Urcean socialist philosophy: Difference between revisions

Traditional readings of {{wp|Karl Marx|Carlos Marx}} have been popular in small circles in [[Urcea]] since the establishment of his works in the mid 19th century. Marx's discussion of the {{wp|Historical materialism|materialist reading of history}} described a system in which the feudal mode of production would give way to a capitalist mode followed by the creation of the socialist mode of production. Marx's view of the materialist progression, however, has caused divisions among Urcean Marxists since its inception; writing as a continental [[Sarpedon|Sarpedonian]], it was not clear to Marxists of the 19th century through today if this straight-forward model is applicable to Urcea. This fundamental disagreement lead to the division of Marxists within Urcea between the "Traditionalist Marxists" and the "Particular Marxists".

Non-Marxist "right-wing" socialism - called "Crown socialism", "Organic socialism", and "Wittonian socialism" in its most recent strain - has had a long history in [[Urcea]]. Attempts to deliberately apply of [[Organicism|organic]] thought were made almost immediately with the development of organic philosophy in the 18th century. In [[Urcea]], multiple attempts at creating a political faction to oppose the dominant [[Crown Liberalism|Crown Liberal]] [[National Pact (Urcea)|National Pact]] throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries failed, beginning a long history of rivalry between the two ideologies within the [[Government of Urcea]]. Many of these early approaches were employed by reformed adherents of {{wp|absolute monarchy}}, and consequently failed to take root as a cohesive, distinct political ideology. Only during the [[Red Interregnum]] did a coherent political application of organic principles apart from absolutism emerge. The later portion of the rule of [[Gréagóir FitzRex]] saw a more coherent application of the principles of organicism within the political sphere. The newly formed [[National Democratic Party (Urcea)|National Democratic Party]] began to espouse an organic position ''contra'' the legitimists, a position they maintained throughout the restoration. The initial NDP version of organic ideology largely excluded the monarchy as they viewed it as a necessary and organic institution, but one largely outside of and excluded from society. As the [[Great War]] approached, the NDP adopted more traditionally {{wp|moderate}} political positions, abandoning a coherent ideology.

[[Michael Witte]] was elected to the [[Concilium Daoni]] in 1990 at the age of 30 along with what was called the "New Wave" of the [[National Democratic Party (Urcea)|National Democratic Party]], who began seeking a coherent alternative to the advancing {{wp|neoliberal}} policies of the [[National Pact (Urcea)|National Pact]]. Witte, as a major leader of the New Wave, began to speak openly of what he called "social organicism", bringing about what he called the "common good society" with a series of policies emphasizing the value of "social collegiality with a paternalistic Royal framework" employing a welfare state model with a proactive labor market policy and a {{wp|distributist}} philosophy emphasizing the de-concentration and "democratization" of wealth while still in a setting of private property. In Witte's view, as in the traditional [[Organicism|organicist]] view, the State and society were essentially indistinguishable, and consequently the state should, as much as possible, be responsible for resolving social ills, including the alienation of labor. As part of this policy, Witte believed in enhancing the power of the [[Guilds (Urcea)|Guild system]] over firms and major corporations, as in the 1980s the National Pact crafted new laws exempting some large firms from the regulations of Guilds. Witte's key innovation was reconciling the National Democratic Party's traditional position with that of the [[Apostolic King of Urcea|monarchy]], stating that the King - and his government - have a fatherly duty entrusted by God to protect his people from the effects of ruinous economic forces and social calamity. Upon his election as [[Procurator]] of [[Urcea]] in 2000, Witte began to implement his policies, including the creation of the [[Healthcare in Urcea|King's Health Aid]] program among other major economic changes. The term "Wittonian socialism" originated as a derogatory term among Witte's National Pact opponents which was soon embraced by Witte and other allies within the party, including [[James Cossus Reed]].