What is Newism?
Newism is an empty cup. An ideology of constant revision and self-criticism, a vehicle for political change, a political system that is always in flux, ever becoming and unbecoming itself.
Newness is not a physical property; it appears in the eye of its observer for a single moment, and then disappears just as instantly. Likewise, ‘Newism’ can never truly be achieved or implemented in the sense of a traditional political system. Newism is a process, one that can only be maintained by sustained effort, engagement and adaptation to the ever-changing political context.
Newism is ironically not a new concept. Take, for example, there was a time when Absolute Monarchism was the predominant political ideology. But this system changed with the will of the people and was slowly revised as new ideas took prominence. The shift from Absolute Monarchism to constitutional Monarchism is a Newist movement. This being because there was a considered effort to change the political paradigm, and it succeeded because – despite how deeply entrenched Absolute Monarchism was at its height – it had to eventually bend to the new ideological reality. If Capitalism were to adapt to increasing automation by including Universal Basic Income – even though it remained Capitalism at its core – that movement towards a new technological context is Newism. Both the adaption itself and the political, scientific, philosophical analysis of the change; are Newism. Further, the debate about the merits of Universal Basic Income, and the investigation on how to best implement such a change – are Newism.
Newism is not a political ideology in itself – it is a way of deconstructing the successes and failures of any ruling political system – and a framework to ponder, implement and experiment with achieving political change. If the world elected to adopt ‘Constitutional Fascism’ or to be ruled by a philosopher-king, or a single community enacted Techno-Tribalism; or indeed – if after a global census conclude that nothing should change at all – that is Newism.
The original desired outcome was for ‘Newism’ to become a word that created space to bridge ideological barriers. Newism would be a tool for promoting healthy, inclusive, level-headed yet challenging discussion of political ideas and social change. A Californian apologetic SJW and a hard-line, psychopathic fascist, don’t appear to have anything to agree about on paper. But if these individuals were rebranded as Newists, then they could open their minds to the fact that they both agree on wanting change – of wanting something New. Because to be a Newist, is to accept that no political system is perfect or could appeal to every individual in every circumstance.
Newism is less a formula designed to bring as much change in as little time as possible – it is instead, a way to understand that even the most potent ideological ‘enemies’ will have plenty of things to agree on, once they actually listen and understand each other’s beliefs. If we stop demonising each other and looking to ‘defeat’ other Isms with our own – then we can focus our energy on what we agree on, and work towards enacting incremental change.
The only constant in the world is change. Newism is change, Newism is Evolution, Newism is worth thinking about.