Sounds like you’re describing authoritarianism to me.
Socialism, Communism, and even Capitalism are not inherently authoritarian.
Also, take a look into the history of CIA intervention on socialist governments. Unless you believe we brought “democracy” to them out of the kindness of our hearts.
But that doesn’t make any sense. Words mean things. When people say “communism”, they usually mean something more concrete than whatever you said. Usually it has to do with who owns the means of production.
I literally did as you asked. There’s no gotcha here. I’m just trying to ascertain whether or not you value democracy or not. That’s a crucial first step to understand why you have such a fundamental misunderstanding of communism. That’s all.
… actually there’s probably forms of Distributism, that might. Just depends on whether we’re talking classic Communism with a one party centrally planned command economy (which is how a lot of people interpret the term still).
Communism is just too broad an idea to agree to blindly, it could be referring to anything from a small scale communal farming co-op to a one party Authoritarian system.
If you want to REALLY reduce the definition of communism down to its most concentrated form, “From each according to their ability, to each according to their need”, then not only is communism a successful system, it is the only reason our species exists today.
Cool. Provide an example of a fully functional and prosperous- communistic society that doesn’t have some form or capitalism embedded into its socioeconomic fabric.
Could you provide an example of a fully functional and prosperous capitalist society that doesn’t have some form of socialism embedded into its socioeconomic fabric?
You’re asking for a ‘clean’ delineation that doesn’t exist in the real world, not just for the system you oppose, but also for the one you accept as ‘normal’ and functional.
… actually there’s probably forms of Distributism, that might. Just depends on whether we’re talking classic Communism with a one party centrally planned command economy (which is how a lot of people interpret the term still).
Communism is just too broad an idea to agree to blindly, it could be referring to anything from a small scale communal farming co-op to a one party Authoritarian system.
You’ll have to be more specific.
I don’t see where that claims anything about the purity of any given system. In fact, all it does is ask for “What definition of communism are you using?”
I said capitalism is at least better than communism. Everything else is words written for me.
To be precise, you demanded an example of a ‘pure’ system that the original commenter made no pretensions of supporting, and when called out, you objected that you weren’t the one claiming that such a system existed, implying that the other commenter was (which is demonstrably untrue).
Not my argument, but I just wanna pop in and say I think a more perfect system -would- be a blending of capitalism and socialism. Something where you have to work to enjoy a certain “level” of lifestyle, but not to survive.
Why are those the only options in everyone’s head. China is a mercantilist nation. Why is it capitalism vs communism and no one talking about how Chinese classic mercantilism seems to be doing pretty OK right now.
I’m talking about mercantilism. China just happens to be the biggest country that does it. Just like the US is the biggest one doing capitalism. Communism isn’t really even on the board so not sure why people like you keep bringing it up.
Because in the modern world it’s really a competition between capitalism and mercantilism, and self congratulating the capitalist nations on beating communism seems like masturbation to me.
Why are those the only options in everyone’s head. China is a mercantilist nation. Why is it capitalism vs communism and no one talking about how Chinese classic mercantilism seems to be doing pretty OK right now.
Is it? I mean it’s clearly working well enough that the other capitalist nations are saying their capitalism is unfair. But really it’s a totally different system, and we’re not going to understand it if we just call it capitalism with Chinese characteristics.
I honestly don’t know enough about the Chinese economy to have much of an opinion of it. I was just trying to make a joke because what you described is still authoritarian capitalism to some level, even if it’s working.
deleted by creator
What -is- communism to you?
deleted by creator
Sounds like you’re describing authoritarianism to me.
Socialism, Communism, and even Capitalism are not inherently authoritarian.
Also, take a look into the history of CIA intervention on socialist governments. Unless you believe we brought “democracy” to them out of the kindness of our hearts.
deleted by creator
Good argument. I yield to you.
(/s just in case)
Didn’t answer the question.
deleted by creator
Come on, eli5 communism. I want to know what these idiot youth are imagining, not your opinion about it.
This is a terrible definition that could be applied to any form of government the speaker dislikes.
deleted by creator
But that doesn’t make any sense. Words mean things. When people say “communism”, they usually mean something more concrete than whatever you said. Usually it has to do with who owns the means of production.
deleted by creator
You didn’t even come close to answering the question. You didn’t say anything about who owns and benefits from production.
