National-Republicanism

Republic]]. It drafts its name from the Azorean ruling party and major corporation, the Partido Nacional-Republicano (National-Republican Party). Seen by many as a mere variation of fascism, most political scholars and historians agree that it has now evolved to something different, in spite of conserving some of its nationalistic and traditionalist roots.

Origins
The National-Republican Party was officially founded in 1995, as a direct consequence of the Goshawk Revolution, José do Canto's peaceful putsch. The Azorean Dictator, founder of the Fifth Republic, united most of the Azorean right-wing under a single banner. Its ranks were tremendously heterogeneous, uniting free-market liberals and staunch reactionary monarchists alike. José do Canto would prove to be a key figure in the development of National-Republicanism, eventually earning the title of Father of the Republic and triggering a massive personality cult around him, mainly after his own death.

Doctrine
National-Republicanism advocates, essentially, a free-market system controlled by an authoritarian and meritocratic state. Drifting away from the typical fascist corporativist model, National-Republicanism adapted itself to the strong liberal economic spirit that has always dominated the Azores. Externally, it is a proponent of the Europe of the Nations doctrine, which promotes the right to self-determination of the peoples of Europe and frowns upon imperialism as a whole.

Internal Politics
National-Republicanism is an essentially authoritarian ideology. Advocating a single-party state, as the best means to achieve political and social stability, it is predominantly focused on the construction of a meritocratic republic. Maintaining some of the most traditional aspects of fascism, such as intensive propaganda and the promotion of traditional family values, it nevertheless advocates total equality of opportunities for both genders. It frowns upon Sexual Freedom, condemning hommosexuality and abortion, among other practises. Divorce is, however, quite common given the society's flexible mobility.

Another of its main priorities is education. National-Republicanism considers that a strong and soldi state education system is the main engine of any developed economy. As to ensure economic, political and social stability, state education should be free but, above anything else, of excellent quality.

Economic Policy
National-Republicanism is based around a dynamic and flexible free-market doctrine. Government intervention in the economy should be avoided at all costs. The state should perform, essentially, a regulating task which focuses mainly on the correction of market negative externalities. National-Republicanism also advocates strong cooperation between the State and the private sector. The Azorean example is a good one: the single National-Republican Party is the country's largest private corporation. In addition, major companies (the so-called zaibatsu) have a say on the Government's most important decisions, holding a seat at the National Council (or Council of Ministers). This way, the Government ensures that its policies will not hurt the country's major employers, therefore guaranteeing the maintenance of economic stability and prosperity.