You become the ruler of a medieval society...

[Seteleechete]

What do you do? (With the presumed goal of strengthening the society and maintaining power), feel free to pick other non-nihilistic goals if you want.

Now firstly one would want to raise the educational standards, also stabilising the political structure is vital but there are pitfalls such as internal resistance which is hard to measure without more data. Being a feudal like structure ensuring internal support for reform is essential. As far as political structure goes if you are going to reform things you would either need to start a campaign of devolution of authority or a heavy propaganda campaign, probably both. How exactly one should go about changing a feudal structure into a more meritocratic one is somewhat of a mystery to me.

Also under the presumption that magic exists(since I love to imagine magical societies of this kind) I would certainly push for eugenics(primarily through propaganda and encouragement of magical propagation rather than more forceful measures). Subtle encouragement in general seems to be far more effective than a nazi like approach. On that note it could be a problem or a benefit when industlising of using magic as a shortcut(granted there is no real avoiding it either way).

Of course with feudal societies being largely agricultural pressuading education is hard, starting of with encouragement of specialised rather than general education combined with begining an industrialised approach should be more effective.

Just some random musings feel free to add/comment on whatever.

 

[Analyzer]

Let everyone rule themselves.

 

[Reluctantly]

I'm not going to lie. I'd want to become a great warlord. Conquering and uniting different cultures would be really ...interesting.

I think I'd want my home country to be some combination of Sparta and Athens. Strong people, not just physically, but also intellectually. I'd support innovation and invention as well because intelligence is awesome.

To control and/or influence people, I'd form a religion of Gods that encourage and appreciate all of those aforementioned qualities. The afterlife would be only for those that lived out all those qualities and their reward would be rebirth into a God, being given the freedom to do what they wish. Those that don't becomes Gods, must live again and again until they live an appropriate life.

yeah, something like that.

 

[Happy]

Invent the role of Jester-King and not take the whole thing all that seriously (but then just be awesome at ruling and end up being basically the Joker in a Europe sized Gotham)


Or, and depending on the rules of this fantasy, and seeing as I'm in Australia:
I could lead a conquest of the world, starting with south east Asia (because id know where everything is before anyone else in the world) and on the way, 'invent' a shitload of basic technology and be remembered forever

In either case, I'd become the head of my own religion

 

[Seteleechete]

Military conquest should be easier after you industrialise a bit. There is a timing window where you are much stronger before the ideas you propagate spread(just look at the Japanese). Also with proper propaganda and improvement of quality of life in newly conquered areas you may even be able to hold the land. (However the initial cost both in resources and internal stability would leave you weaker for a period as well(unless you go really slowly).

You should avoid too nationalistic propaganda if you are going for an expansionist route, which is a shame since nationalist propaganda is among the best choices.

 

[Cognisant]

What's the culture?

Am I starting from a position of power?

What are the surrounding nations like?

Different situations result in different priorities.

 

[Seteleechete]

What's the culture?

Am I starting from a position of power?

What are the surrounding nations like?

Different situations result in different priorities.

Which really is why it's hard to formulate a more specific plan, I think the best way to go about it is "I will do x under y circumstances" or "as a general goal I want to accomplish x and y is generally a good strategy to do so".

 

[Cognisant]

I suppose in general people do what's in their own best interests, sure they can be convinced or forced to do otherwise but that's an uphill battle.

I'd establish orphanages, hospitals, granaries, warehouses libraries, standardize currency, enforce a common law, build roads, build ports, establish a mail delivery system, put my seal on everything I do so nobody can ever doubt that society is better off with me than without me.

In war if my people are not willing to fight I won't force them, I'll step down and surrender power to the enemy, it's not my nation it's the people's nation and I'm just the instrument of their will. If they're dissatisfied with the new management and if I've done my job well they almost certainly will be, then I'll retake the country by directing a grass-roots militia to hidden stockpiles of weapons and food/medical supplies. The fortifications that I built and the enemy now occupies will be deathtraps to them, riddled with secret tunnels and murder holes, in one night my forces will murder them in their complacent sleep.

Having ones entire occupying taskforce decimated in one night by an unknown means will likely discourage further attempts, I call it the inside-out Trojan horse strategy.

 

[Happy]

I'd call myself Austradamus and predict a bunch of shit and make up some random consequences for people to fear

 

[Happy]

I'd 'invent' penicillin and hydraulic engineering

 

[TheScornedReflex]

*plays Rome 2 Total War*

 

[emmabobary]

Invent the role of Jester-King and not take the whole thing all that seriously (but then just be awesome at ruling and end up being basically the Joker in a Europe sized Gotham)


Or, and depending on the rules of this fantasy, and seeing as I'm in Australia:
I could lead a conquest of the world, starting with south east Asia (because id know where everything is before anyone else in the world) and on the way, 'invent' a shitload of basic technology and be remembered forever

In either case, I'd become the head of my own religion

You can´t be the Joker and a king, can you?
But you just remind me of this character
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubu_Roi
I´d love to be him

 

[Not Anyone To Care For]

I would increase the population for defense, abolish religion to encourage free thinking, and I would make people idolize the innovators/thinkers instead of the mindless obedient. Then, after a few generations I would allow the people to have a majority of control over the government and economy which in turn, would hopefully make our country extremely independent.

But one can only dream of a utopian society

 

[Happy]

You can´t be the Joker and a king, can you?
But you just remind me of this character
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubu_Roi
I´d love to be him

That's why I'd be inventing the role

 

[Yellow]

Even the most iron-fisted ruler wouldn't survive if they didn't have the trust of the people. A peasant's revolt is a concern, but a larger concern is appearing weak/inconsistent to local rivals/allies.

