Capitalism or Communism? (1 Viewer)

[sarevok]

A lot of people say that 'communism works in theory, but not in practice' but I would say it is very flawed in both. As human beings, we need the ability to achieve and to be rewarded for it. A total redistribution of wealth eradicates the mechanism of exchange by which merit is sanctioned and supported. I cannot understand why anyone would desire this even in a theoretical sense. Achieving things brings a lot of satisfaction and meaning to my life.

Saying you are a communist now is like declaring that you are a Scientologist. Funny to think that 50 years ago this absurd belief system was actually a threat to our way of life.

 

[dieburndie]

A lot of people say that 'communism works in theory, but not in practice' but I would say it is very flawed in both.

I never really understood the statement at all. Can't any problem with a political system's practical application be attributed in some way to the theory supporting it? I think a lot of people misinterpret the word theory also, similar to the whole 'evolution is only a theory' type thing.

 

[Matt1120]

. A total redistribution of wealth eradicates the mechanism of exchange by which merit is sanctioned and supported. I cannot understand why anyone would desire this even in a theoretical sense.

Thing is, marx believed that greed and this drive to be rewarded is the result of society structured around classes. marx believed that if you eradicated the classes then greed would disapear

 

[Matt1120]

Surely a temporary dictatorship is necessary to safeguard the revolution?

Yes it is. But the dictatorship should let go of their power..but they dont becoauses humans are naturally greedy

 

[Foxodi]

I would imagine or prefer a system that is a balance between communism and capitalism.

I despise capitalism because it creates an environment where humans get too involved in their work, exploiting people, breeds greed etc. Ultimately I think capitalism creates an anti-social environment.

Also theres my belief that communism would be a much more effective method for creating wealth (I still dont see why government enterprises cant be made effecient), and theres the obvious distribution of wealth which will add value (however I think the positive effects of wealth distribution will be canceled out by the fact that more money will be spent then what is currently being spent, which will increase inflation to its true levels...)

A combination involving an open market (to regulate efficiency, pricing etc), with everything principally being owned by the government (to increase business activity, synergy effects etc). Then with a moderate wage distribution (prob similar to today's wages really, just with a wage cap of 1million or something...)

Then I'd the benefits of that system and put that into establishing social services (with a major emphasis on education)

I found some ideas similar to mine on wikipedia once, I cant find it right now but I think it was called something like "Middle Way" or something...

 

[Iron]

Yes it is. But the dictatorship should let go of their power..but they dont becoauses humans are naturally greedy

How do you account for our freedoms then? The colony of NSW was basically an autocracy. I think that perceived threat is more important than our supposed (and bs) evil default settings.
Isnt the history of the dark, cruel and paranoid slavs a better explanation?

 

[ccc123]

Your view of Communism is too much coloured by your own experience and not by the research literature which suggests that everyone would be better off under Communism.

No but, like, isn't that the inherent flaw of communism? That in literature and academic dissertation etc etc: i.e in an essentially theoretical sense people would be better off under communism, only that when someone actually attempts to implement it, it degenerates into an equally repressive regime?

 

[fantabulous]

Meh. Communism was never influential anyway

 

[ccc123]

Meh. Communism was never influential anyway

Um, Early C20th, the communist school of thought permeated global
consciousness. It was a very influential ideology. If it weren't, I can assure you the Chinese and Russian would not have attempted to implement it, and the Americans certainly wouldn't have been so apprehensive of it.

 

[Captain Gh3y]

FACT: The existence of capitalism relies on the ignorance and material obsession of the great masses of people.

If everyone were more educated, materialism and profit-driven chaos would give way to superior values such as equity, equality and fairness. This would naturally lead to a system based on Socialism.

Ever wondered why the government continually under-funds education? EXACTLY.

 

[bigboyjames]

both have the ups and down. but democracy sold out to capitalism years back. im not a fan of both but looking at what the world is comming to ill say communism.

 

[Foxodi]

It's called a mixed market economy. Its what we have in Australia today. No country in the world is a pure example of either communism or capitalism.

Mm, what I have in mind is abit more extreme I think. I mean for all business's assets to be ultimately owned by the government, in an efficient and competitive system; with the main aim of introducing competition when needed (and reducing it when needed... 100 generic companies to do the same thing is a waste of productivity imo..) Also it enables the government to coordinate co operation between the compeating sectors/groups etc, to increase synergy effects.

Also the wage should have a cap of 250k or so, and only goes over slightly in cases of extremely rare ability.

And much much more emphasis on education Replace all basic functions with automated machines and encourage the masses of the unemployed to go back to education, so more people have higher-thinking skills, allowing for the economy to grow further? Just my thoughts anyway.

 

[Foxodi]

both have the ups and down. but democracy sold out to capitalism years back. im not a fan of both but looking at what the world is comming to ill say communism.

Haha yea, its kinda sad now, the word democracy seems to have the same meaning as capitalism these days.... curse America and its idea's; It's only a matter of time before their system collapses imo.

 

[kaz1]

communism all the way

 

[Matt1120]

Meh. Communism was never influential anyway

hmm thats why the world was nearly destory with the cuban missile crisis. whenever democracy/capitalism and communism have an arguement, wars start and missiles fly

 

[bassistx]

I can't bother to read through all the posts in here, but if somebody hasn't pointed it out already, Communism, apart from being an economic system, is actually a political system (in reference to the first post). You can seach google or whatever if you want.

In any case, that member's dead. So they shouldn't care lol.

Communism > Capitalism

EDIT: Gh3y, Socialism and Communism may have their similarities but they're still quite different from each other. Communism is basically the "final level" - Socialism is the lead up to Communism. It's still quite liberal.

 

[chicky_pie]

Meh. Communism was never influential anyway

The Australian Labor party wanted to turn this country into a communist country back in the 1950's.

 

[^CoSMic DoRiS^^]

Haha yea, its kinda sad now, the word democracy seems to have the same meaning as capitalism these days.... curse America and its idea's; It's only a matter of time before their system collapses imo.

it's only a matter of time before the sun burns out and the world ends. nothing lasts forever. what's your point?

 

[_dhj_]

We're gonna get socialism one way or the other.

Eventually we'll all be using one product (such as the ipod) or one website (youtube or whatever dominates). Product differentiation then collapses and we'll all live happily ever after in the end of history.

 

[Matt1120]

We're gonna get socialism one way or the other.

Eventually we'll all be using one product (such as the ipod) or one website (youtube or whatever dominates). Product differentiation then collapses and we'll all live happily ever after in the end of history.

it wont last forever, people will want to overthrow the dictator and it will become mob rule