Justinian Theodorism

Justinian Theodorism is a form of Theodorism developed by Basileus Justinian I of Burnham and Vera Hewitt which seeks to establish socialism through a more peaceful means. Like it's predecessor, it advocates soviet/council democracy, workers' self-management, the abolition of social classes which are based on wealth and a monarchy to oversee the implementation of socialism and hold reserve powers to maintain the Theodorist system.

History

On 26 July 2013, Vera Hewitt and Justinian I wrote an essay entitled "Red Summer: An Essay on Justinian Theodorism." It was unveiled to the micronational community through Facebook and Skype groups.

Differences from "Orthodox" Theodorism

There are many differences between what Justinianites term "Othodox Theodorism" and Justinian Theodorism. Orthodox Theodorism’s Eight Stage Transition leads on to the establishment of a global, Socio-Imperial monarchy following the completion of the Eight Stages, which symbolise a full transition to a Socialist State. Justinianites argue that this merely creates another monarchy which could be manipulated by the Eastern and Western Theodorist Emperors into oppressing the people. Justinian Theodorism adds an endgame to the Eight Stage Transition, referred to as the "Ninth Stage", whereby upon the completion of the Eight Stage Transition, the Monarch immediately abdicates (forcefully if need be) to become a member of the Supreme Soviet, losing any rights or benefits that set him above his or her fellow Supreme Soviet members. This is referred to by Justinianites as the "Revised Eight Stage Transition."

Unlike Orthodox Theodorism, Justinianites seek to establish socialism as the final goal of Justinian Theodorism. Justinianites argue that communism is often associated with violence and aggression on the part of the Communists. To support this, Justinianites point the Orthodox Theodorist document "The Vanguard Monarch" by Jonathan I of Austenasia describes the Supreme Soviet as “the monarch’s instrument in crushing counter-revolutionary forces.” Justinian Theodorism’s final goal is to transit to a Socialist state, whereby violent elements are curbed, and other Leftist movements can be allied with or made subservient to the Supreme Soviet, instead of being crushed or removed as per Communism.

One point where Orthodox and Justinian Theodorist points meet is where the monarchs of both variants of Theodorism are cultural symbols and figureheads. However, Orthodox Theodorism does not capitalise on this, leaving the Supreme Soviet or another legislative body to decide on the Monarch’s role in the country, if any. Justinian Theodorism is very clear in that the Monarch has absolute control over all elements of the nation’s culture that does not interfere with the National Calendar. The Monarch may also be bestowed other positions and roles within the nation as per Orthodox Theodorism.

The Justinian Monarch still has the extensive reserve powers of his/her/zer Orthodox counterpart to protect the Socialist and Theodorist principles. The reason for this, according to Justinianites, is that while Leftist counter-revolutionaries might be able to be talked down and communicated with with, right-wing counter-revolutionaries will be infinitely more difficult to talk down and will not make compromise or conform to Socialist ideals. Hence, the Monarch may still require emergency powers to combat Rightist counter-revolution.

Concepts

Justinian Theodorism advocates:

Economic

• Workers' self management - companies and industries are run by the workers themselves rather than by private owners or managers. The private sector is tiny and heavily regulated, if not nonexistant.
• Jobs for all - the unemployed who are not in education may choose to either have all welfare cut or be allocated a menial job by the government with a wage just over subsistence level until they find a job that they would prefer to do. Refusing to seek employment when it is available and therefore contribute to society will be considered a crime.
• Inheritance tax to the level of abolishing all inheritance beyond that which is considered necessary to sustain a reasonably comfortable standard of living for the rest of one's life.
• Redistribution of income through taxation and welfare to eventually create a scenario wherein all people shall have roughly the same amount of wealth, with slight variations depending on the level of their contribution to society.
• Limited redistribrution of wealth - those who have so much property that they have no practical use for it (billionaires, owners of huge estates, etc) should have what they do not need confiscated from them immediately after the revolution and have it given to those who need it most.

Flag of Theodorism and Socialism in Burnham. Flag of the Theodorist Workers' Party of Burnham.

Social/Political

• Legislative power to be held by a Supreme Soviet, elected by members of regional soviets, and so on in a hierarchical fashion, with local power being held by a soviet (council) elected by the people of that locality. The executive and judicial branches are to be structured by the Supreme Soviet. After the completion of the Revised Eight Stage Transition, the Soviets would hold all power.
• A monarch as head of state to act as a personification and symbol of unity and political stability for the nation. The first Theodorist monarch of a nation should be either a central figure in the revolution or a pre-existing monarch who welcomes Theodorism and commands the respect of a large proportion of the population. The monarch should not regularly intervene directly in politics after the revolution, but should hold extensive reserve powers to protect socialism and the Theodorist system should it ever be threatened. After the completion of the Revised Eight Stage Transition, the Monarch would abdicate and the monarchy would be abolished.
• Vanguard parties to be founded in every nation to advance Justinian Theodorism - whenever possible, through means which are legal within that nation. After the revolution, the vanguard party will act as the instrument of the monarch's reserve powers to maintain socialism.
• Secularisation - faiths and religious beliefs should never be persecuted or discriminated against, but religion should not be established; there should be complete and utter separation of church and state.
• Article XII of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011 or a similar document to be adopted, as outlining basic human rights to be enforced by Justinian Theodorist states.

International

• Worldwide peace, unity, and co-operation. Inhabitants of foreign countries are, first and foremost, human beings. If a nation is afflicted by poverty to the extent that not even Theodorism can rescue it merely by being implemented domestically, other Theodorist nations should aid it by sending to it any surplus resources of their own.
• International disarmament. In a Theodorist world, there will be no need for militaries. Law-enforcement organisations may be required, but armies will not, as peace shall prevail.