Communist Party (USSE)

The Communist Party (Lo'Oi: Saumizo Nan), typically abbreviated to the CPUSSE to differentiate from other nation's parties, is a Xeroist political party that dominates politics in the United Socialist States of Eldham. It is one of the largest political parties in the history of any nation on Stoneworks, and its long history has had an estimated membership of over 200 independent people. The party also publishes a series of open letters and has published the most literature of any single organization in Stoneworks' history.

It is led by a Central Committee which votes on internal matters and doctrines and elects a leader called the Partisan Chair, sometimes called the Jaudá. The current Partisan Chair is Rosa Ortangon. This position is not to be confused with the General Secretary, who leads the executive branch of government in the USSE, or the Premier, who leads the legislative branch of government.

The party is considered the successor to a revolutionary organization called the Ároxin, responsible for overthrowing the Sérotat Kingdom and founding the USSE. It has existed and been in power of the USSE government since the Spring of 61 TE - only for a brief time between 69 TE and 78 TE following the Kunir War did the CPUSSE have to compete with rival political parties, where it still routinely received over 80% of the national vote in politics.

The Ároxin and the Sérotoix Revolution (29TE-61TE)
Before the foundation of the USSE, the region of Lausá was led by a feudal nation called the Sérotat Kingdom, which dominated a large swathe of land for an extended period. Feudal peasants grew enraged by the treatment the Sérotoix government gave them, resulting in numerous widespread assassinations and revolts against local lords across modern-day Atoxa and Kramenix. The Sérotat was founded in around 29 TE. Coincidentally, Rathnirians such as Athaz the Traveler made their first contact with Eldhamites around this time. With this came the introduction of the ideology of socialism, which people began to hear about from nations such as the UBSR, which had made a colony on Zamotz Island then. Burgamerian socialist texts became widely distributed throughout several critical locations in Eldham; however, censorship was implemented in many nations. These books took off in the Sérotat Kingdom, which was amidst a revolution from the peasantry. A small group of peasants, which named themselves the Ároxin (lit. Lo'Oi for 'spine,' about being the 'backbone' of the people), took the foundations of these texts to make Eldham's first socialist organization. It was their doctrine, informed by the Burgamerians, which would be placed at the forefront of the Sérotoix Revolution.

Foundation (61TE-69TE)
In 61 TE, the Sérotat Kingdom was successfully overthrown, and the Ároxin created the United Socialist States of Eldham. Immediately after that, the Ároxin changed its name to the Communist Party, in Lo'Oi, known as the Saumizo Nan. The first General Secretary was appointed to be the revolutionary Aboniert Ormnidus.

Golden Era and Ronango'O (69TE-83TE)
In the Spring of 69 TE, one of the first significant changes to the party's role would be made with Proposition Five under General Secretary Leo Belgicus. Upon being founded by the Ároxin, the nation was initially a one-party federal state. With Proposition Five, this made it a multi-party federal state. At this time, the Communist Party competed with two other national political parties. However, it kept majority control in both the executive and legislative branches. These other political parties included the Tulipanist Socialist Party and the Worker's Green Front.

The USSE in this era went through significant turmoil with the Kunir War as much of the nation had been displaced in a period of Anglunian occupation known as the Débalo Dakoroto (lit. meaning the 'great humiliation'). In the Winter of 73 TE, shortly after the USSE's loss in the Kunir War, the renowned politician Xeroise Ronango'O ascended to the position of General Secretary with the recommendation of the Communist Party.

One of Ronango'O's first desired reforms was establishing a series of Popular Government Meetings (Popgovs) where reforms could be discussed en masse with citizens. From this, Ronango'O created Proposition Ten in 78 TE, which, most importantly, re-established the nation as a one-party state led by the Communist Party. This formalized the People's Army, created business taxes, and commissioned a transnational road system. Proposition Ten was passed after just nine in-lore years of being a multi-party nation in 78 TE.

The reforms under Xeroise Ronango'O's term as General Secretary were largely applauded even by her, albeit small, opposition. It marked the creation of what is retrospectively called the Golden Era.

