The Productive Economy
a guide to Practical Economic Theory
by Alarah Gomenei
Foreword
"Production and distribution of products is the true foundation of Civilization. No society can exist without a system of economy, indeed it could rightly be argued that a society in at its core is an ecomonic network. The degree of civilization in a society can be directly measured by its economical sofistication. The arts, the armies, the level of education, the institutions of wizardry and clericy, all depend on a sound and dynamic economy. Thus, politics is also an art and subset of economy and must abide by the same fundamental rules. A society that fails to recognize this and act accordingly has failed to recognize its own soul and will go towards its destruction. Indeed, such societies should fall, for their existance is unnatural by the most basic laws of nature."
The book continues to discuss the various models of macro-economy and the means they can be directed to maximum efficiency and benefit for society at large and/or its ruling classes. It then elaborates on the different advantages and disadvantages of the different (often theorized) economical systems.
"The Feudalistic Economy"
"Imperialistic Mercantilism"
"Laizess Faire Market Economy"
"Communal Theories of Economy"
"The Moderate Socialist Economy"
"Socially Responsible Capitalism"
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The Merchant
A guide to Maximizing Profits in the Local and Global Markets
by Alarah Gomenei
Foreword
"The first lesson any successful merchant learns is that she must create and secure access to a product or service to provide to her customers. The lines of supply must be kept open and she must assure herself that the margin of profits will be sufficient to finance her initial investment. The financial institutions needed to buffer this need are sadly insufficient today in many parts of Faerun, but that complication can be overcome. I will explain how (Ch 1 and 2).
The merchant must provide her customers with a service or product they want, and if they do not want it she must make them want it. There are many ways of manipulating the consumers and this book will explain them all to you. (Ch 3) Naturally, a product that people actually need is preferable to a product that is useless to them since it will be far easier to sell, however, the people often need to have the usefulness of the product explained to them. Once their need is created the product will soon become a natural part of their lives and perhaps even essential to them.
Introducing new products into the marketplace can be a difficult undertaking, but often extremely rewarding. Invention is one of the most important aspects of economical growth, as I explained in my book The Productive Economy. I cannot emphasize enough the advantage you will get if securing an important invention and manage to raise enough capital to finance its production and distribution (see Ch 4 and 5)
The most important product in any advanced economy is capital. It may seem obvious but is often overlooked that financing other peoples businesses, for a fee, can be just as rewarding (if not more so) than actually conducting their business itself. The models for investment banking and other means of the financial markets will be elaborated on in this book (Ch 5 and 6)
Business ventures can often be risky and in a world filled with monstrous beasts and organizations the risks can often be extreme. Caravans can be raided by gnolls of wyverns, ships can be sunk by kraken or merfolk and gates and circles of teleportation can be disjuncitioned or misdirected. Manifacturies can be sabotaged by radicals or infested by vermin, there is hardly an end to the irritations the merchant-class must deal with. But there are ways to reduce the risk to managable levels, for a price. Chapter 7 will explain the advantages of Insurances and the profits that can be made by those who provide them.
The rich and powerful merchant can sometimes be a great influence on the rulers of the nations he is active in. But most merchants are, by themselves not powerful enough to make much of a difference in the way a country is run. Attempting to manipulate or control the rulers of a nation always carries certain risks, and it must be done with caution and moderation. The ideal, of course, is that businessmen and governments compromise and cooperate with each others. The concessions made in reasonable compromise are seldom as expensive to either part as a bloody and disruptive power-struggle would be. Ideally, the goals of the merchants and the ruler should be compatible, regrettably that is not always so, and the merchants will often need to be able to present a powerful front against the ruler to encourage reasonable compromise. It must never be forgotten that if the merchants undermine the authority of a ruler too far thay must be prepared to take responsibility for the situation and prevent anarchy. A State of some kind is absolutely essential to guarantee a reasonable level of law and order. Chapter 8 will discuss the means of negotiation between governments and businesmen.
Planar trade and exploitation carries its own unique risks and possibilities. The effects of divine influence can often unbalance the structure and stability of trade, the ability to predict and guide the actions of deities can give a merchant great advantages. Magic presents nearly endless posibilities for business- application. All this, and more, will be elaborated on in this book."
ooc:
I do not publish these secrets of business, I present my treatises secretly to rulers and businessmen likely to appreciate them and reward me, Alarah Gomenei (WoT Noble: 10, Bard: 40, bardic prestige class #1: 10, bardic prestige class #2: 5, Sorcerer: 13 Archmage: 5, Incantatrix 10) (I'll reduce the levels if this is unappropriate, though by the standards of the 3rd IR it's rather weak
) of Sembia and Zakhara.
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