Let the ruling classes tremble – an Interactive Revolutionary AAR

[Raph]

Again, you only recite tired old ideals and provide no solutions. We all know the evils of the capitalist system, it is after all why we became party members in the first place, but how can we possibly continue on the path to revolution when our people are not getting proper healthcare, or pensions, or subsidies? Our debt crisis is a reality, cutting social services is a reality. You cannot use idealism to fight facts.

Adopting this new economic policy proposed by the Democrats is taking a first step down the road back towards capitalism. We do need to free ourselves from the influence of the capitalist empires. The best way of doing so is to press the advantage where we have it: through military means. To declare openly to the world that the VSVR no longer dares to threaten the empires of capital is an invitation for them to press the advantage they have: the monetary one. We should fight the empires without regard to what the kings and bosses of Europe think of our "agressiveness" and force them to pay us reparations. It's only fair, considering how they've robbed and raped the masses of the world for centuries.

 

[thekonkoe]

Adopting this new economic policy proposed by the Democrats is taking a first step down the road back towards capitalism. We do need to free ourselves from the influence of the capitalist empires. The best way of doing so is to press the advantage where we have it: through military means. To declare openly to the world that the VSVR no longer dares to threaten the empires of capital is an invitation for them to press the advantage they have: the monetary one. We should fight the empires without regard to what the kings and bosses of Europe think of our "agressiveness" and force them to pay us reparations. It's only fair, considering how they've robbed and raped the masses of the world for centuries.

While, your wariness of capitalism is well placed, your desire to use war to prop up our economy is not sustainable, it can only be perpetuated so long as conquest continues. Can we conquer the world before the dissatisfaction at home becomes too much, before the powers of the world unite against us? And what if we succeed, and are then unable to deliver the promise of communism once war is over, what then? Communism will appear a lie and be rejected, and the glorious and inevitable revolution will be threatened because we called for war. War is the mechanism by which we show our superiority, that we showcase the superiority of socialism, the mechanism by which revolution is strengthened, yes. But it is a fool that fights all his enemies at once, that punches the sleeping lion and kicks the lazy bear, before he even nurses his wounds from fighting the eagle and the cock.

 

[Communard]

With it now clear that the Dems are going to do rather well I've been thinking of who I could add to that faction. I've settled on Julius Martov (the leader of the RL Mensheviks) as a definite. Enewald will no doubt rage at another Slav entering our Germanic Socialist Imperium but I quite like Martov (although not his politics) so he gets in. I reckon we can have a 3rd Dem and that leaves a question - Jaures or Ebert ?

For a Republic once filled with important Frenchmen we haven't had any for some time so Juares might be a decent catch. However France is now a Republic so he might have less reason to come over. Ebert is also a German but might be a bit of a drag on the Democrat support here in the AAR due to his position as a bit of a hate figure for his RL betrayals of socialism. So I'm undecided.

It would be rather amusing to have Ebert involved with a faction in coalition with the great Luxemburg, when in real life he collaborated with her murderers. Speaking of that era, what's Liebknecht junior up to right now? I imagine the experiences of his father will have shaped his politics immensely. Jaures, on the other hand, seems perfect for the Democrats. Although he does seem like the kind of man to try and further the cause of Socialism in France. He could perhaps leave France in disgust at the Dreyfus affair? Although, if the Socialists were to win an election in France, he would be a perfect leader to seek a detente with the VSVR. Not sure how likely that is, though.

Sorry comrade, but that just sounds like wishful thinking to me. Why should a chairman who is not elected by the people care how popular he is with them?

How long do you think a Chairman who is faced with continual censures by the Assembly is likely to remain popular with the Party? The Party cares what the people think, if only because of the example of what happens when they don't. We don't want to become another Spain.

Minor political point???
The chairman decides if we go to war or not! That is a matter of life or death!!!
Regional workers' participation in the economic decision process is all nice and well, but that alone certainly won't lead to "True Democracy".
And what about the rural population? Why should they stay disenfranchised?

Well, I personally believe that enfranchisement of the rural population is inevitable in time. I don't agree with the entirety of any faction's platform, I never have. Putting aside that most workers will care more about the soviet system than electing a distant chairman, think of what having the Assembly fully elected by the people means. For the first time in the history of our republic, we will have a body which is fully representative of the people. It can be a second voice of the people, alongside the Soviets. The Luxemburgist platform is the platform which most elevates the political status of ordinary men and women. The Democratic reforms keep the current 50/50 system, which is less democratic! And you voted Moderate, who want to keep the current system, which is flawed and more undemocratic than any of the reform options.