Expansion and continuation of the Golden Era (83TE-107TE)
The Golden Era continued under General Secretary Quintus Solokov, who ascended to power in 83 TE, and into the term of General Secretary Chelovek Serebra I, who ascended to power in 94 TE. Particularly under the latter, Serebra significantly sought expansion of the nation through democratic means and helped the foundation of international communist parties and the integration of various communist movements into the CPUSSE.

At this point in history, the Party and the nation as a whole first began to embrace the term 'Xeroist,' and the first partisan divisions would come to exist in the Party internally. These early camps in the Communist Party during the Golden Era were the Chelovekians and Urabonists. Both proclaimed themselves to be Xeroists, though they found themselves heavily divided on the federal government's role. Urabonists believed that the government should take a 'backseat' and that cities should be allowed to be more sovereign. By contrast, Chelovekians believed that the government should be involved in all national matters as it is a worker's state. Both factions largely supported federalism at this time, that being regional representation, making up a more central national government.

In 98 TE, Merconis joined the USSE with membership in the Communist Party. In 99 TE, the Autonomous State of Kolssonafell was dissolved and fully integrated into the USSE as a State, with corresponding membership in the Communist Party. In 104 TE, Prubensia joined the USSE with membership in the Communist Party.

The end of the Golden Era is typically marked as the defeat in the First Sand War, which happened in 107 TE.

Van'la and the Hard Times (107TE-138TE)
Following the defeat in the First Sand War, the USSE's relevance slowly dwindled in lore over the next three decades. The USSE's international involvement on the world stage during the terms of Chelovek Serebra I created hysteria among many that communists would intervene in their homelands and that the USSE was an international threat to their national security. This resulted in a kind of 'red scare' and mass-dogpiling on the USSE. Despite being a very popular politician, Van'la Gaboliver - the daughter of Urabon Gaboliver - would come to power in a term that would be one of the most difficult of any General Secretary in history.

The first conflict the USSE would find itself embroiled in was the War of Angel Altar in 120 TE against a terrorist squatter organization called SquatLand, which was vehemently anti-communist. In 132 TE, the USSE finally ended a devastating war against Barbossa and the Dandelion Empire, a conflict today known as the Red Wars. The conflict was exceptionally costly, and the distraction of the war resulted in the illegal secession of Manzland in 129 TE. These combined back-to-back catastrophes created extreme mental strain on those in the country.

These conflicts created large divisions in the Communist Party over the role of the USSE on the international stage. Some argued for complete or partial isolation to save the socialist project. In contrast, others argued that the USSE should be even further involved in international worker's movements. These conflicts carried into the General Secretary terms of Aleksander Serebra and KPX Triscus, whose terms were otherwise un-notable and marked by a strategic vassalization underneath the First Uraki Empire so that the socialist project could continue without being attacked by exterior forces. This time, known contemporarily as the 'Hard Times', would only necessarily end around 138 TE.

Larian Era and the Red Renaissance (138TE-194TE)
What is today retroactively called the 'Larian Era' was a promising period of around five decades in lore. It was marked by the government being led by a faction that largely descended from the city of Laria or those who aligned with them. During this period, the executive government had socialist development partially placed on the 'backburner,' and extensive focus was placed on the military and its corresponding industrial complex. The government grew extensively at this time and was increasingly centralized in a way that afforded more powers and abilities to the executive branch. This sole focus on centralization and militarization is often retrospectively considered a failure that resulted in the ascension of liberals to prominent positions in the Communist Party for a short period.

The Larian Era is considered to have started with the election of Kato Leasian to the position of General Secretary in 138 TE, which resulted in the end of the period known as the Hard Times. He was the first real-world non-leftist ever to be elected to General Secretary in the USSE, a feat surprisingly done in a nation where over 75% of the population are real-world communists. Kato was considered one of the most masterful military professionals in the country and had been in the nation since its inception; for this reason, his leaning towards being a liberal was not seen to be a hindrance. One of the most notable features of the Leasian leadership was his involvement in the Uraki Civil War, which promptly caused the collapse of the First Uraki Empire and saw the USSE freed from its strategic vassalization. However, this saw the rise of the Eldhamite Imperium, which the USSE was at the forefront of and a primary economic provider.

