...Communism PHI 105 July 8 2013 Final Project “I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition” (Fidel Castro). Communism has become a demonized and taboo word around the world,especially in Western society where it is taught that capitalism is the only correct way to govern a society. Many people condemn communism, however so fewunderstand the beliefs and concepts behind communism. It is not correct to say that communism has failed, but rather that a true communist society has never been enacted. In order to better understand communism we must first know the definition of communism. Communism is (a: a theory advocating elimination of private property b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed” (Merriam-Webster). Communism is also defined as “a system of government and ideals where all people are considered equal in an attempt to create a fairer society” ("Communism", n.d.). The base of the word communism is commune. A commune is a “group of people living communally sharing in the work, earnings and property” ("Communism", n.d.). In a commune there is no private property, rather the individuals living within the commune share all property and resources. Also in a commune all profits and resources are administered equally to all those who reside within...
Words: 1641 - Pages: 7
...Communism People all over the world look to the United States for the latest trends, fashions, and technology. The United States have set all these standards during the majority of the last century, by being a government that represents freedom. All over the world people who were trapped in Communist governments hope that one day they too can be as fortunate as the people living in America; to them this freedom is part of their American Dream. The actual definition of Communism is a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. I don’t agree with it at all it shouldn’t be allowed to be used but it is. Communism is a system that follows the roots of Marxism. It unites the people into one class and call for industrial power. All the people work, the people are all at the same social level. It creates a false sense of unity. Most of these communist governments are dictatorships, the government oppresses all opposing views. Communist polices deny people their basic rights and freedom. The people cannot even own their own private property. The methods of Communism have been varied slightly by each different government. Stalin and Lenin were the driving forces behind Russia's Socialist Workers party. Fidel Castro ran the party in Cuba. Mao Tung ran the Chinese Workers party. Democratic governments support basic rights and...
Words: 362 - Pages: 2
...Adlai E Stevenson once said, “Communism is the death of the soul. It is the organization of total conformity - in short, of tyranny - and it is committed to making tyranny universal.” The communism Stevenson is referring to does not match the communism Karl Marx wrote about in his political pamphlet, The Communist Manifesto. In Marx’s pure, communist economy, the community makes decisions. “In today's communist countries, most economic decisions are made by the government. Its leaders make all economic decisions, a system known as a command economy. The decisions are outlined in a plan that is carried out with laws, regulations and directives.” (useconomy) The communist countries in the twentieth century were not Marx’s idea of communism because the government is involved instead of the community. In an ideal world, Communism would be utopia. Everyone would work together for each other’s benefit instead of personal gain. However, the state of communism in the world in the twentieth century was very different from the utopia Marx alluded to as seen in the communist Russian government. One of the major issues with communism is that it can kill any ambition or motivation of the people in the communist country. Because individual efforts only benefit the community as a whole and there is no chance of moving up in class, communist citizens often have no motivation to work hard in their jobs. This is one of the major reasons for the economic downfall of the Soviet Union during the...
Words: 857 - Pages: 4
...Communism: A Review of an Ideology Raymond Castaneda English 228: Fall Session 2012 The purpose of this essay is to explain how unsuccessful Communism is ideologically in part due to its’ economic shortcomings. For ages, mankind has been in search of a perfect society, a utopia; a society, in which no suffering exists, and everyone is happy. In writing, they are common, from the City of Atlantis to the Garden of Eden. However, there are no utopias, none for which anyone can provide proof of. For better or worse, there have been men who have attempted to bring about these utopias in the form of egalitarian societies. Some of these societies have aimed at removing the differences in social class and material wealth between people in an attempt to establish a utopian society. For example communism which was based on a Marxist utopian ideology, has proven to be ultimately a flawed principle and regime. In recent times, so called utopian societies were identified as either socialist, or communist. True communist societies have aimed to be egalitarian, and perhaps even utopian. While the effects of communist and socialist regimes are not confined to one single aspect of human life, this essay focuses on the economic effects of communism. Unfortunately, they have not succeeded in either; instead these societies have resulted in poverty, violence, and overall failure . Modern communism cannot be explained without first defining it, as there have been many historical and contemporary...
Words: 3323 - Pages: 14
...Unite States and the Soviet Union in what was known as the Cold War. The west was concerned with anti-Communism becoming a part of its domestic politics. It had become an obsession of most conservative politicians to expose what they call Communist subversion and at the same time dealt a blow to the liberal causes. The interest of the Soviet Union was in the control of strategic interest. In addition the Soviet Union was determined to create a secure sphere for itself in Central and Eastern Europe as protection against possible future aggression from the West (Brinkley Ch. 29). These different views were the bases for the Cold War. Not only did the cold war have international consequences but also create a division within the United States. Since Communism was a major concern, the spread of anti-Communism was introduced as a way to protect the fundamental way Americans lived. In addition anti-Communism gave birth to McCarthyism. I will discuss the differences between anticommunism and McCarthyism, the perspective from which the media covered anticommunism and McCarthyism, how the American foreign policy decisions were affected or impacted by anticommunism and finally how Americans’ lives changed because of the Red Scare. To gain a clear understanding of the differences between anticommunism and McCarthyism, a brief definition of Communism must be given. Communism is a distinct socio-political philosophy that is willing to use violent means to attain its goal of classless...
