Automation, scripted army orders

[Soapyfrog]

Patrolling is worth it, even if you kill of a few pop, it will get your unrest down to zero very quickly (unless it is VERY high).

You will lose less income overall patrolling then you will by lowering taxes... of course it is not always (or even often) feasible, since you need a ncie body of troops to patrol with effectively. Often it is more exopedient to simply lower taxes for a period.