Communalism
From AuroraWiki
Formally known as Absolute Unionism, Communalism has few things in common with the various Unionist movements. Communalism is more of an extreme version of Socialism. In theory Communalism promotes ownership of the means of production by the people as a whole. In practice that more often means state ownership and control. Again, Communalist theory is that the efforts of each worker should benefit the whole of society; the practice is more often that a ruling elite benefits mightily and the masses benefit little.
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Etymology
Early Absolute Unionists, seeking a unifying rallying cry, took The Communality, an obscure socialist song, and made it their anthem. Their pervasive use of the song gave rise to the term Communalism, now in common usage in reference to Absolute Unionists.
Communalist Theory
Yuri Gielbov, a Translithanian aristocrat who was concerned about the inequities he perceived in his country's class-based social structure, gradually developed his theories of a communal good based on the universality of all men. Gielbov called his concept Absolute Unionism, but his followers found the term Communalism easier to say and comprehend. Thus, when Gielbov wrote his appeal to the masses, he titled his work the Tenets of Communalism.
The principles of Communalism work best in small groups where individuals know those they are expected to provide benefit to. As the governed group increases in size, human nature dissociates one's effort from any perceived benefit, leading to an attitude that nothing one does matters at all.
Key Elements
Gielbov believed Stockism is merely the exploitation of the working class. This is the fundamental basis of Communalist theory that holds Stockism, by its very nature, requires paying workers less than the full value of their labor in order to make a profit for the owners. As a result, Stockism alienates workers by expropriating the fruits of their labor
Within societies, the relations of the classes form the economic base on which the legal and political superstructure rises. In relation to this, the ruling class controls the means of production and the social superstructure so it determines the ruling ideologies. According to Gielbov, an "autonomy of the masses" is the means by which Absolute Unionism ensures everyone benefits from their labors in accord with their contributions.
Revolutionary Communalism
Although Gielbov did mount an unsuccessful coup d'etat which resulted in his exile to the Torentine Empire, he did not espouse violence. József Dardai, of Pravnick and Translithanian descent, was more radical, however. He expanded on Gielbov's ideas, claiming class struggle defines each historical period and drives historical change. According to Dardai, there are five stages to social evolution:
- Primative communalism (tribal society)
- Slave (aristocracy arises)
- Feudalism (aristocracy rules, merchants become capitalists)
- Stockism (capitalists rule and subjugate the working classes)
- Social communalism (workers take charge of their destiny by overthrowing capitalists)
Dardai did not disagree with his mentor that the final stage can be achieved peacefully. On the other hand, the evils of Feudalism and, to a lesser extent, Stockism justify any means necessary, including violent revolution, to liberate the working class and restore them to the fruits of their labor. Dardaic Communalism, sometimes referred to Dardaism, reached its pinnacle with the Communalist Revolution of 2064 in Pravnicka which resulted in the establishment of Aurora's earliest and oldest Communalist government. Dardai as the country's first Coordinator General.
Variants of Communalism
Externally, Communalists may be either expansionist, static, or dissolutionist. Those who seek to expand the scope or territory of a Communalist state are typically viewed as radical imperialist types. Among themselves, they profess a zeal for their ideology which borders upon religion. Statist Communalists are either content with or mired in the status quo, depending upon one's viewpoint.
Dissolutionist Communalists typically feel the size of their state too large to effectively practice the tenets of their ideology. Anarchists and Minarchists share enough common cause with Dissolutionists that they will sometimes cooperate with attempts to split such an "unwieldy commonality".
Communalist Organizations
As the number of Gielbov's followers grew and expanded into other countries, they first developed a loose affiliation. Seeking more political clout, they began to become more organized. From independent regional or national parties, an international association arose.
Established by Dardai in 2062, the Communalist League, Aurora-Wide (CLAW) is Communalism's international umbrella organization. As a political and informational body, CLAW's expressed purpose is to "propagate and defend the precepts of Absolute Unionism." Following Pravnicka's Communalist Revolution two years later, CLAW established its head offices in Zofia, gaining increased prestige and authority among the international Communalist movement. To facilitate cooperation and understanding among like-minded states, CLAW undertook facilitating trade and providing support among Communalist countries. CLAW's decision-making body is the Auroran Syndicate of Communalists (ASC).
Separate from CLAW, but working in accordance with guidance from ASC, the Benevolent Auroran Society of Communalists (BASC) is an international political aid society which advocates on behalf of Communalist candidates and political platforms in nearly every country. Although many suspect that Pravnicka's Kulturni Menit Urad (KMU) strongly influences the workings of BASC, there is no direct connection and the alleged ties have not been confirmed.
Young people are the future leaders of society and CLAW seeks to capitalize on this under the auspices of its international youth organization, Aurora's Future. The movement, more commonly known as Pathfinders, has chapters for Communalist associations without national affiliation. Aurora's Future serves as the umbrella agency for the youth movements in various Communalist countries.
International Communalism
Communalism in Pravnicka
Pravnicks believe they are the strictest adherents to Communalist doctrine. Under their interpretation, Absolute Unionism means power is in the people and the state is the people. As a result, there are no political parties in Pravnicka because that would represent a fractionalizing of the concept of Absolute Unionism.
Until all of Aurora fully embraces Absolute Unionism, various nationalist states will continue to exist. In the meantime, Communalist governments must act on behalf of the people. In Pravnicka, this translates to the state owning the means of production with industries managed by Workers' Councils. In this manner, production takes place according to socially managed goals.
Communalism in Raipea
Raipeans see themselves as heirs to the Gielbovist legacy, being one of the newest Communalist states. They practice an extremely radical brand of the ideology, as preached by Coordinator-General Hera'i Mako. Mako's personal ideology has come to be known as Makoism. Raipeans see a Communalist Party as being necessary to function as the vanguard of the people; thus, while they ultimately seek a world without divisions, the Communalist Party of Raipea serves as the "leading force of society and of the state."
The Revolutionary State has taken Communalist theory to the next level, and in doing so has launched a vigorous campaing against any aspect of society deemed "stockist," "reactionary," or "oppressive." Thus, things like religion and non-revolutionary art have become the latest adversaries of the Communalist government.
Communalism in Sinoptikon
Sinoptik political structure is more traditional although Sinoptikon is a single-party state. The Sinoptik Communalist Party is legally separate from the Sinoptik government, but all government officials are members of the Party.
List of Communalist Nations
Communalist Movements
- Kantonia: The Kantonian Communalist Cadre (KCC) is currently waging a three-way civil war against both Kantonian government forces and the right-wing terror group, Dekastra. Most combat is limited to terrorist attacks that have claimed more than 200 lives.
- Karsos: The National Communalist Party (NKP) stands in opposition to the leading Objective Movement which dominates the politics of Karsos.
- Nolophon Caletica: The Nolocommunalist Revolutionary Cadre (NRC) has been agitating for the establishment of a Communalist government in the chaotic political scene of the minarchist state. The NRC has ties to the Communalists in Sinoptikon; however, as the latter considers Nolophon Caletica to be part of its territory, suspicions run high on both sides.
- Zophos: The Zophos Communalist Front (ZCF) is a growing Communalist movement in Zophos which has learned to leverage common ground with the Social Progress Party (Zophos) to achieve elements of the ZCF agenda.
- Sjertiva: The Sjerti People's Independence Movement is a revolutionary Communalist movement in Sjertiva. Born from worker riots in Vederi and Tseretij, the SPIM are pushing for a new, Communalist Sjertiva through force. They are the main opponents of the government in the Sjerti Inner Conflict, which they refer to as the "Sjerti Workers' Revolution".
