User:Vivaporius/Sandbox/Omnistate/II

Akrivism (from Greek ακριβής akrivís, "precise, thorough") is a philosophical, social, political, economic ideology and movement which advocates for the adoption of an all-intrusive nanny state, where a strict meritocratic system exists to ensure only the best and brightest within the population have access to the halls of power. The ideology effectively promotes a two-tiered social system where the wise and capable hold all the power within a country, while those deemed "common" and "incapable" are excluded from any decision-making within the government, and forced into lifelong occupations the state chooses for them based on whatever skills they do or do not possess. Likewise, Akrivism has historically promoted the use of a caste system based on these ideas, where every man is assigned a role where he can best serve his country and his people.

Ideology

Sex and gender

Akrivist ideology promotes the concept of equality between the sexes, regarding the contributions of the citizen to the state as transcending the individual sexual characteristics they possess. It should not, however, be said that Akrivism itself completely ignores the biological differences between males and females, as it does encourage the maintenance of certain gender roles within the household. Men are expected to be the heads of their families, and their wives dutiful companions who fulfill the physical and emotional needs of their husband and children. Both are expected to lay down their lives for the state in their own ways, and serve in whatever capacity that their superiors have determined necessary to the state and its goals. That said, all citizens within the worldview as defined by Akrivism are valuable components in society, with their sex irrelevant beyond all but the most glaring physical and reproductive barriers present in some aspects of day to day life. As a heavily-meritocratic system, Akrivism looks at the individual contributions a citizen is capable of and their proven record of loyalty to the state, ignoring the topic of sex entirely, except in instances where the sex of the citizen is of prime importance, such as child-rearing and military service. Regardless, the ideological concepts within Akrivism have seen the uplifting of women into positions of power beyond the more common symbolic positions that would be more commonly found in other nations that claim to advocate for gender equality. Under Akrivism, women are free to participate in all levels of society, from the government to the military and beyond. Any woman capable of meeting the physical requirements for military service will be drafted alongside their male counterparts, while those who show exceptional talent as leaders can expect to be promoted just as frequently as men. As a whole, there is no substantial discrimination against women within the Akrivist state, and one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes that the women in the population ought to be denigrated for their sex alone.

The exultation of family tradition and heritage play important roles within Akrivism and Akrivist society, and the role families play within Akrivism can best be described as central to the goals the ideology seeks to maintain. Men and women are expected to marry young and sire as many offspring as they are capable of supporting, as the ideology of the state demands that its survival be guaranteed by way of indoctrination of the youth rather than conversation of outsiders. Akrivist ideology holds the belief that it is much easy to make true believers out of those born into the system rather than those who have been brought in as adults, as the memories of another way of life tend to be deeply-entrenched into the psyche of those adults, causing many problems for the state in the long-run. Thus, large families are encouraged among loyal citizens, and many pro-natalist programs exist within the Akrivist state which provide a number of rewards and incentives to those couples which consistently produce offspring. Loans and student grants are frequently offered to the families that have a long track record of fecundity, while a substantial degree of respect and social status is obtained by mothers who have given birth to a large number of children while they were able to do so. Unsurprisingly, the state discourages the use of contraceptives, while abortion itself has been outlawed and listed as a capital crime. Abortions for those with mental and physical disabilities, however, are legal and mandatory for any pregnant women whose child is found to have deformities.

Intermarriage between races within Akrivist ideology is not strictly prohibited, though it is discouraged; though never on the grounds of race. Rather, the state-run institution of marriage is based on a number of factors that are based on promoting the Akrivist ideology and ensuring the safety of one's heritage and capabilities. The state will arrange a marriage between two individuals within the same caste and only ever of opposing sexes, making determinations as to the suitability of partners based on, among other things, their physical similarities, personality compatibility, and socioeconomic standing. Indeed, the degree to which Akrivism upholds the inviolability of heritage and tradition is such that the maintaining the consistency of one's physical appearance over successive generations has been deemed a necessity to the preservation of a stable society and culture, and the history of those involved in the cultivation of the state as it exists in the modern day. And though Akrivism does not pay much heed to one's racial background, any citizen would consider the act of miscegenation to be an aberration of that which is natural. It is considered a threat to the traditions and cultures of the people that make up the citizenry of the state, diluting one's heritage until it becomes indistinguishable from those of others.

