Kalistan

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Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto discussing positive developments in Gaduridos



Chancellor of the Empire takes opportunity to encourage Gaduridos
"Socialism is not incompatible with Empire," claims Sir Bertram Ames
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 17, 5562

The Chancellor was on hand today at the Seleyan State Economic Symposium, which was a gathering of scholars who were presenting papers on the state of the Dual Economy in Kalistan.  Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto delivered the keynote speech to the conference being held at Imperial University, and had encouraging words for the developments in Gaduridos that may signal a softening of Kaliburg's attitude toward Gaduridos.

"First," the Chancellor began, "I want to emphatically say that socialist ideals about equality of all humans are ideas of the idealistic past in Kalistan.  Some are born to reign, some are selected to govern, and some are meant to live their lives free of problems face by the toiling masses of other nations.  I wouldn't go so far as to say it is the natural order or hierarchy of things, but it is as close to the natural order as you will find in Kalistan.  The notion that you can do away with Emperors and Empresses is frankly unimaginable in what Kalistan has become since the Coronation of Empress Nicolette I Ananto 104 years ago.

"Now, with that said," continued Chancellor Ames, "we are not so far removed from a time when socialists actually were hegemonic in Kalistan, and hegemonic for centuries.  Nearly all of Kalistan's economy, society, our standing in the world are the legacy of socialism, especially as expressed in the Dual Economy and Zero Percent Growth strategies.  We have economic prosperity because of the deep, deep foundations laid by the Socialist Party of Kalistan, and while our government remains suspicious of populism and downright hostile to the notion of democracy, nonetheless, we have to acknowledge where that Dual System has ensured that all in Kalistan can live a prosperous life without anyone able to use their economic power to dampen the lives or future of any one else."

The Chancellor laid out the fundamentals of the Dual Economy, and at length, mentioned Gaduridos' progress.  "We see, for example, the government of Gaduridos following along similar, measured, and tightly controlled strategies, and I would even say that outside Kalistan, Gaduridos' reforms are ones we are carefully watching and privately, well, not so privately anymore, I suppose, cheering for and hoping for success.  Their level headed approach to class improvement without class warfare feels very familiar, and I should also say, very comfortable to the Kalistani who grew up with UBI, National Service, and free public health care, education, housing, and utilities available to all, without regard to their individual wealth."

The scholars at the conference seemed to be a little shocked that it appeared that the Chancellor was championing socialist reform in the southern Republic.  "One may think so," said Sir Bertram, "but I put to you here, that socialism and the Empire are not incompatible at all.  In fact, Kalistan has one of the most comprehensive public sectors, outside of Baltusia, in the Anantonese Region.  We may be hostile to democracy, but we are also very, shall we say, cool on capitalism, and most certainly on the unfettered kind.  We allow our capitalists to make money so long as their activity serves the people and interest of this nation, and as soon as the capitalist puts his own interest first, we maintain the tools necessary to force that capitalist's ill gotten gains to vanish like a fog before the noon sun.  When you consider this, how much more socialist do you want?"

While Gaduridos is clearly not following the Kalistani model, but seem to be developing their own model, Chancellor Ames still expressed support.  "They are clearly not following a Metzist model either, but more of a National Development, Export Led Growth one.  It is a model we prefer to the model offered by say Baltusia, who seems ideologically committed to the advancement of proletariat, even to the detriment of the owning and investing classes--Obviously if Kalistan had to pick one, we would pick Gaduridos' model as it is closer to our own, though Baltusia makes their model work for them, and good for them.  Political disagreements aside, Kalistan can respect that effort by Gaduridos to put Gaduri interests first, to grow their own economy on their own terms, and to seek help when they need it.  The Empress may disagree with who their friends are, but she still holds that a strong Gaduridos is a strong Seleya, so Kalistan will applaud them from a distance, and look forward to a time when we have something that they want."

The Chancellor finished his remarks, and during the question and answer period, he reiterated several times that the Socialist Party of Kalistan remains an "illegal political formation", as does every other ostensibly democratic, republican or liberal Party.  "I know I just said nice things about the Gaduri progress," said Chancellor Ames, "but that's for them.  In Kalistan, your option is the Institutionalist Party.  And ultimately, the Empress, and there is no alternative, politically speaking, I mean.  Don't misunderstand what I said here--It will behoove you all to put the notion that Kalistan could degenerate to a republic, even if it wanted to, completely out of your mind.  The Republic is dead and buried in Kalistan."