Originating in northern Texas just before the onset of the so-called 'Pandemic Era,' Renovationism (sometimes referred to as, the 'Renovationist Idea') is a syncretic political ideology which seeks to synthesize both left-wing and right-wing social elements into a singular, populistic movement, centered around a radical plan for the restructuring and reorganization of American society, as expressed in its foundational text, 'The 22 Tenets of Renovationism,' presented below:
1. -- NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND PATRIOTISM - Renovationism advocates for the self-determination and autonomy of all nations, while affirming patriotic values and the cause of national liberation from imperialism, neo-colonialism, globalization and all other forms of foreign domination (whether they be blatant or subtle).
2. -- NATIVISM AND THE BROADER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MOVEMENT - Renovationism asserts that local in-group preference is a perpetual reality and therefore, constitutes an organic feature of both foreign and domestic policy within all nations, insofar as it is executed in a civilized, non-violent and non-discriminatory manner.
Expanding on this, Renovationism advocates for all displaced peoples of the world which currently lack a unified government and/or permanent territory - "for each nation a state and to each nation-state a territory to call its own" - the Renovationist understands that material independence is a natural right of all peoples, regardless of how some might feel about the subject.
Finally (and this is crucial to the Renovationist idea as a whole), any nation which actively oppresses other nations can never be called "free" nor "great," and will never be counted amongst the adherents of Renovationism - imperialism comes in many forms and is unacceptable in any form.
3. -- AUTARKY (SELF-SUFFICIENCY) - Renovationism holds that the most effective path to national liberation is the achievement of self-sufficiency in all things, including industrial output, agricultural production, technological innovation, commercial action, currency exchange, resource acquisition, energy production, socio-cultural normativity, civil government, and et cetera. Autarky, though not equally feasible between all nations due to their variable material positions and levels of development, is a value by which nations may forge their own destinies in the wake of a turbulent and chaotic world, whether alone or in conjunction with neighboring nations which bear similar and complimentary roots, cultures, economic systems and environmental norms.
4. -- ANTI-GLOBALIZATION - Renovationism asserts that globalization is the great evil of our time and must be wholly resisted within every aspect of national policy, both foreign and domestic.
The international capitalist order with its globalist aims (often referred to collectively as 'neoliberalism' or the 'neoliberal order'), constitutes a pervasive force for imperialism and neo-colonialism in the modern world; which, not only undermines the sovereignty of nations, but also obliterates local cultures and traditions, commodifies and exploits human beings, disrupts and annihilates hundreds of natural ecosystems, and fosters a materialistic worldview centered around mass consumption above all else - all the while, creating a multi-national slave class made to labor endlessly for the interests of the global bourgeoisie.
In this way, Renovationism advocates for a multi-lateral world order, where natural cooperatives may form organically between like-minded nations, which subsequently work together in tandem to address issues of global importance (never at the expense of one another). This stands in sharp contrast to the order of today, marked by one-sided, single-minded rule and the domination of a handful of countries and institutions above all others, ostensibly in the name of a vague and inconsistent sense of the "greater good."
5. -- SYNDICALISM AND SOCIALISM - Renovationism advocates for the formation of a worker's state, based upon socialist and syndicalist values and economic principles in opposition to capitalism, to be forged according to the nation's particular conditions, circumstances, and traditions, nominally independent of foreign influences - expanding on this, each nation must forge its own path to socialism, for the people cannot have it forced upon them by some foreign entity. This is crucial, for not only will this end in disaster as it always has in the past, but ultimately, this amounts to imperialism in its own right and should be resisted in all cases; however, nations may act in common as a group where there is a common interest and ideal, this should only be pursued where everyone involved is on an equal footing and no one acts at the expense of another.
*[In this way, Renovationism takes from both the Titoist and Hoxhaist schools of socialist thought, rejecting foreign interventionism from other so-called 'socialist' states ('social imperialism'), while promoting cooperation amongst like-minded states where it is deemed appropriate and in the nation's best interests (often in opposition to conventional international orders).]
