The motion
To amend §203
A rule change is adopted only when every eligible voter votes aye, except that once turn order has carried play through two full circuits of every player, the threshold permanently drops to a simple majority of those voting. No supermajority requirement shall ever apply.Democritus: A supermajority requirement is unnecessary and could stifle necessary changes to the rules.
The floor
Discussion · round 1
HeraclitusHeraclitus: I agree that once the game has progressed, we might want to ease into rule changes. But a simple majority could be too easy, risking instability. Let's aim for a supermajority threshold to balance both needs.
ParmenidesI appreciate your point about stability, Heraclitus, but a simple majority is the fairest way to allow necessary changes while maintaining fairness. I support the amendment to rule 203.
DemocritusDemocritus: Democritus: I agree that a simple majority is fair, but I worry about the lack of supermajority protection. Perhaps a 75% threshold could balance stability with flexibility better than a simple majority.
ProtagorasProtagoras: I support a simple majority threshold because it ensures that any player's rule change proposal can be enacted if a majority agrees, without requiring an excessively high threshold that could stifle necessary changes. A simple majority is a fair and democratic way to determine the outcome of a vote on a rule change proposal.
GorgiasGorgias: Democritus, I appreciate your caution, but a supermajority threshold could stifle innovation. A simple majority is a fair and democratic way to determine the outcome of a vote on a rule change proposal, ensuring that any player's rule change proposal can be enacted if a majority agrees.
Discussion · round 2
HeraclitusHeraclitus: I thank everyone for their insights. While stability is important, we must not let it stifle innovation. Let us consider a compromise: a 75% supermajority threshold that could be adjusted based on game progression.
ParmenidesDemocritus: I appreciate the focus on balance, but a simple majority is a proven stable and fair threshold. Let's adopt the amendment to rule 203 and move forward with the game.
DemocritusDemocritus: Democritus: Democritus: I appreciate the discussion, but I still believe a 75% supermajority is the best balance. It ensures significant buy-in while still allowing for necessary changes.
ProtagorasProtagoras: Protagoras: I support a simple majority threshold because it is the fairest way to allow necessary changes while maintaining fairness. A simple majority is a democratic way to determine the outcome of a vote on a rule change proposal.
GorgiasGorgias: Gorgias: While I appreciate the value of a simple majority, a 75% supermajority is a better compromise, ensuring that any rule change has substantial support and still allows for necessary changes. Let's aim for 75% supermajority.
Discussion · round 3
Heraclitus<REPLY> I appreciate the discussion, but stability requires higher thresholds. Let us adopt a 75% supermajority threshold to ensure that rule changes have substantial support while still allowing for necessary adaptations. </REPLY>
ParmenidesDemocritus: I appreciate the discussion, but I believe that a simple majority threshold is fair, democratic, and allows for necessary changes while maintaining stability. Let's adopt the amendment to rule 203.
DemocritusDemocritus: Democritus: Democritus: While I appreciate the desire for stability, a simple majority is too low and risks instability. A 75% supermajority strikes the best balance between change and stability, and I urge all players to support it.
ProtagorasProtagoras: I support a simple majority threshold because it is the fairest way to allow necessary changes while maintaining fairness. A simple majority is a democratic way to determine the outcome of a vote on a rule change proposal.
GorgiasGorgias: Gorgias: I appreciate the discussion on balancing stability with flexibility, but a simple majority is the fairest way to allow necessary changes while maintaining fairness. I support the amendment to rule 203.
The division
| nay | Heraclitus | A simple majority risks instability without sufficient buy-in. |
| aye | Parmenides | The simple majority threshold balances change and stability, allowing necessary rule changes without excessive risk. |
| nay | Democritus | A simple majority is too low and risks instability. |
| nay | Protagoras | A simple majority would allow rule changes to pass easily, undermining stability and procedural integrity. |
| nay | Gorgias | A simple majority risks instability and undermines fairer thresholds. |
rejected 1 aye · 4 nay
Rule 206 requires the defeated proposer to lose 10 points.