Orderism
Orderism is a gathering of political philosophies and systems centered on solving the problems of humanity through combining collectivism and technology to maximize the standards of living for all citizens within its community system. As a result, most Orderist societies utilize an economic system based on the use of energy accounting as a replacement to the monetary system. Orderism also focuses on the use of efficient systems to run the needs of society, from the use of a distribution apparatus to the creation of transport systems that allow for large volumes of goods to be transported with the least amount of expenditure of energy.
Orderism focuses on the advancement of humanity in all areas as it is necessary for humanity’s evolution into a ‘better’ race. The advancement of knowledge is at the core of all of Orderist's goals and ideals. Without the expansion of knowledge, an Orderist society could not exist because it could not evolve to solve its inefficiencies. This is why education is a main focus in Orderism. One area of advancement is that of technology and the utilization of technologies to create a more efficient society. This is achieved through extensive education and the creation of a society built around the use of intellect to solve its inefficiencies and problems. Another is the drive to create a society that seeks to create a more humane society where communities are able to work together to solve problems seen throughout Gotha, such as poverty, famine, and unequal social balances, to create a more just, more ‘civilized’, and developed society. The advancement of art and culture is also a drive of society, as art and culture are reflections of a society’s humanity.
As Orderism evolved from Häverism and its adoption became more widespread, variants with different flavors and cultural focuses emerged. Häverism became more widely known as Orderism to emphasize its focus on structure, order, and harmony within social, physical, and economic realms. Häverism became Orderism after landmark reforms in the 7590'ss that transitioned Helreich's Häverist philosophy from its stratified traditions to a more egalitarian social structure.
Key Pillars of Orderism
Orderism is an ideology that combines elements of technocracy, collectivism, and a unique economic system to create a society focused on efficiency, technological advancement, and holistic human development. The five key pillars of Orderism are as follows:
Technocratic Governance:
A class of enlightened intellectuals and experts in their respective fields should lead the government, ensuring decisions are made based on knowledge and expertise. This includes the implementation of a civil service examination system and specialized schools to train civil servants, promoting meritocracy within the ruling class.
Energy-Based Economy:
Replacing traditional monetary systems with energy accounting, where the value of currency is based on the amount of energy contributed to society. The focus is on creating an efficient economic system that removes wastefulness and optimizes resource use.
Technological Advancement:
Continuous pursuit of technological innovations to solve societal problems, increase efficiency, and improve the standard of living for all citizens. This is supported by extensive education systems aimed at fostering innovation and technological skills among the populace.
Collectivism and Community Cooperation:
Prioritizing the welfare of the community over individual gains, promoting policies and practices that benefit the collective. Encouraging cooperation and interaction between communities to leverage collective strengths and compensate for individual weaknesses, fostering a network of support and mutual advancement.
Human and cultural Development:
Placing the expansion of knowledge at the core of societal goals, believing that a society cannot evolve without continuous learning and intellectual growth. Valuing the advancement of art and culture as reflections of society’s humanity, and integrating these elements into the fabric of Orderist society. This element is firmly rooted in Orkanan traditions predating Orderism and Häverism, where expansion of knowledge is seen as a way to come closer to understanding Vind's Master Plan.
Politics
The political structure of Orderism is centered on the principles of technocratic governance, ensuring that decisions are made by those best equipped to understand and address complex societal issues. This section details how the political system operates, the role of education in governance, and the mechanisms for ensuring an efficient and just administration.
Technocratic governance
In Orderist societies, governance is led by a class of intellectuals and experts who possess deep knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. These individuals are selected through rigorous civil service examinations designed to identify the most capable and knowledgeable candidates. This meritocratic system ensures that those who govern do so based on their ability to make informed, rational decisions for the benefit of society.
Civil Service and education
To maintain a pool of highly qualified civil servants, Orderism emphasizes the importance of specialized educational institutions. These schools are dedicated to training future leaders and civil servants, focusing on critical areas such as mathematics, statistics, general science, living skills, religion, music, world history, and debate. The curriculum is designed to foster innovation, initiative, and a deep understanding of societal needs and challenges.
