Script Politics

for all your political writing needs

[scriptpolitics]

Hi guys,

So we’ve been meaning to post something like this for a while, but this is the official notice:

We’re closing up shop.

Both Mod M and I are just too busy to answer you’re questions (we’ve literally been too busy to write this post). We’re really sorry to have to abandon the questions left in the ask box -we really were trying to get through them all before we closed, but it has just proved impossible.

The archive will stay up, and we might be able to come back to this blog in the future, but for now we must bid you farewell.

-Mod Galbraith and Mod M

[scriptpolitics]

When a king goes off to war, is it plausible to have the queen take over his duties and rule in his place? If so, would she have the same authority or would anything she do not truly be binding unless the king approves?

Hi there!

This question required quite a bit of research on my part. My conclusion is that every scenario was a bit different. It appears that kings managed both domestic and foreign affairs from the battle front as needed. Minor things were most likely allocated to someone to act as a regent, but major issues were still brought to the attention of the king. Often times, when it was the norm for kings to fight in battle, queens were not in positions of substantial political influence. That is to say, a sovereign queen was not really typical. However, let’s say that the queen was able to be a sovereign monarch. If the queen (or anyone for that matter) were to take control of domestic affairs while the king was away, I would assume everything would be binding, but if the king wanted to, he could amend or undo anything he disagreed with.

I hope this helped!

[scriptpolitics]

I have a world that's extremely huge, and communication and transportation is not advanced nor quick. The entire world is in disarray because the governments are scattered, not united, and in constant squabbles over land. Is it realistic for the whole world to be a mess politically? And how would this affect people trying to cross borders? How would trade be accomplished?

Hi there!

It is totally realistic for the world to be a mess politically. To be fair, politics are pretty messy in our world today even though we do have advanced communication and transportation technologies. Immigration would not be extremely high because of the transportation difficulties but still would exist. The way that immigration’s viewed in that world is most likely quite different than how it is viewed today. Cultural norms would determine how readily immigrants would be accepted into the community. Trade would most likely be predominantly bilateral; existing between two countries without the involvement of others. Transportation would potentially limit what kinds of goods may be traded.

This is a pretty general overview so if you have any more specific questions, definitely let us know! As always, the more details the better.

[scriptpolitics]

In a monarchy, let's say the heir to the throne ran away, leaving their younger sibling behind as the next heir. If they came back before said younger sibling was coronated, would the older or younger sibling be the first in the line of succession?

Hi there!

It really depends. By running away, the older sibling would be abandoning their kingdom in its time of need and may then be considered a traitor to the kingdom, thus making the younger sibling the successor. Even if the older sibling was not considered a traitor once they returned, them running away may be considered an act of them abdicating their throne, which would also make the younger sibling the successor despite the elder’s return.

On the flip side, the elder could argue that he was not abdicating or denouncing the kingdom, but rather was just taking a quick trip and had full intentions of returning. In this case, it may become a bit of a popularity contest. If the elder has more support, they may be able to get the throne back. If the younger has more support, they may get to keep it. If there is a somewhat similar preference between the two, this may start a battle or war between the two as they fight for the throne.

Thanks for the question! Hope this is useful!

[scriptpolitics]

Hello, I was wondering if you could maybe help me with something. In the project I'm working on the Queen and princesses all suddenly disappear, leaving only the youngest princess (who is of age). They are mysteriously missing, possible kidnapped and could be dead. Would the youngest become princess-regent as soon as her sisters are gone? Who names her the regent? If they're missing long enough, would they be declared dead? Meaning the princess will become Queen? THANK YOU

Hello!

Unless otherwise specified, she would become the princess-regent immediately, as she is the next in line for secession (depending, as always, on your system of succession, country, time period etc.). After enough time passes, the missing family members would be assumed dead and treated as such. The amount of time until they are considered dead would vary from country to country. Once the queen and the older heirs are assumed dead, the princess-regent would become queen.  

Best of luck!

[scriptpolitics]

Temporary Hiatus... Again

Hi everybody! 

Mod M here. I didn’t want to do this, but after the past week or so I realized I just am not going to be able to devote enough time to this blog. I want to make sure everyone gets the best answers possible and not something hastily thrown together, so I am going to be putting the blog on hiatus until August 20th. 

I will also be closing the ask box. We have a lot of asks to work on and we would like to prevent them from accumulating further. I really appreciate the questions you guys send us! As always, thank you so much! 

-Mod M

[scriptpolitics]

Hello, everyone!

I am so sorry, I am somewhat running behind schedule. I am currently working on answering the asks we already have received and will be posting them this upcoming week. Thank you all for your patience! I just wanted to check in and let you all know we haven’t abandoned the blog.

-Mod M 

[scriptpolitics]

Temporary Hiatus... Again

Hi everybody! 

Mod M here. I didn’t want to do this, but after the past week or so I realized I just am not going to be able to devote enough time to this blog. I want to make sure everyone gets the best answers possible and not something hastily thrown together, so I am going to be putting the blog on hiatus until August 20th. 

