Special RISK rules

Turns are limited to three minutes; all activities must be concluded within this time limit. This includes placing of new armies, attacking, and reinforcing. This time limit will be strictly enforced. If a state is in the middle of an attacking turn when its time limit expires, that attack is instantly called off (this would mean no reinforcing).

DEMOCRACIES

Democratic states are based on elections and open participation. Team members in a democracy are citizens and have the right to actively participate in decision-making.

At the beginning of each turn a democracy elects a prime minister who officially represents the state in foreign relations. The prime minister sits at the main table and conducts the general business of the game. Although the prime minister is ultimately able to make independent decisions, he or she must consult with the citizens before making decisions.

Democracies hold elections at the beginning of each turn. Citizens can propose any member for the office of prime minister. There is no immediate reelection; a former prime minister can be reelected only after a turn. After the election, the citizens consult with the prime minister to decide what to do that turn (keep time limits in mind).

In addition, the prime minister selects a secretary. The secretary is empowered to negotiate with other players as well as carry messages from the main table to the citizens (e.g. to ask for advice or gain approval for an alliance).

Democracies are open societies. This means that they are able to freely communicate with any independent players (see below) or citizens from other democracies. Citizens from democracies can meet together and discuss strategies or possible alliances.

AUTHORITARIAN SYSTEMS

Authoritarian states (or dictatorships) do not have elections or encourage participation. Team members in authoritarian systems are subjects.

Each authoritarian system is lead by a dictator who officially represents the team in foreign relations. The dictator sits at the main table and conducts the general business of the game. The dictator does not consult his or her subjects.

Authoritarian systems are closed societies. This means that they cannot freely communicate with subjects from other authoritarian systems or with citizens of democracies. They are, however, able to communicate with any independent players (see below) who approach them.

A dictatorship does not hold elections unless it holds at least three less territories than at the end of its previous turn. The dictator then holds a plebiscite. In this election, the subjects are only allowed to decide if the dictator should continue to hold his or her position. Only if the dictator looses the plebiscite is a new dictator is elected.

INDEPENDENT PLAYERS

Independent players are non-state actors. They pursue goals and strategies independent of other players (they may choose to keep these goals secret). Independent players can freely travel and communicate with any other players (citizens and leaders in democracies as well as subjects and rulers in dictatorships). They can attempt to convince states to pursue policies that will further their own strategies, offer advice and assist in interstate negotiations, or transmit information between states (this is especially crucial since democracies and authoritarian systems cannot communicate directly).

There are three basic types of non-state actors:

Humanitarian. These players specifically seek to prevent war between specific states.

Political. These players seek to eliminate some specific regime(s) or regime type.

Media. These players simply channel information between regimes. This is especially crucial since democratic subjects cannot interact with leaders or subjects in authoritarian regimes. Media players are allowed to give such information.

ELIMINATING OPPONENTS

Whenever one state eliminates another from the game, the losing team’s members become subjects or citizens of their conquerors. If a democracy eliminates a dictatorship, the subjects of that dictatorship are now entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizenship. Conversely, if a dictatorship eliminates a democracy, the citizens of that democracy become subjects of their conquering state.

All other RISK rules concerning eliminating opponents still apply.