While any Akrivist loyalist would be opposed to the idea of being labeled a racist, many believe that it would be a great disservice to the legacy of their people to water down the foundations handed to them by their ancestors, and washing their memory away by intermarrying with those with no ties to the history of their people and the struggles which brought them to the point at which they currently stand as a nation. Thus, many Akrivists can be rightly considered as heavily-prejudiced toward those outside of the Akrivist system, as well as toward those among their own ranks, who intermix with members of other races and cultures. These individuals are viewed as having no respect in any measure for the legacy or traditions they were born into, and are worthy of little more than scorn for their perceived contempt of their own heritage. The purity of race and culture are innately intertwine within Akrivist ideology, and those who snub this fundamental truth within Akrivism will find themselves poorly-suited to surviving within the system it has established. Mixed race individuals, commonly referred to as "mutts" or "mongrels" by Akrivists, face a life of struggle and are victims of constant abuse and institutional discrimination within the society of the Akrivist state.

Family planning

The role of the family within Akrivism is considered paramount to its survival as an ideology. The state frequently provides incentives to couples which have multiple children, while those with more than five children receive exemptions from certain civic duties or responsibilities within their caste. Men and women who serve in the military and have at least five children are considered for responsibilities placing them away from roles with frequent potential hazards, while those in other castes may receive a number of tax breaks lowering their overall payments to the state by a generous amount. In those rare instances where a couple may have produced more than ten offspring, special awards and loans are handed down by the state with the intent of both rewarding the parents and encouraging them to raise loyal citizens and disciplined, contributing members of society. Loans for higher education and housing, and elevation to more comfortable working conditions are some of the benefits a family can expect if husbands remain virile and wives fruitful for the state. Contraceptives are heavily-discouraged by the state, though couples are free to use them so as to ensure they are prepared to build a family when they are capable of sustaining it. The pro-family arrangement within Akrivism should not be confused with an open policy toward rampant population growth however.

The state heavily-regulates pregnancies and childbirth, and will not hesitate to intervene in an expecting mother's pregnancy to influence the outcome should it be deemed necessary. The government monitors all families and their offspring, and even monitors sperm counts and menstrual cycles for each and every one of its citizens from the moment they enter puberty and up until they die. An example of this state intervention would be in the event that an unborn child is found to be physically or mentally-deficient in any way that would be deemed unacceptable by government officials within the Green Division. Debilitating life-long conditions such as down syndrome, ALS, or mental retardation is grounds for abortion or in the event of post-pregnancy, mandatory euthanasia. However, those child found to have some functionality in the eyes of the state will be taken into its care and reared toward a life that will ensure they become a productive member of society. Akrivism does not support abortions on demand though, and the punishment for any woman found to have undergone an unapproved abortion is steep. The doctor as well as any of those involved in the decision to undergo the abortion will be found, and all parties responsible condemned to share in the punishment handed down by the state. As far as the law is concerned, as in life and death, the birth of any future citizen is solely the concern of the state, and its will shall not be defied by anyone, be it the mother, the father, or the medical professionals assigned to monitor the pregnancy.

