American Government Simulation

The American Government Simulation (or AGS, for short) is an online political forum dedicated to simulating certain aspects of the United States government (or a government simulation). The entire simulation is mostly conducted over an internet message board. AGS was launched in July 2004 by several former members of the second incarnation of the National Government Simulation. Founding members include Brady Carlson , Jakob Huneycutt (under a pseudonym), John Rearden, Carl Berube, Ben Hauser (also under a pseudonym); all of which would become part of the simulation's (or sim’s) overseeing body known as the Administrative Board (or simply "the AB").

While the American Government Simulation has built on the traditions of the earlier National Government Simulation, there have been several innovations that have set it apart from its predecessor. For one, instead of having members directly elect the sim's President of the United States, the Administrative Board simulates election results. Another major difference between AGS and its predecessors was a true Majority/Minority system for Congress. Whereas, in simulations past, the business on the House or Senate Floor was directed by either a Speaker, Vice-President, or Clerk elected in a sim-wide election, AGS attempted to emulate the actual House by requiring an Organizing Resolution to determine a majority and then having the members of the majority chose a Speaker. This system allowed for more political strategy before each Congressional term.

While Presidential terms in AGS last six months, the simulation operates as if the time were always the present. Hence, even when there have been two complete Presidential terms with the sim launching in 2004, it is not 2012 in AGS; the date for the simulation would still be the present day. Thus far, AGS has only had two Presidents. Greg Williams, a Republican, became the first President, but resigned before the end of his first term, which meant Vice-President Adam Yoshida was to become the new President. Yoshida served out the end of Williams' term and won an election in his own right against Democratic challenger Nation Hahn. There is currently some controversy over whether Yoshida may seek a third term.

External links

• The American Government Simulation
• AGS forums
• The AGS Wiki