Piér Anagar was elected General Secretary after Kato Leasian's final term in 149 TE and was considered a fresh breath with an ideology more in line with the likes of Chelovek Serebra and Van'la Gaboliver. Despite having a small reputation today, his term was massively influential. He sought mass EXP industrialization, which placed the USSE at the helm of the global war economy, organized the overthrowing of the Eldhamite Imperium in favor of the socialist Eldhamite Union, which placed the USSE at a gargantuan size, and also organized the War of Imperial Ascension. In this conflict, Sylvania had declared war on the USSE. Through the strategy of Anagar and his cabinet, the USSE won the conflict because of a seemingly paranoid war-dodge from Sylvania.

In 159 TE, Anagar's singular term ended, and he did not bid for re-election. At this point, Lethe of Laria ascended to the position of General Secretary. Similarly to his friend Kato Leasian, Lethe of Laria was not a real-world communist. In many ways, retrospectively, he is seen as a more 'ideologically profound' version of Leasian in that he sought a hyper-militarization of the USSE and mass internationalism. Lethe ultimately won re-election in 170 TE after his first term was semi-uneventful and was seen as an era of 'preparation for the worst.' The worst ultimately did come that next year in 171 TE with the breakout of the Furry War, which was victorious and ended in 182 TE after eleven years. This resulted in Lethe being heavily applauded despite his 'ideological inconsistencies' with most of the nation. Despite this, his 'overreach' and 'liberalism' quickly began to catch up with him in the political realm. By the end of his term, he was the first USSE General Secretary in history to have a sub-50% approval rating.

In 181 TE, the USSE was coming off an enormously successful past four General Secretary terms. The Furry War looked like it would be won (which it later was), and Lethe chose not to run for re-election. Bhutch Fielinya-Akataste, a USSE citizen from the Autonomous State of Portavel, would win 2/3 of the vote and begin as General Secretary. Early in their term, they managed and oversaw the end of the Furry War, which heavily boosted their reputation in the nation. They were popular and oversaw several cultural reforms, including reformations to the judicial system and the conlangs in the nation. It would be his judicial reforms and his lack of experience as a USSE citizen that would be his downfall. Today, he is often called 'Bhutch the Unfortunate' for these reasons.

Making a mistake that nobody else in the history of the USSE had made, Bhutch erroneously withdrew and effectively dissolved the Eldhamite Union without consultation of the National Assembly for signing legislator, instead signing it himself. In the USSE, all treaties must be signed by the legislative body. For this reason, almost immediately, much of the nation went on strike. In the Fall of 190 TE, Bhutch Fielinya-Akataste was impeached by the National Assembly and replaced by Chelovek Serebra III. (In the USSE, however, when a position is replaced, the replacement person only serves the remainder of the replaced person's term.). The impeachment vote passed with six representatives in approval and two in disapproval. This was a heavily divisive predicament and saw the more liberal and right-leaning members of the USSE hugely enraged. Both Bhutch and Lethe lost trials relating to charges of treason. Despite being offered pardons by the General Secretary, Lethe refused his pardon and instead chose to secede his hometown of Laria from the USSE in an event that is today known as the Lethean Maldings.

Lethean Maldings (190TE-214TE)
In the immediate aftermath of the Bhutch and Lethe legal controversy, the beginning of what is called the Lethean Maldings began to take place. War was threatened against the USSE, and the city of Laria and its surrounding area controversially seceded as an anti-communist dictatorship in 197 TE. In the years prior, civil war was routinely threatened between the nationalist bourgeois faction in Laria and the USSE.

In order to avoid the war, a period of 'Gáto Sau' was called upon by the General Secretary, and the National Assembly approved a program to create a period of isolation to prevent war. Similarly to the outcome of the 'Hard Times, ' the USSE underwent a short period of strategic vassalization, this time under Scylding to prevent war from the Letheans, who called themselves Loyalists, referring to being loyal to the former General Secretary - not to the nation. This period of brutal stress was a significant focus of the nation for over 20 years as war appeared to be constantly on the horizon. The nation's population at this time was relatively stagnant. While there was a large influx of citizens, many older citizens were also leaving from the stress of the geopolitical circumstances with Laria and Sylvania. The Larian Republic ultimately collapsed in inactivity, and no Parliament or Constitution was ever created despite promises to the contrary from Lethe of Laria.

