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COMMUNISM...will it work?

CALLING ALL POLITICIANS AND SOCIOLOGISTS!

Our generation is made up of so many revolutionaries that have so many forward-thinking ideas. one of the most controversial of them all is of course communism. Now, I've read the manifesto (skimmed!) and I don't know whether communism would work out in practice. on paper, it seems like the ideal situation but I'm not sure how this would work in today's society. Can anyone shed some light on this?? All ideas welcome :smile:

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Reply 1
Avatar for BillyMic
BillyMic
9
Communism in a nut shell is everyone being equal, yes it seems very very nice and all but that means if you're a doctor you'd get the same pay as a cleaning person. On paper it seems very nice but in reality it would not work as that means everyone would get the same thing, same conditions, same treatments and means no classes and no one has power over anyone other than officials.
Great on paper. In reality it will always be a disaster, cos human nature.
received_308885623095896.jpeg

Realistically, the only way anything close Communism will ever work is when all jobs are taken over by automation and therefore everyone is paid UBI no matter who they are (although, technically a Communist society has no government so who pays this I'm not entirely sure).

While humanity is still completing jobs, it can't happen - who would train to become a nuclear physicist, brain surgeon, accountant etc when bring a professional dog walker, cleaner etc pays (or gives as much bartering power) exactly the same.

The only way to get people to give up land, possessions without massive incentives is via force. Look how that's turned out in the USSR, PRC, DPRK etc.
Reply 4
Avatar for Melanie3135
Melanie3135
OP
4
Original post by BillyMic
Communism in a nut shell is everyone being equal, yes it seems very very nice and all but that means if you're a doctor you'd get the same pay as a cleaning person. On paper it seems very nice but in reality it would not work as that means everyone would get the same thing, same conditions, same treatments and means no classes and no one has power over anyone other than officials.

but then surely that will create an equal playing field for all humans, meaning that not one person has power over the other? Isn't the whole problem in society the fact that the people in power feel as if they can exploit the working class? The basis of communism starts off with officials initially ruling everything, but then as a true Marxist, will then give up the power to the people. If humans can find a leader like this to reinforce this, whos to say communism can't work?
Reply 5
Avatar for BillyMic
BillyMic
9
Original post by Melanie3135
but then surely that will create an equal playing field for all humans, meaning that not one person has power over the other? Isn't the whole problem in society the fact that the people in power feel as if they can exploit the working class? The basis of communism starts off with officials initially ruling everything, but then as a true Marxist, will then give up the power to the people. If humans can find a leader like this to reinforce this, whos to say communism can't work?


Who would be the ones paying people?
How would businesses grow or even be able to survive with such rules in place such as everything being equal?
And everyone would have basically nothing as an equal society means you won't have anything better than anyone else this could encite theft as people would want to have more rather than what they have now, I'd say commuism would equal crazy rubbish to happen.
Reply 6
Avatar for Melanie3135
Melanie3135
OP
4
Original post by Tempest II
received_308885623095896.jpeg

Realistically, the only way anything close Communism will ever work is when all jobs are taken over by automation and therefore everyone is paid UBI no matter who they are (although, technically a Communist society has no government so who pays this I'm not entirely sure).

While humanity is still completing jobs, it can't happen - who would train to become a nuclear physicist, brain surgeon, accountant etc when bring a professional dog walker, cleaner etc pays (or gives as much bartering power) exactly the same.

The only way to get people to give up land, possessions without massive incentives is via force. Look how that's turned out in the USSR, PRC, DPRK etc.

what would be this driving force? What is the alternative? And to answer your query, money wouldn't exist in a communist society as I understand it. The currency would be the trading of goods or services.
Original post by Melanie3135
CALLING ALL POLITICIANS AND SOCIOLOGISTS!

Our generation is made up of so many revolutionaries that have so many forward-thinking ideas. one of the most controversial of them all is of course communism. Now, I've read the manifesto (skimmed!) and I don't know whether communism would work out in practice. on paper, it seems like the ideal situation but I'm not sure how this would work in today's society. Can anyone shed some light on this?? All ideas welcome :smile:


Well we already have a good chunk of the demands made in the communist manifesto.


