A game in which I tried a bunch of new things and avoided much conquest. I wanted a compeltely mono-culture empire with everything built everywhere. I sunk an ungodly amount of monarch points into buildings but the net result is that it just doesn't matter if you in a position to trade because trade undeniably trumps all.
I tried some different national ideas, in particular avoiding diplomacy and defensive. Yep, decided I'll never be avoiding them again.
On the plus side, having everything reformed and Scottish means I am immune to Jackals! Vultures!
All the way to 1820 and cotton is still a worthless trade good.