Republic (all major trade routes lead into the Core Worlds, after all), then regardless of the economic state of the Republic, they're still going to have some pretty major trade influence.

 

[Korvo]

@Korvo:

On the few main points you raised, I'll respond as best I can.

First, does the Senate need to more or less be at consensus to pass that kind of law? The likelihood is that any Senate vote will simply require a majority to pass. It's just more practical for the realities of the RP.

Secondly, faction territories - before you or anyone else gets any idea, that's literally an umber I pulledo ut of my ass to use as an example. We haven't made any decisions on territory specifics yet.

Finally, the economic state of the Republic - wealthy or in recession? I'll be hoenst, we never like delving too heavily into the economics of Star Wars, since it's a) exhausting, and b) not very interesting, but when the vast majority of trade flows through the Republic (all major trade routes lead into the Core Worlds, after all), then regardless of the economic state of the Republic, they're still going to have some pretty major trade influence.

Appreciate all you can tell me, thanks for taking the time, bruh

 

[Tristyn]

Eh. I still think just having one faction and building that is better, but if it is made over months, then it should be fine.

I find it much more satisfying when you can reach an agreement to join a big alliance such as this, than all having to start in this one small faction which you have to divide your resources into. It's slow and people will find it annoying when they wanna expand their specific division/sub faction but are limited to the amount of assets a starting faction is constrained too.

 

[Outlander]

I find it much more satisfying when you can reach an agreement to join a big alliance such as this, than all having to start in this one small faction which you have to divide your resources into. It's slow and people will find it annoying when they wanna expand their specific division/sub faction but are limited to the amount of assets a starting faction is constrained too.

But is it as satisfying when you're planning now to make it? That's why my faction, the Accord, isn't starting as, like, four different factions. It gets right into working together and building a big story, as well as keeping up interest a lot better.

 

[Tristyn]

Yes but you also get interested if other companies who are already in the CA like where your business is going and offers you a chance to join them and become a much bigger figure in the galaxy. It makes you feel more important

 

[Outlander]

Yes but you also get interested if other companies who are already in the CA like where your business is going and offers you a chance to join them and become a much bigger figure in the galaxy. It makes you feel more important

But that won't happen if the CA goes nowhere. You start as all these separate factions, more likely for all the individual groups to lose interest and die out. Then there is either no CA,or a severely weakened CA.

 

[Tristyn]

Hmm....

other writers back me up here!

 

[Lav Savak]

I can see both ways working out if it is what people want to roleplay. I do not believe we can debate which way would be best until we see the new Indie rules for next timeline.

 

[Hatebackwards]

This is just a thought, but we could theoretically handle the faction OOCly the same way we do ICly, through a concensus in the form of a council or board. The FL could just be the "editor", in a sense, and in effect there wouldn't be a faction leader, but leaders.

Of course that may also not be desirable or practical. Just a thought, throwing things out there to see what sticks.

I think we should have bylaws that give the other members of the Directorate a significant say but there has to be someone that sets the agenda. The Chairman would be the faction leader but he wouldn't be a totalitarian ruler, just the Chairman. Most OOC and IC decisions would be reached by consensus.

I like this idea, but may I suggest Director for Research and Development as well? It would allow for a more sciencey division for anyone who might want to make scienctists.

I think every division has to do it's own research and development. One branch couldn't design both droid models and pharmaceuticals. That is counter intuitive. Each division is the expert in their field, so it only makes sense for each division to do it's own R&D. Thanks for your input though.

Hmm....

other writers back me up here!

I've gone back and forth about it.

On one hand, I want us all to help create a kick ass faction. I want it to be fun and involved and help shape the story line of this next timeline. I want people to think about the economics in Star Wars that they haven't before and I want to be able to display many of my beliefs about markets, business and politics through allegory, using this faction as a vehicle.

On the other hand in order to create the stories that I want to, the Corporate Alliance has to be both powerful and rich. We have to be able to buy and sell Senators, influence legislation, interfere with plans that would hurt our bottom line etc. In order for that to be true we have to have assets and be well known. We have to be an organization that has stuff and can get things done, so other galactic citizens are interested in interacting with us.

