Verionism
| Verionism | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | V |
|---|---|
| Leader | No unified leadership, local parties are often led by prominent members of the Houses of Verion and Lewis |
| Founded | Early 1600s |
| Headquarters | Blackstone |
| Ideology | Conservatism, Nationalism, Economic liberalism, Centralism |
Verionism is a political ideology that highlights individual freedoms, a strong centralised state, free trade and laissez-faire economics, in combination with a focus on efficiency within the organisation of the government. Verionism emerged in the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, where it has been around since the 16th century but rose to prominence shortly before and during the Kaisership of Verion I. Since then, it has extended throughout Micras. Verionist movements and parties have become prominent in many realms of Micras, including Blackstone, Hurmu, Gran Verionia, Natopia, Shireroth and Elwynn.
Philosophy
One of the founding principles of Verionism was defined as the "Freedom of the Shirithian" by Kaiser Verion. In its implementation during his Kaisership, Verionism promoted a centralised nation with limited but concentrated governmental powers. Verionism is critical of Shirithian regionalism for its tendency to expand government and threaten civil liberties. Economically, Verionism favours laisez-faire capitalism, claiming it to be the fundamental principle through which the Shirerithian economy will grow. This aspect of the Verionist ideology became most prominent during the early 17th century, due to the ties between Verionists and the Iron Company. Shirithian Verionism also was highly nationalsit and the Verionist political faction was vehemenently opposed to the Kildari Independence and has maintained a critical position on relations with Hamland and Jingdao.
Rise to prominence
The founding principles of Verionism emerged in the late 16th century in Elwynn, where it was promoted by the Democratic Alliance of Elwynn. It has similarities with Ayreonism and with the Conservative-Republican movement. Jack Lewis became one of its most vocal supporters. The ideology did not yet have a name, but was adopted by Jacob Darylion-Verion when he served as ruling Steward during the absence of Kaiser Ayreon III. When he succeeded to the Imperial Mango Throne as Kaiser Verion I, the political positions together became known as "Verionism" and became an overarching ideology. Kaiser Verion's reign saw a dramatic centralisation of government powers, especially through the Verion Economic Reforms. The Charter of Shireroth, in place in the 17th to the early 18th century contained obvious Verionist elements. Verionism has subsequently remained a prominent ideology in Shirithian politics, especially in Elwynn.
Northern Verionism
In later years, the Cimmerian branch of the Verion family became more closely associated with the Holy Church of the Divine Icebear. Two distinct branches of Verionism can be differentiated, most fundamentally split on the issue of centralised sovereignty (which Northern Verionism opposes). Currently, the Elwynnese chapter of the Verionist Union is supportive of Eki Verion and her government in the Great North.
International Verionism
The Verionists in the rest of Shireroth focussed more on economic policies, highlighting the importance of free trade. Some examples of classical Verionism include both the National Party in Alrodey and the Verionist Union in Shireroth, but most notably the Lordship of Blackstone, a country governed by the Verion family in line with these classical Verionist principles. The same goes for the Iron Company.
In Shirithian politics
Two Verionist parties contested the 1656 Folksraad elections: the Democratic Alliance of Elwynn and the Verionist Union. The Union did not contest in Elwynn in order to increase vote share. Immediately after the election, the parties formed the Verionist Bloc, which in the Folksraad represents the Verionist ideology. In 1660, the Democratic Alliance officially merged with the Verionist Union.
Verionism (and the Verionist Union) gained a significant foothold in previously unchartered territory in Shireroth following the Auspicious Occasion and the wholehearted support from the Verionist to the fight against Vanic influences. At this moment, the Verionist Union provides government in several Imperial Dominions, including the Prefecture of Shirekeep.
Verionism was the dominant ideology of the late Imperial Verionist Republic of Shireroth that was established after the Kalirion Fracture.
Verionism today
Verionism remains an influencal political ideology. Verionist parties and factions are active in many different countries on Micras, including:
- Shireroth: the Vanguard for National Reawakening
- Hurmu: the Verionist Movement in Hurmu
- Three Kingdoms: Formal alliance with the Free Trade faction
- Brettish Isles: Verionist Party
- Blackstone: Verionist Association of the Free Guilds and Merchant Houses
