Undreshi Socialist Party
| Undreshi Socialist Party | |
|---|---|
| File:Uspvenadia.png | |
| Native Name | Ундрешкая Социалистическая Партия Alhizb Alaishtiraki Undresh |
| Leader | Muhammad Saranov |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Preceded by | Communist Party of Undreshistan |
| Headquarters | Al-Undresh, Venadia |
| Membership | 19,200 |
| Ideology | Democratic Socialism Left-wing Nationalism |
| Political position | Left-wing |
| Official colours | Red |
| Great Veche | 0 / 400
|
| Veche of Undreshistan | 21 / 133
|
| Website | http://www.aau.vda |
The Undreshi Socialist Party (Arabian: Alhizb Alaishtiraki Undresh, Venadian: Ундрешкая Социалистическая Партия, transcript: Undreshkaya Sozialistisheskaya Partiya) is a regional political party in Venadia, exclusively in the Volost of Undreshistan. The party was illegal until 1984 when it was legalized by the Republic of Venadia following extensive negotiation.
History
The party was formed by a minority of members of the Communist Party of Undreshistan after the party decided to dissolve in 1966. At its founding, the USP had an estimated total of 1,000 members, with half of these being exiles abroad and the other half in Undreshistan itself. The party initially maintained the CPU's ideology of Marxism-Relajevism, but in 1969 the commitment to communism and Relajevism was abandoned by the party in favour of democratic socialism inspired by Islamic teachings.
The USP entered negotiations with Venadia in 1981, arbitrated by the Republic of Breheim and the Vesan Union. In 1984 and agreement between Venadia and the USP was reached, with the USP condemning the Undreshi Red Army and the actions of the Democratic Republic of Undreshistan during the Second Ardanian Great War. The USP remained under surveillance by the Department of Public Safety until the 1990s, but were allowed to operate freely in Venadia and contest elections.
The legalization and activities of the USP is considered by some to be a primary cause of the Undreshi Red Army's decline in the late 80s and 90s. The USP managed to attract a significant amount of support away from the URA. The electoral history of the USP has largely been stagnant since 1987, the first time it participated in Venadian elections and attracted 10.8% of the votes in Undreshistan. The party has since largely remained stagnant at 9-11% of the Undreshistani vote in national elections, and 13-16% in Undreshistani regional elections.
Policies
- Hold a binding referendum on Undreshistan's independence.
- More power to the districts.
- Create a socialist economy based around socialist market economics and Islamic zakat, dominated by voluntary cooperatives and self-employed artisans.
- Outlaw the practice of lending on interest.
- Restrict the consumption of alcohol through taxation and government monopolies.
Organization
The USP has cells throughout Undreshistan, but particularly concentrated in the west and south. The basic unit of the USP is the local party cell, divided into seven regional cells in Undreshistan and one regional cell covering members living outside of Undreshistan (including foreign countries). The seven regional cells elect a leader for the regional cells, who in turn elects a party chairman. The Party's overall platform is handled by the chairman and the leaders of the regional cells.
Membership
The USP had a total of over 20 thousand members in 2009, but this number has diminished since. The USP levies an annual 3 NSD membership fee on members.
Party Factions
The USP recognizes several internal factions, who organize voluntarily and freely.
Modernist Club
The Modernist Club is a moderate faction within the USP that seeks greater cooperation with the Venadian Socialist Party and the abandonment of dreams of independence in favour of greater autonomy within Venadia. They strictly condemn the actions of the former Communist Party of Undreshistan.
Marxist League
The Marxist League is a radical faction within the USP who seek more radical economic policies in the USP, a greater focus on class struggle over national struggle and ending influence of Islam on the party's policies. They are secular and seek cooperation with the Communist Party of Venadia.
Socialist Muslim Group
The Socialist Muslim Group seek greater cooperation with Sunni Imams in Undreshistan and cooperation with the Islamic Electoral Alliance. They seek a greater focus on Islamic teachings in the USP's party programme, and a commitment to an independent and democratic Undreshistan founded on islamic and socialist law.
Relajevist Communist Group
The Relajevist Communist Group is a conservative group within the USP that seeks a greater degree of adherence to the policies and ideology of the Communist Party of Undreshistan, and praise the Democratic Republic of Undreshistan. They seek independence under socialist rule. The RCG is still under surveillance by the Department of Public Safety.
Electorate
The USP's electorate tend to be ethnic Undreshistani, largely from the west and south of the country. The USP finds support both in rural areas among farmers and herders and in some townships, primarily among Undreshi students and urban workers. The party attracts some support from Islamic clergy and are considered to have effectively melded together socialist ideology and islamic religion.