Political divisions in the party mostly related to whether Gáto Sau and isolationism were correct for the USSE or not at this time. After many of these stresses were alleviated, the population of the USSE began to explode with new citizens while the population of Laria/Kiurtrog has slowly diminished over time.

Recuperation and reform (214TE-258TE)
Starting in around 214 TE, many saw the unfortunate circumstance the nation found itself in and decided that such situations should not be allowed to happen anymore and that the government needed numerous reforms. One of the first of these significant reforms, in a program today called the Ortangon Reforms, was the Party in the USSE Act, which found itself in incredible relevance.

The Communist Party, at this point in history, was not necessarily an independent entity but instead a kind of technicality. This had been the case since the nation returned to being a one-party state in 78 TE, 136 years beforehand. This act and numerous other reforms made the Communist Party a more independent entity and eventually its independent branch of government. Other reforms included legislative reforms to the National Assembly, which resulted in the creation of the Central Committee, the Supreme People's Assembly, and more—this period of recuperation sought to analyze the mistakes of the USSE in its past and build walls to prevent those mistakes from ever happening again. Most of these occurred in around 30 years (roughly 120 real-world days).

One of these central issues was the matter of anti-revolutionaries, that is, people opposed to upholding socialism and the democratic doctrines that the USSE had created. Legislation was passed that allowed the Communist Party to forcefully evict members from the Party if they did not follow the party line. This legislative package also allowed the USSE to sponsor and disapprove of candidates. In contrast, anti-communist candidates could still run for positions. However, the Communist Party could step in and say, "We do not approve of you," which in the USSE, where the vast majority of politicians are members of the Communist Party, was effectively a political death sentence.

General Secretaries, beginning with Yonathain Davidovich, and including the likes of Emma Brewtaker and Ren Serebra, oversaw some of these reform programs. General Secretaries Rosa Ortangon and Magerius Ukumari oversaw the most intensive and vital reforms. However, the reforms were largely independently orchestrated by the legislative branch and party membership, not by the executive branch, which the General Secretary leads.

The main divisions in the Communist Party at this time were concerned with Federalism vs. Unitarianism. Federalists believed the legislature should consist of localized representatives from smaller administrative divisions of the country (cities or states, depending on the person). In contrast, Unitarianists believed that the legislature should be a national vote of which only the most popular nationwide are elected. At this time, one of the other significant factions was the anti-revisionists, who called for liberals to be evicted from the Party. The anti-revisionist faction of the Communist Party also, at times, condemned how the People's Security Bureau (PSB) was operated.

Partisan Chair (Jaudá)
At the head of the CPUSSE is the Partisan Chair, also known as Jaudá in Lo'Oi. The position was established in 215 TE following the passing of the "Party in the USSE Act" the same year. Ever since, Rosa Ortangon, a co-author of the act, has held the position, except for when the position was occupied by a politician named Blank. The Partisan Chair serves as the ideological figurehead of the USSE and of the Party, being tasked with organizing the national archives, leading education programs on Communism and Xeroism to the masses, organizing party elections, and serving as the ideological advisor to the Legislative and Executive branches, or at least their members who are also members of the Party.

Elections for the Partisan Chair are held every six weeks: a week before the elections for the Central Committee, three before those for the General Secretary, and five to six weeks before the Supreme People's Assembly elections. Unlike all other elected positions, the Partisan Chair is elected exclusively by universal suffrage, specifically among the party members, who can also run for the position.

Central Committee
Although the CPUSSE is very active with its membership and, like most USSE, works in a system of direct participatory democracy, the Party's primary decision-making body is the Central Committee. Currently comprised of Seven members, the Central Committee serves as an organ explicitly dedicated to assisting the Partisan Chair and the Party in developing or defending the party line. Its members are tasked with assisting the Partisan Chair in their duties while also having to think of new possible reforms and changes needed to adapt the Party to present circumstances. Its members, alongside the Partisan Chair, are allowed to establish specific "Working Groups" designed to be places of discussion on specific topics related to the party line. They also can investigate members of the Party in case they defy or betray the Party, an ability shared by all members.

