Kilarism

In Aratacian political discussion, **Kilarism** is the term used to describe the policies and style of rule undertaken by the current King of the Aratacians, Sevrasi XI. It is generally considered to be a moderately conservative, highly protectionist quasi-ideology which places long-term stability-- within the country, within international politics, and within the economy-- as it's primary goal, with the end being to prolong the extended period of peace that has emerged after the Ascendancy War and make the most out of it in terms of economic growth and international prestige.

Kilarism finds its basis in Aratacia's unique geopolitical position as an economically and militarily strong power which is nonetheless geographically distant from the heart of galactic geopolitics and is insulated by favourable defensive etherography. These circumstances radically pare down the number of Aratacia's essential strategic commitments, and this allows the country to participate in the international order more or less on its own terms. This gives Kilarism a distinctly pragmatic, non-ideological bent that its critics consider rather cynical.

Domestically, Kilarism calls for interventionist policies in the market with the goal of keeping growth steady, sustainable, and with little reliance on foreign trade. King Sevrasi XI's government makes limited use of market regulation in key growth industries to cool speculative bubbles, even at the expense of sizable windfalls. Medium and small business is actively encouraged with tax breaks and subsidies, whereas the power of large and entrenched corporations is controlled through the prevention of large mergers, the institution of corporate taxes, and regulation to limit capital flight out of the country by mandating that a significant portion of currency reserves be kept in the national currency, a significant portion of corporate assets must be based in Aratacia proper, and taxes must be paid in cubits. HM government forbids the ownership of Aratacian land or space to non-citizens, and forbids some foreign megacorporations from operating inside of the country, such as GladreCorp. Under Kilarism, Aratacia has attempted to be an export-oriented country.

Kilarism values a stable, peaceful international order. To this end, it calls for the support of, and active participation in, alliances such as the Grand Concourse Treaty Organization on a pragmatic basis. Membership in the GCTO provides Aratacia security, a ready group of potential trading partners, and the ability to influence the international order in a way far less risky or costly than open warfare. As a major member of the Alliance and a victorious party in the Ascendancy War, it also provides a great deal of international prestige to maintain participation. Aside from participation in the GCTO, Aratacia cultivates a working diplomatic relationship with the dominant power of each region of the galaxy in order to mutually maintain stability and local dominance in their parts of the galaxy. Aratacia considers itself the Axanar region's foremost power. In order to satisfy these geopolitical imperatives, a large military is maintained by Kilarist Aratacia. This is both to credibly satisfy its commitments to the Grand Alliance as well as enforce its local dominance in the Axanar region.