Thread: Communism!

Originally Posted by 27

OK, but it doesn't make the dream proof that communism works. If communism worked we'd still have the USSR.

Not really, no.

The problem with communism is that it is utopic, it is too idealistic. It is also very misunderstood, as is anarchism, and it has never been executed correctly.

Originally Posted by Zera

Not really, no.

The problem with communism is that it is utopic, it is too idealistic. It is also very misunderstood, as is anarchism, and it has never been executed correctly.

In a hypothetical situation where it does work, what would be the driving force? What would fuel the system and have it working effectively? Without greed, I don't understand what the fuel can possibly be other than government intimidation, which is very weak compared to greed. Can you or anybody else clear up that issue?

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

In a hypothetical situation where it does work, what would be the driving force? What would fuel the system and have it working effectively? Without greed, I don't understand what the fuel can possibly be other than government intimidation, which is very weak compared to greed. Can you or anybody else clear up that issue?

If the word "communism" sparks mystery and a bit of fear in you, you've been infected by the powerful red scare. It's incredible that thanks to the USSR, the Nazis were defeated, but everyone prefers to think that it was because of the Americans.

Well obviously people are the driving force. Greed is not what makes the world go round, in fact, you'd find that in most places it is necessity. In an ideal communist state, if you don't produce anything, you're not getting anything. So basically, you have to play your part. It's just another type of society, more self-dependent. Look at Cuba, the USSR "fell" (yes, quotes because it will take a long time to wipe off it's influence on modern Russia) and it still functions quite efficiently.

Originally Posted by Zera

If the word "communism" sparks mystery and a bit of fear in you, you've been infected by the powerful red scare. It's incredible that thanks to the USSR, the Nazis were defeated, but everyone prefers to think that it was because of the Americans.

Western Front: U.S. and Britain. 1.1 million Americans were killed or injured in WWII. We defeated the Japanese and led victory on the Western Front. That is not something that should be ignored.

Eastern Front: Soviet Union. However, that does not mean they were not evil. They didn't want somebody else taking over the world. They were about geared up and ready to try it themselves. It sure as Hell does not mean their economic system was high quality. So much of the money they were able to get out of the half ass workers went to their military. The nation itself hung on by a thread.

Originally Posted by Zera

Well obviously people are the driving force. Greed is not what makes the world go round, in fact, you'd find that in most places it is necessity. In an ideal communist state, if you don't produce anything, you're not getting anything. So basically, you have to play your part. It's just another type of society, more self-dependent. Look at Cuba, the USSR "fell" (yes, quotes because it will take a long time to wipe off it's influence on modern Russia) and it still functions quite efficiently.

That encourages people to do just enough to get by. Greed makes people go nuts with creativity and extra hard work. That difference is why the Soviet Union collapsed and the United States is the wealthiest nation in history.

out of love to create a eutopia, where we as a race can focus on bigger things like space, time, mind ect. instead of arguing and fighting. material possesion is only a bad thing in a cultured society. with the demise of culture can come individuality and true ethics on morality.

Communism is working very well in Venezuela at the moment. At least, I think it is. I'm probably going to be flamed.

I just think its not in human nature. Human nature is greed. Capitalism is perfect for greed.

Originally Posted by Pensive Patrick

Communism is working very well in Venezuela at the moment. At least, I think it is. I'm probably going to be flamed.

I just think its not in human nature. Human nature is greed. Capitalism is perfect for greed.

The communism in Venezuela works as long as you perceive the goal as 'keep the rich insanely rich and keep the poor insanely poor but give them enough money to survive'. They have no sustainable industry, no system for anyone who isn't already rich to better themselves, and they completely ignore the middle class. There is no benefit for anyone who is rich to give back to the community by developing industry to create jobs and bolster the economy because the government seizes all industry and so the rich just sit on their giant piles of money and don't do anything. Once their natural oil runs out they will essentially be thrown back in to the dark ages with nothing else to live off of.

Humans naturally like to feel control. When that control is taken away, they naturally resist. If the world were Communist, there would be wide spread revolts leading to Anarchy. Communism could work in certain cases, if the government suppressed knowledge and kept those likely to revolt under their thumb. The most likely case of the world reverting to a Communist form of government would be a nuclear holocaust or a similar world disaster which might unify all who oppose under the power of fear.

Since when is Venezuela "communist"? Please do cite your references.