Therefore, my first concern would be to establish the loyalty and stability of my community. The first short-term goal would be to raise the healthy standards. By reducing/preventing sickness, I'd have a more efficient economy, and I'd earn credibility as a "caring" leader.

Then, there would be some infrastructural changes. We take water for granted in our society, but water would be a huge priority in a community still subject to natural fluctuations in accessible drinking/irrigation water. After that, standardization in farming, livestock, transportation, trade, and resource distribution would be essential.

Once my populace felt stable, happy, and prosperous, I could look to other improvements. I'd leave religion in place, but I'd maneuver myself to be an important aspect of their piety while undermining the church's influence. You can't do these things drastically until you're sure that you have the strength to defy the church's influence in your community and that of your neighbors. And remember, the church will always have more money for war than I do.

As a rule in theocratic societies, men's loyalty is focused on the structure and hierarchy. Women are the ones most focused on the rules and the message. So I could convince the men to follow me, but without the belief of their women, I'll lose. The men have to find purpose in my structural changes, and the women have to see me as a voice/extension/object of their faith. That takes time and manipulation. I'd probably have to frame and hang a priest or two. We'd play that by ear.

While working on that, I'd improve education where it suited my economy and my military. I'd also increase the quality of military training. I'd also encourage healthy competition between tradesmen, which would foster invention and higher quality work.

I'd choose my strongest neighboring society, and start strengthening trade with them. I'd probably cultivate a small team of "escorts" to help with diplomatic endeavors. The ladies could double as bodyguards/assassins in a pinch.

I'd save up money for war before engaging in it, whenever possible. Expensive wars will break your nation. I'd also work on having a real militia/military. Medieval societies mostly depended upon hired men, and that's a huge liability, as they have no issue causing unnecessary collateral damage. Also, there are loyalty problems.

I'd open my military to both genders, and make it compulsory for neither gender (while playing up the glory of it, of course). However, the men and women would be in separate "squads" with separate fighting roles. I'd like to foster competition between them, and a cautious respect. The women would be banned from child-rearing. If they got pregnant, they could choose to leave the service or give up the baby at birth. This would be the final discouragement against fraternization. It would also mean that only a [dedicated] minority of my soldiers would be women. However, since this is such a departure from traditional female life in those times, they'd probably have to serve as the only standing military/guards. The men would be trained, and would assemble when called upon, but with the exception of higher ranks/trainers, they'd have normal jobs and normal family lives.

Anyway, I'd use my strong neighbor to help me take out a weaker neighbor for some made-up reason without too much actual cost. Once I doubled my territory, I'd allow for a few years of "peace" (and undermining) before making an excuse to attack my ally.

At this point, I'd be about 10-15 years in. I'd need to find a young heir to start molding into my vision. They'd have to be fully immersed in my reasoning, and in my strategy. I'd outline my plans for future expansions and centralized government (with the possibility of allowing small principalities to break off, when their loyalty can be assured and there's a sound economic reason for the cede).

I'd actually probably have a potential heirs live near me for a couple years before I chose one and began the process. Either way, once selected, they'd watch me take over one more territory, and I'd involve her as much as possible in the decision-making process. This would be essential to begin before I turned about 50, because I'd need time to tell if he/she is going to work out. If not, the potential heir would have to have an unfortunate accident, and I'd need adequate time to start over.

I think my heir would have to take a vow to have no actual children (as I would have also done), so that the most appropriate successor could be identified in a more objective way. I'd also appoint minor authorities and encourage them to follow my lead in naming successors rather than leaving it to family. This would also hopefully lend itself well to the transition to a more democratic process.

 

[Pyropyro]

Religion & Education

I would invite all three major religions: Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism and Islam to build their temples in my country. This is to make a neutral ground where people can trade and exchange ideas legitimately. Having the three religions inside the country will prevent a jihad, crusade or what have you from entering the place due to the risk of being unpopular with their respective laity. Also, since there's three of them are busy squabbling over spiritual territory, I'll be free from their influence most of the time.

Another reason is that the these religious orders were the bastions of knowledge back then. The oldest universities here in our country came from the Jesuits and Dominicans. It would be easier to make universities in the country with their help.

Military

I'll have a standing army with mandatory service of 1-3 years for both men and women. Remember, this is the middle ages so people are more aggressive and less caring of human rights. Tech, especially artillery and naval warfare, will be first priority when it comes to research. I'll prefer to waste a good number of Greek fire than my populace.

Health and Sanitation

I'll also focus on making a good sewage system. Night-soil will be collected by properly clothed servants and composted for agricultural use.

I'll also encourage medical research with criminals and captives as the unwilling subjects. Dread is needed to keep larger armies at bay ala Vlad the Impaler.

Agriculture & Economy

With my compost system in order, I'll invest in spices, wheat and other crops as the country's main exports. Irrigation will also be top notch and if I have to go to war, then it's about securing rivers as water sources.

If I have access to seawater then salt will be added as a primary trade resource.

Heirs and Ascension

The medieval mindset will take centuries to overthrow so instead of fighting the system, I'll just make heirs and sow the necessary seeds (ie education) to hasten the progress to democracy. I will not tolerate any excess in my court so that my heirs will practice good stewardship. I will also have topnotch tutors teaching my heir about good manners, political guile and economic shrewdness.

 

[scorpiomover]

Isn't this answered by civ games?

Also, why wouldn't most of this also be applicable to modern societies?