Meritocracy and accountability
The Orderist political system is built on the principle of meritocracy, where individuals advance based on their abilities and contributions. This system aims to eliminate nepotism and ensure that all positions of power are held by those most capable. To maintain accountability, regular assessments and evaluations are conducted, and leaders are required to demonstrate their ongoing competence and adherence to the principles of Orderism.
Decision-Making process
In an Orderist government, decision-making is a collaborative process involving experts from various fields. Policy proposals are thoroughly researched and debated, with input from a wide range of specialists. This collaborative approach ensures that policies are well-informed, comprehensive, and designed to address the multifaceted nature of societal issues.
Role of the intellectual class
The intellectual class in Orderist society is not only responsible for governance but also for guiding societal progress. They play a crucial role in shaping educational policies, technological advancements, and cultural development. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and intellectual growth, they ensure that the society evolves and adapts to new challenges and opportunities.
Limited democratic elements
While Orderism prioritizes technocratic governance, it also incorporates limited democratic elements to ensure representation and prevent authoritarianism. Citizens have the opportunity to provide feedback and participate in consultations on major policy decisions. Additionally, within the ruling class, democracy is practiced to some extent, allowing for peer review and collective decision-making among intellectuals and experts.
Checks and balances
To prevent the concentration of power and ensure transparency, the Orderist political system incorporates checks and balances. Independent oversight bodies are established to monitor the actions of government officials and institutions, ensuring they adhere to the principles of Orderism and act in the best interests of the populace.
Focus on long-term planning
Orderist politics emphasizes long-term planning and sustainability. Policies are designed with a focus on future generations, aiming to create a stable and prosperous society for the long term. This forward-thinking approach helps prevent short-termism and promotes policies that are beneficial in the long run.
Society in Orderism
Society is the bedrock of Orderism, reflecting a structured and interconnected system where each individual and community plays a vital role. In Orderism, society is viewed as a natural mechanism that can be comprehensively understood and optimized. The quest for a balanced and just society is central to Orderist ideals, aiming to harmonize individual and collective needs through collaboration, knowledge, and technological advancement.
Understanding society as a mechanism
In Orderist philosophy, society is not merely a collection of individual behaviors and daily activities but a complex, interdependent system akin to a natural mechanism. This perspective encourages a scientific approach to understanding societal dynamics, enabling Orderists to identify inefficiencies and develop strategies to address them. By viewing society through this lens, Orderism seeks to create a more efficient, fair, and just social order.
The role of citizens and government
Both citizens and the government/state have a crucial responsibility in an Orderist society. Citizens are encouraged to actively participate in societal development, using their skills and knowledge to contribute to the common good. The government, guided by technocratic principles, facilitates this by implementing policies and systems that promote education, technological advancement, and community cooperation. Together, they strive to understand societal mechanisms and utilize this understanding to foster a more equitable and prosperous society.
Community cooperation and interaction
A defining feature of Orderist society is the emphasis on community cooperation. Communities are seen as integral units within the larger social structure, each with its unique strengths and challenges. By promoting interaction and cooperation between communities, Orderism leverages collective strengths to compensate for individual weaknesses. This interconnectedness enhances societal resilience and stability, creating a robust network of support and mutual advancement. Even this aspect of Orderism has its roots in the Orkanan belief system, where community cooperation plays a similar role.
Balanced and sustainable society
The pursuit of balance and sustainability is central to Orderist society. This involves creating systems that are not only efficient but also equitable, ensuring that all members of society have access to necessary resources and opportunities. By focusing on long-term sustainability, Orderism aims to build a society that can thrive over generations, continually adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
Interconnected communities
In Orderism, communities are interconnected and work in harmony to achieve common goals. This cooperation is facilitated through various mechanisms, such as regional councils, cooperative enterprises, and shared technological platforms. By pooling resources and expertise, communities can achieve greater collective benefits than they could individually. This interconnectedness also fosters a sense of solidarity and shared purpose, strengthening the social fabric.
