Imperial Democratic Party (Shireroth)

Imperial Democratic Party
Leader	Tian Huiqing
Deputy Leader	Reina Yorke
Founded	1660 AN
Headquarters	Shirekeep, Shireroth
Political ideology	Aldricism Liberalism Economic liberalism Social liberalism Centrism Pro-Raspur Pact Cosmopolitanism
Political position	Center to center-right
Colours	Green      Red      White

The Imperial Democratic Party (IDP), colloquially known as the Democrats or the Imperial Democrats (IDP), is an Aldricist liberal-conservative and civic nationalist political party in the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, founded in 1660 AN. Since its founding by the Steward and Regent Hartmut Aldric, Duke of Calezi in 1660 AN, it has contested many elections for the Folksraad and the Adelsraad of Shireroth, serving as the leading governing party or a party that is part of a governing coalition several times through out Shireroth's history. After the Kalirion Fracture in 1671 AN, the Imperial Democratic Party served as either leading party of governance or as part of the governing coalition led by Steward and Regent of Shireroth, Chrysostom Wythe, from 1680 AN-1718 AN, alongside the Imperial Order, the Association of Loyalists to the Throne, and the Kezan Joint List.

The main ideology of the Imperial Democratic Party of Shireroth is Aldricism, which is constructed around the policies and writings of Steward and Regent Hartmut Aldric, Duke of Calezi, during the early to mid 1660s in Shireroth. Aldricism in the IDP is a liberal-conservative ideology that focuses on the expansion of individual human rights and freedoms; economic liberalization, free trade, and privatization; civic nationalism; "a balanced role for government involvement in the economy"; internationalism; and cosmopolitanism. Since the Kalirion Fracture, the Imperial Democratic Party survived in Ransenar with the same name, and in Elwynn as the now defunct Democratic Party. Of all of the existing Aldricist parties (as of 1713 AN, the Imperial Democratic Party of Shireroth is considered to be the most conservative. Lord Holly-Wythe, the Steward of Shireroth (1680–1718), was the leader of the IDP until he resigned his membership in the IDP in 1674 AN.

History

Origin

(1659-1660)

Governing party

(1660-1670)

Kalirion Fracture, Wythe Era

(1671-1674)

MacLeod era

(1674-1690)

Phillips era

(1690-1700)

Szodarvs era

(1700-1725)

Einarsson era

(1725-1729)

Huiqing era

(1729-now)

Ideology

The Imperial Democratic Party of Shireroth has evolved through the years to encompass a broad spectrum of political ideologies, but its prevailing and central ideology is Aldricism. The party's platform combines its historical tendency to favor pragmatism as well as democratic and economically liberal policies. Aldricism synthesizes aspects of liberalism and civic nationalism, focusing on individual freedoms, economic mobility, and a balanced role for government in the economy. The party emphasizes personal liberty and individual entrepreneurship. Aldricism champions policies that foster economic and social mobility, advocating for a market-driven economy while recognizing the need for state intervention to ensure fairness. The economic policies of the IDP combine free-market capitalism with some favorability towards robust social welfare. The party also values international collaboration and supports basic international human rights norms, and collective defense, such as Shireroth's membership in the Raspur Pact. The Raspur Pact was founded originally as an alliance between Shireroth, Natopia, and Alexandria in 1646 AN. The IDP believes that Shireroth has and must maintain a strong leadership position within the Pact as one of its remaining founding nations and its largest member.

Policy platform

For the 1723 Shirerithian general elections, the Imperial Democratic Party of Shireroth updated its party platform during the meeting of its 1723 IDP Party Conference. A key excerpt of the manifesto, titled "One Shireroth for All, All for One Shireroth", is below:

The Imperial Democratic Party of Shireroth (IDP) presents this detailed policy platform, outlining our vision for the nation's development. It aims to address critical issues in the political, economic, social, and security spheres, guided by our commitment to our party's values.

