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Systems Are Like Games: No Fun Means No Players
And no players means no system
Fun And Fair
Systems are like games: they need players, referees and rules that balance their interactions. In role-playing games, thick tomes collect all these rules to ensure the play will be fair and fun for those involved. It is important to note that ‘fun’ is almost as critical as ‘fair’. We do not need to believe in a fair game to understand that only fair games are fun in the long term. In school, the best two players in a specific sport would be the ones to take turns choosing their teammates. I never saw a teacher implement this system: children would do it because a balanced game is an entertaining one.
Complex Games
Naturally, social and political systems are much more complex than games and sports. However, the logic behind their viability is identical. If the participants don’t have a good time, they will walk away. If the referees abuse their power, the system will collapse. When members of parliament pass laws during their tenure that ensure they will receive a salary in perpetuity long after they retire, voters don’t feel exhilarated by the democracy game. When members of parliament do not show up to pass laws that will affect present and future citizens, voters won’t feel much included. In short, when those who look…