Agonocracy; rule by struggle (from the Greek ἀγών; 'contest' or 'progressive struggle' and κράτος 'power'). Is a political system based of the thought of Mackonian Polymath Z.Maglos. Agonocracy considers itself beyond shallow definitions of left and right; even eschewing concepts such as Libertarian and Authoritarian or Progressive and Conservative, instead its advocates posit themselves as harbingers of a radically new thought that fundamentally goes beyond such petty dichotomies.
The Method to the Madness I
To understand Agonocracy let us attempt briefly to summarise its core reasoning, which is more so philosophical then particularly political. Thus it will be necessary to give you a very short run-down of the "Philosophy" of one Z.Maglos, a depressive lizard in an ill-fitting overcoat and a panama hat.
Firstly this stems from that age old, oft-repeated, existentialist soundbite that one must give one's own life meaning in order to achieve genuine freedom. In the age of Godlessness man has to find his own way, to become a creator of values. Indeed with God dead and everything permitted it is an imperative that man create his own values, or what is he but another animal (of course Maglos had to put this into the context of lizards but your humble author shall use 'man' for emphatic reasons). Thus, out of meaninglessness, mankind finds a paradoxical meaning. Life has purpose from its purposeless; that is to give life purpose. To become, as Stirner put it, one's own creature and creator, a God of your own faith. To summarise, the purpose of life is to give meaning to it and all else is worthless,passive observation
This is no new doctrine but from henceforth is where Agonocracy is born. In order to adequately establish values one must have intellect, Maglos saw this as self-evident, one who knows why things happen is certainly superior in the task of evaluation then one who simply knows 'they happen'. Intellect is thus valuable in itself, indeed it is the principle weapon in all sentience's struggle for meaning and salvation from barbarism, cultural degeneration and suicide.
For Maglos sentient beings fundamentally did not care for suffering but that their suffering as meaningless, citing everything from Protestant martyrs smiling at the stake to Soviet peasants fervently clinging to the notions of Communism as they starved to death. Maglos believed that the intelligent will fundamentally be able to achieve "Enlightenment" which for Maglos was simply independence from dogmas and prejudices to establish an independent, educated opinion. Not necessarily one which agreed with him. The Enlightened will ultimately be able to find meaning to their lives and both accept the meaninglessness of suffering. However Maglos perceived a great, all-encompassing, merciless conspiracy against these individuals."The Herd". That is, for Maglos, the vast masses of unintelligent, talentless, conformist people who are not able to fulfill this mightiest of visions. Maglos believed that the vast majority of people would not embark upon this journey and instead would cling to prejudiced dogma to find meaning, be it in renewed religious belief, ideologies such as Marxism or Fascism and illusions of choice and free will such as Democracy or Individualism.
Agonocracy rejects any remote egalitarianism, Maglos saw universal rights and equality as dependent upon a creator to make men equal, what else could remove the fundamental fact that some are simply better than others? By natural law or strength of will there emerge those with greater charisma, learning and intellect among any society. As we have covered earlier Maglos saw intellect as valuable in itself. The Herd are the vast masses to whom conformity is the only moral law. For example, even in deeply religious societies there exist all sorts of sins so long as they are hidden from view, why the simple example of the Priest thundering against immorality from the lectern on Sunday morning despite frequenting the local brothel on Saturday night. The Herd simply do "what one should do", they have no morality, only obedience, as long as they can get away with it while still "appearing" to conform with the norm.
Thus this leads to our conclusion, that is Maglos's, the fatal flaw of Existentialism and the major block to any attempt to live a "genuine", "enlightened", "free" or however you want to put it, existence, while being involved with society. Society by its very nature requires some form of conformity to its norms, if one does not, one is crushed. That is the simple nature of law enforcement, an individual who creates his own values will inevitably be resented by the Herd, ostracised or forced into secrecy.
