[ZRT CONVENTION] Report on future strategy
Sept 2, 2013 11:04:35 GMT -6
C. Carlüs Xheraltescù and Éovart Andrinescù like this
Post by Óïn Ursüm on Sept 2, 2013 11:04:35 GMT -6
D:nâ Chair, Leader Xheraltescu, General Secretary Fernaodescu, party members, azul!
Azul all.
I step up to this podium today having been invited to deliver a report on future strategy for our party. My remarks here are intended as personal, and possibly marginal views, and as food for thought as we continue on our journey in the political life of post-Reunision Talossa.
What does 'republicanism' mean to you? The absence of a king? Representative democracy? To me, as you well know, it evokes the idea of a res publica, a public affair, a stately apparatus which serves the community.
What better way to improve a real community of people than to have a government which is maximally responsive to its needs?
Today's Talossa has many provisions in its laws which frustrate that goal. A public ballot, which allows for (unintentional) intimidation and bandwagon effects. Elections without party lists, with legislators occasionally diverging from their election promises. A large body of statutory law, with few materials to educate the apolitical citizen. Severe restrictions on the recreational activities of citizens, including participation in micronations.
To remedy these problems, we will often need to join forces with other parties and create coalitions to advance real and workable solutions. Luckily, we have friends in other parties with ideas very close to ours, who are willing to work with us to achieve these goals. These problems are tractable, and can be solved in the short-term by finding points of agreement across the spectrum of Talossan politics.
Despite this talk of coalition-building, it is clear to me that Talossa needs a transfer of power, if only to prove that our system can handle a transfer of power. That means that it is important that we show that a non-RUMP government is feasible. If we cannot win an election on our own, we should at least look to form a winning alliance promising to focus on our shared short-term goals.
The RUMP not very outwardly ideological, and, as a catch-all party, it brings in newcomers because it is an easy way into the heart of Talossa's government straight off the boat. We have seen in the past individual RUMPers and RUMP voters agreeing with our proposed solutions, only to be defeated by the RUMP faction in the Ziu. Support for the RUMP among voters does not necessarily mean disagreement with ZRT policies, even if RUMP legislators do not take kindly to them. It seems to me that winning an election is the best way to implement our short-term goals, and to prove to newcomers that parties other than the RUMP can get things done around here.
How to win an election? Do we need to make a pre-election pact? Contingencies for a post-election agreement? Merge into a huge progressive blob? Change our name to a catchy, modern, one-word Talossan term rather than a clunky initialism? These solutions, while betraying our ideological foundation, are pragmatic ways to accomplish our short-term goals, which are important if we are to advance our long-term goals. A “fragmented opposition” while principled, cannot implement a lot of its shared common policy, while a catch-all governing party dominates in elections. Take a look at the opposition in Canada, with the squabbling Bloc, New Democrats and Liberals against Harper's governing Conservative party. In short, while we can be ideological, we need short-term plans. Perhaps we may find ourselves united with other politicians in our short-term goals, while diverging wildly in our long-term ambitions. Does this mean we should fight the elections of today under a different banner?
This speech is meant to be provocative, and I'm happy just to contribute to the vibrant debate of our convention.
In addition to the above, and in the spirit of democratic dirigisme, we should propose and stand for fostering an interesting and fun community and cultural initiatives. We need to develop well-thought-out and watertight amendments to the OrgLaw, bringing us closer to the vision of res publica.
Talossa is defined by its Organic Law as a “community of persons having fun”. Let's make Talossa more of a community, and let's make it fun.
Azul all.
I step up to this podium today having been invited to deliver a report on future strategy for our party. My remarks here are intended as personal, and possibly marginal views, and as food for thought as we continue on our journey in the political life of post-Reunision Talossa.
What does 'republicanism' mean to you? The absence of a king? Representative democracy? To me, as you well know, it evokes the idea of a res publica, a public affair, a stately apparatus which serves the community.
What better way to improve a real community of people than to have a government which is maximally responsive to its needs?
Today's Talossa has many provisions in its laws which frustrate that goal. A public ballot, which allows for (unintentional) intimidation and bandwagon effects. Elections without party lists, with legislators occasionally diverging from their election promises. A large body of statutory law, with few materials to educate the apolitical citizen. Severe restrictions on the recreational activities of citizens, including participation in micronations.
To remedy these problems, we will often need to join forces with other parties and create coalitions to advance real and workable solutions. Luckily, we have friends in other parties with ideas very close to ours, who are willing to work with us to achieve these goals. These problems are tractable, and can be solved in the short-term by finding points of agreement across the spectrum of Talossan politics.
Despite this talk of coalition-building, it is clear to me that Talossa needs a transfer of power, if only to prove that our system can handle a transfer of power. That means that it is important that we show that a non-RUMP government is feasible. If we cannot win an election on our own, we should at least look to form a winning alliance promising to focus on our shared short-term goals.
The RUMP not very outwardly ideological, and, as a catch-all party, it brings in newcomers because it is an easy way into the heart of Talossa's government straight off the boat. We have seen in the past individual RUMPers and RUMP voters agreeing with our proposed solutions, only to be defeated by the RUMP faction in the Ziu. Support for the RUMP among voters does not necessarily mean disagreement with ZRT policies, even if RUMP legislators do not take kindly to them. It seems to me that winning an election is the best way to implement our short-term goals, and to prove to newcomers that parties other than the RUMP can get things done around here.
How to win an election? Do we need to make a pre-election pact? Contingencies for a post-election agreement? Merge into a huge progressive blob? Change our name to a catchy, modern, one-word Talossan term rather than a clunky initialism? These solutions, while betraying our ideological foundation, are pragmatic ways to accomplish our short-term goals, which are important if we are to advance our long-term goals. A “fragmented opposition” while principled, cannot implement a lot of its shared common policy, while a catch-all governing party dominates in elections. Take a look at the opposition in Canada, with the squabbling Bloc, New Democrats and Liberals against Harper's governing Conservative party. In short, while we can be ideological, we need short-term plans. Perhaps we may find ourselves united with other politicians in our short-term goals, while diverging wildly in our long-term ambitions. Does this mean we should fight the elections of today under a different banner?
This speech is meant to be provocative, and I'm happy just to contribute to the vibrant debate of our convention.
In addition to the above, and in the spirit of democratic dirigisme, we should propose and stand for fostering an interesting and fun community and cultural initiatives. We need to develop well-thought-out and watertight amendments to the OrgLaw, bringing us closer to the vision of res publica.
Talossa is defined by its Organic Law as a “community of persons having fun”. Let's make Talossa more of a community, and let's make it fun.
