Ascensionism

Ascensionism is a collection of economic and political strategies first outlined in "The Ascensionist Edict" by Frei-ako Tengin. The term comes from the Egercian word "Arducha". The ideology is largely based around Nemqurpolitik and collectivism.

Etymology

The word Arduchas comes from the Egerican words Ardu ("To Rise") and Chas ("To Change Direction"). The combination of these words effectively means to change direction upwards. The Arduchas parti uses the word ascensionism as a transliteration. Arduchas and Ascensionism are often used synonymously as the Arduchas parti was the first Ascensionist group to be created.

Social and political theory

Ascensionism has been described as a "progress cult". The fundamental goal of Ascensionism is constant exploration of science, art, technology, and the universe. In order to do this a high emphasis is placed on strict rationalism and constant questioning of the status-quo.

Points of Ascension

Ascensionists point to events like taming of the Capal, invention of the plow, settled societies, invention of oceanfaring vessels, fundamental rights, the industrial revolution, and early solar system exploration as points of Ascension where great advances in knowledge expanded previously existing capital and allowed more things to be done with capital. The Ascensionist Edict placed engineering livable facilities on systems outside of the kerbol system as the next great Ascension.

Social Principles

Main Article: Esoteric Ascensionism

Economics

Ascensionists view moderate stihlovism as a useful foundation for expanding and experimenting with economic systems. They tend to criticize outright stihlovist and laize faire economics as these are seen as having the end goal of creating the most capital using previous capital rather than using capital to expand technological development, which is described as unlocking existing but unusable capital.

Politics

Tengin noted that in order to maintain steady Ascension, centralised authoritarianism is needed as a necessary evil. A strong centralised state is thought to guide the process the most efficiently. The Ascensionist Edict stated the term "Ideological watering down", a process in which an ideology becomes infiltrated by stagnant and corrupt influencers as it gains popularity. Avoiding a watered-down leadership in a centralised Ascensionist state is said to be the largest issue with the ideology. Should such a process occur it would result in a state which expresses power over its subjects by accusing them of stagnant materialism.

Spreading Ascensionism as an ideology was described in the Edict as a process which cannot come from a group of conspirators seizing power. By this method it places the pursuit of Ascension in the hands of the elite who are led by Ascensionists. This elite has an interest in either destroying the system it is in so their wealth and influence can be expanded, or restricting advancements in knowledge so only a select few oligarchs can influence the masses. Tengin wrote that Ascensionism must come as an institution from the lower class upward to avoid this. Ascensionism differs from technocracy in this, as the former is the pursuit of progress as a goal with every individual expected to play a part while the latter can simply be any government which places the most knowledgeable individuals in charge.

Criticism

Criticism of Ascensionism is mainly based around social liberals, market liberals, globalists, and nationalists, though criticism exists in other circles as well.

Social and market liberals

In The Ascensionist Edict Tengin denounces government action in social progression as creating unnecessary turmoil which in the long run will harm the efforts of Ascension. Social progress itself is not denounced, as Ascensionists believe the culture will adapt naturally as long as faith can be kept in the society as a whole.

Ascensionism has been criticized by market liberals as it favours autarchy over free trade. Tengin described imports as a potential weakness foreign powers will use to tie a nation down to its interests, though this is likely a side effect of the ideology beign most prevalent in Sahrland, a traditionally isolated and autarchic country.

Pan-Aontism

Pan-Aontists criticized Sahr in particular for its disregard of Aontan interests above Sahren interests. The Arduchas parti has stated Ascension cannot come to the other member states unless an Ascensionist government can be appointed. Organizations for Ascensionism exist throughout Aontas but are not the dominant political power there.