United Democratic Communist Party

Headquarters:	none
Members:	31 members, and 2 friends
Type:	NS political Party
Forum:	UDCP Forum

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.

As the name suggests, we are a NS Communist party, although more specifically libertarian communism. However, the party allows, indeed encourages, members to develop their own opinions and ideas, and help shape the Manifesto and policy.

As a party we hope to work with other left NS Political Parties, including the Revolutionary Trotskyist Party and, to an extent, the Democratic Socialist Party in the future.

Election history

First NS General election

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.

Second NS General Election

The second election returned us 2 seats after the formation of the Reason Party and the Conservative Party which took more seats, possibly because more people took part in the election.

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:

Economy

The economy would be fully nationalised.
Money would be abolished, in favour of a system based on the principle of “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”. All members of society would produce, and in return take what they need for free. Various types of contribution to society would be accepted.
Needs would be met via an assessment of what people require, so that production of any given item may be diminished or increased in due relation.
A transitional system would accompany the abolishment of money, during which guidelines would be issued to help people assess what they should take, and enable them not to worry about taking too much or too little.
A central distribution network would be established, supplying information to all as to available products. Distribution centres will eventually become largely automated. This network would enable the people to have direct control over the means of production and distribution, as they could discuss production of various goods and decide on the necessity to produce greater or lesser quantities of any given good. There would be several layers to this network, from international to almost local, with local products being outside the network.
During the transitional period, taxes on wealth being hoarded and gradual elimination of money will be instituted along with gradually publicised services, gradual government control over distribution of goods and encouraged communal sharing.
Ensuring that all basic needs such as housing, warmth, water and food are met for all would be a priority.
All those contributing to society to the best of their ability would be able to obtain whatever they may need, including recreational means.
For “undesirable” and unskilled jobs, a large-scale rota system would be instituted, functioning on a local level so that everyone is involved. This rota system would work on a short-term basis, with citizens being required only to do a particular job for a couple of days out of every fortnight, dependent on local government decision and requirement. Groups of people in demand would be exempt - i.e., if there is a shortage in doctors, they would be exempt from the rota system. Any person unwilling to assist would have their rights limited, and persistent offenders would have their citizenship revoked. People would be encouraged to participate willingly, as a means of contributing to the well-being of the community. The rota would serve to fill gaps, as people would be encouraged to voluntarily contribute to the workload. Those who have rights limited or citizenship revoked will never be denied basic rights to life, such as food, water, shelter.
For use in trading internationally through governments, a “barter” system would be implemented aimed at exchanging imports for exports, value depending on quantity and demand; all efforts would nonetheless be made towards self-reliance. Intergovernmental international trade would focus on importing raw materials rather than finished goods. Trade with any trading partners who are reluctant to barter would be based on the money already in the country, as well as efforts to ensure that the quantity and value of exports constantly supersede those of imports. (Note: in ideological communism this would not be necessary as communism would be international but assuming this is not the case, this system would come into effect.)

Healthcare

Free healthcare would be provided to all.
Increased effort would be invested into information and research regarding cancer and Aids.
Family planning programmes, and contraception techniques, would be taught and encouraged.
Contraception would be made widely available to all.

Education

Education, including university education, would be made free for all.
Education would be compulsory for all, from the age of four to university level (with flexible years).
Education would be a high priority.
Lessons in philosophy and critical thinking would be compulsory.
Training and apprenticeship schemes would be introduced and encouraged on top of existing learning methods with vocational courses.
Individuals would be nurtured and encouraged, their varied skills and abilities being taken into account.
Sex education would be highly prioritised along with general health and safety.

Governance

See our graphical flowchart of government.
There would be a written constitution.
All residents in the country would have the right to vote.
There would be a strict separation between the state, police and judiciary systems.
The voting age would be set at 16.
Direct democracy would be implemented through the means of a tech system with various levels of forums to discuss issues. There would be trained personnel to organise and run this system, writing proposals, putting the laws into effect and organising local meetings at least on an annual basis. Voting would eventually be done through a tech system once a developed, reliable system is formed.
Voting would be done in special buildings with an electronic system rather than at home for security reasons.
Decisions on some issues would be local or regional decisions (i.e. decentralization).
The education (and health) system(s) in particular would be granted more autonomy at local level, with greater involvement of parents to be encouraged, with respect to Governance (decentralisation).
Direct democracy would mean there would be no parliament, as decisions would be made by the people, leading to a form of anarchy.

Environment

A more extensive public transport would be gradually set up, and a limit placed upon the use of private cars (or, at least, they would be discouraged).
Efforts would be made to strongly cut back on the wastage of over-production.
Fossil fuels would be abandoned in favour of clean, renewable forms of energy: wind, solar, tidal…
Efforts would be put into discovering ways to make nuclear power safer, as a supplement.
Recycling and sustainable production methods would be encouraged.
The Kyoto agreement would be adhered to.

Freedom

All forms of discrimination would be strongly opposed, be they based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, age, religion or any other aspect.
Freedom of speech and religion would be upheld. (Note: inciting riots and threats are crimes and not protected under freedom of speech)
Euthanasia would be permitted (and legalised through Living Wills).
The right to life would be upheld, and there would thus be no capital punishment.
Abortion would be allowed within 19 weeks of pregnancy, if the pregnancy is a result of rape, would endanger the mothers life, would 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 would be coupled with improved childcare and adoption services. (Note: whether abortion would be allowed in a wider range of situations is still under debate)

Science

Human cloning would be prohibited.
Embryonic stem-cell research would be permitted.
Cosmetic animal testing would be abolished, and research into alternatives for scientific animal testing instigated.

Animal cruelty

Measures would be implemented to ensure the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Crime

Rehabilitation would be favoured over punishment.

Military

Voting would become a minor part in military decisions, with strong guidance from trained military personnel in order to ensure consistency within a given campaign.
There would be no participation in war except in extreme cases.
A small military unit only would be retained, based exclusively on self-defence.

Drugs

Cannabis would be legalised, with regulation and high safety standards; also education on the risks of drugs would be implemented to enable people to make an informed choice.
The legal age for cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis would be set at 16.

Traffic control

Tighter traffic controls would be implemented, including lower speed limits, especially in the vicinity of schools, residential districts and inner-city areas; these laws would be flexible so that exceeding the limit by just a few miles would not be punished, or would incur a smaller punishment or fine.

Other issues

The age of consent would be flexible and examined on a case by case basis, a rough age being 15 years and age differences being taken into account.
Arts and culture would be encouraged.
Identity cards would be introduced.
Marriage would be redefined as a free union with separate religious additions if wanted.
All genuine asylum seekers and skilled/qualified immigrants would 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 ; Perezuela ; Jargir ; Human Divinity ; Lamorkand ; Zrrylarg ; Pyro Kittens ; Mulhollandgradia ; Kilobugya; Lienor; Thriceaddict; Seathorn

Campaign posters

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

External links

United Democratic Communist Party

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