Simple question here. No gotcha: Do you believe that people deserve to be ruled by kings?
deleted by creator
Should people, in your opinion, be ruled by kings?
deleted by creator
I literally did as you asked. There’s no gotcha here. I’m just trying to ascertain whether or not you value democracy or not. That’s a crucial first step to understand why you have such a fundamental misunderstanding of communism. That’s all.
deleted by creator
Do we have a Lemmy equivalent to iamverysmart because ffs…
Both systems are crap because humans suck and will let people with type b personality disorders ruin it.
deleted by creator
Humanist Democratic Socialism does. Communitarianism might also.
… actually there’s probably forms of Distributism, that might. Just depends on whether we’re talking classic Communism with a one party centrally planned command economy (which is how a lot of people interpret the term still).
Communism is just too broad an idea to agree to blindly, it could be referring to anything from a small scale communal farming co-op to a one party Authoritarian system.
You’ll have to be more specific.
If you want to REALLY reduce the definition of communism down to its most concentrated form, “From each according to their ability, to each according to their need”, then not only is communism a successful system, it is the only reason our species exists today.
deleted by creator
Could you provide an example of a fully functional and prosperous capitalist society that doesn’t have some form of socialism embedded into its socioeconomic fabric?
You’re asking for a ‘clean’ delineation that doesn’t exist in the real world, not just for the system you oppose, but also for the one you accept as ‘normal’ and functional.
deleted by creator
You made that comment in response to:
I don’t see where that claims anything about the purity of any given system. In fact, all it does is ask for “What definition of communism are you using?”
deleted by creator
To be precise, you demanded an example of a ‘pure’ system that the original commenter made no pretensions of supporting, and when called out, you objected that you weren’t the one claiming that such a system existed, implying that the other commenter was (which is demonstrably untrue).
deleted by creator
You really just don’t know how to handle other people disagreeing with you without being an enormous cunt, huh?
deleted by creator
Not my argument, but I just wanna pop in and say I think a more perfect system -would- be a blending of capitalism and socialism. Something where you have to work to enjoy a certain “level” of lifestyle, but not to survive.
deleted by creator
No one’s arguing with you on that. You’re saying communism and socialism are bad when your problem as described by -you- is with Authoritarianism.
You say that Communism and Socialism are Authoritarianism, which shows me that you don’t understand what those terms mean.
You accuse others of living in a dream… Some of the most celebrated people in history are the dreamers. Maybe check your own cup for the Kool-Aid.
deleted by creator
Really? That’s it? How disappointing…
deleted by creator
Capitalism beats nothing. It is literally the worst system ever set up as an economic system of governance.
deleted by creator
How many do you?
deleted by creator
No, but I asked you.
deleted by creator
None
deleted by creator
None, just the one grinding me down.
Capitalism is bad.
The idea that it’s the worst is just…
Delusional.
Why are those the only options in everyone’s head. China is a mercantilist nation. Why is it capitalism vs communism and no one talking about how Chinese classic mercantilism seems to be doing pretty OK right now.
deleted by creator
Do you know what mercantilism is and why it’s working well for China? Nothing you said has anything to do with mercantilism.
deleted by creator
I’m talking about mercantilism. China just happens to be the biggest country that does it. Just like the US is the biggest one doing capitalism. Communism isn’t really even on the board so not sure why people like you keep bringing it up.
deleted by creator
A hugely ironic comment from the person who injected talk about communism into a discussion of capitalism.
deleted by creator
Because in the modern world it’s really a competition between capitalism and mercantilism, and self congratulating the capitalist nations on beating communism seems like masturbation to me.
deleted by creator
Jesus fucking Christ.
No, China is very much a capitalist country.
No, capitalism doesn’t have state control.
Jesus fucking Christ.
That’s what mercantilism is. A promotion of trade with state control. Which is different than the free hand of capitalism.
That’s just spicy capitalism
Is it? I mean it’s clearly working well enough that the other capitalist nations are saying their capitalism is unfair. But really it’s a totally different system, and we’re not going to understand it if we just call it capitalism with Chinese characteristics.
I honestly don’t know enough about the Chinese economy to have much of an opinion of it. I was just trying to make a joke because what you described is still authoritarian capitalism to some level, even if it’s working.