Illuminism

**Illuminism** is a new doctrine in the international stage that speaks of the ideology of ascendancy; the process in which humanity will be uplifted to become a much superior species than what it currently is, while also rejecting the mainline ideals of both the present and past. It was invented and developed in Albion by Alexandria Ashwood. Illuminism supports the expansion and acceleration of certain techno-social processes to generate radical social change, aiming to identify, deepen, and radicalize the forces of modernization and technological progress to achieve certain goals of social transformation. It's widely supported by the Avant-Garde intelligentsia, Highly Skilled Thaumatologists, Emerging Transhumanist Industrial Leaders, Mundane Sympathetic Metahuman Lords, and Mundanes wishing to be uplifted. Illuminism stands in stark opposition to Metahuman Supremacist Beliefs; as Illuminists believe that one day the difference between the two groups would become irreverent. Most Illuminists consider themselves beyond the Left-Right Political Paradigm.

## Sub-Ideologies

### Orthodox Illuminism

Orthodox Illuminism, also known to most as Idealized or Utopian Illuminism, is seen by most Illuminism as less of a political strain and more of the ideal end goal for all strains of Illuminism. Most of the ideals of it and all other strains of Illuminism can trace their origins back to the manifesto that created the ideological tenets of the movement. Because Orthodox Illuminism describes more on what an Illuminist state ought to be like most Illuminist movements do not practice it, not even Albion.

### Experimental Illuminism

This strain is the most common one found throughout the world. Called by some as Idiosyncratic Illuminism or Practical Illuminism, the main focus of Experimental Illuminism is about knowledge, enlightenment, and experimentation. Many view this as less of a sub ideology and more as the developmental stage to realize the Utopian vision of Illuminism. Many experiment with different processes in order to achieve apotheosis and to research what happens should one truly ascend. The methods and practices of this strain varies wildly from different practitioners, often causing many heated debates and fights among different Illuminists. Albion was the first state to become one to practice Illuminism and was the birthplace of Orthodex Illuminism, as such many Illuminists from around the world gather to the city as sort of secular Mecca. Many of the sub-ideologies and strains of Illuminism were all at one point consider Experimental Illuminists beliefs and practices before they gain a sufficient number of followers to become their own sub movements and thoughts within the greater Illuminist movement.

### Accelerationism

Accelerationism, also known as Neo-Futurism, is an avant-garde artistic and socio-political movement and ideology that combines Illuminism with revolutionary, nationalist, corporatist and populist ideas. Accelerationism promotes the idea of certain process, such as economic growth and technological change, should be drastically intensified to create further radical social change. Many Accelerationists believe that for a new Illuminist future to be made the old systems suppressing it’s rise must first be destroyed, thus many wish to accelerate all possible factors that can lead to the destruction of the old system. Although its concept of a desired economic and political structure varies from country to country, is commonly characterised by glorification of modernity, worship of technological innovations, anti-capitalism and rejection of all things considered traditional or bourgeois. The New Americian Union is the birthplace of Accelerationism with the disgraced meta lord, Nick Land, as the head of the movement.

### Illuminated Surrealism

Illuminated Surrealism, also known as Future Surrealism, is the concept that the state and reality itself is a mental construct and that the arts and humanities can not only allow one to understand the collective consciousness that creates reality but to shape those minds and in turn reality itself. Many wish to break down the societal and mental barriers humanity has placed on itself and over stimulate mankind’s senses to produce surreal manipulations upon society and the world to elevate mankind into divinity and allow the world to be changed as easily as a painting. This strain of Illuminism is popular among artists, poets and philosophers. Surrealists movements are known for being highly performative, hedonist, and hectic movements. This movement started in the Holy French Empire and was forced to flee into Albion when French authorities began a crackdown on the Surrealist for producing “Degenerate Art”. A few Surrealists are under the employment of Freyja von Ehrenburg of the South American Reich, who is a notable patron of the Surrealist artworks.

### Symbolism

Symbolism is the adoration of nature and spirituality. Essentially, a mystical and religious sub-set of Illuminism, Symbolism is however not a reactionary movement despite it's attachment to some traditional thoughts and belief that some older methods must be rediscovered, seeing that some ideas and practices of the past can be resurrected to work much better in modern times. The embrace of various ideas on the preservation of landscape and wildlife, interpretation of natural and supernatural events, self-reflective personal journeys, and other similar beliefs center around ecology and metaphysics. They believe in a Cosmic Order that lies beyond the comprehension of materialism and rationality.

