What are the economics and politics of the Pony World, mainly Equestria?

[SilverStarApple 850]

What are the economics and politics of the Pony World, mainly Equestria? I'm thinking of writing a My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Fanfiction, but I'd like to know what the canon/fanon economics and politics of equestria are first.

 

(Also, is it true that because Princess Luna can see ponies when they are sleeping/dreaming, Princess Celestria can see them when they are awake?)

[Hazardus_Havard. 480]

Well, they can be many different way to write that up.  Maybe you'll have it so each race has a ruler, such as a princess, duke, president, etc..  Or, maybe you could write it like how we manage our governments?

 

In my story, I'm going to have it so it's canon, but something was added.  Because of the whole NMM thing, and some additional actions, I have it so Celestia sets up a counsel to better manage what happens in her kingdom.

 

 

Of course, this is all meaningful ONLY if you actually write a story based around their worlds politics and economics.  That's usually a difficult task, so most people stick with simply writing stories based on individual lives of the characters.

 

To get a better idea on some ways to write this, try reading some fics and figure out ways you'd like to have elements from those stories written in your own.

And the Celestia thing, where she can see ponies when they're awake, that's just a rumor.  But, if you want to write that in your story, go ahead.  It's not a canon thing until it's announced, but it's still an interesting idea.

[Sks_Burns 730]

from what ive noticed, the economics of Equestria are similar to how a tribe operates. Everypony contributes their unique skill towards the good of the tribe while being provided with the essentials (food/water/housing/etc). Money is used, but its not the overruling force behind their economic system, and it appears that they only use it to handle overhead and to purchase whatever supplies they need that cant be made/created. 

 

we had a similar discussion in another thread about the Sweet Apple Acres farm, and they grow enough food to provide for Ponyville, but still charge a little in order to cover the overhead of the business and to fund the purchase of supplies they cant produce on their own. Basically, none of the ponies work a real job, but provide a useful skill or asset in exchange for the basics that they need for survival. Take Fluttershy for example, she takes care of the animals in and around Ponyville (which also are essential to the community) and in return, she has a cottage thats close to them. We can assume that shes provided with food and such that she also needs, which is grown at Sweet Apple Acres. It comes full circle here, as her care for the animals is what helps the growth of the crops on the farm, such as bees and birds who are responsible for pollination. 

 

overall, its a very basic system of survival, one that isnt driven by the all mighty dollar. its a great system too, where everyones cares about everyone elses well being, and works hard for one another. 

[Sky Warden 2,243]

from what ive noticed, the economics of Equestria are similar to how a tribe operates. Everypony contributes their unique skill towards the good of the tribe while being provided with the essentials (food/water/housing/etc). Money is used, but its not the overruling force behind their economic system, and it appears that they only use it to handle overhead and to purchase whatever supplies they need that cant be made/created. 

 

we had a similar discussion in another thread about the Sweet Apple Acres farm, and they grow enough food to provide for Ponyville, but still charge a little in order to cover the overhead of the business and to fund the purchase of supplies they cant produce on their own. Basically, none of the ponies work a real job, but provide a useful skill or asset in exchange for the basics that they need for survival. Take Fluttershy for example, she takes care of the animals in and around Ponyville (which also are essential to the community) and in return, she has a cottage thats close to them. We can assume that shes provided with food and such that she also needs, which is grown at Sweet Apple Acres. It comes full circle here, as her care for the animals is what helps the growth of the crops on the farm, such as bees and birds who are responsible for pollination. 

 

overall, its a very basic system of survival, one that isnt driven by the all mighty dollar. its a great system too, where everyones cares about everyone elses well being, and works hard for one another. 

That is. The economy runs exactly like that. Nice system isn't it?

About the politics, there's no clue about how does it runs in Equestria. They're ruled by two god-like Princesses (Princess, not Queen) and they're immortal, so they don't need any successor. There are no episode which gives a clue about their politics. Do they have a kind of court for legislative, or something like that? How do they make rules and laws? No clue at all.

Maybe you can make your own version of the politics in your fanfic. I think British parliament is most fit for them.

Edited December 25, 2012 by Sky Warden

[SilverStarApple 850]

British Parliment for the win! I'm british, and proud!  

 

Anyway, I think your whole "Tribal economy everyone-helps-everyone" thing is correct! It would also fit in with the theme of their show, and how their Cutie Marks only show up when a pony finds their special talent. If every person in Ponyville is great at one thing, then they would all need to work together. Friendship and harmony is just a byproduct of having to work together, and it seems way better than the economy we have now, where... Actually, no, it'd take too long, and I doubt you'd want to hear me moaning about the modern day economy anyway.

 

Equestria is still better.

[Dash2600 0]

They live in an Egalitarian society

[BlastWave 0]

I believe that the Princesses of Equestria are the absolute rulers of the realm.  There is no true politics.  They may have organizers, mayors, etc. in many Equestrian towns, but the four Princeesses are the true leaders, for without them, the ponies would have nothing.

[Denim&Venöm 20,474]

I see equestria operating under democratic socialism or even social anarchy. They have leadership at the local levels, but no overarching federal government.

There's no military. Not every town has police. Emergency response seems to be done through civillian voulenteers. Defense is carried out by milatias. The royal guard serve only the nobility, who lack any real power and are more ceremonial figureheads. 

While the princesses run the planet, they don't seem to have all that much political power. They're more representitives, senators, and ambassadors. They're the face of the nation. They maybe gods and war heroes, but they don't govern like the mayors do. 

Even cadence, whose head of the crystal empire, doesn't seem to have day to day responsibilities to the ponies. She's just a figurehead. 

Twi is a princess, but she doesn't rule ponyville. Celestia and Luna don't make policy. The do act as arbiters and mediators, but their roles seem more social in function, working as celebrities would. 

If I had God like powers, i'd think politics was beneath me too. 

So no. It's not a monarchy. Equestria isn't even a kingdom. And no, not because it has no king, but also because it has no lineage of rulers. If anything, it was formed from a coalition of rulers In the pony tribes, who abdicated their power to the alicorns and unified. Also, it's appears that each city and region opperates under its own rules and juristinctions.

So really, equestria is more like a federation.  A unions of the tribal and regional governments, each operating on its own, but deffering authority to the princesses on international levels and slightly on the national level. 

Economics? Seems free trade. Even uses a bartering system. Still working on a gold standard, so they don't use credit. Ponies don't put inherent worth on a currency based on faith. It has to be practical, whether it's precious metals, gems, or goods and services. 

In short. Equestria is very free market and quite libertarian leaning. 

 

[Shadow Beam 1,179]

Topic moved into Show Discussion. ^^

[heavens-champion 1,907]

No idea. Meh, I never liked politics, anyway. Too backstabbing.

[heavens-champion 1,907]

1 hour ago, Califorum said:

I don't really see the need in bringing real world things into a fictional world. It's fictional for a reason.

There are these things called fan theories and imagination.