A contract without a system of enforcement is nothing more than a handshake, generally less binding than even that. Contracts are based upon the threat of punishment, nothing else.

A contract without a system of enforcement is nothing more than a handshake, generally less binding than even that. Contracts are based upon the threat of punishment, nothing else.

You should probably give this a read:
Contractual Society

Edit: To clarify what my point is; the notion of a contract as being independent from Law has already been established.

Allways nice as usuall to get investment lessons from an experienced investor in eve .







Think i am gonna start a thread about the best way to run incursions , who gives a **** if i never done one.

Yes, but at no point does that address the consequences of default. Without laws, there is no recourse, and the only punishment is lack of trust. Since I can spontaneously generate another identity, there are no consequences beyond the minimal investment in time to gain more contracts. Additionally, there is such a large group of people in-game who may or may not subscribe to this system on Contractual Society that I can default on nearly unlimited contracts and still have more people who are looking to invest/contract/etc. The combination of anonymity and lack of central oversight make any contract merely an excercise of trust, not a contract as applies in the real world.

OP is correct.

Hex is irrelevant and doesn't realize it.

Flakeys is a nice guy, but his insistence that trusting people is a good idea based on his unique experience despite the overwhelming number of experiences of far less fortunate people is a poor argument and just leads to more misery for those who listen.

/thread

Are you suggesting something I said was wrong?

Oh no you arent - youre just bitter because you dont have much sense.

I have to disagree. The driver behind effective contracts is their enforceability. Nations that have poor or muddled contract laws are at a distinct disadvantage because there is no way to force compliance to the contract. Even if the contract states consequences for default, there MUST be a legal system in place to enforce those default terms. Outside of item exchange contracts, EVE doesn't have the mechanic to enforce things like collateral transfers and such. This is my point. A society built on cotnracts is impossible without some type of legal framework to enforce the default clauses. In fact, an argument can be made that this is the sole function of a government: to provide a framework that enables effective implementation of a contract system.

The driver behind effective contracts is their enforceability. Nations that have poor or muddled contract laws are at a distinct disadvantage because there is no way to force compliance to the contract.

1 For collateral.

2 Personal accountability with the threat of force.

3 Legal contracts

4 Trust

1 For collateral.
This is what happens at a pawn shop.

You can simply walk away and not pay repay the loan if you choose and the lender keeps the collateral.

This works in the real world and in EVE.

2 Personal accountability with the threat of force.
This is a loan shark.

If you try to walk away the shark will attempt to hunt you down and punish you.

This usually works in the real world it never works in EVE.

3 Legal contracts
This is a bank, a stock market, investing in a business.

If you dont repay your debt the loaner will either attempt to seize your assets through the legal system or you will be charged with fraud in the legal system.

This usually works in the real world. It is IMPOSSIBLE in EVE.

4 Trust
This is how people lose their money.

If you dont repay your debt - nothing happens.

This is a bad idea in both the real world and in EVE.

I cannot help but notice that your list is sorely lacking in, "Murder your target and steal his assets while his friends flee the scene (and murder them, too)." Was this an oversight, or were you intentionally limiting yourself to methods which require no direct action on either party? If it was an oversight, then there are several more methods which you are lacking that I would be happy to expound for you.

I cannot help but notice that your list is sorely lacking in, "Murder your target and steal his assets while his friends flee the scene (and murder them, too)." Was this an oversight, or were you intentionally limiting yourself to methods which require no direct action on either party? If it was an oversight, then there are several more methods which you are lacking that I would be happy to expound for you.

It's a quaint pubbie custom. You give money to someone and they're supposed to give you more back.

I frequently steal money and assets, in EVE, on trust.

Spreading a little money around and taking a few risks can be good for me. You can't win if you don't scam.

Seriously, in a game like this you benefit greatly from building positive relationships with other players. Sure, I am well known in MD for the asymmetric exploitation of such relationships... which supports my argument if anything... but not everyone in EVE is amoral and exploitative.

Using money to make make friends is a time proven and effective tool in society.

But thats not what I was addressing.

4 Trust
This is how people lose their money.

If you dont repay your debt - nothing happens.

This is a bad idea in both the real world and in EVE.

Using money to make make friends is a time proven and effective tool in society.

But thats not what I was addressing.