A New Experiment
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A New Experiment: Establishing freedom, order, and purpose through egalitarianism
-by Walter Haig
A New Experiment is printed on standard paper, folded in half and stapled together to form a small booklet. The cover contains only the title and the Carthian symbol. On the last page, Walter's number is printed with an invitation to call him to further discuss his proposals.
Arguments for an Egalitarian Movement
It has long been argued that the Movement’s weakness, perhaps even its Achilles Heel, is its lack of diversity. It is commonly argued by outsiders that a political movement that includes totalitarian Marxists, neo-fascists, democratic reformers, anarchists, egalitarian collectivists, and every other possible political stripe under the night cannot move forward collectively. It has been argued that such diversity, of often diametrically opposed factions, prevents the Carthian Movement from achieving a true revolution in Kindred society, i.e. sweeping away the feudal model of a Prince and the trappings of a court and permanently replacing it with a new, more enlightened model. Certainly, it is difficult to imagine such diverse and occasionally opposing factions to achieve any lasting success. Many ambitious Carthian leaders have sought to impose a forced unity upon the Movement, believing it is the key to a successful and lasting revolution.
However, there is a fatal flaw in this model. It tries to address a perceived Carthian weakness with an entirely Invictus solution. Forced unity is a false unity, which can only be enforced as long sufficient force, or threat of force, remains in place to back up the leading class’ dictates. Violence, blackmail, coercion, and censorship are tools of the existing establishment. While it may occasionally be necessary to turn these tools against the political establishment, they should never be turned against a fellow Carthian.
Rather than seeing our differences as a weakness that must be corrected, the Movement should embrace them as a strength. Allowing voluntary groups or syndicates to form along shared political goals and interests ensures wider involvement and a more dedicated pool of agitators working for the change we all seek – the end of the corrupt feudal model. Members are not to be repressed, but are to be allowed to further their own interests and passions within the Movement. This freedom allows members to channel their passions towards the ultimate goal of change.
Of course, at times, individuals or even individual groups will work in ways that contradict the Movement and or harm fellow members. This may be unknowingly or not, but clearly it can not be allowed. To do so would undermine the entire Movement and therefore undermine the freedom an egalitarian system allows to do so in the first place. A minimal government is needed to correct these wayward members, for their own good, as they act against their self interest. However, this government is not based on any artificial, formal structures, rather by merit and respect within the Movement.
The Minimalist Government
The selection of those who will participate in the government is both a simple and natural process. Members of high regard and ability will rise up informally. This is a natural process, as each voluntary syndicate will have one or possibly two leaders emerge. Of course, not every syndicate automatically warrants a say in this informal government. Only syndicates that advance the Movement, assist fellow Carthians, and promote change are worthy to have a voice. Of course, as the Movement stands now, every active, participating member may end up serving as a member of this informal government. This encourages activity and involvement if one wishes to advance their ideas.
This informal council of leaders can identify wayward members who either fail to serve the Movement, harm the Movement, or even actively undermine it. The informal council of leaders can then act according to the Movement’s interest to correct the identified problem.
The primary function of the informal council of leaders is to ensure the basic Carthian code is upheld. The informal council of leaders may also appoint capable members to offices, not so that they can lead via an artificial office, but so that they may serve and better the Movement and its code.
The Carthian Code
One area where the Movement has failed is in past nights is not clearly establishing the expectations and duties of the individual member. The Carthian code is a proposed set of guiding rules or principles which all members should strive to meet.
1. Never harm the Movement.
This rule is first among all Carthian law. Individuals may disagree, but we are all bound to the Movement, and the Movement is greater than any individual. We are therefore duty bound to never act in ways that will bring harm to the Movement or undermine its goals.
2. Never harm your fellow Carthian.
Just as we cannot hinder the Movement’s progress forward, we cannot hinder our brethren’s progress. Tolerance and diversity are the cornerstone of any multi-factional organization such as the Movement. We may oppose our brethren’s politics or even methods, but we cannot seek to harm them or hamper their efforts in anyway. If anyone should believe an individual or a group has taken a course that counters or harms the Movement, they’re only duty is to report it to the government and allow them to act in the Movement’s best interests.
