Socialism in Superior

  

Socialism in Superior has been a prominent political movement within Superior since the 19th century, along with the major ideologies of conservatism and liberalism. Socialism is a part of the Superian Left and is commonly associated with the progressive movement, though not entirely.

Superior's history with socialism dates back to the 19th century shortly after the country's independence from the United Commonwealth of America in the War of Contingency, from both American citizens who migrated towards and settled in Superior along with European immigrants that came to Superior, both directly and through the neighboring countries of the United Commonwealth and Canada following the Revolutions of 1848 from Europe, particularly from Germany. Utopian socialists were the first major socialist movement to gain traction with several communal settlements being created in Superior, primarily in the Ostheide region of Eastern Superior along with trade unionists once the organized labor movement began to take off during the Gilded Age of the Industrial Revolution in Superior. Many early socialist activists and political leaders were exiles from the American Commonwealth who escaped from the Federalist-controlled regime and its anti-union policies along with Superians who were radicalized by said policies in question.

The Socialist Party of Superior was the first major socialist party in the country, formed in 1896. The party gained traction from those former members of the National Republican Party during its decline and saw another influx of support once the party dissolved in 1908, but completed with the larger Farmer Labor Party of Superior that emerged as well as the country's leading progressive party. Outside of the Farmer Labor and Socialist parties, liberal socialists had emerged and became a political faction within the Liberal Democratic Party. The socialist movement continued to grow into the 20th century, but began receiving crackdowns by the federal government over concerns of political radicalism and later fears of communist takeover following Jani's rebellion in 1919 and the Continental Revolutionary War that occurred during that time. The emerge of the modern United Commonwealth of Continental States caused the First Crimson Scare in Superior which lead to political repression against the socialist movement which was forced underground and had to operate within the Farmer Labor and Liberal Democratic parties or through from organizations, however the Socialist Party continued to exist and attempts to ban socialist organizations and parties was blocked by the High Council of Superior.

The Great War was a major and turbulent time for the socialist movement in Superior as it was split in regards to whether or not to support the United Commonwealth during its invasion and later occupation of the country. Many socialists supported and collaborated with the Continental Armed Forces during the war and formed the bulk of the collaborationist Superian Continental Republic that governed the occupied territories in Superior. Lead by Jon Hansen, the Landonist Labor Party was appointed to govern the collaborationist government due to its support for the United Commonwealth and Continentalist ideology from before the war. Many socialists collaborated due to pre-war persecution while other socialists opposed the invasion and either enlisted in the Superian Armed Forces or the North Star Resistance, including future president Floyd B. Olsen. After the war, many socialists were tried during the Saint Anthony Trials and punished for wartime collaboration and the Landonist Labor Party was banned, however the socialist movement wasn't outlawed and the contributions of socialist members of left-wing factions of the North Star Resistance were highlighted to prevent post-war persecution. Olsen would be elected president in 1939 and would institute a number of policies during post-war reconstruction including social security, new social programs, a national minimum wage, and empowered labor unions in the country, all of which were supported by socialists.

The Cold War was a troubled time for socialists in Superior due to crackdowns on the movement by the federal government, starting with John Claremont who dedicated much of his domestic policy towards suppressing left-wing movements within the country and was continued by John Abbott. The Landonist Control and Security Act formally banned socialists from immigrating towards Superior until its repeal in 1965 and other measures were used to crack down on the socialist movement due to concerns of it being a front for Continental espionage. This continued throughout the latter half of the 20th century, except for the Westing Era, until the 1990s when it was ended by the Liberal Democratic-led government during the Liberal Decade as a means of ending the Cold War with the United Commonwealth and seeking to protect the right to free speech.

In the present day, socialism remains a prominent part of left-wing politics, but is considered a minor ideology when compared to other major movements in the country. Negative connotations with the United Commonwealth due to historic hostilities between the two countries has played a role in historic negative attitudes towards socialism, however younger Superians generally have move positive views of socialism in line with those in the rest of the Western world. The Farmer Labor Party, while a progressive party, contains a large socialist faction within its ranks and its committed towards more moderate forms of socialism like social democracy. The Liberal Democratic Party still retains a liberal socialist faction well into the present day while the New Labor Party of Superior is the only major political party that openly calls itself socialist.

History

Socialist parties and organizations

Current organizations

• Farmer Labor Party of Superior – A left-wing progressive party, the Farmer Labor Party was founded in 1908 following the collapse of the National Republican Party and started out as a socialist and left-wing party committed towards organized labor and workers' rights. Both would remain the party's goals, however it both included new policy positions and moderated its ideology in years following its formation. It is presently committed towards social democracy and progressivism, but maintains a large socialist faction.
• New Labor Party of Superior – A democratic socialist and left-wing political party formed in 2021, it was created from the New Farmer Labor Parliamentary Group that represetenb the most left-wing members prior to breaking off from its ranks and forming its own party under Melissa Butler. New Labor is committed towards a socialist state and system and is openly opposed towards both the monarchy and capitalism.

See also

• Conservatism in Superior
• Liberalism in Superior
• Progressivism in Superior