I think if we have a kick ass faction write up and 20 people, we should absolutely get more assets than an independent faction with 5 people and a so-so write up. I get that there is a fear of power gaming, but allocating each independent faction the same amount of assets in a socialistic manner, regardless of size or quality incentivizes people to gather minimum sized groups that are much more likely to fail. I am not saying that because I am trying to get special rules made for us, or because I am trying to "win" this small fictional universe. I am saying this because this is what makes sense for everybody.

That being said, I am only one voice and the admins aren't likely to adopt rules just because I think they should. So it is very likely that we will fall prey to all independent factions receive x amount of assets. That being the case we might feel like trying to create multiple independent factions that cooperate together so that we'll have more assets to encourage crony capitalism in the Republic. But I think we should resist that urge.

As a larger group of people, we have a much better chance of succeeding. I think no matter what, we should be established as a single Independent faction and work with the admins so that we can aggressively expand within the rules of the timeline.

I can see both ways working out if it is what people want to roleplay. I do not believe we can debate which way would be best until we see the new Indie rules for next timeline.

Solid point.

 

[Lav Savak]

I am down for roleplaying a character for this Indie faction. Medical and Pharmacy is something I am eager to explore, especially the economic side of things. Some wars are won and lost due to talking and what is going on behind the scenes, not just in open PvP combat. Yes, Sidious was a powerful Force user but how many years did he spend biding his revenge, carefully planning a takeover with very minimal physical force on his personal end.

But it is hard to create something like this without knowing the specific Indie rules we would be abiding by. It may make sense to start as this Corporate Alliance but at first only have one Department and over IC, buy more companies, holdings, etc to expand in to other markets and Departments.

 

[Tristyn]

I agree

 

[Hatebackwards]

It may make sense to start as this Corporate Alliance but at first only have one Department and over IC, buy more companies, holdings, etc to expand in to other markets and Departments.

The kinds of ideas I want to explore are how the largest companies use corporate regulation to inhibit their competitors, and how lobbyists influence the legislative process. Economically I want to tread upon markets that lack competition. Specifically how horizontal and vertical integration can create de facto monopolies. So I think we should start the timeline with the structure of an intergalactic conglomerate, so it will be easier to build up assets through buying out failing companies and competitors.

 

[Dunbar Snackbar]

I had a couple thoughts today about this faction that I wanted to get other opinions on. Are we in any danger of being too top heavy as a faction organizationally? I just don't want the hierarchy of this faction to become so top heavy that we become so bogged down with bureaucracy that we can't get anything efficiently done IC or OOC. Does anyone else have concerns about that?

I think it is good that we have are working on defining the positions within this faction and that we are limiting the number of directors (or whatever we are going to call them). After all, I don't think that we should have so many that we have to start making a "Director of Delectable Treats and Other Perishable Food Items" just so everyone gets a spot that they want. I do however think that we just need to be mindful of not being too top heavy.

I think a lot of that is going to be defined by what kind of faction this is going to turn into. The senate is going to be (for the most part) non-combat in nature. That is likely because they already have a lot of power. The other factions are going to need to resort to combat to expand their territory or achieve higher status in the galactic community. We will likely have to do this as well to some degree. Because of this, I think it is important that we recognize that this faction won't become that strong if he have a lot of people making decisions and not as many people acting upon or doing that which has been decided.

IDK, just my two cents. I am interested to see what you all say.

You da bes!

 

[Hatebackwards]

Are we in any danger of being too top heavy as a faction organizationally? I just don't want the hierarchy of this faction to become so top heavy that we become so bogged down with bureaucracy that we can't get anything efficiently done IC or OOC.

Even were our faction to stop at the 8 people of the Directorate, I don't think we could be too top heavy. The whole purpose of this group at least for me, is to role play a giant corporate bureaucracy. Every player character should be in a neat and fun position. I don't think anyone would have fun role playing the intern or the mail room clerk. Our directors (or magistrates, depending on what we decide to call them) will be busy bees. I dropped some terms a post or two ago, allow me to briefly explain them so you can have an idea of what I see us doing.

Ultimately the Directorate is essentially a holding company and the subbranches of the Corporate Alliance are its subsidiary businesses.

