When I Am the Benevolent ruler

[Voltaggia]

I am sure you guys know the Evil Overlord list. While browsing TvTropes (if you don't know the site yet - don't visit. It will ruin your life and free time) I found a link to an old "Benevolent ruler list" thread (http://www.herogames.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-22741.html), but it got disconitinued after three pages. I am sure there are a lot more ideas that could be added to the list, so let's find them, shall we? Here are some of mine:

-If there is a minority somewhere in my kingdom that lives at the sole location of the most important resource there is, be it fuel, type of food or simply rare shiny rocks, I will not root them out and place them on a "better" location. Instead, I shall befriend them and offer them privileges so that they shall remain loyal to me and do my bidding.

-My royal coffers will have a minimum and a maximum amount of money that are inside them at any time. Anything over the maximum will immediately be used for construction or shared among the poor, and I shall only go under the minimum in states of emergency (but never for military purposes).

-When my capable but suspicious general insults somebody that might be important simply because he distrusts him, I will apologise in his name only for the first time. After the meeting, I will have him attend a public relations class, and if I have to apologise in his name for the second time, he will not attend any important meetings anymore.

Also, remember that a benevolent ruler does what is the best for his people - even if it means killing some. And yes, I realise all this could apply to an evil overlord, but there are some points at which these two archetypes differ.

 

[SpikeyGirl]

Nobody want to add?

Seemingly not

How about free pony experience at every major park on the third Tuesday of every month. That way the parents will love you as the little girls may shut up about wanting a pony all the time as they will learn how hard it is to care for a pony.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Benevolence isn't as fun as being an Evil overlord. Though, were it me, I'd offer ice cream incentives with free dental benefits for every occupation.

 

[Lazarus Long]

If I ever realize that my Trusted Advisor hasn't bathed in a month and looks suspiciously like Brad Dourif, I will find a new Trusted Advisor.

That's the best I got at 4 AM on short notice.

 

[Casbahthegrey]

I would have all Activision employees not directly involved in videogames put in stocks, free blunt objects, rotten fruit, turds and disposable gloves will then be handed out to passers by who will be encouraged to use the items they have been given on aforementioned employees.

 

[Fat Hippo]

The wine shall flow freely and the women shall be beautiful (probably because of too much wine)! And if you don't like wine, you can have beer!

It doesn't get any more benevolent than that...for 2 months or so, 'till it all breaks down. Good times.

 

[Melon Hunter]

Of course, you could be a dictator as well as benevolent. Nothing bad ever happens to people, they just...disappear sometimes.

That's what the terrified populace tell each other with frozen grins, as they nervously eye the nearest 'Benevolence Officer'.

 

[Arrers]

I don't think you can have a benevolent ruler. Absolute power's just too tempting.

 

[riskroWe]

True benevolence would be giving people liberties.

 

[Voltaggia]

Would it? I think not... giving people too much liberties would result in anarchy...

Casbahthegrey: I think that it would be better described as:

-Every single company and / or association who has people on the payroll NOT directly involved in the company's business (such as a video game company having too many lawyers)will be forced to allocate those members to a company in which they will be useful in the production process, or cease to exist immediately.

Anyway, I have two more:

- Should enviromental issues come in the way of my nation's progress (such as a forest growing on top of an oil-rich land), I shall first conduct an enviromental study with a group of independent scientists, and minimise the damage done by preserving as much of the original teritory (unless the damage done is irreversible, in which case we will just drill elsewhere)

- I will never import soldiers from other countries, no matter how big a military urge it is. They tend to stay in the land and terrorise the population, which I do not want. I will rather rely on local militia and make sure every village has one commander capable of organising the peasantry and gaining enough trust and power to prevent them from raiding a neighboring village just because they stole a bunch of pigs last winter.