Orientalism

The Mutulese Glyphic writing for "East" or "Eastern"

Orientalism (Mutli :Lak'in Xook) was a Mutulese Political philosophy inspired by Belisarians countries such as Arthurista and Latium. It was heavily inspired by liberalism, espousing free markets, free trade, democracy, and freedom of expression. its origins can traced back to the Grand Arm Race, when various political and military leaders began to alert the Divine Throne about the necessity of a rapid modernization of the country. In the following half century of tensions and conflicts, they became more and more prominent, gaining advisory positions and networks of followers.

After the Belfro-Mutulese War of 1928, these "Orientalists", so called because of their perceived fascination for Belisaria, became the dominant faction in the Mutulese Parliament. They pressured the Divine Throne into abandoning some of its more Absolutist practices, and to grand more power to the Parliament. In 1930, the K'uhul Ajaw appointed major Oritentalist leaders to important positions in the government, including the position of K'awiil, the equivalent of a Prime minister or Chancellor. This was the beginning of 25 years of Orientalist rule in the Mutul, which saw major efforts made toward the liberalization of the country, the transition to a constitutional monarchy, the secularisation of the State, and the normalization of the relations with the ennemies of yesterday such as Belfras and the Latium. This sudden rise to power was nicknamed the Eastern Wind.

During the fifties, the Orientalists became more and more inconvenient for the Divine Monarchy. Internally, they had too many enemies leagued against them, from the Traditionalists to the Occidentalists. And internationally, their policies failed to mend the divide between the Mutul and the "Latins". In 1955 the Orientalist politician and administrator Yu Kun Maax was arrested on charge of sedition and treason. Quickly his process became one for the entire Orientalist movement. The protests and riots that had punctuated the Orientalist period suddenly began to target Orientalists sympathizers and everything related to them : from their meeting places to their houses and businesses. Brutal display of “Popular” justice led to the death of thousands of sympathizers, while following the Yu Kun Maax case, the police kept arresting known leaders and figureheads. This violence continued well into 1956, even after most Orientalists politicians finished in prison or had been forced to flee the country