Georgia: Against All Odds II
Having already taken a good look at the external issues facing our country, it's time to peer into the internal status.
Georgia is a Feudal Monarchy ruled by King Giorgi VII. Despite fancying himself a great general, the King has only a little experience in such matters. His talents in administration and diplomacy are not even worth mentioning, except to say that his presence on the throne greatly cheers our enemies. He has ruled since the beginning of 1446, and has accomplished little. His court of advisors contains no one of any note, leaving the King unassisted in matters of state.
The financial state of the country can be viewed to the left. Of particular note is the gold income, which currently provides almost half of the country's monthly income. While a welcome benefit, this will add 4% per year to the country's level of inflation. While unfortunate, there may be some things which can be done about this problem.
The majority of the monthly expenditures are currently being given over to investments, which cover technological research, and improvements to the country's general level of stability. The remaining amount is currently being spent on maintaining the military at full levels of readiness, a state which is only endurable due to the small size of the military.
Besides gold, our country also produces copper, wool, and wine. Most of our exports are traded at the center of trade in Kaffa, a province of Genoa (north of the Black Sea). Gold bullion and crafts from Alania (our north-east province) is traded in Astrakhan, a province ruled by the Golden Horde (to the north-east).
As can be seen from our trade income, we do currently have merchants that work the centers of trade in Kaffa, Astrakhan, and Liguria (a province on the north coast of the Mediterranean Sea). There is plenty more room for expansion in all of these centers of trade, and it is likely that our trade income will increase in the coming years.
The treasury currently holds 50.9 ducats, and each year we gain an additional 14.57 ducats in incomes which are accrued at the end of the year. Even accounting for our monthly losses, we are still able to turn a yearly profit.
Next up is our military. Georgia currently boasts a single army of 3,000 peasant levies which is currently stationed at the capital in Imereti. Our Naval presence is limited to a small fleet of 4 galleys and 2 cogs (a small ship used primarily for transport purposes). The country definitely has the capability (both financially and from manpower perspectives) to field a larger army.
Finally, we'll take a quick look at our national ideas and domestic policies.
National ideas represent those areas in which our country specializes. Our country is well balanced in various fields. The first idea (Seahawks) provides a broad variety of naval benefits, most of which will not likely be useful for some time to come, as we have too many problems to occupy our interest close to home without looking across the seas.
The second idea, Military Drill, will help with quickly forming larger armies, and keeping those armies well disciplined. This is likely to be very useful to us.
The third idea, National Trade Policy, will make it cheaper, quicker, and easier to send merchants to various centers of trade. This will be quite helpful as we will need a strong trading economy to help provide the funds we need for future growth.
Domestic policies indicate how our country operates in a broad variety of issues. These policies may be changed, but only over the course of decades or even centuries (for major changes). There are a couple items here particular note.
First is the strong leanings towards aristocracy. This will hinder our future plans for expanded trade. Fortunately, it does help with army morale and make it cheaper to raise cavalry. We will need to look at shifting this more towards plutocracy.
Second is the strong decentralisation. While this does lower the risk of any revolts throughout the country, it does lower the amount of money we can collect through taxes and production. This will need to shift more towards centralisation.
Third is the strong leanings towards a moral economy. In order to become more competitive in foreign trade markets we will need to shift this more towards a market economy.
The final item of note is the very strong leaning towards serfdom. While this does make it easier to more cheaply raise a large army, the effect on army morale and production efficiency will necessitate moving more towards free subjects.
Since there are so many future adjustments here, it is likely to be an extremely long time before these goals come close to being met. Still, we will attempt to make progress on these issues when possible.
Overall, with the exception of some badly needed shifts in domestic policy and a poor leader, our internal state looks reasonably good. Next time we'll take a brief look at some short term goals, and then it will be time for action.
Comments
Re: Georgia: Against All Odds II
"The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s."
It is a country slightly smaller than south Carolina that has 210km coastline on the northeast corner of the Black Sea. It is largely mountainous with the Great Caucaus Mountains on the north and the lesser Caucaus Mountains on the south and a large fertile valley land inbetween. On it's 12% of land that is ariable is grown tea and citrus, etc as appropriate in such a mild climate. The land is also rich with forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits.
One important assest it has held through the years is the fact that being strategically located east of the Black Sea has given it control over much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them. (Which would also explain why it is has historically been on the forefront of every driving attack for land expansion.)
However, earthquakes remain a hazzard for the country.
All this imformation was take from the CIA website of world-wide countries. It is an interesting place and throught you'd enjoy some information about it from the present.
P.S. Sorry this came at your second entry as it actually belongs with the first entry, but I read the second one first. By the way, area of present Georgia is much smaller than in your time period and in fact much smaller than it was a few years ago when Russia carved our a few of it providences for division. Russia's problem of course is that it has no sea port unless it can wrangle some land as in this latest attempt.
Re: Georgia: Against All Odds II
That bit about being "on the forefront of every driving attack for land expansion" is exactly when this could be a tough game. I've got larger nations on all sides of me that are hostile to me. I've heard that the trick to surviving as Georgia is to try to hold out until you can get Russia to ally with you. Then you're pretty much going to be fine.
I did most of my research on the wikipedia site. Lots of good, interesting information there, I'll probably provide some links later.