Theocratic Socialism
Theocratic Socialism, also referred to as Clerical Communalism, Religious Socialism and most often shortened to Theo-Socialism or TheoSoc is a term for a variety of economically left religious movements that span across multiple religious groups. Theo-Socialist ideologies seek to combine a strict religious doctrine and clerical leadership with forms of Proto-Socialism, Socialism and Marxism. While there is only one declaratively Theo-Socialist nation on Urth – being the Holy Peasants’ Republic of Gransrik – movements with similar ideals exist amongst many religious groups. Many have stated a link between the ideals of Theo-Socialism and Communal Nationalism, with some stating is as simply a Clerical version of the ideology, this has been criticised by Theo-Socialists as a strawman argument against their beliefs – stating that they are neither fascists nor communists. However, some factions within the ideology argue that Theocracy and Communism can coexist viably, arguing that a stateless, classless society can be formed upon the basis of religion. Still, many critics of the ideology on the left and right see Theo-Socialism as a bastardisation of Socialism and Theocracy respectively, with Theo-Socialists being granted the ire of both the Religious Right, as well as more Secular Socialists that make up the majority of mainline Orthodox Marxist belief. General consensus notes Theocratic-Socialism as being enacted before other forms of Socialism by a wide margin, though there is some debate over whether the Theocratic Socialist movement was, for the most part, Proto-Socialist in nature during the 17th and 18th century, with Durakan Socialist Theorist Tarov Hesse writing, "It is in my belief that the first Religious Socialists were Socialists only by name. They ride the wave of popular spirit to deliver welfare alongside their preferred opiate to the masses, but it is still under the chains of religion in which the Clerical Bourgeoisie controls the Proletariat."
Luterites and Theo-Socialism in Ademarism
Gransmeric Ademarists – more commonly known as Luterites - are the most prominent example of Theo-Socialism, being the state ideology of Gransrik. Luterite doctrine states the need to follow the interpretation of Ademarism made by Borko Luter, an Arkian born under the Asendavian Empire. Luter’s ideas of true equality under the God-On-Urth led him to proto-socialist beliefs of a Holy Republic. He and his followers, the first Luterites, were exiled from Asendavian Arkalrius to North Novaris, in which they would declare the first Theo-Socialist State, the Holy Peasants’ Republic of Gransrik after a violent takeover of the dwarf-led Republic of Gransmer in 1665. These founding beliefs of Equality and Religious Extremism stayed with the state, forming the first and only current example of Theo-Soc ideas on a national scale.
While the Luterites are the largest group of Theo-Socialists within Ademarism, the flexible nature of the religion has seen the movement act as a fringe ideology in certain branches of the religion – although often overshadowed by more socially progressive forms of Ademarism such as those gaining popularity in Cryria or more economically conservative forms such as those dominant in Asendavia and Vistaraland.
Theo-Socialism in Other Religions
Akronism
Theo-socialism has had a presence in Akronism as early as the late 1800s, when it became popular among a small faction of Akronist clergy that was opposed to the Church's involvement with the harsh colonial regime in Hawa and Zawadi. Akronism places great emphasis on ideas such as the absolute equality of all people, the right of all people to lead dignified and happy lives, and that those in need should be provided for, all ideas that made leftist politics in general and socialism in specific appeal to many Akronists. However, since the turn of the 21st century, theo-socialism has significantly increased in popularity to the point where it has become the predominant philosophy among political Akronists. In 2021, the Tavari Communist Party amended its Party Constitution and By-Laws to explicitly identify it as a "Akronist-socialist, or theo-socialist, political organization of the proletariat." Since the amendments, the Tavari Communist Party's official platform has defined Akronist socialism as "a branch of theo-socialist thought in which Akronist moral principles and systems of belief form the basis for law and civil society, complemented by Marxist principles governing the economy." A 2021 survey conducted by the Church asking members to self-identify with a political party showed that 62% of Akronists in Tavaris listed the Tavari Communist Party as their affiliation, though respondents were permitted to identify with more than one party. The Church had not run such a survey since 1971, and in that survey the percentage of Akronists identifying with the Communist Party was 19%, thus representing a 43 percentage-point increase over 50 years.
In addition to Tavaris, Akronist socialism is present in Ekvatora and Vesienväl, though it does not have officially recognized status in either country. In Vesienväl, Akronism has been present since that country's civil war, when the Church responded with healthcare, food, and development aid. In exchange, the United Workers' Party permitted the Church to operate temples and recruit new members so long as it did not interfere in politics. In many of the country's particularly distant rural areas, Akronist social services cover gaps in those provided by either the state or the Vesienvällic federal government. The Church of Akrona also operates Vesienväl's only private schools.
Asatru
Certain groups in Asatru religion have been referred to as somewhat Theo-Socialist in nature, however a majority of these movements branch off from Theo-Socialist beliefs at their very foundation, making their status as Theo-Socialists questionable at best. The main source for Theo-Socialist appealing policy in Norgsveldet has been put forward by moderate political groups such as the Asatru Democrats in a combination of their traditionalist agrarian beliefs with the desire for economic equality amongst the Norgsveltian Social Democratic Centre-Left. However, these parties deny themselves to be associated with the Theo-Socialist movement, with the referral to them as such being more common abroad or as a derogatory notion.
The Ernok Traditionalist Party, a subsection of the Workers’ National Frontier of Durakia, is a much more obedient example of the ideology in the Asatru Religion, with certain members of the party referring to themselves as such, seeking a radical return to traditional Asatru social practices while maintaining the economic system of Durakia. This ultranationist leaning ideal of Theo-Socialism mixes well with the WNF’’s tendency towards Communal Nationalism, with the ETP often blurring the lines between the two extremist ideologies, though the party remains a broad coalition of radicals – facilitating the growth of both movements within it.
The Cult of Martov
The Cult of Martov, a deistic cult within Durakia, has occasionally been referred to as Theo-Socialist in nature, with their totalitarian desire to control social order combined to their worship of leftist principals. Many members of the Cult of Martov state it as a religion, giving credence to Martovism as a theo-socialist ideology due to its lack of separation between religious and political leadership and radical leftist economic policy. This is a highly controversial view amongst the already small group of Martovists, with some praising Theo-Socialist principals while others denounce it as an insult to socialism brought upon by megalomania in the religious elite.
Milishism
The Religion of Milishism, state religion of Durdanini has often been associated with Theo-Socialism since the nation’s independence. This is due to its blend of Theocracy and Democracy that naturally lay the foundations for Theo-Socialist beliefs amongst the urban population of the state, with the Theocratic nature of the state making the ideology a much less radical shift then the secular forms of socialism seen as the typical socialist doctrine around the world. It is not entirely dominant in the state, however, as it struggles to gain appeal in the more economically conservative rural regions, who see it as a departure from the traditional tribal system previously in place.
In Maankijkeland, the Durdish minority population, which resides within the north of the country, is generally represented in Government by the Theo-Socialist Torch of Emancipation (Vistarian: Fakkel van Emancipatie), a part actively advocating for Theocratic-Socialist Milishism. The party has generally been repressed by the Maankijker Government, due to suspected links with Durdish terrorist groups, although evidence of such is slim.
Other Religions
While not directly having a notable Theo-Socialist organisation, it is often stated by Theo-Socialists that many religions and religious groups are aligned to their ideology by the nature of their theology. Tunseism is one of the major examples of this, with an argument that Theo-Socialism and Equality as part of Tunsé are already a big part of the religion, even if not directly referred to as such. A more minor example is the Cult of Fortuna, which has been noted by Theo-Socialists due to its rising influence and traction following its history of oppression and persecution by the state of Fortuna.