Distraction_

A New Biharism

A short essay by Kristoff of Korstadt on what modern Biharism could be.

"To each freeman is his own life, to take it is to be a thief,

To each freeman his own time, to take it is to be a slaver,

To each freeman his own sword, to take it is to blind him,

To each freeman his own wife, to take it is to injure him,

And to each freeman his own farm, to take is to make him no man.”

- Jeremic Liberties

Introduction

Recently the Lord Speaker, Osvald Barclay published a treatise on the dying philosophy of Biharism, titled; 'The Last Breath of Biharism.' In the treatise Osvald stated in the conclusion; 

“Each iteration of the ideology is a combination of the context of it’s time, as well as the personalities and policies of the respective monarchs, and their council. Because of this fact of history, Biharism, as the timeline progressed, changed from what it had been at its conception…” 

Those words made me ponder how Biharism could fit in our modern age. After some time I decided to write this in response to Osvald, a way Biharism can fit into modern life. To read the following it is not necessary to read the Lord Speaker’s work, but I would recommend it regardless.

Part I: Agrarianism

Most Haensemen today live in cities, away from the fresh country air and closer to the government, military, and markets. Considering the fact that it is rather difficult to farm in the middle of a city, the amount of farmers in dual-monarchy has decreased dramatically. What I suggest is not to construct new farms and encourage people to move outside the walls, but rather to instead encourage the people to take up gardening if they are able. 

Gardening is essentially farming on a vastly smaller scale, and many people in Haense might be able to make room for a small, two or three square meter space to grow flowers, beets, or whatever they wish. Not only would this bring some life into our city, gardening teaches the gardener patience and care, something we could all use.

Part II: Loyalty

This one has not diminished in the slightest. Even in the face of insurmountable odds have haensemen never thought of abandoning their king or kingdom. Not after the loss at the siege of Helena in the War of Two Emperors, not during the difficult battles in the early months of the  decades-long Rubern war. Not as the Scyflings tried to force us from our lands, as a further testament to Haense, the Scyflings agreed to be integrated into the kingdom! Loyalty is perhaps Haense’s greatest virtue, and it always shall be.

Part III: Pan-Highlanderism and Scholarism

These two might seem like they belong together as originally, Pan-Highlanderism meant all Highlanders were to be put under one state, Haense. This no longer has to be the case. In our time this term could be made to mean the spread of Haeseni culture and language to all within the kingdom. Which also leads into Haeseni Scholarism, I would encourage all who live in Haense to learn our ways and language on their own, or have it taught in the Academy.

Part IV: Expansionism

This one may no longer have a place in Haense. We are at peace with our neighbors, and those who would see us dead have made peace or have been slain by Haeseni arms in war. To embrace this once more would likely destroy all we have gained in recent years. As our beloved Lord Speaker put it: "Since the beginning of the contemporary era, the tenet of Expansionism has been dead and buried, it’s legacy suitably concluded." Expansionism is a relic of the past, and it should stay that way.

Part V: Traditionalism

Haense has many customs and traditions, among the greatest of them is meritocracy. Noble titles and given to those who earn them, and even without a title a man can go far in Haense. The newer houses of Barclay and Kortrevich are an excellent example, Otto Kortrevich became Lord Marshal before becoming a lord, and Nikolaus Kortrevich became our most renowned Knight Paramount, both were men born peasants. House Barclay is today among the most prominent houses in Haense, and easily one the largest. This tradition of meritocracy should be upheld, all men in the kingdom should be able to achieve their wishes.

Conclusion

Despite old Biharism fading, we can bring back, but perhaps not as it was in the days of old. Biharism is a part of Haense, if it dies we lose a part of our cultural identity. For Agrarianism we don't need to all pack up and move outside the walls into the country, when a small garden inside the city or just outside the gate will do. Loyalty stands at the core of what Haense is. Pan-Highlanderism and Scholarism can be achieved through growing our culture and sharing it with others. Expansionism is dead, as it should be. The greatest of our traditions, Meritocracy should continue to be upheld. Biharism might be dying, but it is far from dead.

IGN: Distraction_

Character Name: Martin Kortrevich

Age: 56

Place of Residence [Street / County Address]: 9 Marian Blvd.

Position: Alderman

Martin Kortrevich, an Alderman present at the session and voted ‘nay,’ Remembers the duma session and his reason quite clearly – 

WE WANTED TO SPEND MORE! Particularly on the military.

IGN: Distraction_
Character Name: Martin Kortrevich
Age: 49

Position: Alderman

IGN: Distraction_
Character Name: Martin Kortrevich
Age: 45

Full Name: Martin Kortrevich
Age: 36

 City of Residency: Reza

Occupation: Captain of Haensetian Royal Army

Would you be interested in becoming a Blue Beret?: Yes

IGN: Distraction_
Character Name: Martin Kortrevich
Age: 34

1. NAME: Martin Kortrevich

2. AGE: 31

   1. Date Of Birth: 1679

   2. Place Of Birth: Markev

3. RACE (Including Ethnicity): Human – Highlander

4. PAST MILITARY EXPERIENCE: Currently serving as Captain

5. SIGNATURE: Martin Kortrevich

Name/(OOC Name): Martin Kortrevich (Distraction_)

Age: 29

Race: Human

Residence: 4 Sigmund’s End

Mcname: Distraction_

 IC Name: Martin Kortrevich

Residancy/ Street name, number: 4 Sigmund’s End

 Class/ Title: Military / Master at Arms

Full Name: Martin Kortrevich

Prefecture: Markev

Political Party: Independent

Full Name: Martin Kortrevich

City of Residency: Markev

Year of Birth: 1677

Address: 1 Jan Road