I will also be closing the ask box. We have a lot of asks to work on and we would like to prevent them from accumulating further. I really appreciate the questions you guys send us! As always, thank you so much! 

-Mod M

[scriptpolitics]

Would it be possible for a princess (in modern times) to walk around without being followed by either a bodyguard or the media?

Hello!

Yes, I suppose it is technically possible, but it is really not recommended for such an influential and important person to be without a bodyguard in public. It would be extremely dangerous, especially in modern times, because someone may be targeted without ever seeing their attacker thanks to firearms. It is also pretty hard to escape media attention. I suppose it could be done, but would probably require planning before hand in order to escape being tracked. Keep in mind that many modern technological devices are able to be tracked quite easily, thus tipping someone off to the location of an individual.

Thanks for the question!

[scriptpolitics]

I read that in order to change a state law, a bill has to be passed. Can anyone do this and how is it done?

Hi there,

I am assuming you are referring to the United States. If you are not, please correct me!

The process for a bill being passed may vary from state to state. A bill is considered ‘passed’ once the governor signs it into law. If the governor refuses to sign, it is considered vetoed. Some states, like New York and California, have time limits where if the governor doesn’t sign in X days, the bill is considered vetoed.

Here is the general way state bills are passed. Keep in mind there is variance between states - this is just a general guideline:

A member of the state legislature writes the bill. Ideas for a bill may come from a citizen, but an elected official has to actually author the bill.

The bill is read to the state legislature.

The bill is then assigned to a policy committee. The members of this committee will determine if they want to go forward with the bill. People and organizations may testify for or against the bill while it is in committee.

If the bill requires funding, it may have to move to a fiscal committee for approval (again, depends on the state).

Bill is then read again for the state legislature. It is voted on by the members. Most states (with the exception of Nebraska) have bicameral legislatures. If it is passed in the lower house, it then moves to the upper house to be read and voted on again.

If the bill passes both bodies it moves to the governor.

The governor then either signs the bill, enacting it into law or vetoes it.

At any point, changes may be made to the bill.

Again, I really want to stress this is a very general, non-specific overview. There is a lot of variance between states -- if you are writing about a specific state, please refer to their website for more details about their legislative process.

[scriptpolitics]

Could you give us a general overview of (especially European) city states? Especially in regards to social structure and foreign relations with other kingdoms and city states?

Hi there!

This sounds like a potential masterpost idea! I know you specified European, but what time period are you wanting us to look at?

Thanks!

[scriptpolitics]

What exactly is a king's role in a kingdom?

Whatever he wants it to be.

If your novel is a fantasy, you can construct your monarchy so that the role of the king fits the needs of the story. He may be super involved in the day-to-day happenings of the kingdom or he may be completely removed.

 If you’re writing a specific historical monarch, you’ll have to research them because there is variance between monarchs. 

[scriptpolitics]

Hey there! I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I didn't find anything related to my question on your blog search. I'm writing a novel set in a near-future US whose social and economic conditions replicate those of the Great Depression. Within that context, how plausible would it be to see some states seceding from the Union (e.g. those that think they'd do better as independent republics)? Would a majority of the population engage in acts of civil disobedience and/or violent rebellion?

Hi! I believe you are correct, and we have not received a similar ask before, but I appreciate you checking! I would think it very unlikely that during a time of severe economic depression, states would secede from the US. 

No state (not even you, Texas!) is self-sufficient enough to succeed. The immediate and hard withdrawal of interstate trade, subsidies, and federal funding would severely damage the economy even more than the depression. The already sky-high unemployment rates would become even worse as all the individuals with federal jobs lose their positions. 

There will be people who think that they would be better off as an independent republic. They may or may not even be the majority. Regardless, they would not be able to secede because the US isn’t going to let go of a state very easily. If citizens try to rebel against the state using violence, they would be no match for the US military. No state’s National Guard would be a match for the US military. 

Civil disobedience will probably be present to a degree – probably in the form of protests and riots. If the law enforcement of the state is in full support of secession and the protests, they may not do anything to prevent them. Should rioting get bad enough, the US may decide to take more dramatic actions to provide law enforcement and disband rioting. This would bring us back to the point made in the previous paragraph - no state alone would be a match for US forces. 

All that said, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a state secede in your book! It would be interesting to see characters have to deal with the economic and potential military repercussions of a secession –especially if your state is one of the larger ones where there would be a noticeable loss of revenue for the US if the state seceded. Maybe the general public supported secession because of the economic downturn, but what solidified the break-up was that the state legislature was corrupted by another country who promised assistance. The other country may have been interested in this state because it produces a particular product or service that is extraordinarily valuable to that other country. 

I hope this was helpful and not discouraging! Best of luck with your novel! 