Homosexuality

Under the ideals of Akrivism, homosexuality is viewed as a threat to the ability of the state to sustain itself internally, robbing the population of those who could be contributing the expansion of the citizenry without turning to outsiders. Initially, the state took a passive stance on the issue, encouraging gay men and lesbians to feign change in their sexual orientation and conform to sexual norms. However, failure to gain any ground in this area led to the formation of death camps to work the LGBT population to death and remove them from the general population if they would not conform to the demands of the state and its Akrivist ideals. This changed in the 1960s with the introduction of the drug antihomogene (ANG), which was touted as correcting the hormonal and emotional imbalances with gays and lesbians found to influence their sexual orientation. Though somewhat lackluster in performance during clinical trials, by the mid-1970s, antihomogene had proven itself a success, transitioning from a suppressant to a one-shot "cure-all" that completely altered the sexual orientation of the individual. Today, antihomogene is administered to all newly-born citizens, eliminating any and all threat of homosexuality from the population and securing the reproductive needs of the state in accordance with Akrivism. Any individual found to be a homosexual will be given the drug by force, removing their sexual leanings, and ensuring their participation in the reproductive cycle of the nation.

Religion

Within the lens of Akrivist ideology, religion is acknowledged as a powerful aspect of the human condition that cannot be suppressed by the state, motivating men of strong character to defy the will of the powerful throughout history. As such, it is viewed as something to be wielded as a tool to direct, shape, and control human behavior rather than attack it and risk a backlash that could very well topple an empire. In line with this thinking, Akrivism promotes as a policy the introduction of a state-run faith-based institution through which the ideology of Akrivism can be promulgated to the willing masses who turn to god – whatever his form may be – to attain for themselves eternal salvation from death and suffering relative to the sacrifice demanded of them. Indeed, synedrions run by the Purple Division are used to promote the will of the state and encourage those born within the nation to die on behalf whatever "great plan" the Akrivist god may have formulated within his unknowable mind. It is thus up to the Purple Division to determine what that will might be, and by what means it shall be accomplished. In the eyes of the state, religion is viewed as a useful means by which to elevate morale during times of distress, a fact of life that has been observed throughout human history. So long as faith can push a man or woman to throw themselves into the industrial crucible one more time in the name of the state and the god which it represents, then that faith shall remain a vital part of the ideology driving the Akrivist government.

The state-run religious institution within an Akrivist state follows a tried and true formula which mixes Western and Eastern concepts into a viable hybrid model workable within a modern society. Treason and blasphemy are one in the same, as to rise in defiance of the state would be to blaspheme against the will of God who established the government in the manner he in his infinite wisdom determined was to represent him on the earth. Sedition is regarded as no more distinct than heresy, as to promote a different way to live within one's Akrivist society would be to preach a way of life separate from that envisioned by God himself. State officials of the Purple Division are approved to lead sermons and represent the state-church to the masses, and those of the Red Division are fully-empowered by God to act as judge, jury, and executioner, condemning the guilty to damnation for their sins against the state. The fusion of church and state has been fully embraced by Akrivism as the ideal, and its success is proven in the ability of the government to justify its existence by appealing to the Creator as having approved the ideology as the most effective and righteous way by which mankind is to live. Within the spiritual and susceptible minds of most humans, this is a truth self-evident in the simple fact that it has not buckled in the passage of time, and continues to endure down to the modern day.

Fanaticism is encouraged on behalf of the Akrivist ideology, allowing the government to control the more extreme elements of their society by directing where that energy is unleashed. Zealots are filtered into roles where their talents can be utilized to the fullest extent, while likewise limiting any potential damage that might reflect poorly upon the state itself. The Purple and Black Divisions which control internal affairs and national security respectively, benefit substantially from this ideology extremism as it encourages loyalty and devotion to the state. Indeed, some of the most fanatical members of Akrivist society are those tasked with its expansion and security both at home and abroad, and will gladly lay their lives down to protect it from "heathens" and "heretics" wherever they might be found. Finally, within the ranks of the Akrivist elite, faith gives them purpose and soundness of mind, having the assurance of their ministers that the heavy hand of Akrivism has been approved by God. These individuals who hold the levers of power are some of the most devout followers of this faith, as it grants them a clean conscience, one cleared of any potential guilt over whatever decisions they may have taken in pursuit of Akrivism's preservation and the only way of life they and millions of others have ever known.