• Civic Nationalism:
  • National Identity: Celebrate Shireroth's cultural diversity, while promoting a common Shirerithian identity that recognizes Shirekeep as the center and sun of national life; affirming the Kaiser as the national figurehead of a common identity and community;
  • Education: Ensure a free, public education for all Shirerithians with the creation of a national education system, establishing a national canon and curriculum that promotes patriotism, civics, economics, math, language, community service, and science.
  • Cultural Festivals: Organize nationwide festivals celebrating the various ethnic, religious, and cultural communities within Shireroth, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
  • Citizenship Ceremonies: Establish meaningful citizenship ceremonies that emphasize common values, rights, and responsibilities of being Shirerithian.
  • Curriculum Development: Formulate a national curriculum that includes patriotism, civics, economics, math, language, community service, and science, reflecting the diverse yet unified Shirerithian identity.
  • History Education: Include a balanced view of the history of Shireroth and Kildare, recognizing both the common heritage and current inviolable unity.
  • Free Public Education: Guarantee free public education for all Shirerithians, focusing on equality of opportunity, excellence in teaching, and preparation for the needs of the nation and the economy.
  • Urban Development: Enhance Shirekeep's status as the vibrant heart of the nation through targeted urban planning, promoting cultural institutions, and preserving historical sites.
  • Transport Integration: Invest in transport networks to connect Shirekeep with the rest of Micras, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.
  • Investment in Reunified Areas: Prioritize investment in areas affected by recent reunification with Shireroth, including infrastructure, communications, social services, and economic development to ensure a prosperous and smooth integration process.
  • Civic Education Centers: Build civic community education centers across Shireroth to provide continuous learning opportunities for citizens of all ages about Shireroth, or provide job training for economic or local community needs.
  • Kaiseress's Role: Reinforce the Kaiseress's position as a symbol of unity and common identity, fostering loyalty and patriotic sentiment.
• Rebuilding and Rearming the Imperial Forces:
  • Expansion: Develop a stronger, well-equipped army, navy, air force, and space force for Shireroth; must cover the defense of our Imperial Republic's vast territorial holdings.
    • Launch a comprehensive recruitment drive to attract new talent and ensure a diverse and skilled force to the Imperial Forces;
    • Enact reforms needed to ensure greater flexibility and harmonization with the Raspur Pact;
    • Establish modern training facilities and programs to develop combat readiness and specialized skills;
    • Upgrade and replace outdated equipment with state-of-the-art weaponry, armor, and logistical support systems made by Shirerithian manufacturers and contractors;
    • Initiate a national shipbuilding program to construct advanced warships, submarines, and support vessels;
    • Expand and modernize naval bases to facilitate fleet readiness and rapid response to maritime threats;
    • Implement a comprehensive plan to replace aged aircraft with modern multi-role fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance platforms;
    • Develop and deploy advanced air defense systems to protect key installations and airspace;
    • Develop and launch new satellites for communication, reconnaissance, and navigation;
    • Invest in research and development of space-based weaponry and defense systems;
    • Found dedicated military R&D centers to focus on emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and nanotechnology;
    • Boost the budgets of the Ordo Imperiale Decimae and the Vigiles Arcani, found dedicated military R&D centers to focus on technologies and anomalies relating to their responsibilities;
  • Encourage joint research initiatives with allied Raspur Pact members such as Natopia, Nouvelle Alexandrie, and other friendly nations;
  • Domestic R&D: Boost domestic military research and development, fostering a powerful defense manufacturing base all around Shireroth;
  • Raspur Pact Leadership: Enhance Shireroth's leadership within the Raspur Pact as a founding member and its most populous and largest nation; deepen economic ties and military cooperation with Raspur Pact powers.
• Economic Development and Industrialization:
  • Fair, Broad, and Progressive Tax Code: Implement a comprehensive tax reform that simplifies the system and makes it more equitable. Enhance transparency, make the tax system progressive, and reduce loopholes to promote economic growth and social fairness. This progressive tax structure will create a favorable environment for businesses and fuel industrialization.
  • Incentivizing R&D: Foster innovation through special tax incentives, loans or grants, encouraging businesses in Shireroth to invest in research and development within Shireroth.
