Radical Libertine Party

Radical Libertine Party
Chairperson	Dora Damian (FI)
Secretary	Briza Barcenas (DS)
Founded	1829
Preceded by	Libertine Party
Student wing	College Radicals
Youth wing	Young Radicals of Eslar
Women's wing	National Federation of Sex-Positive Feminists
Membership  (2016)	35,310
Ideology	Social Liberalism
Political position	Centre-Left
International affiliation	Liberal International
Regional affiliation	Liberal Network for Latin America
Colors	Red
House of Representatives	25 / 49
Senate	5 / 11

The Radical Libertine Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the Libertine Republic of Eslar, along with the Free Libertine Party. Tracing its heritage back to the Radical and protectionist wings of the Libertine revolution against Spanish colonial rule, the modern day Radical Libertine Party was founded in 1829, making it one of the world’s oldest active parties.

The Radical Libertines dominant world views are based on Social Liberal principles alongside Libertine values. Historically the party was a major advocate of protectionist economic policies, workers rights and anti-clericalism in contrast to its rival the Libertine Democrat Party which supported free trade, the rights of business and property owners and less radical secularization actions. Nowadays with the parties’ position on protectionism and anti-clericalism being loosened, the main defining factor of the party has been its support for achieving social and economic equality alongside a welfare state and regulation of the economy. These interventions, such as the introduction of social programs, support for labour movements, moves toward universal health care and equal opportunity, consumer protection, and environmental protection form the core of the party's economic policy.

Post Spanish Independence

After the 1829 split within the Libertine Party between the Free Traders and Protectionists, the Radical Libertine Party under the leadership of Celestino Espino, led the anti-trade opposition to victory in the 1829 and 1833 Presidential elections of Eslar. The Radical Libertine Party also ran strongly on a platform of free public schooling and was strongly in favour of compulsory schooling throughout the country.

While both the Radical Libertine Party and Free Libertine Party parties supported the abolition of state funds towards religious institutions and the general abolition of state funded religious schoolings, the Radical Libertines often extended this further with forced expropriations of churches and privately run religious schools in favour of state run brothels and schools. These anti-clerical policies extended to the point that the Radicals attempted to constitutionally ban private religious beliefs altogether in 1843, a move that was narrowly opposed in parliament.

The Radical Libertines also proposed a large scale program known as ‘libertinization’ where opponents of Libertine ideals and those linked to the clergy were forcefully deported while Libertines across Europe were encouraged to enter the country with cheap housing and land offered to any who could prove their Libertine credentials.

While religion was attacked heavily, the Radicals strongly supported the demands of trade unions and the outlawing of child labour. The Radicals were strongly in favour of increased safety regulations, higher wages, increased rights to workers in industries and for human dignity in treatment in the work place.

The Radical Libertine Party was strongly opposed to the decision of the Free Libertine Party to relinquish its sovereignty to the United Kingdom in exchange for protection in 1847 viewing it as a “betrayal of the independence of the Eslarite people”

British Unionism and World War 1

Under the British controlled Union of Eslar, the Radicals became the main advocates of greater autonomy, republican values and independence from the United Kingdom. While British rule was negotiated to include full sovereignty on domestic issues, the Radicals believed the treaty to be an affront to Eslarite liberty and advocated instead a Republican system based on the 1829 constitution.

Following the Radical victory in the 1869 election, Prime Minister Evarado Tardio attempted to hold a referendum to leave the British Commonwealth. The opposition in the House and Senate was largely hostile towards the proposal, with Free Libertine leader Franco Herrero stating “A vote for the Radical Libertines is a vote for (Spanish) Reconquista!” The referendum was blocked in the Senate.

Despite their radical overtone on Republicanism and independence, the Radicals began to moderate their image on domestic issues in order to acquire greater support for independence. By the 1900’s the Radicals shifted their advocacy of violent anti-clericalism and deportation to a more peaceful secularization, that while still anti-clerical in nature, led to less drastic measures taken against the Catholic Church.

The Radicals strongly opposed the decision of the Free Libertines to enter World War 1 on the side of the Entente and favoured neutrality in the conflict. These conflicts between the two parties led to clashes on the streets between Radical and Independence Party protesters and Eslarite authorities.

Interwar, The Great Depression and World War II

The failure of protectionist economics during the Great Depression caused upheaval within the Radical Libertines and led to a massive reorganization. After the victory of the Free Libertine Ezequiel Cavazos over Radical leader Che Minier, many within the Radical Libertine Party began to doubt the viability of protectionist economics and looked for new solutions. Modelling his policy on the efforts of FDR in America, the New Deal and Keynesian economics, Martin Trejo out maneuverered the protectionists within the party and took control of the Radicals.

