Communistic Utopia?

[FWB]

I think I invented a new word there, but never mind. Anyway, I tend to follow a Communist path (except for that part of getting rid of the dictatorship ) on my lovely island, opting for good social wealth programs (free housing, education, health and even entertainment, at times) and high "equal" wages while relying on industry to bring in the money. My economic situation is never bad (I don't think I've ever had a problem with it), but by heck, my people like to remain miserable. I do understand this, to a degree, since I have a habit of being quite strict in regards to liberty and religion (I don't like either of the two, and as for former, they shouldn't need it, they're living great lives). My question is, is it actually possible to get high happiness ratings without providing good facilities in every department? Also, how do I improve the quality of housing, apart from using better buildings?

In addition, my military tends to get unhappy too bloody quickly. I give them the highest wages (although I like to stick with equality, it seems the only way to shut them up), and any other activity they wish.

Finally, I haven't got PI yet because it seems to be concerned too much with tourism (screw the yankis, MY island is for MY people). Is it still worth it? I was hoping for more social features.

EDIT: Before I forget, one of the things that would make this game the king of all is some sort of multiplayer feature. Now, don't ask me exactly how it should be done, although a simple format would be to have people's islands connected in terms of economics, demographics and politics, but a more complex system would be fantastic. May be even Tropico Online... ohh I'm drooling. Hopefully such features will be implemented in Tropico 2, since it sounds more viable there.

I love my management/strategy games and I love to play them against other people.

[el_malo]

In addition, my military tends to get unhappy too bloody quickly. I give them the highest wages (although I like to stick with equality, it seems the only way to shut them up), and any other activity they wish.

The best cure for this is to get TPI and use the Army Base and Military Modernization.  

[thomas_arsenal]

I would say that if u are going to let them down on liberty and religion (which isn't wise if u ask me but if that's what works for you, fine   ) then you need to make sure entertainment is good- lots of good entertainment buildings that ppl don't have to pay much to use and also improve food quality using the food edict...

[bannie]

EDIT: Before I forget, one of the things that would make this game the king of all is some sort of multiplayer feature. Now, don't ask me exactly how it should be done, although a simple format would be to have people's islands connected in terms of economics, demographics and politics, but a more complex system would be fantastic. May be even Tropico Online... ohh I'm drooling. Hopefully such features will be implemented in Tropico 2, since it sounds more viable there.

I love my management/strategy games and I love to play them against other people.

the way i can see this happening is all the islands were connect via trade/treaties ect but theyd have to come up with a whole new game for that

[Egg]

Well it would probaly cost Pop Top too much to make rather the amount in returns...

[Coconut Kid]

... My question is, is it actually possible to get high happiness ratings without providing good facilities in every department?
Also, how do I improve the quality of housing, apart from using better buildings?
In addition, my military tends to get unhappy too bloody quickly. I give them the highest wages (although I like to stick with equality, it seems the only way to shut them up), and any other activity they wish.
Finally, I haven't got PI yet because it seems to be concerned too much with tourism ... Is it still worth it? I was hoping for more social features.
...

Five of the ten happiness factors are also needs. If you don't provide for all the needs, you guarantee lower happiness than necessary.
Build housing at least ten tiles away from pollution emitting buildings; landscape around housing.
Concentrate on making the leader of the militarist faction happy even if s\he is not in the army. You are fooling yourself if you rely too much on pay (job happiness) to keep any group in line.
PI has a lot of non-tourist related additions.