Journal of Political Ideologies

[Wu Han]

Agramontianism

A uniquely Kalistani phenomenon, Agramontianism refers to the body of thought espoused by 41st-century Kalistani economist and political philosopher Oscar Agramonte as well as the work of those who have utilised and built upon his work. Agramonte was heavily influenced by the dominant political discourses in Kalistan during his lifetime, notably the ethical socialism articulated by Edward Bennots in the 26th century and practised by the Socialist Party of Kalistan for many centuries.

Agramonte's most influential work is undoubtedly his 4054 book Socialism and the People in Kalistan. In the book, Agramonte reflects on the previous centuries of Kalistan's history during which it was ruled primarily by the Socialist Party, firmly committed to Bennots' vision of ethical socialism as outlined in his 2567 book of the same name. In his analysis, Agramonte identifies what he believes to be the successes and failures of this extensive period before making several critiques and recommendations about how the country could be moved forward.

Opponents and supporters of Agramonte have referred to his conclusions as combining ethical socialism with Kalistani nationalism. In contrast to the work of many socialist and Metzist theorists, Bennots did not believe that the state had an important role to play in implementing socialism and in practice the Socialist Party had been radically libertarian on non-economic issues. Agramonte disagreed with this approach and argued that it had been responsible for political instability throughout Kalistan's history. Further to this, he believed that the lack of a strong national identity in the country had weakened it and that it was the responsibility of the state to create a national identity built around ethical socialist principles.

In terms of economics, Agramonte agreed almost entirely with the principles espoused by the Socialist Party. In particular, he believed in the "dual economy" as it was implemented in Kalistan, rather than as Bennots originally formulated it. According to Agramonte's interpretation of these principles, the state would be responsible for any area of the economy characterised as "human need" while a regulated private sector would be free to provide for "human desire".

The key distinction for Agramonte was that the state had a much larger role to play in protecting and advancing this economic system. In order for it to preserved from reactionary forces, it was necessary in his view for the government to developed a strong sense of national pride in the institutions of the state and ethical socialism. National pride of this form was closely linked to Agramonte's view of the Kalistani nation as an ethnically and linguistically pluralist group united by core political values, namely a belief in ethical socialism.

Despite relatively little political success for parties explicitly advocating an Agramontian political programme, Agramontian ideas have continued to impact the policies of left-wing political parties in Kalistan since the 41st century. In the immediate aftermath of his publication of Socialism and the People in Kalistan, the Labour Party was formed and entered government advocating a version of ethical socialism much closer to Agramonte's vision than that articulated by the Socialist Party. At several points in history, the Agramontian League, a political organisation dedicated to persevering Agramonte's legacy, have contested elections but never with much success.

The above entry in the Journal of Political Ideologies was written by Hua Alaberri, a Professor of Political Theory at the University of Kaliburg.

---

Originally written and posted by Jamescfm on 28 April 2020.