Can you have human rights in a communist state?

Question

What do you think

Answer 1

On paper, yes. In reality, no.

Even assuming, for argument's sake, that communism is an "economic system", it is not self-sustaining; it can only be perpetuated through brutal suppression of all dissent in all areas of life.

In reality, however, communism is not just an economic system. It is also a political system and a social system -- one in which the individual's interests are completely subjugated to those of the COMMUNE (not "society", but the commune). Communism sees the concept of individual rights as an extension of the bourgeois system of private ownership -- and thus these rights, as well as privacy in general, are viewed with great suspicion. Individuals may be granted certain benefits when it serves the interests of the ruling elite -- such as education, since it is a tool for indoctrination -- but not for the sake of any "individual rights" per se.

Coragryph: Communism cannot exist in a democracy. In a democracy, there is always the presence of competing political and economic viewpoints, which would include the viewpoint that free market should be allowed. Since this would defeat the communist system, such a system can only function in a one-party state. I am also troubled by your suggestion that the consistent brutality of communist regimes is a mere byproduct of people not wanting to part with their goodies; it sounds to me (and I hope I am mistaken) that you are blaming the victims of such brutality. In any event, history shows that communist regimes target those who THINK differently with far greater viciousness than those who have food on the table.

Answer 2

In a communist state, human rights are in all honesty, null and void. The reason I say this is because in a communist state, the group as a whole is more important than the individual. With that in mind you have no individual rights and the individual's well being is secondary to the state's well being.

Answer 3

I suppose not, but if there was ever a true Communist state ever to exist it might be a better way to live than the current systems of very big dogs eating all the medium and smaller dogs.
There are communist parties that believe in democracy like the ruling party in Kerala, India where they have created the most educated state in India (100% literacy).

Answer 4

Why bother about human rights in a communist state when you cant have human rights in a so called democratic state ie uk our rights have been eroded away by mr bliar and now hes left and got a very nice job ok when you know the right people.

Answer 5

Only to the degree you can in a so called democratic state.

Both these political notions contain elements that appear to support the general idea of human rights. In practice however, neither have been shown to be succesfull in that ambition.

Murder, mayhem and money are the story of human endeavour...and in that there is no difference in a communist state or indeed any other.

Answer 6

No, because communism is ultimately anti-individual.The fundamental flaw in communism that prevents the establishment or protection of human rights is it's economic goal of abolishing all private property. Everything is supposed to be owned collectively, you're like a bee working for the hive. You as an individual, really own nothing. Not your labor, not even yourself. Any contemporary apologist for communism is clearly out-of-touch and only fooling himself if he claims that it's economic policies and political/cultural policies are not one and the same thing. It quite simply should have been tossed altogether into the rubbish heap of the 20th century.

"Private property began the instant somebody had a mind of his own." -- E. E. Cummings

Answer 7

Absolutely.

Communism is an economic model. Pure and simple.
It requires only community (govt) ownership of property.

Nothing in communism itself requires any loss of personal freedoms (other than property ownership) and communism can exist equally well under pure democracy, or a representative republic.

Most countries that have attempted some form of communism have been tyrannies and/or fascist -- but that's not inherent in the communist model itself. That's a side effect of the fact that most people do not willingly give up their property.

Answer 8

Yes, but a communist state is a bit like an ant's hill, where they all work for the greater good but no individual prospers independently and there is no development

Answer 9

communism is an economic system, not a political system. whether or not people have rights is determined by the political system. historically, most communist countries have an authoritarian/totalitarian political structure, so human rights are very limited, but that's not to say that it wouldn't be possible to have a communist state with decent human rights.

Answer 10

The so-called socialist not communist. They are socialist. Under socialism the "leaders" are immune to the community laws, including distribution of wealth. That is what Hillary and the rest of the Democrat party wants. They do NOT want their wealth distributed to the poor. If you vote for her you will find your wealth redistributed to the wealthy government officials. So, vote away.

Suppose you work hard and save and as a result you amass a couple of million dollars. In the meantime, I goof off and live from hand to mouth and amass no money. Socialism would take half your money and give it to me, not because I deserve it, but because you have it and I don't. Is that what you want? That's what Hillary is advocating. It's called redistribution of wealth. The bums are rewarded for doing nothing.
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KrazyKyngeKorny(Krazy, not stupid)
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