Words: 995 - Pages: 4
...Communism was established by Karl Marx and Friedrich engels in the second half 19th century. Communism is one of the three economic systems we have in the world today. The overall concept of communism is to equalize the social conditions of life. In other words, communism discusses the abolition of inequalities in the possession of property, as of giving out all wealth equally to everyone, or by holding all wealth in common for the equal use and advantage to all. In Communism, the government councils decides what to produce depending on what they see as a need of all the people, which government owned factories produce the goods they decide to make, and which citizens get which goods. In 1884. Marx and Engels wrote and published “The Communist Manifesto”....
Words: 701 - Pages: 3
...Communism in the USA 1: Source A suggests that in the 1920s, America feared that the working class would stop working and the country would go downhill. This is shown in the source by the person representing the labour class, walking down the stairs, labelled with words like strikes, riots and murders. This is showing us that America feared what would happen to the labour class. Source A also suggests that America thinks one event will lead to another, not knowing what it will eventually end with. This is shown in the source by the words on the steps, like disorder and bolshevism, and then by the question mark at the end. 2: Source C and source B are both telling us about the problem of communism in America after the war. From these sources we can learn that people who were communist, were frowned upon by many Americans, especially the government. We can tell this because source C says ‘Hundreds of poor labouring men and women are being thrown into jails and police stations’, and in source B, it says ‘determination to drive from our midst the agents of Bolshevism.’ Both sources refer to them as criminals as source B says ‘a mass formation of the criminals of the world.’ and source C says that they are being tracked down, like criminals. We are also told by by both sources that there was a huge amount of communists. We can tell this by the fact that in source B they are referred to as a ‘mass formation’ and source C says ‘the voice of the many.’ Source C, is supporting...
Words: 483 - Pages: 2
...M2: Complete Communism as the Negation of the Negation (EPM 102; 113-114) Commentary Throughout his Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844, Karl Marx makes a strong argument for communism as a means for human kind to realize its true nature and essence. In short: communism is what is “right” for mankind, through the annulment of private property, as the genuine resolution of conflict between man and nature, and between man and man. Under the existing socioeconomic structure, our natural urges and desires are despised as we are forced to conform to a set means of living in order to financially be sustainable. Through this capitalist process, we are forced to reject our own bodies as the frailties of flesh. According to Marx, this...
Words: 2047 - Pages: 9
...Genre of Capitalism Vs Communism Capitalism and Communism are two totally different economic systems. Capitalism is a much better economic system than Communism. Capitalism is an economic system characterized by freedom of the market and is the economic system where you do not have freedom because the government will make most of your decisions for you. Capitalism has many pros to go along with its economy. The government will change gradually, but is able to adjust to it with ease. Each person also has individual freedom with lack of government interference. We also have the freedom to choose what we want and when we want it. On the other hand, not everybody will have a job, and the government will not help him or her find one. If you do have a job, everyone will be getting paid the same amount of money as you do. It all depends on what you do, whom you work for, and how long you decide to work. Communism has many drastic chances at one time, but adjusting could be simple for most. The bad things about communism is that everybody has a job, but no matter how much you work or whom you work for, you will always be getting paid the same amount of money as everyone else. Another bad thing about communism is that consumers will not always get what they want because the government decides on what you sell; and what you purchase. As a Capitalist, when you go to the store to shop, you have a choice of what you want to buy. If you are communist, the government decides for you. Because...
Words: 453 - Pages: 2
...made very strong arguments for the formation of a Communist rule. This gave all the powers of unity, finance, power over citizens and their skills, and laws out of the hands of society and into that of the countries governing authorities. As a selfish ruler, who would not want that? This keeps all the decision making, punishment, and, in general, the power in your hands. A prime example of this mentality is from Li Shaoqi, “Comrades, What is the most fundamental and common duty of us Communist Party Members? As everybody knows, it is to establish Communism, to transform the present world into a Communist world.” (24.4 “How to Be a Good Communist” (1939)). Just out of a war torn repressive state the government has its stride back, and can continue to climb from a new beginning. The people, however, suffer under a communist rule. Total control of their lives, families, homesteads, and career paths. Li Shaoqi was truly a communism believer and did not hold the individual accomplishments or successes of man accountable; only “man” and a unity and how they can be of service to the society as a whole, being an integral part of a whole – and what really matters is the outcome of the “whole” not the individual contribution. The last sentence of his indoctrination tract sums up his way of thinking: “They are built, on the contrary, upon the progressive basis of the interests of the proletariat, of the ultimate emancipation of mankind as a whole, of saving the world from destruction...