[hisgirlfridaygirl]

Thanks so much, @scriptpolitics!! I have some follow-up questions if you don’t mind:

a) Can you recommend any reading (or viewing) material on the Great Depression, so I can do more research on it? I’m particularly interested in learning about its specific “day-to-day” impact on the population, as that’s the kind of thing I’d need to bear in mind when I’m outlining my characters & their circumstances.

b) What states do you have in mind when you say “one of the larger ones where there would be a noticeable loss of revenue for the US”, and do you know of any sources I should check out with respect to secession attempts or plans in the history of the US so far?

c) What do you mean specifically when you say “Should rioting get bad enough, the US may decide to take more dramatic actions to provide law enforcement and disband rioting”? Are you referring to harsher police action, or to political action, e.g. pass a bill penalizing the rogue state in some way?

[scriptpolitics]

Hi there! Glad we could help!

A) I found a few resources that may be helpful:

Gene Smiley, "Great Depression."

University of Illinois, “About the Great Depression.”

Neenah Ellis, “Survivors Of The Great Depression Tell Their Stories”

University of Washington, “Everyday Life during the Depression” 

Smart Songs “Great Depression Rap - Smart Songs” 

US National Archives “Stories from the Great Depression” 

The first two sources are a bit more general, the third contains a podcast with interviews, the fourth details a bit more about day to day life, the fifth is a youtube video that is both pretty catchy and informative, and six is more stories from people who lived during the Depression.

B) The biggest secession attempt in the US occurred during the Civil War with the Confederacy, but there have been a few other movements that never really gathered much steam or support. The idea of Texas seceding makes its way into social media and news stories every now and then in the US -- it’s kinda even become a meme. Here is a video by CGP Grey detailing how successful a Texan secession may be.

When I said the larger ones, I was referring economy size. The three largest states (in terms of GDP) are California, Texas, and New York. New York’s geographic location would make it even harder to secede. As mentioned in the CGP Grey video, a major problem for Texas (and also CA) would be that the US is not going to allow them to secede and no state is a match for the US military. That brings me back to the suggestion that this military power imbalance between the seceded state and the US may be mitigated by outside military assistance.

C) I am referring to both the use of force and political action.

Regarding force: I should clarify on my comment about the National Guard. National Guards are weird in that they serve both the state and the federal government. Federal service trumps the state, but in event of a secession I am not entirely sure how the guard would react; I’d imagine it would depend a bit from case to case. There’s not too much relevant history here to give examples from or refer back to. National Guard units have been used as riot control in the past.

Regarding political action: Cutting funding is a popular method used to get states to comply to federal legislature.

I hope this provided some clarification! 

[scriptpolitics]

is there a difference between calling someone "your highness" or "your majesty"?

Hi there! 

‘Your Majesty’ is used for the reigning monarch, as well as their spouse. Kings and queens would be referred to as ‘your majesty,’ whereas other members of the royal family would be referred to as ‘your highness.’ Dukes and duchesses would be referred to as ‘your grace.’ 

Thanks for the question!

[scriptpolitics]

Yes, please do a series of the most stupid basis for war that are historical and real.

Thank you, @silentsnowdrop, and everyone else who mentioned in the replies that they would like to see this! 

I promise it is coming! I’m very excited to do it and thrilled y’all are looking forward to it as well!  

Also, thank you all for your support! I know we may not be the fastest repliers, but we really appreciate y’all sticking with us and continuing to send us questions. 

[scriptpolitics]

What could possibly start a war between two kingdoms?

But really though - wars and battles can be started for any reason. Historically, reasons have ranged anywhere from ideological differences, territorial disputes, or resources distribution to a dead pig, a stolen bucket, or a chopped-off ear.

This ask did inspire me to consider beginning a series on some of the more ridiculous reasons wars, battles, and armed conflicts that have occurred. If this is something y’all want to see more of, let us know! Especially if you have any particular one you’d like us to cover.

I would like to point out that while there is definitely an argument to be made that all wars are stupid, I’m thinking of having the series cover the more obscure ones. If there is any interest in us covering some of the larger, more serious wars as well, let us know! We may consider doing a series on that as well!

[scriptpolitics]

how would the people from the castle address to the prince? (if that make sense) Would they call him ”sire” or ”sir” or would they just call him by his name?

Hello! This would vary person-to-person depending on their relationship with the prince, the formality of the occasion, and his personal preference. A lower servant would use terms such as ‘your highness’ and ‘sir/sire’. Someone closer to him, such as a tutor or particularly close servant, might use more familiar names with him, such as his given name or a pet name in private settings. In formal and public settings, it would be more appropriate for them to call him sir, sire, or your highness.

Thank you for the question!

[scriptpolitics]

after the king dies, how much time passes until his son takes the throne?

Hi there! 

This really depends on what you mean by taking the throne. Typically, if the son is a young child, he would become king, but he would not ‘take the throne’ per say. There would be another person (typically a close family member or high ranking official) to act as a regent for the child until he came of age. If the son is an older child/young adult/adult then he immediately becomes king; however, there is sometimes a mourning period after the late monarch's death before the coronation occurs. The mourning period would vary from country to country, but anywhere from a few months to a year seems to be fairly typical.

Thanks for the question! I hope this helped!