Striving for societal advancement
Orderist society is driven by a continuous quest for advancement in all areas, including technology, education, arts and culture. This drive for progress is seen as essential for the evolution of society and the improvement of living standards. By fostering a culture of innovation and intellectual growth, Orderism aims to create a dynamic and vibrant society where knowledge and creativity flourish.
Equity and justice
A core principle of Orderist society is the pursuit of equity and justice. This involves creating systems and policies that ensure fair distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits. Efforts are made to eliminate social imbalances and address issues such as poverty and inequality. By promoting justice and fairness, Orderism seeks to build a society where all individuals can achieve their full potential.
In summary, Orderist society is characterized by its systematic and scientific approach to understanding and optimizing social structures, its emphasis on community cooperation and interconnectedness, and its commitment to equity, justice, and continuous advancement. Through these principles, Orderism aims to create a harmonious, prosperous, and sustainable society.
Economics in Orderism
The economic framework of Orderism introduces innovative concepts designed to create a more equitable and efficient society. Central to this framework is the idea of energy accounting, which replaces traditional monetary systems with a currency based on energy contributions. This section outlines the key principles and various models within Orderist economics.
Energy accounting and the joule currency
The Hellish economist Bernhard Eberhart proposed the energy accounting method as early as the 7540's, using the Joule currency to replace existing economic models. Peter Häver incorporated the theory into the reforms carried out in Helreich after the Decemberist Revolution in Helreich, implementing it as a key element in Häverist Helreich. The reforms of the 7590's did not affect this core principle of Häverism that was ported over to Orderism without any adaptations. In this system, economic value is measured in units of energy contributed to society. This scientific approach allows for precise measurement and management of economic activities, aiming to maximize the standard of living for all citizens. By eliminating traditional monetary incentives, Orderism seeks to reduce destructive human tendencies such as greed and wastefulness.
Redefining wealth
In Orderist economics, the concept of "wealth" is fundamentally redefined: wealth is determined by the amount of energy an individual contributes to the system. This contribution is then returned to them in the form of goods and services. As a result, wealth in Orderism is directly linked to one's productive efforts and their utility to society.
Contribution and provision
A key tenet of Orderist economics is that every citizen's contribution to society is recognized and rewarded. In this technocratic economic model, individuals contribute their labor and expertise, and in return, society ensures that their needs are met. This reciprocal relationship fosters a sense of collective responsibility and ensures that resources are distributed based on contribution rather than market dynamics.
Economic Models in Orderism
Orderism encompasses various economic models, each offering different approaches to implementing the energy-based economy. These models range from pure communalism to hybrid systems that integrate aspects of traditional monetary economies.
Absolute Energy-Based Economic Model
The absolute energy-based economic model, also known as absolutist or purist Orderism, adheres strictly to the principles of energy accounting. In this model, individuals contribute to the system and receive all necessary provisions, including housing, food, and other essentials, directly from the community. This model embodies near-perfect communalism, with the collective pooling and redistribution of resources ensuring that everyone's basic needs are met.
Semi-Flat Energy-Based Economic Model
The Semi-Flat Energy-Based Economic Model maintains the core principle of energy accounting, where contributions are measured in units of energy. However, it also incorporates certain aspects of monetary systems to enhance flexibility and address practical challenges. This hybrid structure allows for the coexistence of energy credits and a limited form of currency, which can be used for specific transactions and trade with non-Orderist economies.
Proto-Technate Dual Currency Economic Model
In addition to pure energy-based systems, Orderism also explores hybrid models like the proto-technate dual currency system. This model combines elements of energy accounting with traditional monetary systems, allowing for a transitional phase where both energy credits and traditional currency coexist. This approach facilitates trade and economic interaction with non-Orderist economies while gradually shifting towards a fully energy-based system.
Criticisms of Orderism
Despite being promoted by its supporters as an ideology that would usher in a new era of prosperity and opportunity, Orderism has faced significant criticisms.
