NationStates Jolt Archive

Los Angeles, Earth SSR- Today, Comrade Premier Robert MacIntyre has announced the creation of a new agenda for our government and the Party. Reports and details are sketchy at the moment, but our glorious Comrade Premier is expected to announce the new plan at the 850th Party Congress coming up soon.

OOC: More to come tommorrow. Just wanted to shake things up a little in ND. I will say this: it will involve a declaration of a new form of Communism/Socialism he thought of....

At the 850th Party Congress-

"Thank you, Comrades, for attending. Today is a glorious day, one that will be remembered by us. For today, I have come to talk about a certain set of new ideas, that may yet breathe life into our regime.

We in New Dornalia are on the verge of greatness. Nay, we are in greatness now. We have liberated a people from tyranny, built a strong army and navy, used technology to better ourselves, and colonized new worlds in the name of Socialism. We have contacted two peoples, who have agreed to join us. Earth is united.

But, there is much to be done. Our technology does not lack. But looking at our values, it seems that the old ways, pure Marxism-Leninism, Maoism, and dare I say it, Stalinism, have promised much to us. But, in this day and age, they increasingly offer little to us. In practice, they limit thought, they promote impractical schemes that have brought injury, and have even led to sorrow.

(Voices of dissent)

I hear your complaints. Why change now? Because as I looked in my history books, and in my Scriptures (OOC: Communist documents), I found something contradictory with them. They expect us to form a 'dictatorship of the proletariat.' Yet our past experience has taught us that when applied, personal freedoms and needs are often sacrificed in the name of this 'dictatorship of the proletariat.' Machine politics take over, not really benefiting the people, well-intentioned planned economies force a black market which enriches a few at the expense of many, and gulags emerge; in the end, you're at square one.

It is natural some freedoms are restricted for the greater good. But, when the train of abuses becomes excessive, one must wonder if they have not picked the wrong train of thought.

It was this way when I took power, mind. A stale, stagnant system. No freedoms. Arts and sciences dictated by Socialist Realist mumbo-jumbo. Then, reason and liberty took root.

But ladies and gentlemen, the tree of liberty has yet to grow. It is with htis speech, I begin the growth.

I commission now, a new form of Communism/Socialism. Progressive Socialism."

(More dissenting voices. Some are interested. MacIntyre drinks, and begins speaking more....)

OOC: Last post for tonight. More tomorrow.

"What is Progressive Socialism?

This theory rests on what I call the Four Pillars, apologies to Islam. These statements are not to be limiting; those who read this speech in later generations are free to, borrowing a jazz term, 'riff' upon these ideas as they see fit, so long as they stay close to my message.

First, is True Popular Democracy. To ensure a true dictatorship of the proletariat, the people must be able to openly and freely participate in a strong democratic central government, which we are. They must be able to recall inept leaders who no longer act in their name, they must be able to exercise the powers of initiative and referendum when needed to decide what laws will go into effect; they must be able to vote without interference and fear, and with a clear concience, so as to fairly and justly elect those who will best represent them. They must be allowed access to government information when necessary to understand why we do what we do. They must be able to hold their leaders up to a lens, to ensure they are doing their jobs.

But fear not, those who think I encourage anarchy. Pre-Apocalypse events such as Shays' Rebellion teach us that chaos will be the inevitable product of letting the gates open too freely. As such, we will still maintain a republican system of government; the executive and judicial branches of government will still have much to say along with the Legislative, and the government will have control over basic services like firemen, policing, healthcare, and national defense. Also, the use of initiative, referendum, and recall, etc., along with distribution of information, should be limited in cases where it would be superflous and detrimental to national security.

What is the reasoning behind this paradox? A democratic government needs its people to survive, and as such, is obligated to allow the freedoms in my first statement. However, a people in turn, must be willing to obey their government, and let it take command when matters depend on it. Only then can a true Dictatorship of the Proletariat take place, one that is flexible and capable of integrating its people into the processes of government, yet capable enough to take action."

(Takes drink. More are grumbling. Some cry "Heresy! Shoot him!" Others cry "Say it brother," and "No sea callado! Habla a nosotros!")

OOC: Part 2 comes tomorrow, if not, then the day after-hopefully. These are ideas that MacIntyre is presenting to try and drive the Workers State forward; my first attempt at In-Character Politicking. The Spanish says, hopefully, "Do not be silent! Speak to us!"