The failed ‘hands off’ approach and austerity measures of the Free Libertines and the worsening of the Depression gave Trejo the opportunity he needed, leading to the re-election of the Radicals in 1937. The success of his policies in dealing with the Great Depression compared to both the Free Libertines and Radical protectionists greatly increased membership in the party as well as the spread of Republican and Nationalist ideas amongst the general population.

Under Martin Trejo the party implemented the first social security system in Eslar as well as the establishment of the old-age and disability pension.  A land tax, aimed at breaking up big estates and to provide a wider scope for small-scale farming, was also introduced, while coverage of the Arbitration system extended to agricultural workers, domestics, and federal public servants. In addition, the age at which women became entitled to the old-age pension was lowered from 65 to 60. The introduction of the maternity allowance enabled more births to be attended by doctors, thus leading to reductions in infant mortality.

Despite the Radical Parties opposition to the First World War, Martin Trejo broke with traditional Radical ranks again and joined the Second World War on the side of the Allies. This policy was taken partly out of pragmatism and partly out of his strong opposition to “the puritan reaction that is Fascism”. By the end of Trejo’s presidency in 1945 he permanently shaped Radical policy towards Keynesian economics.

From Dominion to Republic

Following Allied victory in the Second World War, the Radical Party under Tomas Lovato, strongly pushed for independence from the United Kingdom in recognition for their service to the crown in both World Wars. Although he could not yet make Eslar a Republic, Tomas could prepare the country for this eventuality. In his term of office, from 1949 to 1956, Tomas took a number of steps to break ties with Britain such as the 1950 Elsar Citizenship Act, which made Eslarites citizens rather than subjects to the British Crown. Before, British citizens needed a mere two years in the country to qualify as Eslarites; now, however, a British alien was just like any other alien: he or she would have to register and remain in Eslar for five years to become a citizen of the country. It was believed that this could well have an influence on a Republican referendum. The Act ensured that the British immigrant population would not reduce the Elsarite majority. As well as this Tomas also revoked the right of appeal to the British Privy Council, making the Supreme Court of Sodoma now Elsars highest court.

In 1953 the Radical party successfully pushed forward a referendum to become a Republic within the Commonwealth, which was accepted by almost 90% of the population. The decision was cheered as a victory for the Eslarite people to decide their countries future and received supports from both sides of the political spectrum.

Cold War and Modern Day

Continuing the work of Trejo in distancing the Radical party from its controversial past, the Radicals under Tomas Lovato took efforts to modernize their image in the wake of the Cold War. The party advocated strongly for ‘fair trade’ and against protectionism while maintaining its support for a strong welfare state and other social institutions. The party for the first time apologized for the excesses of the ‘secularization’ of the new Republic and strictly stated that violent behaviour towards religious groups “should never be tolerated”.

The party joined the Liberal International in 1948 as well as the Liberal Network for Latin America (RELIAL)

Upon winning the 1989 election, newly elected Radical Elías Socorro took steps to move the Radical party towards the right in response to the Free Libertines right-ward shift, embracing neo liberal economic reforms, privatization and cuts towards the welfare state.

In July 9th 1989 the Radicals legalized gay marriage and polyamorous marriage in a 97-0 vote becoming the first country in the world to recognize both same sex unions and polyamorous relationships.

Following a fatal shooting in a Gomorra shopping centre, the party has pushed strongly to install strict gun control legislation, a move that has been strongly opposed by the Free Libertines.

The party advocates national disarmament of the army in favour of a small self-defence force modelled on Iceland’s coast guard to cement the countries non-interventionist status. Finally the government has advocated expanding social welfare and establishing a universal health care system.

Ideology

Prior to the 1900’s the main focus of the Radical party was on protectionism, labour rights and anti-clericalism. The party was comparable to the French radical liberal parties during the 1800’s, with inspiration taken from the actions of anti-clericals after the French Revolution. Property was seized from churches, blasphemous sexual material was circulated, religious members of society were harassed and Churches were converted into brothels and pleasure houses. During British rule, the party advocated for Eslarite Nationalism, Republicanism and Independence from the crown.

Today the party has exchanged their protectionist policies for support for fair and free trade, the party lessened its anti-clerical message and desisted from its former policies of forced secularization and harassment campaigns against the religious and has continued their support for the creation of a strong social safety net, while taking on other causes such as environmentalism, gun control, public education, opposition to water privatization, Sex-Positive Feminism and government funded health care. The party also supports affirmative action for indigenous and racial minorities.

Economics

The Radicals support equal economic opportunities, a social safety net provided by a welfare state and strong labour unions. The party also supports a progressive tax system, higher minimum wages, social security, universal health care, public education and public housing. The party has supported infrastructure development and government sponsored employment programs in an effort to achieve economic development and job creation, while stimulating private sector job creation.  Additionally since the Cold War, the party has at times supported centrist economic reforms, which cut the size of government and reduced market regulations. The party has continuously rejected complete laissez-faire economics as well as market socialism, instead favouring Keynesian economics within a capitalist market-based system.