 

[LordTempest]

Adopting this new economic policy proposed by the Democrats is taking a first step down the road back towards capitalism. We do need to free ourselves from the influence of the capitalist empires. The best way of doing so is to press the advantage where we have it: through military means. To declare openly to the world that the VSVR no longer dares to threaten the empires of capital is an invitation for them to press the advantage they have: the monetary one. We should fight the empires without regard to what the kings and bosses of Europe think of our "agressiveness" and force them to pay us reparations. It's only fair, considering how they've robbed and raped the masses of the world for centuries.

Again, as thekonkoe has said the Democrats aren't for unilateral disarmament, they are for peace. How can we think of war when we cannot finance our social reforms? How can we wage costly war after costly war and expect our economy to improve as a result? How would increasing our territory and our population make social reforms more affordable? We must fix our people and our republic first!

I've settled on Julius Martov

Really? please put him with the Moderates.

I like Jaures, but I'm worried that including another dove would add coal to the fire of the hawks who paint the Democrats as cowards and pacifists (even though they might be). Regardless on how you take the Democrats in regards to military policy I would prefer someone more hawkish as a contrast.

 

[Tommy4ever]

@ Communard: Yes, this is what I meant by Ebert being a bit of a hate figure. Your Dreyfus affair idea seems good.

As For Karl Liebknecht (there was another brother whose name I forget as well) he will probably join the CC after this election. He will be the fiercely anti-Leninist (for the reasons you mentioned) wing of the Luxemburgists.

 

[Enewald]

Take Ebert.
Let the Frenchman serve chaos in France.

Oh ffs, why another Russian commie?
I hate Russian commies!

 

[cpteveros]

Well Enewald, they hate you too.

 

[thekonkoe]

Just to have some more Germans on the CC, how about Philipp Scheidemann for the Democrats, hes a bit young, and a bit more capitalist in RL, but hes also more hawkish, and more German.

EDIT:
Actually Scheidemann is only as hawkish as Ebert. They are both pragmatic in their pacifism at best. If I'm not mistaken, both voted to enter WWI and both voted to support continued funding. While against war in principle (like most socialists at the time) they still supported it in practice.

 

[WelshDude]

It took you 3 hours in the middle of the day to get agitated? Patience is a virute WelshDude.

Isn't that a bourgoeise saying?????!!!!!! The revolution must go on, the faster the better!

I edited the game to create the VSVR in 1836. Then I placed an LF Party with free trade, residency and everything else I could think of that was capitalists (they were called the anti-revolutionaries ) and left things until 1850. I had expected the Prussians to attack, but they never di. Quite impressively I was actually once attacked by the vile Frenchies but won a WP (I put everything in the Saar and waited until they gave up). Despite becoming a GP during this period I didn't use any influence points. I also researched mostly industrial techs.

That's basically how we got to 1850 - I'll admit Prussia's timidity towards me from game start until I annexed them was kinda disapointing..

Very odd. Good work beating france, was the anti-revoultionaries purely for story purposes? Reactionaries (I assume they were) should not be put in to power lightly!

Finally, POLLS!

Total - 55 (very impressive, this may well be a record breaking election )

Lux - 21
Dems - 14
M-Ls - 13
Mils - 5
Mods - 2

Interesting results.

With it now clear that the Dems are going to do rather well I've been thinking of who I could add to that faction. I've settled on Julius Martov (the leader of the RL Mensheviks) as a definite. Enewald will no doubt rage at another Slav entering our Germanic Socialist Imperium but I quite like Martov (although not his politics) so he gets in. I reckon we can have a 3rd Dem and that leaves a question - Jaures or Ebert ?

For a Republic once filled with important Frenchmen we haven't had any for some time so Juares might be a decent catch. However France is now a Republic so he might have less reason to come over. Ebert is also a German but might be a bit of a drag on the Democrat support here in the AAR due to his position as a bit of a hate figure for his RL betrayals of socialism. So I'm undecided.

I stand by my statement the Worker's Vote will allow the Democrats to sweep in to power. Knowing the seats are like this:
Lux 19
Len 12
Dem 13
Miltarists 5
Moderates 2

The Lux-Dem coalition need 19 seats from the Worker's Vote, something I'm sure the Dems will surpass themselves. Any chance the Moderates and/or Militarists dissolving?

Adopting this new economic policy proposed by the Democrats is taking a first step down the road back towards capitalism. We do need to free ourselves from the influence of the capitalist empires. The best way of doing so is to press the advantage where we have it: through military means. To declare openly to the world that the VSVR no longer dares to threaten the empires of capital is an invitation for them to press the advantage they have: the monetary one. We should fight the empires without regard to what the kings and bosses of Europe think of our "agressiveness" and force them to pay us reparations. It's only fair, considering how they've robbed and raped the masses of the world for centuries.

Ever heard of pragmatism?????

@ Communard: Yes, this is what I meant by Ebert being a bit of a hate figure. Your Dreyfus affair idea seems good.

As For Karl Liebknecht (there was another brother whose name I forget as well) he will probably join the CC after this election. He will be the fiercely anti-Leninist (for the reasons you mentioned) wing of the Luxemburgists.

