How do Governments work

[Bfloo]

Learning to play, I've been mostly ignoring the Government tab. My attention was focused on the economics (which is hit or miss for me).

The tutorials barely even mention it, or it was in passing and I missed it.

What are the differences between the types (gameplay wise, I know the basics of each in a historical context) and what traits am I looking for in the ministers? I've used all 3, and saw no real difference, though my campaigns are more just bloodbaths towards the end as I push for the last few objectives to win.

[pgeerkens]

My response to the post below has thoughts on how to build a first rate Cabinet, especially under Absolute Monarchy, to maintain Public Order.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/10500/discussions/0/3050611812307452334/

To change Government Type the appropriate citizen class must successfully rebel (in your Faction's Capitol Region):[list[

• Nobility installs an Absolute Monarchy with a Lower Class, eliminating Middle Class;
  
• Middle Class installs a Constitutional Monarchy with a Nobility, eliminating Lower Class;
  
• Lower Class installs a Republic with a Middle Class, eliminating Nobility.

Of the three possible citizen classes, only two exist in each Government Type. From any given starting Government Type, the desired Type hence may require two rebellions: one to create the class that can install it, followed by a second that does so. When fomenting a rebellion, be sure that the correct citizen Class is being provoked.

When fomenting a rebellion in your Capitol Region, be sure to first move troops out of it. To be successful the rebellion must defeat any existing troops in the region capable of defending the Capitol.

The main ministerial Attributes and Followers to seek/shun are, for each Government Type:

• Absolute Monarchy
  • Seek: Bon Vivant, Sybarite, Jughead, Mistress, Agrarian (except in Finance)
    
  • Shun: Status Quo, Amusing Cad, "Mistress"
• Constitutional Monarchy
  • Seek: Capitalist, Stallholder, Agrarian (except in Finance), Mistress, Status Quo
    
  • Shun: Jughead, "Mistress"
• Republic
  • Seek: Capitalist, Stallholder, Bon Vivant, Jughead, Sybarite
    
  • Shun: Status Quo, Amusing Cad, "Mistress"

The lists above are not exhaustive, but cover all the most common Attributes and Followers. Note the difference between Mistress (good or neutral) and "Mistress" (always bad).

[HazardHawk]

They tell lies to take more money than they need so they can get rich. Hee hee!

[Hedning]

In an absolute monarchy you have full control over ministers and they stay until they die or you change them. In the other government types your hard work finding the best ministers is reset by elections and in republics you can't keep them even if you should win the election because of term limits.

Some units also change. Switching from monarchy to republic you may get access to superior line infantry, but lose access to guard cavalry. Changing will also disband any guard units since republican guard is different to guard units made in a monarchy, constitutional or absolute.

Research speed is increased for republics and you get less clamor for reform penalties. Different economic and happiness bonuses as well.

[Bfloo]

Thanks for the advice so far. What are the pros and cons of each?

[Hedning]

Eh, what? Those are the pros and cons. Also since everything is relative a pro for republic is also a con for monarchies, whichever way you like to see it. But I'll spell it out for you:

Being able to keep your ministers forever and freely switch is a pro for monarchies. Not being able to do that is a con for republics. Having better research, better economic growth and less clamor for reform is a pro for republics.

Conscripts have slightly better stats than militia. This is a pro for republics. Some nations lose their special guards for the generic republican guard, this is a con for a republic in those nations. Some nations however get superior line infantry as well as republican guards, this is a pro for those nations.

Additionally switching to a republic when most countries are still absolute monarchies will incur a heavy dislike penalty. This is a con for switching. Countries also like "same government type". This can be a pro depending on what country you like to ally yourself with.

Most noticeable are the unit changes, the ability to change and keep ministers, and happiness changes.

[Insaniac]

Okay so basically: Constitutional monarchy good. Other governments bad.

[pgeerkens]

Originally posted by Steven Seagal:

Okay so basically: Constitutional monarchy good. Other governments bad.

Disagreement here. My strong first preference is Absolute Monarchy, followed by Constitutional Monarchy as barely tolerable and Republic as abysmal. Playing as Absolute Monarchy requires a bid more proactive Cabinet Management, but pays healthy dividends in exchange.