Fiscal Policy

The Radicals support a more progressive tax structure to provide more services and reduce economic inequality by making sure that the wealthiest Eslarites pay the highest amount in taxes.  Radicals support more government spending on social services while spending less on the military. They oppose the cutting of social services, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and various other welfare programs, believing it to be harmful to efficiency and social justice. Radicals believe the benefits of social services, in monetary and non-monetary terms, are a more productive labour force and cultured population, and believe that the benefits of this are greater than any benefits that could be derived from lower taxes, especially on top earners, or cuts to social services. Furthermore, Radicals see social services as essential towards providing freedom derived from economic opportunity.

Sex Work

Since the beginning of the Libertine Parties foundation, Sex Work and Sex Workers rights have been core principles enshrined in the Constitution of Eslar. The Radical Libertine party supports the continued legalization of all activities related to prostitution as long as the people involved are above 18 and consenting. While the Radical party has been staunch supporters of the rights of adults to consume, act in and produce pornographic material, they were instrumental in passing legislation in 1989 banning pornography involving real children. In 1987 the party produced the first state funded ‘feminist pornographic film’ in order to promote Eslarite culture to the world, a move that was criticized by the opposition Free Libertines.

Abortion and Reproductive Right

While both the Radicals and Free Libertines support access to abortion services without government interference, the debate on whether it should be public funded has led to sharp divides between the two parties on the issue. The Radical Libertine Party believes that all women should have the right to affordable abortion access, birth control and publically funded contraception’s. The party also wishes to criminalize the harassment of abortion clients.

Gun Control

With a stated goal of reducing crime and homicides, the Radical Libertine party has advocated for and introduced various gun control measures. The party was instrumental in passing laws restricting assault weapons in 1990

Health Care and Welfare

The Radical Libertine party are the main advocates of “affordable and quality health care” and the main callers for expansion of government intervention in this area. The party supports a universal health care system in various forms to address rising costs of health insurance. The party also supports establishing a Medicare system for all. As well as this the party supports health care to include Viagra, contraception’s and vaccines as well as womens sanitary pads.

Education

The Radicals favour improving public education by increasing funds and reforming head start programs. They also support introducing universal preschool education, tuition free colleges and expansions to secondary education. The party also supports introducing subjects related to voting and political rights as well as extensive sexual and relationship education.

Environment

The party has extensive anti-fracking policies and a strong history of environmentalism advocacy. The party greatly supports alternate energy sources such as Nuclear, Solar and Windpower to coal. The party recognizes climate change and global warming and are strong supporters of action to reduce Eslars carbon footprint. The party also support extensive reforms to protect environmentally sensitive parts of the country.

Science

The party supports large government investments into Science as well as long term commitment to research projects. The party also wishes to establish an educational program debunking scientific myths surrounding GMOs, Vaccines, Global Warming, and Alternative Medicines.

GMOs and Vaccines

The party released a statement in 2002 that it was strongly supportive of GMO technologies and mandatory vaccines. The party has also stated its commitment to countering anti GMO, anti-science and anti-vaccine propaganda by ‘fringe groups’. The party is also sceptical towards alternative medicines and supports public campaigns against pharmaceutical stigmatization. The party however also supports heavy regulation to prevent corporate abuse of GMOs through patenting.

Women's Rights

The Radical Libertines have historically and contemporarily been supporters of women's rights. The party was instrumental in pushing forward the first sufferage laws within Eslar and many Radical senators have self identified as Sex-Positive Feminists since the 1980's. The party supports easier access to abortion, closing the wage gap between men and women, quotas within the party to achieve an equal amount of males and females, as well as affirmative action to support women in accessing jobs and work. The party has publically and openly rejected “SWERFism” within the Feminist movement as well as the ‘Nordic Model’ and has stood in solidarity with Amnesty International’s decision to promote the legalization of sex work as a feminist issue. The party has also advocated public funds to be given to Feminist porn producers to promote Eslar cultural values to the rest of the world. Despite this, the party faced controversy in 2010 when 4 Radical ministers were forced to resign due to having sent ‘crude and sexist’ texts to notable Feminists online on the social media website Twitter, leading to strong condemnation by Feminists throughout Eslar.

Voter Base

The major demographics supporting the party have historically and contemporarily been strongly found within the ranks of blue-collar workers, racial minorities and women. The parties major support base has historically and contemporarily been in Sodoma and to the West of the country. The party also receives strong support from anti-clerical members of the population. Gender

Due to support within the party for women’s quotas in both politics and legislation, its advocacy for easier abortion access, and the parties large sex-positive Feminist faction, more women are likely to identify as Radicals than men, especially among ethnic minorities. The Radical Federation of Sex-Positive Feminists is an affiliated organization meant to advocate for women's issues.