The CC? Is this a spoiler?

 

[thekonkoe]

Thinking of possible Democrat members Pravus also comes to mind. Probably still much too young, but I like him.

 

[Phalanxia]

Keir Hardie, anyone?

 

[Communard]

Careful comrades, how can we expect other powers to have revolutions of their own if all their revolutionaries are in Cologne?

 

[LordTempest]

Keir Hardie, anyone?

Surely you jest... (Hardie was the first leader of the Labour party, right?)

Though it would be nice to have some Britons in the VSVR instead of the usual French and Russians.

 

[KomodoWaran]

Well, I personally believe that enfranchisement of the rural population is inevitable in time. I don't agree with the entirety of any faction's platform, I never have. Putting aside that most workers will care more about the soviet system than electing a distant chairman, think of what having the Assembly fully elected by the people means. For the first time in the history of our republic, we will have a body which is fully representative of the people. It can be a second voice of the people, alongside the Soviets. The Luxemburgist platform is the platform which most elevates the political status of ordinary men and women. The Democratic reforms keep the current 50/50 system, which is less democratic! And you voted Moderate, who want to keep the current system, which is flawed and more undemocratic than any of the reform options.

Well, you won't convince me and I won't convince you.

Let us agree to disagree then, comrade.

 

[naggy]

Let us agree to disagree then, comrade.

To be a true Communist, you must demand that we all disagree equally!

 

[WelshDude]

Surely you jest... (Hardie was the first leader of the Labour party, right?)

Though it would be nice to have some Britons in the VSVR instead of the usual French and Russians.

First MP, possibly first chairman, but the leader position wasn't established until the 1930(I think).

Well, you won't convince me and I won't convince you.

Let us agree to disagree then, comrade..

While I echo the seintiment, since you both seem to be in favour of enfranchising farmers, i would advise you agree to agree.

 

[Alexey Romanov]

Democrats.

 

[Tommy4ever]

Quick question!

Are you all so turned off Kropotkin that you'd see him as an electoral liability for the Anarchists if they revive themselves?

If my fears about big K are right then we are to turn to Emma Goldman. Her backstory would make plenty of sense, especially compared to my many previous backstories of revolutionaries randomly deciding to waltz into the upper echelons of VSVR politics whilst in their teens ). In RL she left Russia at 16 in 1885 for New York, in this reality she would surely just hop over the border into the VSVR.

Also, I hope no one is opposed to the introduction of Ernst Thalmann into the story. He's going to be a Marxist-Leninist.

BTW, in case your wondering I'm trying to formulate the new Central Committee at the moment.

 

[Raph]

Quick question!

Are you all so turned off Kropotkin that you'd see him as an electoral liability for the Anarchists if they revive themselves?

If my fears about big K are right then we are to turn to Emma Goldman. Her backstory would make plenty of sense, especially compared to my many previous backstories of revolutionaries randomly deciding to waltz into the upper echelons of VSVR politics whilst in their teens ). In RL she left Russia at 16 in 1885 for New York, in this reality she would surely just hop over the border into the VSVR.

Also, I hope no one is opposed to the introduction of Ernst Thalmann into the story. He's going to be a Marxist-Leninist.

BTW, in case your wondering I'm trying to formulate the new Central Committee at the moment.

I'll never vote for the anarchists, so I guess my opinion doesn't matter, but I'd like Kropotkin to come back for the simple reason that his name came up when I was doing some reading today, but not because of anarchism but because he, as a zoologist, made pioneering work on the role of altruism in evolution which I found awesome.

Happy to see Thälmann come along, by the way! Maybe later on we could have a Thälmann batallion (or I guess it'd have to be a brigade in-game) in some war somewhere

 

[Enewald]

Quick question!

Are you all so turned off Kropotkin that you'd see him as an electoral liability for the Anarchists if they revive themselves?

If my fears about big K are right then we are to turn to Emma Goldman. Her backstory would make plenty of sense, especially compared to my many previous backstories of revolutionaries randomly deciding to waltz into the upper echelons of VSVR politics whilst in their teens ). In RL she left Russia at 16 in 1885 for New York, in this reality she would surely just hop over the border into the VSVR.

Also, I hope no one is opposed to the introduction of Ernst Thalmann into the story. He's going to be a Marxist-Leninist.

BTW, in case your wondering I'm trying to formulate the new Central Committee at the moment.

'K' for Killing Kropotkin.
He damned our cause. Why couldn't they just kill him???
Even if I am for anarchy, Kropotkin is not the one who shall see things done. He had his chance, and he failed miserably.

Goldman can try better. Although she has a counterrevolutionary name.
Ah well, she might die anyway in the next putsch that Luxemburg and Lenin start again the opposition.
Good riddance beforehand.