Maglos concluded there exists only two solutions to this: One is withdrawal from society, which he saw as an inferior one which would only replace societal pressures with material ones, the other; to control society. All of society must be seized control of and mobilised for the benefit of the superior specimens of the civilisation, to set to the task of creating new values, free from fallacy...and perhaps running things a little more competently than the spineless mass-elected democrats for once. Thus was born Agonocracy.
Political Theory II
Having established the perverse reasoning behind Agonocacy we may now examine it in itself. However first a word on how Agonocracy rules other regimes. Maglos asserted that Freedom was a "limited resource" and not a constant. Every increase of freedom for one party will inevitably weaken another, the freedom of a Neo-Nazi football hooligan to chant "Sieg Heil!" removes the freedom of the Orthodox Jew walking down the street as he feels offended and repulsed, likewise the freedom of one group will inevitably weaken that of another. The freedom of the collective that of the individual. Compromise merely leaves both groups equally enslaved. This was the basis of his primary criticism of Democracy, whereas at least in a dictatorship the ruling faction are totally free, in a Democracy all are equally enslaved with a mediocre measure of freedom for all. Maglos saw Democracy as a deeply poisonous idea whereby the great are enslaved by their lessers and the leaders forced to sell out their convictions to the masses who care only for material gain. It debases not only the people in giving them an illusion of freedom but the rulers who must appease them by destroying their own convictions. Indeed Democracy runs on conformity.
Rejecting any remote Egalitarianism Communism and Socialism are seen as inheritors of Christian fallacy, blindly refuting God while maintaing a natural equality of men dependent upon him. Furthermore the refutation of history to economic forces is criticised as irrational and simplistic. With Agonocratic doctrine viewing history as growing progressively more individualistic as civilisation advances. Anarchism is a futility which will lead to the death of civilisation as the Herd will have no restraint on their depravity and eventually violently re-establish a new state. Capitalism is seen as a fundamentally irrational obsession with arbitrary wealth which stifles talent, culture and scientific advancement so long as a net profit remains. Its egalitarian undertones are also criticised, Capitalism inherently works for quantity over quality. Fascism is seen as the purest form of Herd rule and thus doomed to fail.
Now without further ado...
Agonocracy calls for the rule of society by a meritocratic intellectual-cultural elite, standing in no exact relation to the state but holding state-powers in their role as individuals. The modern state is replaced by a consortium of the best individuals, the leaders in society, some already risen to those positions and thusly appointed, others appointed from within the elite to those positions.
How are these elite to be selected? How shall the mighty task of measuring the worth of man be undertaken?
Primarily through Education, which in an Agonocracy is to be the only remaining bastion of the conventional "state". All children must be given an equal opportunity to succeed, to do this the destruction of the nuclear family is a necessary step to take, but one that should be taken slowly and is another topic altogether. What the principle matter is is that no amount of wealth, no race, no gender, nor parentage should undermine the education system. All are to be given a true equality of opportunity.However this equality is only to ensure total fairness of selection, from an early age those children possessing higher intelligence and charisma are to be singled out and eventually separated. They must be educated separately, with total instruction in their mission of governance, methods of governance and the highest degrees of education in other areas of science and culture. THESE DIVISIONS MUST REMAIN FLUID even when education is over, anyone who shows the spark of genius must be rewarded as such. Furthermore there must be some mechanism other than brute examination to select the great, a clearly talented artist, general or scientist must still be able to rise to the heights of power even if he or she did not undergo this education or necessarily pass an exam.
Once selected this ruling class will not draw their power from any constitution or fixed office. This merely leads to legalistic decline and stagnation. Instead they must act as stateless statesmen, an example may help to illustrate this. Consider Cecil Rhodes. He was not officially a state-vassal but wielded through his wealth which he deployed to political ends, the intellectual mastery he held over the magnates whose wealth he maneuvered to his schemes, he plans for a trans-African railway, his syndicates, his palace at Bulawayo, his armies, his road-systems and his conception of a duty to civilisation. An statesman standing in no relation to the state. Caesar too could be considered in this light, a man who struggled entirely in his own interests that happened to be unified with that of the Roman nation, Caesar fundamentally fought not for Rome but for Caesar. As did Pompey or Marius. One could even compare the present-day situation in Russia as a somewhat Agonocratic example of a network of private citizens, though not meritocratically selected as in an Agonocracy, but certainly wielding state like powers in individual persons.
