Problems with communism?

Question

What are the downfalls/vices/problems with communism?
Thanks =)

Answer 1

The first two answers were great: Communism makes you fat & lasy. We can kinda see this in our public schools. Since kids are 'forced to go' well, they don't want to go. Then Oprah opens a school in Africa (where school costs $$$) and every kid is chomping at the bit to get educated.

The only other thing that I HATE about communism is the prohibition of religion. I love God, and there is no dought in my mind that these "Godless" countries fell due to their prohibition of God.

Answer 2

First of all, look at the difference in the standard of living between communist countries and the free west. People have interests and drives which they pursue to improve their lives. In the USA the constitution guarantees us the freedon to pursue life, liberty and happiness. In communist countries, you cannot pursue any of your ideals. The only ideal is the state. The state determines what you will have, what is to be produced. In the free west, individual freedom is supreme, but in communist countries the society is supreme. Individual freedoms are prevented and punished. People take only what they need, so they are not free to better themselves and profit from their efforts. In any society, some people are lazy and will live at the lowest level. Communism creates a lowest common denominator and puts everyone there, except of course, the people that rule. The rulers in communism have the best of everything while everyone else lives below.

Answer 3

Please read Animal Farm. It give a good view of what is wrong with communism.

Probably the biggest problem is that communism relies on everyone being altruistic when in fact almost everyone is selfish.

A problem is distribution of work and reward and motivation. Why should one work if one's needs are met by some external source? Why should one work hard if one's reward will be the same as one who does not put forth any effort?

Answer 4

in communism, there is no incentive for the individual to work harder (besides threats, etc.) or to solve new problems. In capitalism, the promise of more money if you work harder or solve new problems drives innovation and hard work. Under capitalism, I might get rich if I design a new product that everyone wants because its awesome. Under communism, maybe I get a pat on the back for doing such a thing

Answer 5

The problem in my opinion is that it invariably makes slaves out of people.
It has good ideas but is hardly ever applied properly. Just look at USSR (commi Russia, I think I might have given the french acronym)

Everyone has to want it and that is just not plausible there will always be some kind of dissent and when there is descent it just doesn't seem to work.

This is only my opinion though.