Communism
By Myrrdin
@Myrrdin (3599)
Canada
March 22, 2007 2:54pm CST
I came across a thread on here that asked if America was a communist country and as evidence produced a list from 1963 on the supposed goals of communists. America has been very anti-communist for quite some time, but I wonder how many people actually know what communism is. I thought I'd write this post to clear up some misconceptions about communism.
1) Communism vs Democracy:
Communism is not at odds with democracy, a country could be communistic and democratic, in fact that is how Marx envisioned communism. Communism is an economic system not a political, the opposite of Communism is Capitalism.
2) Communism vs Family:
One of the things continually coming up is that communism apparently doesn't like the family unit, this is not true, but arises from the inherent equality in the system, everyone must contribute regardless of gender, when communism first came about this was viewed as against families because it meant that women would no longer be the caregiver in the homes by themselves, but rather that the community as a whole provided support, and everyone was required to work.
3) Free Lunch:
Most more up to date objectors refer to welfare states as communistic, which is true to an extent. However Communism relies on the people to pull together and do the work.
4) Communism stifles creativity and progress
Not strictly true, this belief is due to the fact that you don't get paid more for coming up with the cure for cancer, but do you really in capitalism either?
Now I am not a communist, I think that communism is an idealistic economic structure that cannot be sustained in our current society, that being said I have to wonder where all the fear of communism comes from in the USA.
6 responses
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I think it's because a lot of people don't understand what true communism is, and when they hear the word communism, they think of the U.S.S.R. and other countries which call themselves communistic. What they don't understand is, that's not really communism. In a communistic society, everyone works - there is no upper class or single leader because the country belongs to the working class, if I remember correctly (if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me).
I don't think present day America is communistic because it's far too capitalistic for that. Plus, there's no political representation in pure communism...political representation is something America has in abundance.
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I can't say that I truly understand all the aspects of different politics or economical views.
My discussion was posted in hopes to have a better understanding.
I was hoping that someone could put it in more simple terms for me better to comprehend.
Thank you for posting this discussion...it does help to give me a better view.
1 person likes this
@nicolec (2671)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I think people's biggist misconception of communism is that everything is controlled by the governement. By that I mean businesses. The government had it's hands in all sorts of business afairs. I think that's less true in America then it was at one time. I believe modern day america is more capitilist as it allows anyone to go out and make their own money with out haveing to rely on gthe community as a whole, as you put it.
1 person likes this
@ucl800 (860)
• Greece
24 Mar 07
I agree with you, just to add some things. About the 4th stifling creativity and progress. I agree that if someone could found the cure of cancer in a communist country, wouldn't get more money for that, however, a huge system of incentives has been created such us better housing, cars etc.
Furthermore, the cure would be free for everyone.
To see that this is true, try to look the Nobel prices of the last 100 years and in mathematics and so on. Although that Nobel prizes are always accused for serving various interests (most of the time is true) there is even a communist economists that have taken the nobel prize in economics.
The problem of communism is the big bureaucracy. That's why I believe that the current radical computer evolution will put new basis on how applicable communism can be.
If someone want to know more about communism, he can be reffered not to Marx (he is at first stage too diffucult) but in the papers published in the Soviet Academy of Science. There you can find also problems that arise inside communism.
1 person likes this
@apatheticagnostic (32)
• United States
23 Mar 07
The fear of communism comes from the same source as most "average americans" opinions on political matters - the media and propoganda (perhaps a redundant statement).
I mean a lot, if not the majority of people in this country simply don't research something if they hear about it from something or someone that they consider to be a credible source. Of course, no one has the time to thoroughly research everything they hear, but on things like systems of government, it might be a good idea.
I am not a communist either, I really don't ascribe do any certain form of economics. I have some theories though.
Most of the negative arguments against communism (at least in the general populace) really aren't sound, or are strawmen.
