Sunday, 13 March 2011

GUEST POST: Provinces and Philosophy

(by C. Carlüs Xheráltsëfiglheu, Seneschál of the Talossan Republic)


The issue of provincial reform has always sparked heated debates and discussions. It’s clear that we’ll never all agree on a solution to some of the issues that face our provinces, or indeed what the provinces’ functions are in our Republic. As a vehement federalist, I’ve always advocated an increase in provincial authority and control over the political system. The mistake many make here is to assume that the federalist goal here is to completely overhaul the system and to replace it with a fully decentralised one. This is, quite simply, not the case.

What the Federalist Party failed to take into account when proposing radical reforms to the assignment laws was the macronational cultural identity that certain provinces wielded. The exemplary Cezembre shows how an entire provincial identity has spawned from the ‘European flavour’ that ensued from having an overseas territory in Europe. In this respect, it should be the aspiration of each province to have a binding and identifiable provincial link otherwise what would the provinces be other than small social clubs? Of course, if a citizen doesn’t identify with the binding cultural link, then he or she has a fairly strong case with the Court.

Reform is necessary, but for reform to have any effect it requires immediate action. The Defencist philosophy maintains that action be decisively implemented, that the problem be tackled as soon as possible, and that it tackles the problem at the root. Now, whilst there’s no doubt that the Peculiarist philosophy has the nation’s best interests at heart, it is unlikely that slow deliberation will get us anywhere any time soon. The same approach can, and should be applicable to government as well. If the government is to function in a way that is beneficial to the Talossan Republic, it must work conscientiously.

Of course, not everyone has the time, or possibly the willpower, to apply this ethic with such energy and enthusiasm. This is understandable, and many may tire of officials asking time and time again for an update one thing or another. Misinterpretation of this leads to the assumption that Defencist philosophy advocates bullying tactics, but this isn’t the case. Through reports and updates the Seneschal, the President, or even other Cabinet members can then work with struggling officials in order to relieve the pressure and eight of whatever tasks they’re required to complete. The trend for any government that doesn’t have a Seneschal incessantly though figuratively prodding other officials in their respective ribs is that progress is slow, reform is grey, and the problem will inevitably remain unfixed.

In the long run, the only way the Talossan Republic can solve many of its issues is by increasing the influx of prospective citizens. The opposition parties are well within their rights to criticise any failure in doing so, but must also recognise that it’s possible for the government to work on a multitude of projects and reforms at the same time. Though Defencism may annoy some of the slower-paced politicians in the Republic, in the long run such a philosophy is one of the primary reasons Talossa hasn’t completely sunk into the boggy marshes of apathy.