[Lazy_Perfectionist]

On the counter side to my 'Las Vegas' game (WWI, secret pacts), it may be interesting to have a public diplomacy game, where everyone agrees to conduct diplomacy by forum, and consider the results binding. This way, the politicin could get pretty fierce as everybody negotiates- kind of like the scramble to get mercs, except you see the other' bids.

Include in each contract several 'breach' and termination clauses. The common termination would be three turns warning, psssibly shortened to one with a cancellation fee. the 'breach' would fall under accidental and intentional penalties, with varying degrees of repercussion. They might be levied a fine, or excluded from all further political discussions, treated as a rogue.

The idea is that diplomatic alliances can be publicly bought. If someone knows about your public treaty, then they can negotiate with a third party to get that party to declare the three turn warning and shift sides. This whole system of public negotiations removes most of the misunderstandings, gives a record, and etc. etc.
Completely public negotiations may be problematic- so maybe limit it only to the binding agreement made public. An agreement will not be valid until it posted and signed by both parties. Before then, it is as nonexistent, and useless.

Of course, there's also the game style with no diplomacy whatsoever- or just trade. Continuing with orwell, I'd call that game the ministry of peace.