Do people even realize what Communism is?

Question

People talk about Communism like it is a bad thing, it is a very unrealistic idea that Marx wanted to acomplish, but why do people think it is bad?? Do they even know what Communism is???

I am constantly called a Communist, (I'm not), by why is it treated as if it were a bad thing?

Answer 1

Most Americans actually don't understand Communism and for those that kind of understand it, they think 'why should I work my a** off and have the same amount of wealth to show for it as everyone else?'
There are a lot of Americans who still associate Communisms with some sort of Cold War Evil instead of just a political Dogma that looks great on paper but doesn't do well when applied to people.

Answer 2

Marxism and Communism are not entirely the same thing. Marxism is a more idealized, embracing the concepts in total.

Communism, particularly with respect to Russia/the Soviet Union, uses elements of Marxism, but instead of creating a uniform, socialist state, Communism places priority on some elements of the society.

In the Soviet Union, priority was placed on the leadership and national government. While priority on national concerns is not a bad thing, the methods employed were less ideal. Glorification of the leadership (Stalin and others), and blatant subjugation and elimination of any non-conforming elements of society.

In Cuba, the Communist revolution was slightly more Marxist. Uprising against the corruption, Castro and Guevara seized power and drove out the corrupt elements of the country's government and business sectors. Even so, the eventual diversion of resources to the leadership has made Cuban Communism slightly suspect, and the final result will only become apparent after Fidel Castro leaves power. This is only because Fidel Castro, for any arguments against his methods, is a strong enough leader to maintain the status quo. An ability which his successor will need to have to insure a future for Cuban Communism.

Answer 3

That's a good question--and the answer goes back 160 years. In Europe, where communism emerged as a polotical-economic philosophy (not just Marx, he's just the best know) it challenged the emerging capitalist system, and in 1848 a variety of worker's movements pushed (unsuccessfully and sometimes violently) to gain political power.

That--and the growth of labor movements in general--was alarming to both business, political leaders, and the growing middle classes. Labor unions--or any form of worker organization--was seen as a threat to "good order" Both "comunism" and"socialism" (along with some other things, became conflated into a rather confused hodge-podge of "dangerous" movements. To make matters worse, because some communists like Marx were atheists, any sort of challenge to capitalism became labeled as "atheist"--which is rather ridiculous, because most socialist ideas are outgrowths of Cristian thinkers and activists.

The Russian Revolution (1917) providd the "real-world" image of the perceived threat of communism--and to be blunt, Soviet Russia, with its avowed policy through the 1930s of undermining and attempting to foment revolutionary movements world-wide-is largely responsible for the continuation of the perception that "communism is a godless evil out to conquer the world." Because of the USSR's public stance (short-lived though it was) that idea had credibility--because that's exactly what the USSR said it wanted to do.

The Cold War only perpetuated this perception for more decades. Eventually it will fade away--but it had 140 years to become embedded in American culture--it's going to be awhile before it does fade.

But--your right--most people don't know what communism actually is (or socialism either, for that matter--the two are synonymous to many people, even though actually they are completely different). The rhetoric of the past 150 years has focused on demonizing, not explaining. And, again--as you made clear, you know communism doesn't work in practice. What most people grew up with as an image of "communism" were totalitarian states like the USSR--a dictatorship that kept a couple of thousand missles pointed at us.

And stop and think--what do we see as examples of communism today? Cuba and North Korea, mostlly. Hardly poster children for sweetness and light!

Answer 4

To most people, any form of Socialism is Communism. As a political movement, communism cannot funtion. The soviet form was merely a dictatorship as is China. Here in Canada we have , what I refer to as Quasi-Socialism. To me the ideal system would be "Social democracy"
Democracy is nothing more than a beautiful concept that everyone in the world should be entitled to. However, it has one major flaw: It is the only door to capitalism.

Capitalism, and the human greed it fosters, is the terminal cancer that eventually consumes and destroys true democracy. People eventually become enraged at being raped by the rich and privileged, and rise up and revolt, and dictatorial government is the result.

The prime example of this simple fact is the wanton destruction of personal freedoms; the rape, murder, pillaging and occupation of other nations for their natural resources. .

There is a way to preserve personal freedoms and
democracy; it is called social democracy. Social democracy allows everyone to benefit, not just the wealthy. Social democracy is not communism. Denmark is probably the closest we have on the planet.
A recent study in The U.K. showed that the Danes are the most contented people on the planet. Canada rated 10th, the US 23rd.
Like you, I'm also called a Communist, and I merely accept it as a sign of the ignorance of that person.

Answer 5

Western views point it out as cruel since it is harsh to its people in a way. Our culture treats everyone as a important role in society, no matter blind, deaf, or mentally challenged. Mainly, it just goes against the teachings people have in the West.

Answer 6

No. Communism is bad.. Give the people in North Korea a choice and I guarantee they wil pick freedom..

Answer 7

It is bad because Stalin was a shithole. And you are not a Communist cuz you are a kid

(He killed my great-grandpa)

Answer 8

Live in the free world for a while and you will never go back to communism.......

Answer 9

Stories of the big bad wolf are a AMERICAN favorite.