Hi,

Crusades has hugely reduced the opportunities to create either raw production or raw research (no Durantium Refineries or Thulium Data Archives ) and I feel that this has produced a more or less forced early ideological path, whatever your civilisation's real predilections.

I play on quite sparse maps since I like to be able to expand - 9 random opponents on a huge map at the moment and at genius. it seems to me that you have to use your first three planets to get to Motivation II and the extra 10 points of raw production in your capital to get any sort of decent ship production. This also gives you Intimidation Centres later to keep the citizens of your lovely democratic empire in order and generate malevolence. 

Afterwards, it's more debatable but I like to try to get all the way along the bottom line of Benevolent to Enlightenment V - 5 extra points of raw research per planet. You typically won't be able to achieve all of this but once you get to Enlightenment III you can build the wonderful Temple of Enlightenment - 1 point of benevolence per turn - to help you on  your way.

I was wondering what other people do though I guess it may be completely different on a much more crowded map?

Cheers,

Jon