6. -- COLLECTIVE ACTION AND WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY - Renovationism encourages the facilitation of workplace democracy through direct, collective action by the nation's workers. Not only as a means of procuring a more just and equitable economic order, but also as a crucial stepping stone toward the formation of a political system centered around organized labor.
7. -- MATERIAL ADAPTABILITY AND THE FUNCTIONAL HIERARCHY - Renovationism advocates for material and systemic adaptability in the face of sweeping change, while maintaining its core legal, ideological and ethical principles; moreover, in the transition toward a more equitable social order, Renovationism affirms that hierarchies are an absolute necessity - in stark contrast and opposition to those ideas which preach blind egalitarianism. While the old hierarchies must be done away with and the old institutions taken to task on their historic failures, functional hierarchies bearing the proper worldview and methodology must rise to take their place, guided by firm and practiced hands, legitimized by a union of conscience and philosophical direction.
8. -- ARMED NEUTRALITY AND DIPLOMATIC REFORMATION - Renovationism advocates for the peaceful co-existence of all nations, respectful of each other's sovereignty and always willing to come together as equals on issues of regional and global importance - but, on a voluntary basis only, not by way of globalized, one-sided intimidation.
Expanding on this, for all ethical reasoning, Renovationism asserts that a state of 'armed neutrality' is the ideal diplomatic path in today's climate - to maintain a potent security and defense apparatus, while keeping out of all foreign wars and political conflicts, avoiding alliances of any sort including defensive pacts, not committing to foreign aid agreements, nor issuing hostile proclamations against other nations.
9. -- UNITY AND THE PRINCIPLES OF CENTRALISM - Renovationism asserts that a government must be united in order to adequately unite the nation and accomplish both its short-term and long-term goals; therefore, a strong and unitary administration is needed to consolidate the government as a whole. That being said, Renovationism rejects federalism and its derivatives, on the basis that decentralization leads to corruption, bureaucratic gridlock, and civil impotence - all of which harm the society-at-large.
10. -- PRIMACY OF THE STATE - Renovationism advocates for the establishment of a strong, patriotic, unified and dependable system of government, guided by a fit and emboldened leadership with all of the appropriate state organs put in place to fulfill their respective duties on the people's behalf.
This Renovationist conception of government, the State with a capital 'S,' shall play a higher role within society, by not only upholding the nation's legal codes in a consistent manner, but also by protecting the nation's people at any cost from threats both foreign and domestic, by bridging the gap between national and local systems of authority, by fostering a just and equitable financial system for the society-at-large, and by working to further the causes of Renovationism within the nation's territory - all the while, possessing appropriate material power and practical wisdom to tackle the major issues which face the nation as a whole.
All those things that are part of the nation shall reside within the State's jurisdiction, while nothing within the nation's territory shall be exempt from it. The Renovationist understands that the nation may not maintain its existence without the State and so, any ideas or rhetorical devices which emphasize "limited government" or "devolution of powers," must be firmly rebuked in all cases.
11. -- DEEP ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTALISM, AND ANIMAL RIGHTS - Renovationism advocates for the radical restructuring of society according to environmental standards, toward the greater restoration of harmony between mankind and the natural world. To that effect, Renovationism takes inspiration from several ideas and movements, including Deep Ecology, eco-socialism, animal liberation and ecomodernism (to name a few); moreover, Renovationism affirms that anthropogenic climate change is a real and ever-present threat to civilization as we know it and therefore, we must come together as a broader community to formulate an adequate response before the situation passes the 'point of no return.' As such, Renovationism asserts that any movement or idea, regardless of political leanings, which ignores the well-being of our environment and the looming climate crisis, must be promptly called-out, taken to task, and if it should be so, rebuked and perpetually-shunned.
Along with many other sectors within society, this is an area where the State shall play a crucial role, as issues of such critical importance can no longer be left to chance or "individual choice" - to this effect, man must once again learn to embrace hard truth and face it head on, rather than ignore it and focus on creating distractions for himself, lest human society as a whole be lost to the march of history.
