Guns or Butter?

Guns or Butter? is a straightforward issue that allows nations to change how their government spends their tax dollars. This issue does make a few assumptions about nations, including the presence of some position in the military known as a Field Marshall and also that nations have a Libertarian Party. The issue also makes a brand name reference, Zippo, to a type of real life lighter. Two of the options do not make use of the @RANDOMNAME@ feature, but are fixed.

Issue

After years of costly military build-up, the military now has a state of readiness capable of responding to all threats, both foreign and domestic. There is extensive debate among government officials, the military, and the average citizen over what, if anything, should be done with this powerful asset.

Options

1. "No one even thinks to look at us funny now," says Field Marshall Lionel Mandrake as he taps a swagger stick against his hip. "So think about how they'd act when the military is in proper charge of the country? We'd say jump, and they'd jump, by jingo. Oh, and if you don't agree with me, consider this a coup."
2. "There's no point in having a military this size when our closest adversary has a water pistol strapped to a scooter and calls it an armoured brigade," says noted economist @@RANDOMNAME@@. "Besides, the military's been getting uppity with all its funding anyway. Slash its budget, sell off its surplus, and put the money into tax relief and... of course... maintaining all those contractors. Sure, they won't make tanks anymore but they can sure make plenty of commemorative plates with all that money!"
3. "The military is too powerful!" cries famous peacenik Elvis Ghandi, smelling of petrol and holding a Zippo in one hand. "All those tanks and bombs threaten us and the environment - we're number one, and someone's gonna try and take us down because of it! The people are tired of eating grass soup so the army can get another stealth ICBM launching flamethrower tank. Cut military funding and rebuild our schools, hospitals, welfare, and environment... or else!" Upon which he flips open the lid of the lighter threateningly.
4. "Everyone's got it all wrong," says @@RANDOMNAME@@, leader of the @@NAME@@ Libertarian Party. "We need the military now to support our economy but we can't let it get out of control. I say we we privatise it and divvy it up between several corporations, and make it self funding... it sounds radical but taxes will drop, the people will be happy, and we get to keep our military strength to show Johnny Foreigner what's what! Everyone wins! As long it's in the corporations' best interests to protect the country though, I suppose..."

Domestic Impact

Option 1

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

?

It is believed that this option that this option significantly decreases political freedoms as it suggests that the military run the nation.

Option 2

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

people can often be seen driving to work in war-surplus tanks

It is believed that this option slightly increases economic freedoms.

Option 3

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

?

It is believed that this option ...

Option 4

The following game text is added to nations choosing this option:

?

It is believed that this option ...

Additional materials

• List of Issues
• NationStates Issues Thread on jolt forums discussing daily issues