Control Rating

Control Rating (CR) is a general measure of the control exercised by a government. The lower the CR, the less restrictive the government and the freer the people. Relates to Legality Class (LC).

Guidelines

• CR0: Anarchy. Taxes, Laws, and controls are nonexistent.
• CR1: Very free. Only use of force or intimidation against other citizens is illegal. Taxes are light or voluntary. Only access to LC0 items is controlled.
• CR2: Free. Some laws exist; most benefit the individual. Taxes are light. Access to items of LC0 and LC1 is controlled.
• CR3: Moderate. There are many laws, but most benefit the individual. Taxes are moderate and fair. Access to items of LC0 through LC2 is controlled.
• CR4: Controlled. Many laws exist; most are for the convenience of the state. Broadcast communications are regulated; private broadcasts (like CB) and printing may be restricted. Taxation is often heavy and sometimes unfair. Access to items of LC0 through LC3 is controlled.
• CR5: Repressive. There are many laws and regulations, strictly enforced. Taxation is heavy and often unfair. There is strict regulation of information technology: computers, photocopiers, printing presses, transmitters, etc. All goods are effectively controlled; you can’t buy anything without the appropriate ration coupons or paperwork.
• CR6: Total Control. Laws are numerous and complex. The individual exists to serve the state. Many offenses carry the death penalty, and trials – if there are any at all – are a mockery. Taxation is crushing, taking most of an ordinary citizen’s income. Censorship is common, and private ownership of any information technology is forbidden. All goods are controlled, and the government might even withhold basic necessities.

Split CRs

CRs need not be uniform across a society. In fact in history there are many examples exist of split CRs. For example, the Southern US after Reconstruction until the Civil Right movement was CR3 for whites, CR5 for non whites.

Corruption

GURPS City Stats added a modifier called "Corruption" to cities (0 to -6) representing how easy it is for people who have the right connections to find a way around the restrictions. Corruption usually requires a search roll based on a suitable skill (modified by a city's size):

• Savoir-Faire (High Society/Mafia)
• Politics
• Administration

Military Budget Factor

In the GURPS City Stats statblock Control Rating normally determines the Military Budget Factor (MBF). With the exception of CR 6 the MBF goes up 1 level in wartime (At CR 6 it goes up to 50%).

CR	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
MBF	0	0.5%	1%	2%	5%	10%	20%

See Also

• Government Type