The Central Committee is always to be held exactly a week after the elections for the Partisan Chair. Moreover, all members are allowed to run in the elections. Usually, the voters can vote for each seat simultaneously, thus allowing more competitive elections.

Party Membership
Membership of the Party is open to New Citizens and Citizens of the USSE and, historically, select foreigners in good standing with the Party. To become a party member, one must apply by answering a short questionnaire and wait to be accepted by the Party Leadership. Most applications are accepted by the leadership, thus making it difficult actually to get oneself rejected. Those who do are usually known criminals or suspected counter-revolutionaries.

The Party Membership has free access to the party archives. They can run for all positions within the CPUSSE and, in national elections, serve as official representatives of the Party even though it is rare for politicians in the USSE not to be members. They also can propose changes for the party line. However, this has become an infrequent instance as this task has been increasingly delegated to the Central Committee. All party members can also access open letters and write and release them. Occasionally, the Party will commission and create 'Select Works of the Communist Party,' which include a compilation of the most remarkable political texts written by the Party's members. Any individual member of the Party does not have outstanding powers alone.

Ideology
Main Article: Xeroism

Xeroism
Xeroism, also known as Xeroist-Socialism, is the cornerstone of the Party and therein USSE's ideology. Although the USSE has always been Left-wing, the ideology developed by Xeroise Ronango'O fully entrenched the Socialist and Communist causes as the leaders of the nation; forming the basis of the nation's economic, political, and cultural systems.

Xeroists identify various forms of state hierarchy such as kingdoms, dictatorships, oligarchies, and military states. Xeroise asserted that hierarchy stems from the belief that certain individuals possess greater inherent value compared to others, despite having similar faculties and capabilities. She contended that such hierarchies are fundamentally rooted in exploitation, whether intentional or not. Even leaders who act with the intent to benefit all can inadvertently perpetuate exploitation. Xeroism connects private ownership, including corporate ownership, to exploitation through the accumulation of surplus wealth produced by workers. Alongside this the concept of a caste system is explored, characterized by polarized positions that benefit some and exploit others. Xeroise argued that those in positions of advantage often resist uplifting the disadvantaged due to fear of losing power. She emphasized that inaction within a caste system, like those based on wealth, is not neutrality but an active stance upholding oppression. Xeroise saw only two meaningful divisions: those for the system and those against it.

Xeroism championed collectivism, emphasizing equality among individuals. Xeroise rejected organized class hierarchy and advocated cooperation for the collective good, asserting that no person's life is intrinsically more important than others'. Xeroism also endorses vanguardism, which involves the formation of a representative entity, often a political party, to voice workers' needs and hold a central position in government. The mass line principle dictates that the vanguard party's priorities should align with worker consultation and active participation in governance.

Xeroism regards revolutionary action as crucial. Xeroise acknowledged that those in power are often reluctant to relinquish it, necessitating revolutionary efforts to establish a socialist or communist society. While Xeroise viewed war as undesirable, she saw it as a necessary means to shift public ideology and challenge existing power structures.

Chelovek-Solokov Thought
Often called 'Chelovekism,' this branch of Xeroist thought endorsed a strong executive state and identity. It emerged in light of the elections in 93 TE between Urabon Gaboliver and Chelovek Serebra I. This lineage of sub-ideology was originally called 'Chelovek-Solokov Thought' by its adherents though this name has seen little usage in the modern day.

Before this, Xeroism as an ideology was brand new and had yet to be divided or diverged. After the singular term of Xeroise Ronango'O, Quintus Solokov ascended to the position of General Secretary and seldom had a difference of opinion from Ronango'O, and is in many ways considered to be a strict adherent of the original thoughts and beliefs of Xeroise.

Urabon called for grassroots and localized governance, which Serebra viewed as a vulnerability. The nation was coming off the heat of a disastrous war and ethnic cleansing of their people in a conflict known as the Kunir War. As such, it was widely seen as a necessity for a strong state to organize an equally strong military and economic program.

Instead, Serebra and his ideological adherents were the first to adopt the ideas of a 'mass line,' believing that while there should be a strong worker's state, this does not mean the state has to be undemocratic or unproletarian.

