Restorationism

Restorationism is a term referring to the alleged ideology of Thraysia. Its roots lie in the third restoration of the Thraysian Empire. Many tenants of the ideology were described in the book The Making of Modern Thraysia, co-authored by some influential statesmen during the reign of Autokrator Marcus Psellus. The term itself was coined by Western scholars. It is characterized by authoritarianism, monarchism, nationalism, and sometimes labelled as "far-right," particularly by foreign analysts. In response to foreign and internal criticism, advocates of Restorationism deny any connection or resemblance to foreign political compasses and "outside" ideologies.

Tenets

The tenets of Restorationism outlined here tend to be a generalization of Restorationism given frequent political disagreement among Restorationists themselves.

Orthodox Christianity

The essence of Restorationism is the establishment of a modern Orthodox state, declaring it to be of utmost importance. Restoration itself shall be dissolved if it is to ever contest the Orthodox faith.

The Restorationist's ideal view of the Thraysian Empire is to create an Earthly vassal state of the Kingdom of Heaven. As God ruled in Heaven, the Emperor shall rule on Earth as his representative. The laws of the Kingdom are to be interpretations of the divine. Restorationists call for an intermingling of Church and State. The ideal is for the Church to be the voice of Christian morality to politics, while the State is to be the defender of the faith. It is acknowledged that the ideal is an impossible standard to completely achieve, and that such reinforces the humility of faithful Orthodox Thraysians.

Monarchism

Monarchism is a key foundation of Restorationism, considered to be a pillar of national unity. The Emperor is the absolute ruler of the Thraysians and is to rule by divine will and uphold the Thraysian Charter of Liberties. Any tyrannical or heretical Emperor is an antiemperor. It rejects liberal democracy and political parties. Restorationism is often considered to be authoritarian in nature.

National Syndicalism

Restorationism considers free market capitalism to be "economic anarchy" and "barbarism." Within such anarchy, room is created for a tyrannical body or force to rule the economy and consolidate its grip over it. As such, the economy is to be kept under control by Imperial domain. The economic foundations of Restorationism are described as a mix of Syndicalism, Corporatism, and Distributism. It endorses governing the economy through guilds and applies some distributist principles. It asserts that some of the Empire's productive assets should be widely owned rather than concentrated.

Imperial Universalism

Provided Thraysia's historical and current multi-ethnic nature, Restorationism calls to respect and preserve their unique cultures. Meanwhile, any foreign group whom submits to the Thraysian crown is to be accepted and integrated within the Empire. To any ethnicities that fall under Imperial domain through conquest, their non-barbaric aspects of their culture may be preserved.

Thraysian Tradition

Restorationism is inspired by a nostalgia for the medieval Thraysian Empire and its success. It calls for a traditionalism based on several aspects of medieval Thraysian culture. Many aspects of Restorationism are built upon political and social constructs of the medieval Thraysian Empire. It additionally calls to reject many practices of so-called "barbarians," especially "Western barbarians" (e.g. Western and Central Belisarians, West Scipians, etc.) This is likely explained by the historical context where western Belisaria culturally influenced Thraysia while Thraysian nationalists sought to revert such influence and return Thraysia to its roots.

Nationalism

Restorationist-based national identity is based on the association of different Thraysian ethnicities united within the Empire and united within a common faith, all of whom are to be loyal to their ethnic homelands and the Emperor.

Foreign policy

Restorationists, being a diverse group, have no unified perspective towards foreign policy. Their consensus is for Thraysia to defend and support Orthodox Christians not only within Thraysia but outside its borders. It is to be the first priority of Thraysian foreign policy within pragmatic boundaries.

Criticism

Thraysian criticism

Some notable Thraysians have rejected the entire idea of Restorationism, claiming it is a foreign-imposed term that simplifies the crown to "western constructs of political ideology in line with their barbaric and legalistic culture." Others say that confining Thraysian politics to the limits of an ideology is unwise. Others dissassociate Restorationism with a political ideology, claiming it to be "an approach to divinely-inspired governance that is unique and faithful to the traditions of the fatherland."

A Thraysian monk and Hesychast, Fr. Stavros Anastoglou, has stated that "There is no need for a faithful Orthodox Christian to associate himself with something as frivolous or juvenile as showing devotion to an earthly political ideology."

The Thraysian crown has not officially commented on Restorationism.

Foreign criticism

Restorationism has faced significant criticism and condemnation in foreign circles. It is sometimes said to be far-right or neo-fascist. Some find it to be self-contradicting. Others have aligned in agreement with Thraysian critics, claiming the ideology to be a simple generalization of modern Thraysian politics and nothing more.