Politically I see us engaging in a lot of Rent seeking, which is lobbying political bodies for contracts, subsidies or favors, such as coercive monopolies. Those kinds of monopolies are what happens when corporate regulation is written by corporations seeking to expand their market share and limit their rivals. It's not a mistake that small business in the US is shriveling and dying while giant corporations are raking in record profits. Those companies with enough money to spend on lobbying are using the control the government has over economic markets to their exclusive advantage.

A big part of what I see us doing is Horizontal Integration or the process of acquiring all businesses of a certain type. If our manufacturing companies don't put other manufacturing companies out of business through sales and coercive monopolies then we buy them out through any means necessary (which can mean sabatoshing their businesses to reduce sales or the price of stock). No one else should be able to make ships for instance, if they are outselling our companies that make ships. We need their market share, which means we need them and we will do really gnarly things to get them.

Another part of what I see as our corporate strategy is vertical integration. This seems less insidious than horizontal integration but JD Rockefeller established an economic dynasty by pioneering vertical integration. That is instead of just being happy with manufacturing ships and droids, and having to pay for the ore from someone else, we mine and refine the ore ourselves. Instead of creating product and paying someone else to ship it, we have a subsidiary ship it. You keep everything in house, every link in the supply chain being performed by a subsidiary and you can make all your subsidiaries wealthy by operating with a low overhead, giving each other lots of business and being more efficient than a bunch of different companies contracting with one another.

Using these strategies we create de facto monopolies, become filthy rich and gain the power to manipulate the soft underbelly of the galaxy. Role playing corruption that most certainly exists and is prevalent in real life.

I think it is good that we have are working on defining the positions within this faction and that we are limiting the number of directors (or whatever we are going to call them). After all, I don't think that we should have so many that we have to start making a "Director of Delectable Treats and Other Perishable Food Items" just so everyone gets a spot that they want.

Yeah my idea is for there to be a number of Directors (or Magistrates) that roughly cover all or most fields. But after that, other players should be their subordinates. For instance Beta12 suggested their should be a Director of Research and Development and I countered that the departments would do their own research and development. If Beta12 was very interested in R&D he could be appointed Deputy Director of Manufacturing for Research and Development for instance. Or even Chief Executive of his own research based company that exists as a wholly owned subsidiary the Corporate Alliance. There are a lot of cool positions that people can hold outside of the Directorate.

The senate is going to be (for the most part) non-combat in nature. That is likely because they already have a lot of power. The other factions are going to need to resort to combat to expand their territory or achieve higher status in the galactic community. We will likely have to do this as well to some degree. Because of this, I think it is important that we recognize that this faction won't become that strong if he have a lot of people making decisions and not as many people acting upon or doing that which has been decided.

I think we're going to be a hands on company of doers, movers and shakers and captains of industry. One reason I suggested Collections Teams as sort of like our special forces, is that I can see our Executives accompanying collections teams to places where aggressive negotiations take place. I can see us taking the term Hostile Take Over a little too literally. The whole reason we exist is because doing business in the outer rim is dangerous. We're definitely the kind of business people that would wear a blaster in a chest holster and body armor under our suits.

 

[Dunbar Snackbar]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound accusatory. I help run an IT department for a business college so these types of things are always run through my head and is a challenge that we try to avoid there and just wanted to see if people thought this might creep up and be an issue here too.

 

[Hatebackwards]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound accusatory. I help run an IT department for a business college so these types of things are always run through my head and is a challenge that we try to avoid there and just wanted to see if people thought this might creep up and be an issue here too.

I hadn't taken it personally or anything. Was just trying to answer your questions.

EDIT: I forgot to add how I think decisions should be made.
Any item that is both proposed and then seconded can be added to the agenda
All 8 members get a single vote, votes are won by simple plurality.
Ties are broken by the Chairman
I think this can work IC and OOC.

EDIT EDIT: I just figured out how magistrate came into this, EU wise that was the head of the Corporate Alliance. So the Directorate should be:
Alliance Directorate:
Magistrate
Director - Banking and Finance
Director - Design and Manufacturing
Director - Information and Media
Director - Pharmacy and Medical
Director - Trade and Shipping
Alliance Representative

I'm thinking of seeing if Acquisitions and Security could be it's own faction that the Corporate Alliance could contract.