  • Manufacturing Attraction: Implement business-friendly regulations, infrastructure investment, and targeted subsidies to attract manufacturing to Shireroth.
  • Domestic Manufacturing: Create a robust domestic manufacturing base, transforming Shireroth into the factory of Micras.
  • Raspur Pact Leadership: Seize opportunities that the Raspur Pact offers with Shirerithian leadership, seek opportunities for growth of Shirerithian exports, create more manufacturing jobs at home.
• Governance and Democracy:
  • Upholding the Kaiseress: Maintain the Kaiseress as the ultimate and highest authority of the Imperial Republic, ensuring that the Imperial tradition continues to guide and inspire Shirerithian society.
  • Democratic Elections: Ensure regular, free, and fair elections to the Landsraad across every corner of the Imperial Republic, with election laws and regulations for federal/national elections being placed and enforced by the federal government with full enforcement powers.
  • Imperial Marshals: Expand the national police force, the Imperial Marshals, and deploy to all subdivisions within the Imperial Republic to safeguard the Empire against enemies from within.
  • Adelsraad Expansion: Enact social reforms to increase the number of nobles within the Adelsraad, fostering a culture of meritocracy, excellence, and public service. This includes expanding nobility to more commoners, as well as extending peerages to deserving individuals based on contributions to society, culture, and the Imperial Republic.
  • Federal System: Strengthen and emphasize a federal system for Shireroth where Shirekeep is the supreme concern and source of all law, power, and authority. Under this system, local governments have the autonomy to manage regional affairs, while the Imperial government ensures coherence, unity, and the alignment of all laws and policies with the national interest.
  • One Shireroth for All, All for One Shireroth: Encourage a unified national identity that celebrates the Empire's diverse ethnicities and cultures, while always maintaining Shirekeep as the center of both the nation's political and cultural developments.
• Foreign Policy and National Security
  • Uphold Our Part as a Founder of the Raspur Pact: An ascendant Shireroth will take its place as a founding nation of the Raspur Pact and a key leader of the alliance. Shireroth should maintain its mebership in the Raspur Pact. Organize and participate in joint military exercises to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding across all Raspur Pact.
  • Limiting Foreign Intervention and Promoting Shireroth Abroad: Safeguard Shireroth's sovereignty by limiting foreign powers' involvement in national affairs by focusing on rapid economic and social progress domestically and strengthening Shirerithian leadership in the Raspur Pact and in other international organizations.
  • Community of Goldfield Membership: Join this special economic community within the Raspur Pact, advancing economic integration and trade; advocate for the return of the Shirerithian erb as the principal reserve currency of the Raspur Pact.
  • Defense Manufacturing Industrial Policy: Create incentives for domestic defense industries, including tax breaks, grants, and favorable contracts. Use public-private partnerships to foster collaboration between government, industry, and academia to promote innovation and manufacturing.
  • Dialogue after the Fracture: Engage in dialogues and peace-building initiatives to heal the fractures and divisions that emerged after the Kalirion Fracture.
  • Free Trade and Open Borders with Sanama and Tellia: Shirerithian treaties and agreements that expand the reach of Shirerithian products in other markets, but also increase regional cooperation and trade.
  • Not An Inch to Floria: When Floria was defeated in the War of Lost Brothers, it recognized its part and blame in launching such a terrible and costly conflict between the USSO, the Verionian Empire, and the Raspur Pact. the IDP does not support any territorial concessions or retrocessions of Shirerithian territory to achieve its jingoistic Greater Floria dream.
  • Trade Agreements: Strengthen economic ties through trade agreements that benefit both Shireroth and their economic partners.
• Honor and Protect Shireroth for Future Generations
  • Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development: Invest in reforestation and pollution clean-up projects and the conservation of natural habitats across Shireroth, especially the preservations of lands important to he culture and identity of the Imperial Republic. Promote renewable energy.
  • Enact an Elwynn River Compact: Work with Benacian neighbors and partners to establish a compact on cleaning up and restoring the Elwynn river and ensuring its peaceful navigability in the modern era.
  • National Network of Community Gardens: Encourage the Kaiseress' Gardens Initiative to build nation-wide community gardens, co-operatives, and other grassroots initiatives that emphasize the symbiosis of hand and earth and the necessity of ensuring all communities can sustain themselves and the Imperial Republic.

