Why is Communism bad?

Question

People used to be black listed for being Communists and people were always afraid of Communist take over. What are the elements that make Communism so bad that people used to fear it? What am I missing from the text books? What else might have been happening?

Answer 1

Communism is beautiful in concept, and disastrous in practice.

For proof, consider what Communism has done in Russia and China (both of which are now moving away from Communism toward free enterprise), and also in Cuba and North Korea (which are not yet recovering).

To understand the problem, read Animal Farm by George Orwell. That book will help you to see why people are attracted to the promise of Communism, and why it ends up being such a disaster for the societies that try to adopt Communism. It may be helpful to search online for a review of that short book before you read it, since it will explain to you which animals (the characters are animals) represent which historical figures (such as Lenin and Stalin).

If you don't want to take the time to read the book, here's the short answer:

Communism, as envisioned by Karl Marx, is based on the principle, "From each according to his abilities (i.e., each person should be as productive as possible), to each according to his needs (i.e., the state should distribute goods and services to people according to what they need)."

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that what is produced (based on people's abilities) will match what is needed. In fact, once people realize that producing more doesn't get them a greater reward, they will stop demonstrating their abilities and start talking about their needs. So then the state has to coerce (force) its people to produce more and to need less. This naturally leads to dictatorship, corruption, etc., etc.

Under what circumstances would Communism work? It would work if everyone in the society really wanted the process to work, and really loved everyone else in the group. It would work if everyone were selfless and wanted to do as much as possible for others and for the group as a whole, and did not want to take things for himself.

You probably read that last paragraph thinking of a nation, such as Russia or Cuba, and saw why they never had a chance of succeeding with Communism. Now read it again thinking of a family with good parents and responsible children. You'll see that Communism is a WONDERFUL way to organize a family (with maybe a little free enterprise thrown in, rewarding the kids for doing extra chores), because everyone is looking out for everyone else. And there are successful communes of a couple dozen people, where everyone is cooperating and caring about each other. But you can't run a country that way, as has been proven over and over again.

And why were Americans afraid of Communism in past years? Well, they feared it in two ways. They feared that Russia (the USSR) and/or China would attack and conquer the US because of their military might. And they also feared that misguided citizens would elect misguided representatives who would implement Communist principles in the US by means of our democratic processes. The risk of invasion or nuclear attack by a Communist country has diminished greatly since the USSR fell apart. And the risk of creeping Communism via democratic processes is managed by maintaining balance between those who want to increase the size and power of government and those who want to reduce it.

One last note: In Karl Marx's writings about the theory of Communism, he talked of the "withering away" of the state. He imagined that people would cooperate so well that there would be no need of any government. In practice, Communism has resulted in an extreme amount of state control of people's lives.
Why is that? Why was Marx wrong?
Read Animal Farm and you'll understand.

Answer 2

I think there's two dimensions on which this question could be answered: yes, Communism was an authoritarian ideology that resulted in total control of resources, people, etc., and this lack of freedom was the major reason most people were taught to fear Communists. However, at the same time, many anti-Communists supported by the US were just as authoritarian (e.g. the "regime of the colonels" in Greece in the late 1960s); the major reason for -governmental- opposition to Communism was not a love for freedom, per se, but because Communism represented a competing sphere of influence, and because Communists always nationalized all industries, including foreign-owned industries. This represented a major threat to foreign investments, especially in critical resources, by American companies. This nationalization is what has always aroused the greatest furor on the part of governments (e.g. the reaction to Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizing control of the Suez Canal), and is probably responsible for the huge propaganda effort by the US against Communism.

Answer 3

To be completely honest I agree with the first answer. Don't let people be bias, bring up opinions or hatred/ignorance. Don't base the truth on that. Communism as the number one commenter said. Communists whole ideology is beautiful and it's true purpose is to make lives better for everyone based on their needs. However, people start getting used to the habit and become lazy and just want to feed off the government. Which angers the government and they react by coerce to cause fear so people will understand. America is the opposite of communism but both are great systems. The only way communism works is if everyone thought the same. Capitalism is for people individual. Which agains shows that in Russia. The people don't have much rights yet. But I see them changing in a few years. Also, Communism doesn't believe in classes. You get paid the same as everyone else equally. No feuds, no seperations, everyone is happy. I think Americans need to comprehend that greed will destroy you.

Answer 4

First of all,communism is NOT bad.If you live in america you will know that it is demonized a lot because its virtues outweigh any other virtues presented by other government systems.A lot of people also say that communism is bad,but they have no idea what it even is.they have never studied it or appreciated anything about it,but they go telling everyone else it is wrong.I agree that it is not perfect,that it wont solve the world's problems,but it is the government to get you at least half-way there.People complain that the government controls many aspects of life.That's because a lot of people are not qualified to make rational decisions for the greater good on their own.A truly communist government can make these decisions and lead a country on the road to greatness.
Communists however are people who can make mistakes(check out Stalin).some are even traitors(gorbachev).but some communists are really concerned with bringing equal opportunities and luxuries to all men in their nations.
There is more to say,but this is enough.Foget what some ignorant people tell you about communism,that everyone gets paid the same.it is a lie.In communism,a person in a particular job gets the same as another person in that job e.g,a doctor gets the same as any doctor elsewhere in the country,not the same as a waitress.

Answer 5

Because in Communism the people have no rights. The government owns and controls everything. What you earn, where you work, what you will eat, and so on. The government takes over anything you have and it becomes theres. Then they hand it back out equaly to everyone. So if you were a doctor you would make the same as a waitress and so on. Does that sound bad enough for you.

Answer 6

Communism is basically the opposite of capitalism. The state owns everything, the state provides all jobs and sets the wages, the state runs the media, etc. We live in a free society. Communism appears to be anathema to everything we believe in. I think people went a little overboard back in the day, as people have a tendency to do with many things. It never should have been the witch hunt that it was.

Answer 7

Communism does work - look at Cuba, highest standard of living in the carribean, best medical care in latin america, not any different on the human rights front (alas) than any of those latin american nations.

Stalin betrayed communism. What we've seen often in the world is totalitarianism, not true communism.

What you are missing is that the media and demagogic politicians just whipped up people to fear communists for one simple reason - communists seek equity, they dare to say that the factory owner isn't entitled to be far wealthier than the very workers who make his worth possibe. This is a very dangerous truth that must be suppressed at all costs. And yet, the truth keeps bubbling up.

As Bob Dylan said - in 1944, my uncles fought alongside the russian soldier, who ultimately saved europe. 5 years later, we were suppose to believe this same russian soldier wanted to come for us and bbq our children.

Dr. Strangelove is a great movie that can bring the flavor of the anti-communist insanity to life.

Now, duck and cover.

Answer 8

Fear and danger of corrupt domination, which leaves others powerless and being controlled. It is similar to a cult. It is where those in power control the lives of others. You may loose all of the freedoms you take for granted in this world we have here today. It in a sense would be like living as a robot being controlled by your master.

Answer 9

Communism has its roots in Marxism which in theory is a great thing.But human beings desire to express their individuality just as you do.You do this by the clothes you wear ,the house you buy ,the car you drive etc.
The power elite in a communist govt enable themselves to do this but tell the peolpe that they cant do it.So thier most basic humanity is being denied,

Answer 10

There haven't really been any successful communist governments. In fact most and up being extremely repressive. If you are looking for particular problem with the economic system itself it really isn't any more flawed than capitalism....That is to say that are pros and cons. As to why everyone acts like it's the most EEEVVIL thing I ever...I have no idea.