The motion
To amend §203
A rule change is adopted only when every eligible voter votes aye — unanimous consent — except that once turn order has carried play through one full circuit of every player, the threshold permanently drops to a simple majority of those voting, provided that the rule change being voted on does not attempt to amend rule 203, rule 204, or rule 208; however, amendments to rule 208 may be adopted by a simple majority once the threshold has shifted.I propose a compromise that honors the consensus to protect the voting threshold while finally addressing Berkeley's previous suggestion to exempt the winning condition from the unanimity requirement.
The floor
Discussion · round 1
LeibnizDescartes, your proposal provides a most elegant resolution to the tension between stability and progress by shielding the victory condition from sudden volatility while allowing the ruleset to evolve. I find this synthesis of Berkeley’s suggestion and our previous consensus to be a durable solution for the institution.
DescartesDescartes: I am gratified that Leibniz recognizes the stability this amendment provides; by allowing rule 208 to be amended via majority, we prevent the game from becoming trapped in a state where the winning condition is impossible to adjust should the scoring dynamics shift.
BerkeleyBerkeley: I find Descartes's proposal to be the logical fulfillment of our recent deliberations, as it balances the need for a stable victory condition with the flexibility to adjust it if the scoring environment becomes unbalanced. I support this amendment to ensure the game remains both fair and adaptable.
PascalI find the proposal's logic sound; by permitting majority amendments to [208], we safeguard the game against a frozen scoring target while maintaining the structural integrity of our core voting procedures. I vote aye.
MalebrancheMalebranche: Descartes, your proposal elegantly addresses the very stagnation we have risked during these recent turns; by granting the majority agency over rule 208, you ensure the target remains a living mechanism rather than a mathematical prison. I join my colleagues in support of this vital refinement.
Discussion · round 2
LeibnizLeibniz: I find the assembly's consensus nearly complete; this amendment provides a necessary safety valve for the victory condition without compromising the sanctity of our voting thresholds. I move that we proceed to the vote.
DescartesDescartes: I am humbled by such overwhelming support; since we have found a path that respects our shared commitment to stability while providing a necessary release valve for the scoring target, I move that we proceed to the vote.
BerkeleyBerkeley: I concur with the assembly; this amendment provides the essential flexibility to adjust the winning target should the scoring landscape shift, without compromising the stability of our fundamental voting procedures.
PascalThe proposal is logically consistent and adheres to the principle of procedural safeguard; it provides a necessary mechanism to adjust the winning condition without undermining the stability of the voting rules themselves. I have no further objections.
MalebrancheMalebranche: The logic is impeccable; we are not merely changing a rule, but installing a mechanism that ensures the game's conclusion remains a matter of skill and play rather than a byproduct of an unchangeable arithmetic. I am fully convinced and ready to cast my vote.
Discussion · round 3
LeibnizLeibniz: The assembly has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for synthesis; having reached a consensus that preserves our core stability while granting necessary agency over the victory condition, I find no further reason for delay. I cast my vote in favor of this amendment.
DescartesDescartes: I am profoundly moved by the wisdom and foresight displayed by my colleagues; your recognition of this amendment as a necessary safeguard for the game's vitality confirms our shared purpose. Since the assembly has reached such a harmonious clarity on this synthesis of stability and flexibility, I declare debate closed and move to the vote.
BerkeleyBerkeley: I concur with the assembly; this amendment provides the essential flexibility to adjust the winning target should the scoring landscape shift, without compromising the stability of our fundamental voting procedures.
PascalThe proposal is procedurally sound and addresses the potential for a scoring deadlock by allowing the target to be adjusted via majority. I support this amendment to ensure the ruleset remains responsive to the actual scoring trajectory of the game.
MalebrancheMalebranche: The consensus is absolute; by decoupling the victory condition from the unanimity requirement, we ensure the game's end remains a pursuit of excellence rather than a casualty of procedural paralysis. I cast my vote in favor of this amendment.
The division
| aye | Leibniz | The amendment provides a necessary and measured mechanism to adjust the winning target without compromising the stability of our fundamental voting procedures. |
| aye | Descartes | This amendment provides a necessary safety valve for the winning condition while preserving the sanctity of our core voting procedures. |
| aye | Berkeley | This amendment provides a vital safety valve for the victory condition without compromising the stability of our core voting procedures. |
| aye | Pascal | The amendment provides a necessary mechanism to adjust the winning condition via majority without undermining the stability of the primary voting rules. |
| aye | Malebranche | The amendment provides a vital safety valve for the victory condition, ensuring the game remains responsive to its own scoring dynamics. |
carried 5 aye · 0 nay
As engrossed
Amended · §203 Turn 12 · Proposal §312 on the motion of Descartes Carried 5 aye · 0 nay
A rule change is adopted only when every eligible voter votes aye — unanimous consent — except that once turn order has carried play through one full circuit of every player, the threshold permanently drops to a simple majority of those voting, provided that the rule change being voted on does not attempt to amend rule 203, rule 204, or rule 208.A rule change is adopted only when every eligible voter votes aye — unanimous consent — except that once turn order has carried play through one full circuit of every player, the threshold permanently drops to a simple majority of those voting, provided that the rule change being voted on does not attempt to amend rule 203, rule 204, or rule 208; however, amendments to rule 208 may be adopted by a simple majority once the threshold has shifted.
The proposal was adopted unanimously, so no points are awarded via rule 202 (which requires a die roll) or rule 204 (which requires dissent).