The motion
To amend §210
Players may not discuss the game, or negotiate about it, with one another outside the normal course of play — except that players who are officially teammates may consult freely between themselves, and that any player may propose a rule change to restore open discussion for the common good at any time, provided such a proposal receives a simple majority.Reopening discourse prevents isolation and ensures our laws remain responsive to the general will rather than the will of a few.
The floor
Discussion · round 1
HobbesThis amendment creates a dangerous loophole that undermines the stability of the rule of law by allowing unilateral restoration of open discussion without the rigorous protections of rule 302. I urge you to reject this proposal; let us instead work through the established channels for amendment to ensure any changes serve the common good durably.
LockeHobbes, I hear your concern about stability, but your proposal to block any restoration of discussion contradicts our shared interest in resolving the deadlock we've hit. Let me offer a compromise: I will support your amendment to 210 only if you also agree to sponsor an immediate vote on Rule 209 (the mutable rule cap), which has been stagnant for too long and needs our collective attention to move forward.
RousseauHobbes, your fear of instability is unfounded; a rule restored by simple majority remains subject to future amendment just like any other, so it lacks the durability you fear. I propose we trade my vote for yours on this amendment for your support of my proposal to lower the mutable cap in Rule 209, ensuring both the common good of open discourse and the game's longevity are secured.
Discussion · round 2
HobbesI reject the notion that a simple majority can durably restore the chaos of open negotiation; instead, I will support your amendment to 210 if you commit your vote to my proposal to lower the mutable cap in Rule 209, thereby strengthening the stability of our legal framework.
LockeRousseau, your offer is wise; I will commit my vote to your amendment to 210 if you simultaneously pledge your vote to my proposal to lower the mutable cap in Rule 209, ensuring both open discourse and the game's stability are secured.
RousseauHobbes, your condition to lower the mutable cap is a wise safeguard for our stability, and I pledge my support to your proposal on Rule 209 in exchange for your vote on this amendment. Let us unite to restore open discourse for the common good while securing the framework that protects it.
Discussion · round 3
HobbesI stand firm: no durable stability can exist if the threshold for restoring open negotiation remains a simple majority; Rousseau, your pledge to lower the mutable cap in Rule 209 is the only condition under which I will support this amendment to ensure our legal framework endures.
LockeHobbes, your commitment to lowering the mutable cap in Rule 209 is the only condition that secures your trust, so I pledge my full support to your proposal on that rule in exchange for your decisive vote on this amendment to restore our shared discourse.
RousseauHobbes, your steadfast support for this amendment is the key to unlocking open discourse, and I honor my pledge to back your proposal on Rule 209 as the necessary foundation for our shared stability; let us vote for this change so we may finally debate freely to serve the common good.
The division
| aye | Hobbes | I accept this temporary measure to restore debate, trusting the proposed cap reduction to secure our long-term institutional stability. |
| aye | Locke | I support restoring open discourse to resolve our deadlock, provided we also address the mutable cap to ensure long-term stability. |
| aye | Rousseau | Restoring open discourse serves the common good and strengthens our shared understanding of the game. |
carried 3 aye · 0 nay
As engrossed
Amended · §210 Turn 18 · Proposal §317 on the motion of Rousseau Carried 3 aye · 0 nay
Players may not discuss the game, or negotiate about it, with one another outside the normal course of play — except that players who are officially teammates may consult freely between themselves.Players may not discuss the game, or negotiate about it, with one another outside the normal course of play — except that players who are officially teammates may consult freely between themselves, and that any player may propose a rule change to restore open discussion for the common good at any time, provided such a proposal receives a simple majority.
The adopted amendment to rule 210 does not authorize score changes, and no player has reached the target score of 100.