Suggestion for effect of Taxation on Trade as well as Pop. growth.

Here goes - (btw Economics is NOT my strong point! so please be gentle).

1) Income in EB is based on Taxation both on individuals and on trade.
2) Although there is only one population center represented in each EB province there are in theory other lesser towns/villages in the province in most cases.
3) Taxation is most effective when large groups of people are together in towns/cities and much less effective in more remote/rural areas. This is because
a) the taxman can reach more people in a shorter time in a city;
b) there is more likely to be more wealthy people in a city;
c) more of that wealth is more likely to be in either coin or gold/silver in a city.
d) In a rural area the taxman has the problem of it being worthwhile taking 50 cabbages to market in a condition fit for sale in order to realise a form of income he can actually give to the king.

4) To escape heavy taxation, either on individuals or trade people will leave the cities and go to smaller towns or rural areas. To be fair we are only looking at the higher levels of taxation here.

5) Consequently the trade will reduce due to the smaller market and because the trade is more dispersed taxation of it will be less effective. Everybody loses but at least in the short term more money can be collected before people wise up and/or trade declines.

6) EB is already has some penalty on growth for higher taxation, but I feel that it is too mild.

7) It should (may?) be possible to also place a penalty on trade either on the current season or future seasons for higher taxation as well as the growth penalty.

8) Here is a suggestion:
Tax Rate
Low Normal High Very High
Growth +0.5 0 -1 -3
Trade +1 0 -2 -5

Ideally tax would effect growth in the same year but trade in a subsequent season and may last for more than one season. For example the penalty for High taxation may last for 1-2 seasons and the penalty for Very High tax for 3-5 seasons.

It would have to be carefully balanced but after the initial "gouging" of the populace, the returns should rapidly decline until despite higher taxation your income actually declines - and for several seasons afterwards. The savvy trader will take a little while before he trusts you again!

If the EB team thinks there is any merit in this I am happy to pursue it. This is after all just a suggestion and I have my asbestos suit ready! :)

Regards

Vermin