User blog comment:Zippertrain85/"Why the Empire Should Prevail Over the Stormcloaks! Part 3 (Economics)" Refuted/@comment-1822253-20140101234739

First, I'd like to say I am neither an Imperial or Stormcloak supporter in game... it's a game and I just play it. Honestly, I just flip a coin to decide which side I'm going to be apart of when the time comes to finally enter into the Civil War portion. Though I have extensively weigh'ed the pro's and con's of joining either  groups.

Well to start off, no Zippertrain85, JoshofBlades did not state that Whiterun trades the most with Cyrodiil, he stated that the majority of trade coming from Cyrodiil goes through Whiterun. It's a major difference between trade passing through and actually trading. So almost your entire point here is moot. As well, in-game it's stated that Whiterun is a major trading hub for Skyrim, as pretty much all trading caravans passing through Skyrim, go through the city. As such, it would relie on taxes and the money that these caravans spend within the hold.

Well, while I don't think the East Empire Trading Company would stop trading with Skyrim on it's own, that would be entirely up to the former Emperor Mede II successor and Ulfric. As the Dark Brotherhood missions in previous games have pretty much become cannon, it is without a doubt that Emperor Mede II assassination will beceom cannon. And who is going to be blamed? Most likely Ulfric Stormcloak, as he was leading an uprising in the province where the Emperor was assassinated. So, I'd imagine that Mede's successor might declare an embargo on Skyrim.

Then you have Ulfric who wants to completely cut off ties to what he views as a "crumbling" empire. From what it sounds like from ingame information, the EETC is owned by the Emperor. So it's very possible that Ulfric might kick out the EETC in order to completely cut off ties with the Empire. If however Ulfric doesn't cut them off, then I have no doubt that the EETC would continue trading, even if the next Emperor/Empress decides otherwise. The same can be said about High Rock, and remember, it's High Rock who depends on the trade, not Skyrim. Don't underestimate human stupidity.

However, I don't see Hammerfell or Morrowind stopping trade anytime soon.

You're right, people are being oppressed by the Dominion, however, the Empire is currently the only power capable of standing up to the Dominion. I also went and read through your other blog posts responding too JoshofBlades, you haven't actually refuted anything, you've merely pointed out from the prospective of a supporter of the Stormcloaks.