12. -- SUSTAINABILITY AND THE REJECTION OF CONSUMER CULTURE - Renovationism advocates for the scaling-back of market excess and 'wasteful' consumer technology, in favor of wide-scale public investment into sustainability initiatives with an emphasis on utility, efficiency and clean-living over the pursuit of needless luxury. In order to properly address our socio-economic ills, we must first restore balance between mankind and his natural environment, which may only be accomplished through a mass rejection of modern consumer culture.
13. -- STEWARDSHIP AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVICE - Renovationism advocates for a total cultural rebirth, one which emphasizes a nationwide commitment to service, stewardship, mutual aid, and personal material sacrifice for all citizens - these values should first be instilled in the populace at an early age, then reaffirmed and encouraged consistently by the State within every aspect of day-to-day life.
The era of fractured communities, blind egos and senseless competition pioneered by capitalism, must be brought to an end if we are to survive as a species.
14. -- FAMILY VALUES - Renovationism asserts the following, of which everything else by extension is plainly obvious:
The traditional family unit is the cornerstone of civilization and must be protected by the State at any cost; furthermore, the State shall also be entrusted with safeguarding the well-being of the nation's children/youth, no matter what that entails - if it should fail in these duties, it shall then subsequently lose all legitimacy, until the standing authority can be taken to task and promptly replaced.
15. -- "NATURAL RIGHTS, AS AN EXTENSION OF ONE'S DUTIES TO ONESELF, ONE'S FAMILY, ONE'S COMMUNITY AND ONE'S PEOPLE." - Renovationism asserts that 'human rights' are not inalienable gifts from a divine power, but rather, historically-evident concepts that may be observed and understood through proper study, which ultimately stem from one's individual duties as a member of society - that is, your rights begin and end within the parameters of duty, while those things which infringe upon or otherwise hinder your ability to fulfill your obligations, cannot be considered rights at all and must be wholly discouraged. Although, it can be reasonably stated that not all societies are created equal, just as with individuals and their lineages, one may find a guiding light toward the understanding of 'Natural Rights' in those societies which adequately preserved their people, their culture and their domains, whilst maintaining a steady pace toward brighter futures without descending into chaos and disorder. Within the context of civil society, the Natural Rights are to arise from the legal codes which shall be derived from Natural Law, universally-applied and upheld by a higher system of authority - not some party line or vague doctrine stemming from the words of individual figureheads.
16. -- MARTIAL VIRTUES - "Discipline, Dedication, Teamwork, Loyalty, Proper Order, and Commitment to a Higher Cause" - these are the martial virtues, from which Renovationism takes considerable inspiration. The Renovationist applies these moral orders within every aspect of their life, whether during times of work or leisure, as they set an example for their fellow citizens to follow.
Expanding on this, it is imperative that these virtues are not only taught in school, but actively integrated into all aspects of the curriculum - from social studies and applied sciences to athletics and beyond - so as to adequately prepare the next generation for both the hardships and successes of life, while also instilling a strong sense of belonging and what it means to be a proper, Renovationist citizen.
17. -- MERITOCRACY AND A BALANCE OF POWERS - Renovationism holds that those elected/appointed to power must not only be generally fit for their roles as representatives, but also worthy enough to be counted as professionals within their particular fields of operation. For those seeking an administrative position within government or the public market (labor, commercial, or specialty), rigorous testing should be performed, which measures physical, mental, social, intellectual and emotional aptitude - not excluding loyalty of course. 'Meritocracy' - government by people selected on the basis of their ability - forms a crucial part of the Renovationist strategy for state-craft, to be balanced with other forces toward a common order, which benefits the nation as a whole. Expanding on this, Renovationism affirms that there are several areas within society which can and should be run by consensus (democracy), while there are others which must be administered by decree through the proper authorities; however, in most areas, ideally, one should find a cross-section of both tendencies. A system where the collective will of the people is respected and applied appropriately, while those seeking power are ultimately held to a higher standard, comparable to their peers. In addition, a resolute and proper order of regimentation must be implemented within each section of society, with a clear line of communication between them to maintain long-term unity, efficiency and stability. The specifics of such a system will vary naturally from nation to nation; therefore, it is of the utmost importance to consider local realities when planning future policies and political strategies.
