You, Mr. President

You, Mr. President, have just been elected for four years and been given the tools to use your unusual amount of power over the direction of your country’s economy, currency, demographics, and even indirectly over the world-wide commodities market and thus over other national economies.

Your tools or policies are of two types:

• Fiscal Policies
• Monetary Policies

Every year you will have the chance to simulate your policy-related decisions up to three times. If the simulation shows that your policies are too radical or that they are potentially counter-productive, you can change your policies or try further economic fine-tuning measures.
The government, however, can also block certain decisions you make. If the government decides that your policies will have repercussions it is not willing to accept, you will be forced to re-think your policies. Polls showing over 66% approval of your policies (a two-thirds majority) will, however, give you the authority to carry out your decisions.
Every four years from 1984 on, you will need to renew your people’s support for the following four-year term. If your electoral support falls below 50% in any election year, you will lose power and your simulation will end.
The Federal Reserve report recommends interest rate moves; warns you of inflationary trends you may have overseen and will intervene without your explicit permission if, in their independent opinion, your economy is at risk. You can, however, turn of this functionality is you wish. From 1999 on you will be forced to comply with the criteria agreed upon in 1993 – See below “EEC Convergence Criteria”.
Non-compliance with the terms agreed upon will result in a breach of the Maastricht Treaty, and you will be punished. If you have been punished three times and again fail to comply, you will be banished from the currency zone and your simulation will come to an end.

In order to simulate any policy changes, you will need to go to “Policies” and click on the “Simulate” button in the bottom right corner.
When you have used your last simulation credit your simulation will come to a halt and your last policies will be unchangeable. You will only be left with the possibility to go to “Confirm” and proceed with the next simulation year.

Note: The use of simulation credits has no effect on your score. The three simulations can be used for fiscal and monetary policies as well as for the purchase and sale of currencies or commodities.

EEC Convergence Criteria (Maastricht Treaty)

In order to meet the convergence criteria the following conditions must be fulfilled:

• Inflation must be kept below 3%
• The Public Deficit must be kept below 60% of GDP
• The Budget Balance must not surpass -3% of GDP


The breach of just one of the convergence criteria is enough for your simulation to be abruptly terminated in 1998. Make sure that in 1998 all policies are in compliance with the signed treaty.

Tip: Keep in mind that macroeconomic policies, such as the lowering of inflation, can take years to become effective!

Hurra, I’m in! Now beware of broken treaties!

After successfully joining the Euro Zone in 1999, you must continue fulfilling the convergence criteria. Any year you fail to fulfil one or all of the criteria, you will be given one punishment point.
If you breach the treaty for a fourth time your simulation will come to an abrupt end.

Polls & Elections

Every year you can follow the opinions of your population by keeping an eye on the results of the yearly polls. This is especially important shortly before elections, which occur every four years, with the first election taking place in 1984. The polls are based on an average of various national polls and the results are reported once a year during the “Confirm” phase. Polls are never accurate and there is a margin of error of approximately 2%.

Tip: Beware of any actions taken during times of a two-thirds majority, as these tend to last for very short periods and you will be forced to change your policies once you lose popular support.

The Challenge Of This Simulation

The purpose of this simulation is not to reach any final destination but is the journey itself. The simulation, even if not identical with the real world, should help to make you aware of the tactical knowledge required for running a large economy, as well as the challenges this poses. It should improve your current knowledge and test your strategic skills in keeping an eye on the “big picture”.

Have fun!

In order to keep improving the quality and quantity of the content of this software I would really appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism! Please write to me here: Feedback

Curious? Check the DEMO

Rolesia.com is a virtual economy game. Click here and log-in to the application. You can look at the simulation without having to create an account. If you are convinced you can either choose our FREE version or our advertisement-free version WEB Professional.