United Democratic Communist Party

Definition

The United Democratic Communist Party is a political party of the NationStates General fora. It was the first such party to come into being, and was founded when Pure Metal joined Ariddia to create it.

The Party attracted new members, who, together, drew up a manifesto. It took part in the first ever NS General Election, and won three seats out of twenty-five, with 10.32% of the votes.

Manifesto

The UDCP focuses on social rights, with environmental concerns also occupying an important place in the manifesto. Notable points include the abolition of money, and the establishing of a fairer economic basis to provide for the needs of all.

The Manifesto was drawn up by all members of the party, following our belief that all should have a say in any party issue. It reads as follows:

Belief

• the affirmation of the belief that capitalism is degrading to humankind, contrary to the most basic rights of individual, and is not conducive to a coherent society in which the well-being of all would be upheld and ensured

The Economy

• full nationalisation of the economy
• the abolishing of money, in favour of a system based on the principle of “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”. All would produce, and in return take what they need for free. Various types of contribution to society are accepted.
• during the transitional period, taxes on wealth being hoarded and gradual elimination of money will take place along with gradually publicising services, gradual government control over distribution of goods and encouraged communal sharing. Guidelines will be supplied to citizens and producers as to how the amounts and distribution of products will work so they have the information to make the transitions.
• ensuring all basic needs such as housing, warmth, water and food are met for all
• ensuring that everyone contributing to society to the best of their ability takes back whatever they may need including recreational means
• for “undesirable” and unskilled jobs there will be a large-scale rota system that works locally so that everyone (groups of people that are in demand will be exempt i.e. if there is a shortage in doctors they will be exempt from the rota system) is involved. Anyone unwilling to do so will have their rights limited and repeat offenders will have their citizenship revoked. The rota will be to fill gaps and people will still be encouraged to voluntary contribute to the workload.
• for trading internationally through governments a “barter” system will be involved to exchange imports for exports, value depending on quantity and demand; we will strive to stay as self-reliant as possible. Any trading partners who are reluctant to barter, we will trade using the money already in the country and make sure we always export more than we import.

Health Care

• free universal healthcare
• investment in information & research regarding cancer and Aids.
• family planning programmes & encouraging contraception techniques
• contraception widely available to anyone

Education

• free education for all, including university education
• compulsory education for all, from ages 4 to university level (flexible years)
• high investment & priority in education
• philosophy and critical thinking lessons are compulsory
• training and apprenticeship schemes to be introduced & encouraged on top of existing learning methods with vocational courses
• nurturing and encouragement of individual, varied skills and abilities
• sex education to be highly prioritised along with general health and safety

Governance

• written constitution
• all residents of a country have the right to vote
• separation of state, police and judiciary systems
• voting age of 16
• direct democracy will be used through a tech system with various levels of forums to discuss issues. There will be trained people to organise and run this, writing proposals, putting the laws into effect and organising local meetings at least on an annual basis. Voting will eventually be done through a tech system once a developed, reliable system is formed.
• voting will be done in special buildings with an electronic system rather than at home for security reasons.
• decisions on some issues will be local or regional decisions i.e. decentralization
• direct democracy means there will be no parliament as decisions will be made by the people leading to a form of anarchy

The Envrionment

• A more extensive public transport, and a limit on the use of private cars (or, at least, they would be discouraged).
• Cutting back on the wastage of over-production
• Abandoning fossil fuels in favour of clean, renewable forms of energy: wind, solar, tidal…
• Looking into ways of making nuclear power safer, as a supplement?
• recycling and sustainable production methods to be encouraged
• adherence to the Kyoto agreement

Freedom

• opposing all forms of discrimination, be they based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, age, religion or any other aspect.
• freedom of speech and religion

Note: inciting riots and threats are crimes and not protected under freedom of speech

• euthanasia permitted (legal through Living Wills)
• everyone has the right to life – no capital punishment
• abortion will be allowed within 19 weeks of pregnancy, if the pregnancy is a result of rape, will endanger the mothers life, will cause serious mental harm or if the mother is in full-time education with at least one compulsory counselling session, a five week wait to prevent rash decisions and with improved childcare and adoption services.

Note: whether abortion will be allowed in a wider range of situations is still under debate

Science

• human cloning prohibited
• embryonic stem-cell research to be permitted
• cosmetic animal testing to be abolished and research into alternatives for scientific animal testing instigated

Animal Cruelty

• measures to ensure the prevention of cruelty to animals

Crime

• rehabilitation to be favoured over punishment

Military

• voting to become a minor part in military decisions
• opposition to war unless in extreme cases
• a small military unit based only on self-defence

Drugs

• legalisation of cannabis with regulation and high safety standards; also education on the risks of drugs so people can make an informed choice
• legal age for cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis-16

Traffic Control

• tighter traffic controls including lower speed limits, especially round schools, residential districts and inner-city areas; these laws will be flexible so that going over the limit by just a few miles isn't punished or has a smaller punishment/fine

Other Issues

• age of consent to be flexible on a case to case basis, a rough age being 15 years and age differences being taken into account
• encouragement of arts and culture
• marriage to be redefined as a free union with separate religious additions if wanted
• genuine asylum seekers and skilled/qualified immigrants will be welcomed

Members

Ariddia ; Pure Metal ; New Burmesia ; Kanabia ; Rus024 ; Ramur ; Jello Biafra ; Macatia ; Sonho Real ; Glitziness ; Warta Endor ; Cafetopia ; Revionia ; Constantinopolis ; Potaria ; Eurocountry ; Druidvale ; Pyromanstahn ; Tograna ; Hallad ; Bloodthirsty squirrels ; Londonburg ; Diamond Realms ; Torregal

Campaign Posters

The Party's campaign posters were designed by Pure Metal, and be seen here.

Related Links

The thread that started it all=[1] ; The UDCP=[2] ; The NS General Election=[3] ; The NS General Parliament=[4]