This is where the 'struggle' element is brought in, examinations and lofty titles alone will not make greatness. It must be forged in the fires of contest and struggle, the less talented at statecraft will be outmaneuvered and destroyed thus allowing better individuals to rise and deploy their talents for the national good. Throughout history the greatest advancement has evolved through this, from the feuding city-states of Greece to the Roman Republic to the vengeful competing Empires of 18th century Europe to the struggle between Superpowers. Struggle between nations breeds progress. An Agonocracy is but a confederation of nations in the form of men. This serves other roles of course, it is hoped that through constant competition, no one man will be able to establish a tyranny or his equals in excellence will destroy him. If he succeeds in doing so then he is clearly their superior and better suited for office.
Through their cooperation (a mixture of mutual selfishness and hierarchical dominance) society is ordered. For example, in the matter of global warming, instead of trusting willful electorates and preening industrialists, individual scientists and experts in the field would be brought together in a concert with the masters of capital to establish a solution. Or in the issue of say, public transport, technically the trains may be run by a private company. However said company will be owned by a member of the elite who will, knowing he will have greater power for it, generously subsidise fares.
I shall mention now and throughout this pamphlet that the exact minutiae of the education system, methods of stratification and governance are not the concern of this pamphlet and will vary from people to people, state to state. Greater Mackonia, for example, maintains an Agonocracy through a tiered voting system, others may prefer an outright meritocratic dictatorship and others a more anarchistic interpretation. So long as they adhere to the fundamental tenants of the thought, of a meritocratic selection of an elite endowed with state-like powers in their individual person.
For the sake of simplicity Agonocracy can be summed up in this mantra "Anarchy for those who deserve it, dictatorship for those who need it." I suppose you could say that the 'utopian goal' of Agonocracy is that, through the inspiration of a new vanguard of the species, all will eventually be encouraged to intellectually improve themselves until there is little need for an elite or a state altogether. Alas this 'modern' interpretation of Agonocracy fails to understand its purpose. Maglos believed the fundamental flaw of political theory, indeed some would say philosophy in general, was its prioritization of nonexistent ends when it is the means that grant us true satisfaction. Agonocracy, rule by struggle, a struggle does not end.
Economic and Social Policy III
You're still reading? Goodness you must be bored. Before I conclude this misery a brief word on Agonocratic Economic and Social policy.
Agonocracy allows for remarkable flexibility in Economics, it is somewhat similar to corporatism, in so far as that the private owners of companies become state officials, similar to the 'national champions' of Russia. The ruling elite can be appointed to the head of nationalised corporations to run them for the national benefit, or the heads of corporations inducted into the elite. Either way, in Mackonia at least, Agonocracy seems to favour State Capitalism if it must adopt any economic system. Allowing private enterprise somewhat guided by "the state" in cooperation with state interests to find mutually beneficial solutions. A Command Economy could also work, the problem with Laissez faire Capitalism is that one cannot simultaneously run society on merit and wealth, the interests of which are often opposed.
Agonocracy can be confused for Anarcho-Capitalism easily when one mentions 'private individuals' as the principle controllers of the state, however one must remember they still fundamentally rise through a state like apparatus, that is education. Technically the services in an Agonocratic society are both wholly nationalised and entirely private, insofar as the state is a consortium of private individuals who are given control of the services. Regardless, the point is Agonocracy is not an ideology overly concerned with Economics.
Agonocracy is a very Socially-Liberal ideology, it abhors 'arbitrary prejudice' that is any sort of discrimination based on race, sexuality or gender. Although this could I suppose be down to cultural influences, an Agonocracy carried out in a socially-conservative country could very well have such prejudices, alas that would be somewhat missing the point of Agonocracy. While Agonocracy is vehemently opposed to Democracy it is fiercely protective of civil liberties, free speech and thought are to be avidly encouraged and defended. Indeed one could say, with its total lack of restrictions upon the intelligent in society, Agonocracy is far more "free" than many modern Democracies.
