Three Tenets

In the contexts of socialism and Dezevauni politics, the Three Tenets refers to three ideological principles, first clearly enunciated in the 1960s, which define the mainstay of the political left. They are typically given in Estmerish as socialist economy, solidarity and progressivism, in that order, though they are typically said to be equally important.

Socialist economy refers to equitable socialised or communal control of the mode and means of production. Solidarity means recognition of and support for a moral community comprised of all people, especially across national borders in an internationalist way, but also in matters of race, sex, social class, etc. Progressivism means belief in the possibility and power of change and progress, and a rejection of primitivism or nostalgia for ancient forms of society.

Mhibodu Dazeje first used the term and defined it in essentially identical terms to the modern usage in a 1966 publication. It was used in political and academic circles in Dezevau until it found more widespread currency as Cultural Revolutionaries sought terms to define their movement. While it was never endorsed broadly by the Dezevauni Section of the Workers' International before its dissolution, the programme of the DSWI and the Three Tenets were sufficiently intertwined that political clubs who claim descent from the DSWI and to represent the mainstream left do so on the basis of following the Three Tenets; this includes the major groupings in the Congress of Twenties, the Club of Metal, the Localists and the New Left. Internationally, the terminology has found currency in describing and prescribing the main form of the Left, aligned with the Association for International Socialism and the council democratic states including Kirenia and Chistovodia.

Definition

The Three Tenets were described first by Mhibodu Dazeje, an academic whose works were relatively obscure until the period of ideological turmoil and foment prior to the Cultural Revolution. Though other pieces of hers were studied and raised up by Cultural Revolutionaries, for her work on ideology (with relevance to ideas such as intersectionality, internationalism, statehood and cultural politics), the Three Tenets found the most lasting purchase. Early translations sometimes call them the Three Pillars. At first, they were taken as a kind of packaged summary of what the mainstay of the Cultural Revolutionaries believed in that was synonymous with the more noble ideals of the Dezevauni Section of the Workers' International, helping to establish continuity; later on, as the Cultural Revolution faded, it was more politically advantageous to be seen as heirs to the DSWI's legacy, and the Tenets were more associated with the party, and more scrutinised, particularised and analysed. A large deal of work deals with the Three Tenets today.

Socialist economy

Sometimes merely termed "socialism", a socialist economy is one that embraces socialised or communal control; most importantly, this is over the means of production, but also to some extent over consumer patterns as well. The point is that the popular will is paramount in the management of matters involving goods and services which are necessary for living one's life, and not arbitrarily appointed private wills, as under idealised capitalism. The socialist economy is painted as a more democratic, efficient, egalitarian, fair, and reasonable system than capitalism.

This principle is often thought of as the most important of the three, or the first among equals, because of its fundamental importance to leftist movements broadly in the modern era. In some sense, it may also be thought of as the most difficult to pin down; there are various implementations and degrees, ranging from central planning, to unionism, to utopian communalism, to mutualism, to substantial monetary redistribution. The extent to which the economy must be socialist and what mechanisms should be considered socialism are major points of contention, as are other points such as how a socialist economy deals with other economies around the world, how much "socialism" is applicable in different circumstances such as colonisation or underdevelopment, and so on.

Solidarity

The core of the idea of solidarity is that all people, generally speaking, are equal, and not only deserve fair treatment, but ought to treat each other fairly, as best they can, and without prejudice or spite. The most prominent part of this concept is usually its internationalist component, insofar as nationalist or other exclusionist ideologies are popular around the world; however, just as integral are ideals opposing discrimination or segregation on the basis of race, gender, ability and other characteristics. Solidarity is meant to be shared with everyone who shares common values and cause, and is a further understanding that those who are more distant are better brought over than brought down. Controversy arises in whom exactly people are meant to have solidarity with and to what extent; some claim that not only humans, but nonhuman lifeforms should enjoy inclusion in solidarity; some leftists believe that the religious and nonreligious should support each other in solidarity; some charge that present-day socialist states are not sufficiently internationalist by nature.

Progressivism

Progressivism is a belief in progress: that nostalgia, primitivism, traditionalism, are not real solutions, and that the human situation can be bettered, on the whole, over time. This is also a historical perspective; progressivism does not posit that human history has been all uphill, but at minimum, holds that aspects of human history have involved general improvement, especially the establishment of socialist regimes. It has been argued that progressivism is the least important of the Three Tenets, insofar as it is a relatively abstract idea, and one that only promotes a view of general trends, rather than mandating adherence towards a goal. At times, progressivism is engaged in crossing over with solidarity,

Usage

In Dezevau, the Three Tenets are a kind of litmus test for mainstream political orthodoxy; the New Left, the Club of Metal and the Localists are three of the largest political clubs by most measures, each generally being committed to its ideals, though with varying interpretations and in varying measures for parts. This mainstream adoption occurred in the post-Cultural Revolution era, as both the public and politicians sought clarity and order in the political scene, with most being devoted to socialism even as the Dezevauni Section of the Workers' International was abolished. However, notable groups, such as the Liberal Party of Dezevau, do reject the Three Tenets, in whole or in part.

Reception

Some criticise the Three Tenets as self-contradictory and inconsistent, usually from a perspective of criticising the socialist project generally. Some criticism also focuses on the actual usefulness of the Three Tenets, though this body has largely died away as the ideals have remained relevant for near half a century. Some nationalist socialists believe that the idea of solidarity is taken too far, and that nationalism and sovereignty, but solidarity between socialist nations, is ideal.