Urabonism
Urabonism was a school of thought within Xeroism founded by Gaboliver Urabon ahead of the Presidential election of 93 T.E, where he ran against the previously mentioned Chelovek Serebra-Reach, thus establishing their rivalry.

At its core, Urabonism espoused a vision that diverged from the central tenets of traditional Xeroism. The bedrock of this divergence lay in Urabon's calls for a decentralized socialist state, an ideology that championed localized governance and empowered citizens' and mayor's councils. This stance marked a clear departure from the more centralized governmental planning that typified the landscape of the USSE, as envisaged by the broader Xeroist thought.

Urabonism's aspiration for decentralized governance can be seen as a response to the prevailing socio-political environment. It proposed a system where decision-making and resource allocation were vested in localized bodies, reflecting its belief in grassroots empowerment and a more immediate, tangible connection between governance and the governed. This paradigmatic shift not only differentiated Urabonism from Xeroism but also fueled the intense rivalry between Gaboliver Urabon and Chelovek Serebra-Reach, as they vied for the nation's highest office with divergent visions for the path forward.

Although Urabonism has become more of a forgotten ideology, at least among the newer members of the CPUSSE, it's significance in showing the ideological conflicts within the party cannot be understated. Neither can Urabon's influence over the development of the party itself.

Groups within the Party
Due to the size of the party; the CPUSSE has several groups/factions within it. That is not to say any of them are organised. None of them are, in fact, and instead they are just a different way to identify the main groups within the party. Disagreements in a mass-political party are inevitable, afterall.

The Old Guard
Several members of the CPUSSE, specifically those who have been its members for a long time and who have held considerable influence during their time in the party, are often identified by the mark of the "Old Guard." The Old Guard does not constitute a monolithic bloc with a fixed ideology. Instead, this collective comprises a spectrum of viewpoints. Some stand as the architects of various Xeroist sub-ideologies, having laid down the foundations of nuanced ideological offshoots. On the flip side, differences emerge as some other members diverge on the precise trajectory that the Xeroist path should assume.

Their identification as the Old Guard marks their experience and accumulated wisdom. Their years within the party have crafted them into a repository of institutional memory and pragmatic insights. This legacy of influence persists undiminished, echoing even into the contemporary landscape as notable figures of the Old Guard include incumbent General Secretary Magerius Ukumari, Partisan Chair Rosa Ortangon, SPA Representatives Arika Ronango'O and Aleksander Serebra-Brewtaker II, PSB Director Krakhov, and former General Secretary Emma Serebra-Brewtaker, among many others.

In the past, the informal requirement for being an Old Guard used to mean being a citizen of the USSE prior to the Kunir War. However, this definition is no longer used.

The Young Guard
In the intricate tapestry of political evolution, The "Young Guard" becomes a vital counterpoint to the established "Old Guard." While the Old Guard embodies experience and institutional memory, the Young Guard personifies vibrancy and the unyielding spirit of change. As a juxtaposition, it is more than just a temporal designation; it manifests the evolving landscape of ideas and activism. The term "Young Guard" might suggest an association with age, yet its essence transcends mere chronological years. Instead, it typically reflects political tenure, referring to the swift ascendancy of specific individuals who have defied the norms of experience.

Unlike the Old Guard, who often, but not always, hold a more moderated and seasoned perspective, the Young Guard carries a torch of revolutionary reforms, their politics exuding the fervor of change and progress. Their motivations are clear: a resolute desire to establish their worth and leave an indelible mark on the Party's trajectory. This makes them some of the Party's most active and engaged members, breathing life into its core. Aligned with their passion for change, the Young Guard often, but not always, champions active and participatory democracy, advocating for a more engaged citizenry that actively shapes the political landscape. Central to their fervent engagement are the ongoing economic reforms in the USSE.

Notable members of the Young Guard include Kärzen Dimitri Argead, Diakyta Vauper, Vyacheslav Von Kessel, Ded Vét, Nivon note Ukumari, and David Von Kessel-Sarot. All of whom are members of the Central Committee, meaning that most party leadership is currently part of the Young Guard.