3. Aid your brethren.
Without the third law, we are no more than a collection of disjointed ideologies. If a Carthian brother comes to one in good faith and requests reasonable aid or assistance, it should be granted if at all possible. This provides a broad support network for every member, from the newest Childe to the most esteemed Elder. It is always acceptable to request reasonable form of repayment or aide in exchange for aid given. Through mutual aid, we become united for the cause of change.
4. Advance the cause of change.
Change is the one unifying belief within the Movement. We all seek to establish a new, more enlightened society of Kindred. Every member is expected to advance that cause, though how and what change they seek to advance is left to the individual.
Possible Corrections for Breaches of the Carthian Code
The informal council of leaders may choose or create whatever method of correction that best meets the needs of the common interest and the Movement as a whole. Below is merely a possible list for common infractions.
1. Warning and correction. This is reserved for most minor offenses, the informal council of leaders or its designated representative will inform the individual(s) in breach of the law of their breach and tell them what corrective measures they must take to repair the breach.
2. Public chastisement and correction. For more serious breaches, the individual(s) may be publicly chastised for their indiscretion before the entire Carthian body and made to pay restitution to the proper person(s) or to the Movement as a whole.
3. Punishment. In addition to restitution, the individual in breach of the law may be required to undergo some physical punishment. Do to the undead state of the vampire, any physical punishment must be extreme to have a lasting deterrent affect, but may not go so far as to induce torpor or final death.
4. Exile. This is the last step and is reserved only for the most serious breaches or long standing chronic breaches. The individual is removed from the Movement and his banned from all Movement holdings or domains.
Potential Offices
The informal council of leaderss may appoint officers to serve the Movement in specific, needed roles. These offices may be created or abolished as the informal council of leaders sees a need, or lack thereof, within the Movement. All officers serve at the pleasure of the informal council of leaders and may be relieved at any time.
Prefect: This individual serves as a contact point with non-Carthians, particularly the established power structure. New arrivals would be directed towards him and he can advise them what syndicate might best fit their personal beliefs. He can also serve as a channel to field offers from other factions or individuals, though he would not have the authority to decide upon these offers. Rather it would be reported back to the informal council of leaders. Lastly, the Prefect may serve as master of ceremonies or moderator at covenant meetings. He has no more influence or say than any other member, but helps to organize and conduct meetings.
The Detective: This office serves to investigate claims of either harming the Movement or a fellow Carthian. They may also initiate investigations on their own, to ensure the common interest is kept by all. This office may not carry out punishment or sentence without the expressed and explicit approval of the informal council of leaders.
The Myrmidon: This office serves to mediate disputes between members. Only when both members come before the Myrmidon may the office mediate a solution. The Myrmidon is empowered to call witnesses and examine evidence. Once he has ruled, his decision is final and cannot be appealed. By appearing before the Myrmidon, both parties consent to accepting his judgment.
The Clerk: The clerk serves to record and catalog both the Movement’s resources and its areas of influence. Every member must record his haven(s), spheres of mortal influence, and other assets with the clerk. Members seeking aid from the Movement, may go here to be directed to the proper individual.
Closing Thoughts
This proposed egalitarian system promotes and protects individuality and the common interest. Any attempt to unite such a passionate and diverse set of beliefs under one ideology will not only ultimately fail, but breed resentment, intrigue, and apathy among those who do not share the prevailing beliefs.
However, we cannot be completely without leadership. This leads to indecisiveness and worse. This does not mean we need a formal structure of office holding leaders. Influential and well regarded leaders will emerge naturally, and they are the true leaders of the Movement. These leaders can act to protect the common interest – expressed partly in the proposed Carthian Code - and if need be, appoint office holding servants to assist them in their task.
The advantages of embracing our diverse nature are many. It promotes involvement and growth, as members will naturally pursue their own interests and beliefs. It allows the Movement to be active on several fronts. No one Experiment has achieved a monopoly on truth. None of us, not even the most rabid ideologue, can be certain which Experiment will finally establish a lasting new and enlightened order. Tactically, it lets us engage the establishment on multiple fronts that one or even two ideologies might not otherwise engage in. Militant communists can engage in the streets and in the hearts and minds, while capitalist-democrats can raises needed funds and intrigue against the system from within. All fronts can be engaged, and all options utilized, with due prudence. When we embrace our nature, our diversity, not only set ourselves apart from the traditional, repressive order, we strengthen the Movement and the push for change.