Organization and structure

The IDP is organized with a multi-tiered hierarchical structure, the party maintains offices across all the Shirerithian states, ensuring wide geographical outreach. The national leadership of the IDP consists of the Party Leader, Deputy Party Leader, and an Executive Committee. The Party Leader serves as the public face of the party, while the Deputy Party Leader assists in managing various political responsibilities. The Executive Committee is composed of senior party members and specialists, who guide the IDP's strategic direction and oversee implementation of policies.

Party Convention

The Party Convention is the supreme governing body, comprising party representatives from all the Shirerithian states. It convenes annually to review party policies, elect the national leadership, and provide direction for the upcoming year. The Party Convention ensures that the party's core values and principles are maintained and plays a vital role in shaping the party's political agenda. The Party Convention also serves as one of the most direct party to grassroots connections, as many grassroots activists and leaders rise to be elected to the Party Convention outright as representatives of their home states.

State and Local Structure

Each Shirerithian state has its own IDP office, usually located in its capital city. The state office of the IDP coordinates with the national headquarters in Shirekeep, Shireroth to align state-level activities with the overall party strategy and messaging. State offices are headed by a State Party Leader and supported by various coordinators and liaisons who specialize in different policy areas, such as education, healthcare, labor relations, etc.

Local Offices

In addition to state offices, the IDP maintains local offices in various cities and other municipalities. These local offices act as the grassroots level of the party, engaging directly with the public, organizing community events, and mobilizing support for party candidates.

Committees and Working Groups

The IDP has established various committees and working groups that focus on specific policy areas, including environment, technology, and more. These groups develop policy proposals, conduct research, and interact with experts and stakeholders in their respective fields. They play a crucial role in the policy-making process, ensuring that the party's stance on different issues is well-informed and relevant.

Membership

Membership in the IDP is open to all citizens of Shireroth. The party offers different membership levels, allowing individuals to engage at various degrees of involvement. Members are encouraged to participate in local party activities, contribute to policy discussions, and stand for party positions. Members of the party that donate regularly get a right to vote in its internal processes, especially during the Party Convention sessions.

Leaders

Leader Name	Term	Term Highlights
Sean O'Callaghan	1659-1670	Supported Hartmut Aldric as Steward and Regent of Shireroth. Moved to Ransenar during the Kalirion Fracture, founded Imperial Democratic Party of Ransenar.
Lord Holly-Wythe	1671-1674	Steward and Regent of Shireroth. Resigned leadership and left party in 1674 AN.
Gerard MacLeod	1674-1690	Supported Chrysostom Wythe as Steward and Regent of Shireroth. Stabilized party's but could not regain former leading party status after departure of Lord Holly-Wythe. Supported Lord Holly-Wythe's agenda and governments as a junior partner.
Esther Demarchelier Phillips	1691-1700	Supported Lord Holly-Wythe as Steward and Regent of Shireroth. Supported Lord Holly-Wythe's agenda and governments as a junior partner.
Naïs Szodarvs	1701-	Supported Lord Holly-Wythe as Steward and Regent of Shireroth until 1718 AN. Supported Lord Holly-Wythe's agenda and governments as a junior coalition partner until 1718 AN. 1718 AN-onwards: party currently in opposition, not in government.