I think it has become evident from history that the Marxist-Lennist strategy for developing communism will not work. That isn't the only proposed route however.
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 8
Avatar for Melanie3135
Melanie3135
OP
4
Original post by BillyMic
Who would be the ones paying people?
How would businesses grow or even be able to survive with such rules in place such as everything being equal?
And everyone would have basically nothing as an equal society means you won't have anything better than anyone else this could encite theft as people would want to have more rather than what they have now, I'd say commuism would equal crazy rubbish to happen.

From my understanding businesses would grow through bartering and trade with others. The aim in a communist society is not the expand, more to survive and sustain. In terms of who will pay people, again money wouldn't exist it would be replaced by trading goods and services.

theft is a good point though, I think communism relies on the basis of everyone believing in a consensus reality and constantly having the greater good as their main priority.
Reply 9
Avatar for BillyMic
BillyMic
9
Original post by Melanie3135
From my understanding businesses would grow through bartering and trade with others. The aim in a communist society is not the expand, more to survive and sustain. In terms of who will pay people, again money wouldn't exist it would be replaced by trading goods and services.

theft is a good point though, I think communism relies on the basis of everyone believing in a consensus reality and constantly having the greater good as their main priority.


Let us say communism was suddenly in the UK and everyone had to follow it, what would happen to our goods? They would be taken that's for sure and money, if money was replaced by goods and services what happens to those that have no good and services to give? Wouldn't that mean they are freeloading off of others?
Original post by ChaoticButterfly
Well we already have a good chunk of the demands made in the communist manifesto.


I think it has become evident from history that the Marxist-Lennist strategy for developing communism will not work. That isn't the only proposed route however.

what did you mean by "we already have a good chunk of the demands made in the communist manifesto"? and what are the other routes society could take?
Original post by Melanie3135
what would be this driving force? What is the alternative? And to answer your query, money wouldn't exist in a communist society as I understand it. The currency would be the trading of goods or services.

The driving force is usually a personality or two that leads from the front. Lenin and Trotsky in Russia, Mao in China, Castro and Che in Cuba etc. In reality, communism is driven forward by a cult figure who is often then corrupted by the power they've obtained. And if they haven't been, then their successor often has been - Stalin for example.
To be honest, no leader would give away their power in the face of Communism.
Communism just won't work and never wil, too extreme.
Original post by Tempest II
The driving force is usually a personality or two that leads from the front. Lenin and Trotsky in Russia, Mao in China, Castro and Che in Cuba etc. In reality, communism is driven forward by a cult figure who is often then corrupted by the power they've obtained. And if they haven't been, then their successor often has been - Stalin for example.

All good and valid points. What is the alternative?
Original post by BillyMic
To be honest, no leader would give away their power in the face of Communism.
Communism just won't work and never wil, too extreme.

What is the alternative to this society? Something has to change.
Original post by Melanie3135
What is the alternative to this society? Something has to change.


Maybe socialism but I am not that good with this politics stuff. Just try to aim things to more for the people rather than the big businesses. Try and help small UK businesses grow rather than the big international ones.
It should work. Id say we should adopt it!
Original post by Kellyhigh235
It should work. Id say we should adopt it!

First person to say that! why do you think it'll work??
Original post by Melanie3135
First person to say that! why do you think it'll work??


equality. If people cant work hard at school they work hard for the rest of their life be bein something else. For exaple bus driving is a lot harder and stressful than being a doctor.

A doctor works hard at school then has aless stressful and more prestisious life. At the end of the day everyone equals out. Everyone has the same salary. Everyones equal. no discrimination. No rex evation. No crime. No benefits. Everyone pays equally and had equal opportunities. No one earns more than the other. You can send your children to the same school as pthers and they have a good chance at life.
It could work, but it should start off as socialism, then move onto communism. Going into communism like Russia did in 1917 will mean many people will have to die in order to meet the needs.

However, people in Britain generally like to own things. The communists today are not like the communists of Marx's day, they are more "progressive" and don't like a lot of the policies of the Soviet Union.

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