Agonocracy is seen as somewhat intrinsically Atheistic, however that could be more due to the religions dominant of the culture it emerged from and the fierce Atheism of its founder, certainly Agonocracy is diametrically opposed to Christianity and most other Abrahamic religions preaching altruism and obedience. I suppose other religions practiced in the NS and RL world would not be incompatible with it, it bares some philosophical similarities with certain Eastern Religions such as some less-metaphysical interpretations of Buddhism and Taoism. However it is best assumed religion and Agonocracy will usually be enemies.
Agonocracy Today IV
Thusfar Agonocracy has only been implemented in Greater Mackonia and its adherents do not expect it to grow much beyond the shores of those sceptered marshes as much as it would be pleasing for it to do so. Agonocracy rejects revolution, seeing its doctrine as inherently opposed to popular movements and thus viewing any popular uprising in favour of an Agonocratic faction to be wishful-thinking, instead it advocates the best way to convert nations to Agonocracy is to tempt the ruling elites with the idea and entertain the gradual implementation of Agonocracy.
Well dear reader you have endured reading this drivel which almost certainly could not possibly represent the real views of the author. No,no,no what on earth could drive you to those conclusions. As a reward here are some forms for you to fill out about Agonocracy in your nation. Please any remote kind of feedback is welcomed, by all means have Agonocratic Parties or Movements in your nation! Have it banned! Have it perverted beyond belief like Marxism in North Korea! Have its followers rounded up and shot for all I care...maybe even adopt it for yourself, though I doubt that. Hooray for forms!
General Agonocracy in your nation form
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[b]Nation Name (IC):[/b]
[b]Government Type:[/b]
[b]Are there any Agonocratic parties or organisations espousing similar ideas in your nation?:[/b]
[b]When were they founded? (1950s earliest and ideally only 2010s):[/b]
[b]If so how popular are they?:[/b]
[b]If your nation has elections, what percentage of the vote did they get?:[/b]
[b]Do they hold any seats in the legislature?:[/b]
[b]Does said party espouse orthodox Agonocracy or some local variant thereof? If the latter, how does this variant differ from mainstream Agonocracy*:[/b]
[b]What influence do Agonocratic ideas have on your nation's political, economic, cultural or military elite?:[/b]
[b]What is the general popular opinion on Agonocracy?:[/b]
[b]What is the government's opinion on Agonocracy?:[/b]
[b]Has your government taken any measures against Agonocratic parties or persons in your nation?:[/b]
[b]Have there ever been any instances of violence or terrorism involving Agonocratic parties or persons in your nation?:[/b]
[b]If applicable please provide a brief history of Agonocracy in your country:[/b]
[sub]*Note: I will only consider it a legitimately separate branch of ideology if I personally see a noted difference from, yet influence of, Agonocratic ideas. Not just Agonocracy with your despot of the week's name stuck in front of it. If it bares no difference from normal Agonocracy I will count it as such and if it bares no resemblance I will count it as something else. You are free to delete this note, indeed I implore you to do so.[/sub]
Form for Agonocratic states.
- Code: Select all
[b]Is your nation an Agonocracy (if "No" then why the hell have you copied out this form? You great multi-appendaged, supine monster.):[/b]
[b]How did your nation become an Agonocracy?:[/b]
[b]Who is the leader of the Agonocratic movement in your nation?:[/b]
[b]Is Agonocracy popular among the populace?:[/b]
[b]Does your nation practice orthodox Agonocracy or some local variant thereof?:[/b]
[b]If a local variant please describe the differences?:[/b]
[b]Would your nation be interested in economic or military alliance with Greater Mackonia?:[/b]
[b]Would your nation be interested in joining a political union with Greater Mackonia?:[/b]
[b]Describe the brief history of Agonocracy in your nation:[/b]