18. -- COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND THE CAUSE OF NATURAL LAW - In all things, Renovationism seeks justice - unrelenting and inexorable. The Renovationist understands that justice only exists where it is pursued and therefore, the State must construct an orderly and unrepentant judiciary system, geared toward the pursuit of justice at all levels without compromise.
In the context of law itself, Renovationism asserts that Natural Law, that is, law derived from universal, unchanging principles - as opposed to common law ('case law'), clerical law ('canonical law'), or anti-law ('antinomianism') - must reign supreme in order for society to function properly. According to the Renovationist, the old legal systems are inherently corrupt and often one-sided in their application, offering little in the way of social consistency or overall civil value.
In order to apply and maintain a Natural Law system, in addition to building a stalwart court system, there must be a singular legal code by which the whole of society (from top to bottom) operates, with an appropriate class of people to facilitate and sustain its application - none shall be exempt and in all things there shall be uniformity. The Renovationist State may not exist outside of Natural Law, for this is ultimately what separates Renovationism from other political movements of similar background and inclination.
19. -- REBIRTH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT - Renovationism seeks to rekindle humanity's primeval sense of spirit - that sixth sense and reverence for the primordial forces of nature, internal and external - which has historically laid the groundwork for humanity's religious, cultural and metaphysical traditions. Whether these tendencies stem from an evolutionary peculiarity, some latent connection to divine forces, or something in-between, such instincts must be encouraged and nurtured, not denied nor suppressed.
Proper social values, including unity, patriotism, sacrifice, stewardship, good work ethic and commitment to a higher truth, all stem from these instincts; therefore, it is of grave importance that the spiritual traditions of humanity are adequately preserved and integrated into the mode of the State.
20. -- ANTI-IMPERIALISM AND AN OPPOSITION TO MONARCHY - Renovationism opposes imperialism in all its forms, while also rejecting monarchy and royalism on the basis that they are archaic, obsolete, corruptible and best left in the past where they belong.
Although republicanism, as we understand it in a post-(e)nlightenment context, is full of serious flaws which must be addressed, returning to an absolutist system of hereditary rule or so-called "divine right" is not the answer to the unique problems which we now face.
21. -- ANTI-TRANSHUMANISM - Renovationism stands against transhumanism both philosophically and as a political movement, on the basis that it constitutes a blatant series of attempts at tampering with the natural order ("playing God"/"proclaiming dominion over nature"), which history consistently shows is opt to backfire, often horrendously; furthermore, looking back on mankind's track record with both animal experimentation and human experimentation alike, the potential for 'higher' horrors arising from such endeavors is far too great to warrant their normalization, regardless of perceived benefits.
Augmenting the human biological and/or neurological form with technological fabrications must be thoroughly prohibited, except in those situations where it is deemed medically necessary (and in such cases it must be closely regulated).
22. -- SYNCRETICISM - Renovationism is a syncretic ideology by design, in that it takes from all corners of the conventional political spectrum in some capacity, toward an agenda designed to benefit the nation as a whole. Although Renovationism remains true to its tenets and principles, material, social, and organizational adaptability are wholly permitted, where such flexibility is deemed necessary to suit local conditions - "from the left, right, and center, we shall take those ideas which would benefit the nation as a whole, while discarding those that would cause the nation any sort of harm or otherwise provide no tangible benefit."
DISCLAIMER: RENOVATIONISM IS A CIVIL IDEAL, THAT RESPECTS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND OPPOSES ANY KIND OF ILLEGALITY OR DISORDER ON BEHALF OF IDEOLOGY (OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON).
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN PEACE, CIVILITY, AND RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY AND THE RULE OF LAW; I DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ENDORSE VIOLENCE NOR SOCIAL UNREST OF ANY KIND. ~ Reno South
