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Communist Britain?

Hello all,

I met an actual communist a few days ago and we had a debate about the political system etc. He proposed a communist country, with freedom of speech, in which you are encouraged to work, yet must do it without pay and with compassion. You get allocated a house by the state, depending on the importance of your job in society, and you get a weekly wage by the state for you to buy things you need or want.

Obviously there are flaws in his thinking, but parts of it make sence. So reading the above, why would you be against Britain being run in a type of communist fashion? The biggest flaw I can see is people not working and just abusing the benefits system the state offers by making more children.
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 1
Avatar for Rakas21
Rakas21
21
Original post by TheTruthTeller
Hello all,

I met an actual communist a few days ago and we had a debate about the political system etc. He proposed a communist country, with freedom of speech, in which you are obliged to work, yet must do it without pay and with compassion. You get allocated a house by the state, depending on the importance of your job in society, and you get a weekly wage by the state for you to buy things you need or want.

Obviously there are flaws in his thinking, but parts of it make sence. So reading the above, why would you be against Britain being run in a type of communist fashion?


That sounds very fascist.

I would oppose on that on the basis that my only obligation to the state should be to not be a drain, if i want to only work 30 hours then so be it. I like that the market produces a never ending list of wants. I don't trust the state to accurately judge who is most important to society. I believe in personal responsibility.
Original post by Rakas21
That sounds very fascist.

I would oppose on that on the basis that my only obligation to the state should be to not be a drain, if i want to only work 30 hours then so be it. I like that the market produces a never ending list of wants. I don't trust the state to accurately judge who is most important to society. I believe in personal responsibility.


Sorry I worded it badly there. I think he said if you work, you can work your way up in society. But even if you don't the state will provide you with the essentials to live such as a small flat etc.
Reply 3
Avatar for Rakas21
Rakas21
21
Original post by TheTruthTeller
Sorry I worded it badly there. I think he said if you work, you can work your way up in society. But even if you don't the state will provide you with the essentials to live such as a small flat etc.


Why would i want that though when i work my up a large corporation? Why should people be provided with such things when they choose to be lazy? Why should i care more about society than i do me and mine?
Original post by Rakas21
Why would i want that though when i work my up a large corporation? Why should people be provided with such things when they choose to be lazy? Why should i care more about society than i do me and mine?


Well obviously the argument is that through education people will learn that we are all "collectively" responsible for our society and should work to keep it running. The only acception being those whom cannot work due to physical disability, illness etc.
Reply 5
Avatar for Rakas21
Rakas21
21
Original post by TheTruthTeller
Well obviously the argument is that through education people will learn that we are all "collectively" responsible for our society and should work to keep it running. The only acception being those whom cannot work due to physical disability, illness etc.


But society broadly functions well now. How will this change in mindset improve my life? Improve wider society? Society is also made up of many individuals.
Original post by Rakas21
But society broadly functions well now. How will this change in mindset improve my life? Improve wider society? Society is also made up of many individuals.


Well I guess that wealth would be equally distributed, meaning there would be more economical equality. There is a massive gap between the rich and poor. Education these days is about competitiveness and about becoming the best at this or that and making the most money. Communism I guess is about doing whats best for wider society as you put it, whereas this current system is about individualism and your personal gain.
Reply 7
Avatar for Rakas21
Rakas21
21
Original post by TheTruthTeller
Well I guess that wealth would be equally distributed, meaning there would be more economical equality. There is a massive gap between the rich and poor. Education these days is about competitiveness and about becoming the best at this or that and making the most money. Communism I guess is about doing whats best for wider society as you put it, whereas this current system is about individualism and your personal gain.


But why would i want that? Having grown up in the lowest 10% of incomes i live in a country where it's very possible i can at least still earn the average wage, if not a bit better. Beyond that though, if this is even a problem then why is it an argument to completely change the system rather than simply tinker with the current one.

Sure. But i'm not convinced that working towards the betterment of society is better than seeking personal gain. Until we develop the kinds of technology that allow us to explore space, i don't see much need to come together as one.
Original post by Rakas21
But why would i want that? Having grown up in the lowest 10% of incomes i live in a country where it's very possible i can at least still earn the average wage, if not a bit better. Beyond that though, if this is even a problem then why is it an argument to completely change the system rather than simply tinker with the current one.

Sure. But i'm not convinced that working towards the betterment of society is better than seeking personal gain. Until we develop the kinds of technology that allow us to explore space, i don't see much need to come together as one.


Well communism is not about what YOU want but what is BETTER for society as a whole. Society would be more equal which is the essence of the what I said before. You living in the lowest 10 percent income do not have the same opportunity to become a surgeon in comparison to somebody living in the best part of Britain with parents earning more than 1 mil a year.
Reply 9
Avatar for Rakas21
Rakas21
21
Original post by TheTruthTeller
Well communism is not about what YOU want but what is BETTER for society as a whole. Society would be more equal which is the essence of the what I said before. You living in the lowest 10 percent income do not have the same opportunity to become a surgeon in comparison to somebody living in the best part of Britain with parents earning more than 1 mil a year.


Yes, but to achieve communism you'll have to either convince people like me or go all Soviet and bring people like me into line by force. Society being more equal is not necessarily at this point in my life. That's true, but nor does it mean that i cannot, simply that i'm less likely. Though again, i'd argue that's a reason to tinker rather than tear down the system.
It's like the last 90 years never happened.😁
Original post by caravaggio2
It's like the last 90 years never happened.������


Not fair to judge the ideology on the last 90 years. As we see in europe now people are becoming more socialist and leaning towards the left due to ecomical crisis.
Original post by TheTruthTeller
Not fair to judge the ideology on the last 90 years. As we see in europe now people are becoming more socialist and leaning towards the left due to ecomical crisis.


Would you afford the same leniency towards national socialism or fascism?

It is perfectly fair to judge an ideology on it's past performances. And as it so happens, communism has an abysmal track record, to say the least.

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