Words: 1132 - Pages: 5
...Australia’s response to communism after WW2 (bibliography-skwirk.com) * The Korean War * The ANZUS Treaty and SEATO Alliance * Outlaw the Communist Party * The Petrov Affair Introduction: The conclusion of World War 2 quickly provoked the Australian government to react to the spreading threat of Communism. The end of the war dramatically changed every nation in the word, dividing the East and West into two different political parties, the Capitalists and Communists. This brought about a dreadful atmosphere of fear and tension to sweep around the post World War 2 World. Australia faced many difficulties and hardship prior to WW2. Just as many other countries in the west, Australia also feared the wide spread of communism. Communism, both democratically and physically went against the basis of Australian human rights and the social equality which every men and women worked so hard to accomplish. Communism is a form system of government composed by Karl Marx, which abolishes free market, private property and ownership, freedom of speech, unequal pay and human beliefs. The Australian government responded to the threat of communism in varies ways, by using a number of techniques such as participating in the ANZUS and SEATO alliance, rewriting the constitution to outlaw certain political groups and assisting American troops overseas to discontinue uprooting dictatorships. Firstly, Australia’s involvement in the Korean War was an successful decision made by Prime...
Words: 1153 - Pages: 5
...Bigger and better, the machine became the iconic image of a period characterized by innovation. The machine became a metaphor and symbol for Carl Marx’s political ideology advocating for the destruction of capitalism and the redistribution of wealth. Infuriated with the injustices of the industrial revolution, the work force believed in a political theory that refined the machine and advocated for the communal ownership of production and distribution. In effect, socialism provided a simple and temporary solution for the suffering of the working class in 1840. However, socialism’s temporary solution resulted in a platform for corruption leading to reactions like fascism that attempted to reinvent the machine. Europe once again was forced to recognize totalitarianism and its trickle-down consequences on the continent. Author’s like Aldous Huxley imagined a mechanistic future society that quenched individual freedom and rendered history, literature, and art obsolete. Others like Tolkien went to an imagined past, exposing the implications of the machine and the importance of a correct historical perspective. The symbolism of the machine threatened to substantially reduce if not eliminate suffering, a facet of life both Tolkien and Huxley were not fond to let go of. Nothing could stop the advancement of the industrial revolution. Cheated by their superiors, laborers yearned for simpler times such as the past and the pride and ownership of their toilsome effort. Distress of the...
Words: 2199 - Pages: 9
...In order for one to answer whether the idea of communism is potentially emancipatory it is important to first define what the communist idea is as well as what an emancipatory feature of policy is. To start with the latter, emancipatory theory drawn from its name is the notion that people are means within themselves and not ends to the needs of others. They have agency and should be free to propose the world in which they wish to live in. According to Ramsey 2011:183, the emergence of emancipatory theory was in the 1960’s and 1970’s and it emerged as theory that was opposed to the oppression to the extent that they are marginalised. “Dominance is progressively dehumanizing for both the oppressed and the oppressor, though only the resistance of the oppressed will allow for the possible re-humanization of the oppressors” (Ramsey, 2011:183.) Emancipatory theory is meant to target oppression that consolidated within dominant systems of policy in reality that takes away people’s agency and consciousness. This essay deals with communism as an idea, this requires effort in departing from the use of communism as an adjective that describes a form of politics, “An entire century of experiences both epic in scope and appalling was required to understand that certain phrases produced by this short-circuiting between the real and the Idea were misconceived.”(Badiou, 2010:13). At this point Badiou requires us to not look at communism in its historical context and use misconceived phrases...
Words: 2351 - Pages: 10
...Marx, K. & F. Engels ‘Bourgeois and proletarians’ Tom Considine Marx, K. & F. Engels (1972 [1848], p.1) said ‘The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.’ (Marx, K. & F. Engels 1972 [1848], p.1) This is the opening text from Marx and it is the theme of the rest of the chapter. Marx writes of the oppression of the proletarians and how the capitalist bourgeoisie have commodified them. He describes his disapproval for the capitalists stating that there is revolt from the proletariats due to the exploitation that was taking place, this would be the same for any capitalist society. Throughout the text there is the overriding idea that society would benefit with equality and public ownership (socialism). Then I will discuss the argument in favor of capitalism and the argument against socialism. The main concept of this text is that the capitalist society will always self destruct because of the tensions that occur between the bourgeois and proletarians. This tension is caused by the exploitation of the laborers, who work very hard for very little. Marx demonstrates that capitalism can be a destructive thing as it decreases a whole societies relationships to one that is based on greed and money. Anyone that once had a highly regarded job such as a doctor or lawyer is now a wage-laborer working in the industrial sector for the capitalists. His idea of a functioning economy is one that has societies working in cooperation with one another without...
Words: 781 - Pages: 4
...Communism vs. Socialism The Industrial Revolution transformed our lives economically and socially. It changed the way people live and the societies we live in. These changes were made by the economic systems such as capitalism, communism, socialism, utopianism, and feudalism. Communism was an economic system where a country’s farms, factories, and businesses were totally owned and controlled by the government. Socialism was an economic system where there was public ownership of basic industries. Communism was the most beneficial for society because this economic system proved benefit for all the people and made money become a thing from the past, but on the other hand, socialism was valuable to society because was an economic system of social organization in which production, distribution, and exchange was owned by a country as a whole....
Words: 427 - Pages: 2
