In many previews, we've heard about the fact we can sabotage an economy in a city or town by destroying to crops, or damaging vital capital or exports. Which all sounds quite nifty, but unless there's a quest specific task of 'Burn dem crops', it's not much use - why make things more expensive for yourself?
I haven't heard any details on this, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but is there any way to help an economy? Buying up surplus in one town with a good harvest, thus restoring the crops price top acceptable levels, and then maybe selling it to another town with a poor harvest. Can we take it upon ourselves, not in any direct quest, but just as an aside, to rebuild broken capital, repair stuff, buy new machines, or anything like that to better an economy? For savvy players, this would mean putting in some extra time, but out of it getting better, cheaper items, and feeling good about helping out a small town.
If the economy system were really good, we would then have to deal with those consequences - helping town A out loads might damage the competitive exports of town B, etc.