Symbolism

File:Akrivist symbol.svg

File:Akrivist flag.svg

• Eye represents the all-seeing and omnipresent nature of the state and its bureaucratic organs, which maintain intense oversight across society at all times
• Eight-pointed star represents the four cardinal directions and their points of convergence, symbolizing the reach of the state to all corners of society
• The twenty stars surrounding the main body represent the countless agencies and nameless bureaucrats of the state which operate diligently to ensure society's preservation
• Black represents the strength, authority, duty, and formality of the state, while white represents the purity of Akrivism and its ideals to build a better society
• The black and white colors of Akrivist symbolism of the ideology also refers to the belief in a clear-cut morality that is defined by that which is deemed beneficial to the majority

Caste system

Advancement

The caste system of the Akrivist state is rigidly meritocratic, rewarding any and all members of society who prove themselves willing and ready to expend themselves for the betterment of the state and their fellow citizens. None of the castes are particularly correlated with prestige or income, with a member of the Orange Division serving as a mining foreman making as much if not more than a low-ranking member of the Blue Division serving as an engineer for a state-owned corporate entity. Consequently, the castes are structured to maintain a degree of social mobility to reward hard-working members of the population, while also narrowing entry barriers to both discourage idle individuals from advancing without reason, as well as maintaining a modicum of social stability by keeping most citizens within their castes. The Red Division, the caste charged with leadership and maintenance of the state's civil service, as well as to some extent the Purple Division, the caste charged with maintaining national morale and adherence of Akrivist ideology, are regarded as all but impenetrable for the majority of the population. The five lower castes constitute the bulk of society within the Akrivist system, and movement between them is considered achievable if one is willing to put forth the effort necessary to do so.

As aforementioned, meritocracy sits at the core of Akrivism and all of the concepts promoted by it, and the caste system is the most representative of that ideal. Merit in the eyes if Akrivism is that which benefits the state and the society for which it states, actions taken to sustain the system that all members of the population contribute too, as well as strict adherence to the code of honor that encourages good behavior in all citizens, regardless of their caste or background. Overseers are encouraged to maintain a pragmatic view of their subordinates when considering who to refer for advancement within the caste. Good leadership skills, a proven record of cooperation and obedience to one's superiors and the state, as well as life good habits and community participation, are all vital trains to have when pursuing promotion. Any tangible benefits for the social unit to which an individual belongs is crucial, and held above any other contribution. This has had the notable effect of outright sidelining any esoteric fields such as the arts, philosophy, and social sciences within an Akrivist state; these fields are considered a waste of resources, and serve no other purpose than to aggrandize the individual pursuing them, as well as encouraging potential hostile views and behavior toward the state and the established social order.

Within the eyes of the ideology, no individual in so unique as to require special treatment are status within the system, thus separating them from their fellow citizens and establishing an order of elites beyond the reach of those not deemed "worthy" enough to join. Every citizen regardless of their birth or ancestry must enter into the Akrivist world from the bottom, and will be measured against the worth of their contributions to society. Any field of work a citizen is assigned to will serve as the metric by which one's colleagues and superiors will deemed them suited for advancement or leadership. Likewise, because of Akrivist demands for excellence and efficiency, all senior members of the population hold extraordinarily practical qualifications for their given roles. If the citizen in question applies themselves and their talents adequately, and go above and beyond the call of duty for their people as required, then they will be duly compensated and live a life of comfort and contentment for as long as they prove themselves useful. It should be well-noted that neither the sex or race of the individual will be considered in any of the reviews involving advancement, as both are deemed irreverent when factoring in the immaterial qualities of leadership and contributions to the well-being and stability of society.

