Name: Lysander Lyon (xXLordLyonXx)
Reason for Interest: I’ve been very heavily involved in suggestions for general improvement of Azalea since I first joined the server. This includes both Out-Of-Character discussions about how we can tweak and improve trades, which have ramifications for the economy, as well as In Character discussions about the economic implications of various ideas and policies (like broader utilization of the gov shop). I’m also very interested in data analysis and (macro)economics in general, which perfectly aligns with the responsibilities of this Ministry.
Possible Ideas or Plans: There’s an immediate need for at least two Departments within the Ministry - one for Monetary Policy and one for Economic Analysis. The analysis department will be responsible for reviewing the impacts of policy proposals, both from within the Ministry and without, as well as general economic analysis to understand current weaknesses. The policy department will be responsible for coming up with policies to solve identified weaknesses, general suggestions, and will also work with politicians or other individuals to refine proposals to increase effectiveness or minimize externalities.
These two departments will work together in building the future of economic policy in Azalea. One will be crunching the numbers, one will be helping with the ideas, and both in unison will deliver refined proposals that will actually address economic issues in a proper manner.
An economic roundtable of citizens to gather increased data on current weaknesses and potential solutions; common sense economic regulation to provide a stable framework for commerce; loan programs for businesses (a very far into the future idea); and Ministry review of Parliamentary proposals to provide third-party analysis are all additional ideas I would seek to implement, although the time scale for each would be very different. Loans, for example, is a far off idea, while the roundtable and Ministry review would be more immediate ideas.
Current Experience in Azalea: I have written three pieces of legislation for Parliamentary discussion. I currently manage two companies; one is a miscellaneous production company (ores, farm goods, etc.), and the other is the largest bank in Azalea (the Azalea National Reserve). Most importantly, I’ve been involved in economic discussion since the start. I’m familiar with our early problems as well as the problems we have now, and I’m open to discussing how we solve them with anyone. Individuals with no concept of how our economic situation has evolved cannot address these problems as effectively, nor can individuals who are closed-minded and have not involved themselves in broad discussions with many perspectives on how we solve our issues. It’s going to take an open-minded approach with knowledge of the current system to tackle what we have now, and I bring that to the table.
"I swear allegiance to Queen Eleanora, and if selected as Minister of Commerce, will faithfully execute my duties in line with the Mandate. I shall stand by her Majesty and oppose any traitors to the colony."