### Constructivism

Constructivism is the merger of Illuminist and Socialist ideologies, thus earning the nickname of Illuminated Socialism. Constructivists see the current world order as one still haunted by the order that preceded it as they still see a vice grip over the international proletariat and most meta lords as a new class of bourgeois. For many, the ideas of Neo-Feudalism and Meta-powers have become a replacement for all of the ills Capitalism use to bring. Many Constructivist support the liberation of the mundane proletarians and wish to end the divide between mundanes and metahumans.. As such, many subscribe to an idea called “Technocratic Socialism”; a concept of a state run by workers that governs based on their skills and qualifications, not by their powers, wealth, and familial connections. They also believe in giving all equal rights, protection, and welfare and that the means of production should be own by the community as a whole. It is these humanist ideas that many Constructivists are seen as radicals by many members of mainstream socialist thought, often they are compared to the old fringe thinkers of socialism, though many Constructivists claim that their brand of socialism takes account of the new reality of a post meta world. Many Constructivist arise from parts within Eastern Europe and Asia before leaving those regions for realms that would not suppress their ideals, such as Albion and Central Asia with a small sect within South East Asia, India, and Oceania.

### Resurrectionist

The Resurrectionists, also known as the Rejuvenatists or National Illuminists, believe in the concept of “National Rebirth”; that their state is decaying under the current system and that only by their brand of Illuminism can they revitalize and restore their home into a greater form. A highly nationalist ideology, much of its ideals would vary from country to country, but a few recurring characters is the belief of the centralization of political power into a powerful leadership (whether it be an individual or collective) to guide the state to a brighter future, the acceleration of socio-economic development via the expansion of corporatism under the guidance of the state, and to unite "cluster" of closely related ethnic or cultural groups into a single unit and lead them forward to a new age of the nation as a new national identity. This strain is willing revise old traditions and formulate new mythos for the state. Many, both within and outside Illuminism, often accuse many Resurrectionists as being crypto-fascists. This strain is popular among refugees with nationalist sentiments who fled into Albion that wish to return to their former homes and rebuild them.

### Technocracy

Technocracy is an ideology that advocates to select decision-makers on the basis of their expertise in professional knowledge, particularly in scientific and sorcerous fields, to lead the country forward, rather than political affiliations or parliamentary skills. Technocracy presents a project of a social order in which governance is conducted through scientific methods instead of a popular, spiritual or dictatorial mandate. This ideology explicitly contrasts with the notion that elected representatives should be the primary decision-makers in government, though it does not necessarily imply eliminating elected representatives. Though the implementation of these methods varies among different governments, the constants are an establishment of an extensive bureaucracy, limitations placed on the democratic process, and elements of economic planning instituted to various degrees. The social and economic forces compromising a society are to be understood and sufficiently mastered, then directed towards some kind of common good through the practice of social engineering. To achieve this goal, technocrats support advancements in technology, seeing methods used in its production as analogous to ones that can be useful in organizing a state. Like Accelerationism, this ideology sees a large following in NAU, but also in Albion, Central and East Asia.

### Democratic Illuminism

Known to its supporters as Enlighten Democracy, is a political, social and economic ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a market capitalist or socialist economy, as well as a policy regime involving a commitment to representative/semi-direct democracy, measures for income redistribution, and regulation of the economy in the general interest and welfare state provisions. It still carries the commitment to transhumanist ideals which are at the core of Illuminism, but many have harsh criticism to some followers who often disregard the will of the common people on whether they have a choice to ascend or not, and how some openly favor authoritarianism. In turn, some Illuminists accused Democratic Illuminist of having sympathies for the Old World, or even being Resistance sympathizers. Despite these harsh accusations, Democratic Illuminists support the advancement of science, magic, technology, economic development, social order, artistic creativity and human augmentation, like all other Illuminists. They also believe that power should be decentralized as much as possible and that all people, regardless of sex, creed, race, and powers, should all be free and equal. They also reject any forms of a two party system and favor multiparty systems, believing that this would create a balance and fair representation of the people. The ultimate goal for all Democratic Illuminist is to create a society of enlighten minds and advance cybernetics and artificial intelligences to create a perfected and globalized direct democratic system.  This movement is popular in the NAU, but also has proponents in Scandinavia, Central Asia, and even in Albion itself.