AkkenNovikov

**Akken Novikov** is the leader of New Jersey, and a prominent statesman of the Union of Communist Republics. A former Premier of the UCR, and Defense Commissar: Akken Novikov was also a founder and President of the Union of Democratic Communist States.

## Political Ideology

Nihilistic Socialism was a term used to describe the ideology of the RNJ government as early as 2013 at a state conference in Trenton by the now-former Leader of the Socialist Republic of Norris. After this, the movement caught on, and Akken moved to solidify the tenets of this idea.

NS is more of a philosophical ideology than an economic theory, focusing more on human morality and general aspects of human existence within a socialist state. He promoted a “Moral re-evaluation of the human condition within the Left.” The "Nihilism" in the name refers to the rejection of the generally accepted norms of some leftist regimes and is considered more of a criticism of the ideology by those that consider themselves as Socialists.

**The Crisis of the Left:**
Akken believed the left was suffering from a moral crisis of consciousness. The inability of its ideas to move more of the populations of the suffering as predicted, the over-reliance on antiquated un-scientific dogma, and the overall highjacking of the ideology in some cases. He also believed that the failure of the left is, more often than not, self-inflicted rather than the fault of outside influences due to a loss of identity and willingness to face its own faults. It proposed a radical retooling of what the intermediate goals of Socialism are and how to achieve them without crushing the identities of the populations it is supposed to serve.

**Individualism within Socialism:**
Akken proposed that most leftist ideologies tended to discount or avoid the discussion of the individual in society, instead focusing on the collective actions of the society as a whole. While more traditional forms of Socialism would work in other parts of the world, in America, whose societies were based on the individual, Socialism directly conflicted with the American mindset. It would have to adapt if it were to take root without bloodshed.
Nihilistic Socialism focuses on the individual’s natural need for self-improvement. He believed this drive was a fundamental human function and that the Left had discounted this factor. Even hindering it in pursuing its goals, assuming that every human would find an instant meaning within the new order. Freedom in the traditional American sense should be a significant priority to allow the Socialist cultural shift to take place, easing the tension in areas where Socialism would traditionally be fought against.

**The Morality within Socialism:**
The Moral focus of Nihilisitc Socialism shows a belief in what it calls “Basic Human Truths.” The belief is that the individual creates the foundation of society and thus cannot be ignored. Humans must find meaning in the meaningless to be productive members of any society. Morality extends from humanity and not from faith, either religious or from human created dogma as these are a reflection of the human condition. Basic human rights are to be observed and practiced by any state calling itself Socialist.

**Criticism of Other Leftist States:**
Nihilistic Socialism rejected the hardline attitudes of other communist regimes, Gulags, purges, and mass classifications of enemies of the state for stability is seen as a betrayal of the overall ideology and betrayed the trust of the working classes. He also stated that these brutal actions would sway others sympathetic to the cause to turn away and side with the bourgeoisie.

**Criticism of Nihilisitc Socialism:**
Before his death, former General Secretary Warren Jarol, in exile in the RNJ, blasted Akken and his ideology as “a perversion of the ideas [of Marx] and betrayal of the left.” and also that it limited the state’s power to eliminate subversive elements of the enemy. At a state address, President Novikov would respond. “... and where is the mighty Republic of Norris?” Three weeks later, Warren was found dead in his home.