Of interest is the fact that the majority of citizens will generally find themselves within the same caste as their parents, largely due to the long-standing statistic tracked by Akrivist authorities showing that children tend to follow in the footsteps of their parents within nominally stable conditions. This plays right into the desires of the state to enforce strict observance to the established order that maintains the social and political stability of the nation, as well as encouraging the status quo among the citizenry who tend to, be more often than not, concerned with the maintenance of their way of life than the rapid transitioning of society from one fade to another. State officials determine what roles a citizen will take on as decided by the needs of the state and the skills of the individual; determinations which revealed the aforementioned statistic of children taking on the way of life of their parents. And while mobility between castes has always remained possible within this system, the emphasis on family honor and heritage have been traditions which continue to drive most citizens to remain within their assigned castes. In those instances where one qualifies to fulfill a different calling as determined by their aptitude screenings and physical qualifications, individuals with potential for high academic acheivement might be to the White or Blue divisions, while those with robust physical qualities may be drafted into the Black Division for a military career.

Structure

Akrivism spells out a simple caste system that would be utilized as the basis for any society founded upon the values espoused by the ideology. The castes are detailed as follows:

Akrivist caste system
#	Division	Logo	Responsibilities
1	Bureaucracy Red Division		The Red Division is the caste charged with the overall governance of the state and its political organs. Constituting less than 5% of the overall population, the Red Division is a body of rulers, overseers, bureaucrats, and administrators, who shoulder the burden of ensuring the needs of the state are met and the wheels of government turn ever smoothly. Entry into the caste is reserved for those with a proven track-record of quality of leadership ability, as well as displaying both the willingness to adapt to the ever-changing tides of politics and the efficiency demanded to fulfill the needs of bureaucracy. As with all citizens of the state, no member of the Red Division is exempt from having to work up from the bottom of their caste, nor are they free from being demoted down to another caste. The Akrivist emphasis on hard work and discipline means that every child regardless of their parents status within the caste is required to start at the bottom of the totem pole, and work themselves up the ranks of the caste to reach or surpass the rank of their parents. However, many fail to do so, and they and their own children typically find themselves of a lower social status than a generation prior, or down to an entirely different caste. Indeed, many a citizen have found themselves boasting of the grandparents they had who were once elite members of society.
2	Morale Purple Division		The Purple Division is the caste responsible for the maintenance of the state's social order, and rigid adherence to the social norms and lifestyles approved by the state, thus fulfilling a role somewhere between that of clergy and political commissars. The caste accounts for about 8% of the population, and can be found operating at all levels of society as chaplains, spies, agitators, propagandists, disciplinarians, psychologists, life-coaches, and mentors; likewise managing the vast national surveillance apparatus upon which the state depends. They are immensely charismatic both by nature and upbringing, and play a vital role in encouraging their fellow citizens to maintain their faith in the state and the system it upholds. Any clerics or entertainers are also included within the ranks of the Purple Division, ensuring the state has a firm grip upon any form of morale-boasting messaging within the nation. Though lower than the Red Division in the caste system, it is the Purple Division is plays the role of investigators, looking into qualification of all members of the population and providing an in-depth review of an individual's character and potential, both for the needs of the state and society as a whole. Members of this caste are often described as being the maternal counterbalance the Red Division's paternal nature, covering the often times iron-fisted actions of the leadership caste with soft velvet glove of morale-boosting propaganda.
3	Intelligentsia White Division		TBD
4	Soldiery Black Division		TBD
5	Physicians Green Division		TBD
6	Clerks Gold Division		TBD
7	Technicians Blue Division		TBD
8	Laborers Orange Division		TBD
9	Education Grey Division		The Supreme Director automatically joins the Grey Division upon their appointment to the post, and wear the colors and uniform of the division throughout their administration, though will have the colors of their previous division located around their collar and cuffs to denote their career up to the point they were appointed as head of state and government. Those members of the Planning Committee who do not become the Supreme Director themselves will retire into this division upon completing their terms of service as the heads of their own divisions.