I was watching Star Trek DS9 today, started downloading all the seasons since I was bored, wanted something to watch while I played Galciv III. What better thing than Star Trek DS9?
It then occurred me, how similar the Federation and U.P. is, and made me a bit sad, that the U.P. is so simplistic, and watered down compared to what it could be.
With the focus of Ideology, helping to make friends, and or enemies, I believe the U.P. could make use of this, but before I get into that, let me start from the beginning.
---------------------------
At first, nobody knows of anyone in Galciv III. So what is the U.P.? Why are you suddenly magically part of it, and why are you suddenly magically in touch with every race within the U.P. yet have no clue where any of their worlds are? It doesn't make sense, is an immersion breaker, and quite honestly, game-play breaker in terms of politics.
---------------------------
The U.P. and Alliances
I think a revamp of the U.P. is needed. First, to allow other "Federations" or in this case, U.P's to exist. Secondly, for them to be tied to an individual situation, cause, and group. Factions should not automatically join, but choose to join. They can also be invited by the U.P. leader, whoever it is.
There would be 2 new U.P.'s, 1 for each Ideology focus. No U.P. exists at the start of the game, including the current one. To found a United Planets, you must have 2 of 3 conditions met, 35-40% of your Ideology tree unlocked, and or Allied with 75% all of the same Ideology races, and or capable of paying out 40,000 credits.
Once this is done, the Ideology you are strongest in, becomes founded as a U.P. Your current Alliance members are automatically invited to join.
Note: You aren't the OWNER of the U.P. Simply the founder. This does give you diplomatic power and sway within the U.P. for decisions, giving you some bonus points in votes, but you can still be over ruled, and votes for the leader of the U.P., etc. are still given as options for votes, and forced every 50 turns, if it isn't suggested as an option sooner.
---------------------------
The new U.P.'s and their powers/options
New Votes: Every U.P. would have a focus. Since each U.P. is more or less aligned to an Ideology. New vote options could be made unique for each U.P. Example: If you are part of the Benevolent Ideology U.P., a vote could be offered that every member of the U.P. Pay out 10% of their income, and would add a 10% culture boost to every station owned by members of the U.P. etc.
Unique Star Base: Vote for a star base construction can also be offered. If it passes, every member of the U.P. every turn gives up 10% of their income until its complete. A bar would appear in a new tab under Politics -> U.P. that would show the % of funds raised.(Here you can also adjust a slider giving more than 10% every turn, but must offer at least 10%). Once the required funds are raised, the construction starts. The faction who is currently the leader of the U.P. chooses where the station goes.
The Station would be owned by the U.P. itself, not any single faction. It would be much more powerful than a standard station, and would give unique bonuses to that U.P., open up even more vote options, and be an anchor for that U.P.
-------------------------------------
U.P's and Wars
Wars within U.P.s can still happen, however, wars between U.P's can also happen. If a U.P. declares war on another U.P. all wars within those U.P.'s are cancelled. All members of both U.P.'s are then forced into a war status with the opposite U.P.
Wars would only start via a vote.
-------------------------------------
I believe this would fill a gap and hole in Galciv III between Ideologies, Alliances, and U.P's. It would add interesting strategies, unique situations, and more in depth political situations.
You could still be a Pragmatic focused faction, but join a benevolent U.P., you're own trade focused faction, now also has the slight influence boost of the benevelont U.P's passive bonus's, and help. etc.
Or perhaps your own U.P. collapsed, and you wish to join them instead.