Part 23

Explore the various government stances in Civilization IV, including Slavery, Land Security, Elections, Natives, and Religion. Make informed choices for your empire.

This guide covers the various government stances available in Civilization IV, detailing their effects and offering strategic advice for choosing between them.

Part 23: Government Stances

Stance on Slavery

Slavery: Provides a +25% bonus to Food, Lumber, Silver, Cotton, Fur, Sugar, Tobacco, and Ore Production in all Settlements. While useful for production, trading these resources might be more profitable. A large bank balance is generally recommended for declaring independence, which can be achieved through bribing other nations or tribes.

Summary: The guide suggests that the 'All Men Are Free' stance might be preferable, especially when focusing on military conflict, as more troops are always needed to replace fallen soldiers. However, the production bonus from Slavery is acknowledged as useful.

Stance on Land Security

Controlled Arms: Grants a +50% bonus to Liberty Bells Production in all Settlements. Liberty Bells are important for boosting fighting troops and providing Founding Father points.

Right to Bear Arms: Provides a +1 Strength bonus to all Colonists, enhancing attack capabilities for defense against invading forces.

Summary: 'Right to Bear Arms' is recommended over 'Controlled Arms' for its direct battlefield advantage, emphasizing manpower and firepower over tactics.

Stance on Elections

Elections: Doubles the Founding Father Point Rate (+100%). This is highly beneficial for acquiring new Founding Fathers, especially military ones, during a conflict.

Monarchy: Allows continued Trade with Europe. This is considered less useful after declaring independence, as naval forces are needed for defense against European invaders, and sufficient Gold should ideally be accumulated beforehand.

Summary: 'Elections' is generally preferred over 'Monarchy' because it avoids diverting naval forces to trade during wartime and addresses the need for Founding Father points. The excess production from colonies might be sold to other colonies or natives.

Stance on Natives

Manifest Destiny: Provides a +50% bonus when fighting Natives, and colony borders dominate native borders. This stance is generally disliked, as it divides forces needed to fight both natives and the King's men.

Native Rights: Strengthens Relations with the Natives. This allows for arming natives with resources like Muskets and Horses to fight alongside your forces.

Summary: 'Native Rights' is strongly recommended for the crucial support natives can provide during the difficult fight against the King. Having native allies can help defend cities and relieve the burden on your own forces.

Stance on Religion

Seperation of Church and State: Converts Immigration Crosses into Liberty Bells. This is supported for ideological reasons but is considered less advantageous than the alternative.

Theocracy: Converts Immigration Crosses into Production Hammers. This is considered the superior stance, despite modern connotations of theocracy.