Define communism

[Norseman]

I've taken several different systems, some familiar, and some perhaps unfamiliar, mixed them around, and placed them on this poll. There is a correct answer, but I ask that you don't check a dictionary or encyclopedia before taking the poll. It's not a public poll, so no one is going to know if you get it wrong. I'd just like to know what people naturally associate the idea of communism with. See the poll choices below, CF wouldn't allow a poll option to be longer than 100 characters.

A: A government that opposes any individuality, and seeks homogeneity among its people, guided by the principles of the state.

B: A government that re-distributes wealth and property as it sees necessary, to provide for the lower classes.

C: A government that emphasizes individual rights and freedoms, democratic leadership, and a system of checks and balances.

D: A society without a government, leadership, or any form of authority, where everyone is free to do anything.

E: A state that outlaws, blasphemy, adultery, dressing immodestly, banking consumption of unclean foods, and drinking.

F: A classless, stateless society without currency, and without individual ownership of tools.

G: A very centralized government controlled by one person, who has complete authority over their country.

Now, complementary white space to keep the first reply out of immediate view:


















Trivia: Can you name all of these forms of government?

 

[The Lone Gunmen]

A. Fascism

B. Socialism

C. Republic

D. Anarchy

E. Religious government (Is there a term for it?)

F. Communism

G. Abosolute Monarchy

 

[Norseman]

A. Fascism

B. Socialism

C. Republic

D. Anarchy

E. Religious government (Is there a term for it?)

F. Communism

G. Abosolute Monarchy

C was actually a liberal government. Generally they are republics, but you could have a direct democracy equivalent. E was a government ruled by Sharia law. Banking is what gives it away.

 

[The Lone Gunmen]

Gah. Double post.

 

[The Lone Gunmen]

C was actually a liberal government. Generally they are republics, but you could have a direct democracy equivalent. E was a government ruled by Sharia law. Banking is what gives it away.

I wasn't sure what to put for C. I almost called it a constitutionally based federal republic with a strong democratic tradition.

I'm not familiar with Sharia law, given I've never had the occasion to study the system.

 

[SilentKoala]

A: A government that opposes any individuality, and seeks homogeneity among its people, guided by the principles of the state.
Fascism

B: A government that re-distributes wealth and property as it sees necessary, to provide for the lower classes.
Socialism

C: A government that emphasizes individual rights and freedoms, democratic leadership, and a system of checks and balances.
Democracy

D: A society without a government, leadership, or any form of authority, where everyone is free to do anything.
Anarchy

E: A state that outlaws, blasphemy, adultery, dressing immodestly, banking consumption of unclean foods, and drinking.
Fascism again

F: A classless, stateless society without currency, and without individual ownership of tools.
The Amish?

G: A very centralized government controlled by one person, who has complete authority over their country.
Dictatorship

 

[Norseman]

F. Communism

F: A classless, stateless society without currency, and without individual ownership of tools.
The Amish?

Actually, yes, or at least pretty close to it. They do occasionally work for money to purchase medicines, but otherwise, they fit the description pretty well. They don't have bourgeoise and proletarians, they don't have kings and serfs, they just have classless communities. They don't have a state or statesmen, they just live in their own communes. Their practice of talkoot is pretty much identical to the model of communal communist labor. They also practice communal ownership of churches, but I'm not sure about the means of production.

 

[7reeT]

uh, none of the above? Communism is an application of Marxist political economy, in a society which has yet not achieved industrialization (or rostovian "take-off" if you will).



(<-- economist in the real world. you can tell by my maldjustment and my general abrasiveness)

 

[nvxplorer]

The poll is misleading. I agree with 7reeT above, but classical Marxism is not the only form of communism.

Simply defined, communism is an economic system where the means of production are owned by the state. The form of government is irrelevant. Though we haven't seen a historical example, there is nothing in theory that prevents communism from operating under a democratic republic form of government. The only right that would necessarily be abolished is the right to own income producing property.

 

[Eryk]

Most socialists regard Marxist-Leninist governments as forms of state capitalism, because the workers did not control the means of production.

Anarchy is self-organization and mutual aid: "The no-government system of socialism" (Peter Kropotkin). Anarchist FAQ

 

[jgarden]

"cts 4:31-35
The Believers Share Their Possessions (Acts 4:31-35)

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

- filled with the Holy Ghost
- neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own
- they had all things common
- neither was there any among them that lacked
- they had all things common
- distribution was made unto every man according as he had need

I believe that this qualifies as an early example of Christian "communism." You could do worse than modeling a society after one that was created under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

 

[variant]

E. Religious government (Is there a term for it?)

The general term would be theocracy.

 

[The Lone Gunmen]

The general term would be theocracy.

Thanks. I had it on the tip of my mind, but I couldn't think of it.

I hate it when that happens.

 

[CCGirl]

uh, none of the above? Communism is an application of Marxist political economy, in a society which has yet not achieved industrialization (or rostovian "take-off" if you will).



(<-- economist in the real world. you can tell by my maldjustment and my general abrasiveness)

Communism is (F). Communism can only be achieved after Industrialization and the fall of capitalism. Thus, the lack of success in USSR and China specifically..

 

[The_Horses_Boy]

The poll is misleading. I agree with 7reeT above, but classical Marxism is not the only form of communism.

Simply defined, communism is an economic system where the means of production are owned by the state. The form of government is irrelevant. Though we haven't seen a historical example, there is nothing in theory that prevents communism from operating under a democratic republic form of government. The only right that would necessarily be abolished is the right to own income producing property.

Actually no, not really. You are talking about a command economy, not communism. The two are no more synonymous than capitalism and democracy.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/communism

 

[The_Horses_Boy]

Communism is (F). Communism can only be achieved after Industrialization and the fall of capitalism. Thus, the lack of success in USSR and China specifically..

Communism will never work because it bears no advantages to those who really have alot to offer. Those who are smart, who are strong, who work hard, those who, as I said, have something to offer will be screwed over by the system. That's what has always crippled Communism, the fact that it has killed self-initiative.

 

[CCGirl]

Communism will never work because it bears no advantages to those who really have alot to offer. Those who are smart, who are strong, who work hard, those who, as I said, have something to offer will be screwed over by the system. That's what has always crippled Communism, the fact that it has killed self-initiative.

I beg to differ. Cuba has created a society based on service. How can you argue their successes? We are not greedy by nature!

Link

This was a 2 part series.

Deeper Understanding

 

[The Lone Gunmen]

I beg to differ. Cuba has created a society based on service. How can you argue their successes? We are not greedy by nature!

Link

This was a 2 part series.

Deeper Understanding

If Cuba is so successful, how come there are so many of them that are willing to risk death in order to come and live with us decadent capitalists?

 

[Norseman]

If Cuba is so successful, how come there are so many of them that are willing to risk death in order to come and live with us decadent capitalists?

Good question. This should help you find out:

An overview of the emigration spectacle we've created.
Operation Peter Pan.
The Cuban Adjustment Act.

 

[adam752]

Eww...communism. Many great theories, but somewhat distastefull. I myself, am a socialsit...which socialism has borrowed many ideas from communism.

-adam