Fun Fact

[The Rock Doctor]

P3D, there's no doubt that players might be tempted to do things that are irrational.  Political integration of a colony into a nation would be a problem particularly with a democracy, as Korpen is clearly aware.  It's less of an issue in a non-democratic state - provided that there's some other means, economic or military, of keeping the original ruling class in power.

I'd suggest that it's entirely reasonable for any colony to be built up to 1 IC per million inhabitants, since there are strong economic incentives to do so (or one IC for up to a million people, in some cases). 

Above that - the logical course of action is to preferentially build IC in the homeland, which is more militarily secure, and closer to the main economic market (one assumes).  There might be exceptions - building up a smaller colony like a Singapore, to function as a central base away from home - but I'd think that'd be how most folks would proceed.

...none of which implies any sort of political equality between colony and homeland. 

[miketr]

The Iberian attitude is that it learned the hard way that they can not keep down a colony that doesn't want to be ruled from Madrid.  At least not keeping things preaty at any rate.  Hence the federation solution, the Great Revolt of the early 19th century where Spanish S America took a hike is a strong motivator.

Michael

[Korpen]

If you build an IC for a million folks who already have an IC, you increase your income by $1 per half-year.  The payback period for that new IC is $75/2 = 37.5 years.

If you build an IC for a million folks who do not already have an IC, the payback period is almost halved, because you create income from the population as well as the IC.  The million people go from producing $0.20 to $1, in addition to the $1 from the IC itself.  Therefore, the payback period in this case is:  $75/(1.8*2) = 20 years, 10 months.

Conclusion:  If you're investing in IC strictly to earn income, start with the least industrialized group of people under your control - or go find some to bring the wonders of technology to.

Ok, I am grave digging here.
But in the context of this discussion I think it can be worth to point out that while countries with more POP then IC gains more from IC investment, they gain almost nothing from population increases. In quick comparison between CSA and the Netherlands, the CSA gains almost twice as much income from an increase in population as does the Netherlands.

[The Rock Doctor]

This is true - and probably why us heavily industrialized nations are so keen to acquire new population by various means.

[Carthaginian]

No kidding.
With possibly the lowest population/industrialization ratio, the CSA is desperate to make something happen to increase it's population.

[Walter]

How about giving some of your IC to the poor nations? :D

[Carthaginian]

Well, I had built a couple of liners (and planned a couple of more) and had struck up a deal with the Middle Kingdom to take care of their 'political dissidents', but that sorta fell through when the MK disappeared.

Thus, I had to do other things... hence the 'population expansion' program that Teddy is funding.

[Korpen]

No kidding.
With possibly the lowest population/industrialization ratio, the CSA is desperate to make something happen to increase it's population.

I think the Low Countries themself beat you there, 55,5 IC and 15 BP from a population of 17,3 million. :) (and i am poorer the both the CSA and Japan)
Time to get the guest worker schemes underway...

[Valles]

I'd be in the market for used IC...

Building my own is gonna take 'till 1920 at least.

Of course, I'm also in the market for Pacific Islands, being as buying is easier than fighting, but I don't expect that there are any on offer.

[Ithekro]

Easiest source of Pacific Islands are from European powers that have decided that they are over-extendend.

Second source is the New Swiss, but they are a little more possess about it.

[The Rock Doctor]

Valles, have you considered a deal along the lines of the one Gran Colombia and Iberia struck up for Brazil?  It's appended to the Valencia Accord in the treaty section.  With the right partner, this could be worth your while.

[Valles]

I considered it, but it looks to me like the buyout would take about the same amount of time or more, so I decided against it.

[Sachmle]

I'd be in the market for used IC...

Building my own is gonna take 'till 1920 at least.

Of course, I'm also in the market for Pacific Islands, being as buying is easier than fighting, but I don't expect that there are any on offer.

Isla de Pascua (Easter Is) could be for sale, if the price is right.

[Valles]

Rapa Nui? How much?

[Walter]

Japan will offer...

... oh, wait. This 1917 note is not valid yet. :D