Just like Häverism, Orderism was designed to improve society through the integration of collectivism and technology. However, for decades, Häverism was mired by the remnants of its aristocratic classes. Aristocrats continued to dominate the academic and bureaucratic classes due to their advanced position in society thanks to their education and integrated social networks. Häverism justified their continued dominance by emphasizing their contribution to the greater good. In reality, the (former) aristocrats still ruled as an upper class in Häverist Helreich. The stratification in Häverism perpetuated social inequalities and hindered genuine progress towards a more egalitarian society.While the stratification of Häverist society was removed during the reforms of the 7590's, key positions remained within those circles in Helreich, even after the term Häverism associated with this practice was replaced by Orderism.
During the last century, many Orderist regimes have fallen victim to the nepotism it intended to prevent. With the upper intellectual echelons selecting additional minds for the apparatus, it became obvious that similar minded people from the same social network were selected for higher positions. In reality, many Orderist regimes form elite clubs with limited social mobility, which stifle the innovation of leadership styles and creates a class of oligarchs defining the needs of the people. The combination of deep knowledge of societal and economic processes with a top down style of government creates huge advantages for the individuals in decision making positions. It has led to sub-optimal implementations, as well as completely failed efforts to create a progressive society and economy.
Many Orderist regimes have become entangled in monolithic bureaucratic structures. While technocratic governance aims for efficiency, it often results in excessive bureaucracy that can stifle innovation and responsiveness. The rigidity of these structures can lead to inefficiency and hinder the dynamic progress that Orderism seeks to achieve.
Critics argue that the focus on technological and economic efficiency can lead to cultural and social stagnation. The emphasis on collectivism and uniformity may suppress individual expression and cultural diversity. This can result in a homogenized society where creativity and cultural development are not adequately nurtured.
The centralized planning and collective management of resources often lead to a loss of diversity in consumer goods. The prioritization of efficiency and standardization can limit the variety of products available to consumers, reducing choice and potentially lowering the quality of life.
Authoritarian practices have been a hallmark of many Orderist regimes since their inception. The collectivization of resources and labor often requires strict, top-down management, which can lead to authoritarian practices to maintain control. This can result in the suppression of dissent, reduced individual freedoms, and the implementation of harsh policies to enforce compliance.
The top-down economic management inherent in Orderism can create significant challenges. The centralization of economic control can lead to inefficiencies, misallocation of resources, and a lack of responsiveness to local needs and conditions. The complexity of managing a large-scale, energy-based economy from a central authority can result in bureaucratic inertia and economic stagnation.
Throughout its history, Orderist regimes have often resorted to repressive measures to maintain their vision of order and efficiency. This includes the suppression of political opposition, curtailment of civil liberties, and the use of propaganda to control public perception. Such practices have led to criticisms of Orderism as inherently authoritarian and incompatible with democratic principles.
Mireism
Despite many political scientists putting the Sokokan system of Mireism under the Orderist banner, there are clear differences that set it aside from Orderist ideologies. The Sokokan independence movement was deeply rooted in anti-colonial, anti-imperial and anti-Häverist ideologies. Especially the stratified characteristics of Häverism as well as the use of urbanates and agrinates as ways to build up new societal structures without any link to traditional society structures in the region were reasons to liberate the Häverist colony of Schangtienrand. Main difference though is the use of a monetary system instead of an energy based system. According to Chika Mirei there is no real difference between an energy based currency and a fiat based one, since both can be expressed as functions of each others: a certain amount of valuable material can be exchanged for a source of energy and vice versa through any rather arbitrary exchange rate. A resulting difference is the definition of wealth in Mireism, which isn't based on economic value but on social ones, more akin welfare. Where Orderism sees societal progress in the form of arts and culture as a symptom of a healthy communal system on an energy based economic system, Mireism sees it the opposite way: that a thriving economy is not more than a tool to support social progress, where culture, arts and music are the main expressions of individuals and local communities. Where Orderism puts the economy central, Mireism focuses on social values within an ecological context.