Manpower as a resource

[Wardad]

Saber Cherry said:
I totally agree (with the original post). I find one of the biggest (problems / unrealisms / unbalances / whatever one may call it) with SEIV is the population issue. It's just irrelevant. The strength of an empire is in its people...
-Cherry

Not entirely...
The people on an overcrowded world could be stuggling to survive, and produce little in excess for the empire to use.
A large population could be a large liability.
The Chinese were defeated by the better equiped Mongols, the Persians were defeated by the better equiped Greeks, and the Aztecs were defeated by... ..etc.
A smaller empire with resources, skill, and education can produce more with better quality.
Maybe population bonuses should be a bell shaped curve? With a minimum for each facility.