Re: (3409) Imperial Economics

The message which looked at getting some numbers for the Imperial economy
was very interesting.  You'd think that we'd have heard that the Imperium's
population was about seventeen quadrillion a few times before now, wouldn't
you?  I'd like to hear a little more about the assumptions built into this
rough estimate.  For instance, why the class-A ports get significantly more
traffic despite their reduced numbers.  How did you decide on the Imperial
tax rate?  What influences the GPP figures for a planet, and to what extent,
for those of us unfamiliar with whatever formula -- ditto with port facilities.

Do these figures assume a strong economy?  I know that part of the reason for
appointing Dulinor to Ilelish was to help relieve the region's persistent
economic recession.  Ilelish was a bit of a backwater, ignored by the
Empire in favor of the frontier and core regions.

If they still believe in deficit spending, the Imperial debt could be in the
QUADRILLIONS or worse -- that's BILLIONS of MCr!

Still, very interesting.  It gives one an idea of the sort of scale that
we're dealing with here....

- --Steve

(the following reprinted with permission of the Traveller's Aid Society)

:002-1115       Capital/Core:
"In a press conference held today in the Unity Hall in the Palace, the
 official Imperial budget was released for fiscal year 1115.
"There were no major surprises in the proclamation.  As expected, an
 economic aid package to Ilelish and Zarushagar sectors was cut to levels
 much lower than the original and highly controversial package proposed
 before the Moot by Duke Andrew of Liasdi.
"In response to questions regarding the Imperial decision, the spokesperson
 for the Ministry of the Treasury, Viscount Chandrasekhar, noted that the
 Imperium was committed to other expenses considered more likely to benefit
 the populace as a whole, not just in the depressed Ilelish region.
"He stated that among these expenses is the servicing and reduction of the
 Imperial debt, incurred by the military build-up and rebuilding efforts in
 Deneb and the Spinward Marches caused by the recently concluded Fifth
 Frontier War, and is a temporary problem which in no way threatens the
 stability of any Imperial regions."