Whats with the stigma against Communism/Socialism?

Question

Why do so many America have such a negative opinion of this form of Government? I'm well aware of the history behind it, as well as how sucessful Capitalism is (or is it? With 1% of the popultion controlling 50% of the wealth and the Middle Class rapidly dissolving, but thats not my point).

But seriously, has EVERYBODY out there bashing Socialism read anything by Marx? If executed correctly Communism/Socialism is really a beautiful system of government, if not a bit idealist.

I'm as Pro-American as anybody, so don't start calling me "Red" or anything like that, mostly because I'm not, I just felt the question needed to be asked.

Well A- China isn't doing terribly. If it hadn't been for the Cold War would the USSR have fallen? (I'm not saying I like it, I'm asking the question)

B- The SYSTEM didn't kill anybody, the LEADERS of those systems did.

C- Uh, Hillary is the most moderate of Candidates.. and no, I'm not going to vote for her.

left_coast_punk-- really good response, but twas a little condescending, which really isn't needed; just thought I'd throw that out there

Oh, I also think it worth mentioning that I know why it's so taboo, what with the McCarthy scandal and all. I was just pointing out that the rest of the world seems to think that some industries are better off being Socialized.

Answer 1

The problem stems back to the McCarthy witchunts of the 50's and "the-red-under-the-bed" scare that has permanently entered the American psyche. This has forever entwined socialism with Stalinist-Communism in the eyes of the US public despite them being two seperate ideologies.

It is true to say that Stalinism does not work. Socialism on the other hand can, and does in many countries all over the world to a greater or lesser extent. Ironically, many of these countries that have adopted sections of socialism pay far less in taxes than those in the US.

It would seem that the US government requires it's citizens to have a "villain" hence "the-red-under-then-bed" and in the modern climate this has now become "the-muslim-under-the-matress". In 50 years time I can well imagine that the hatred for this religion, like socialism before it, will have passed on to the children of those who instigated it.

Answer 2

Having read and studied Marx, most of us dislike communism and socialism, because they are not types of governements or economic systems that work. Just ask any soviet citizen that froze their can off waiting 5 hours in line for bread.

What you don't seem to understand about communism and socialism is that although a majority of the wealth is redistributed among the population, those top one percent in power are quite wealthy.

Moreover, the USSR would have gone belly up eventually anyway, the cold war just sped up the process. Secondly, China, although still a communist country is slowly grasping the concept of capitalism.

Capitalism isn't perfect and I can see and understand its contradicitions, however I think Marx seriously underestimated capitalisms resiliance. As an example, the great depression of 1929 should have been the point where the US made the transitoin from capitalism to socialism, but it didn't.

Not to digress too much, but it's funny how someone as anti capitlaism as Marx was depended on his elitiest wealthy friend Engels for economic support, since Marx never held a real job, at least not for very long.

Lastly, socialism and commuism may have socities with universal heathcare and low unemployment, but look at the quality of that healthcare. If you needed major surgery, you would die before yu were able to get the operation you need.

Capitalism brings out a spirit of competition that encourages one to become sucessful whereas in socialism and communism everything is provided fro you, then where is the motivation to be your best. Why bust my butt to go to college and law school to become a lawyer and make the same salary as the town dog catcher?

Answer 3

Because no one here bothers going to a Communist/Socialist country. I had the privilege of living in Cuba for a year and it changed the way I think about the country.
It takes experiencing something different to understand the way another country works but we are all the same in the end; Cubans, Americans, Russians, everyone.
Also, people fail to mention the good things that have come out of a Communist nations like Cuba - 100% literacy rate with EVERYONE gaining an education, a healthcare system much better than ours and a beautiful culture that has clearly influenced much of the US.
Downsides are poverty and there were many jailings and torture before Cuba became a Socialist Republic in 1976.

Answer 4

It has produced some monsters - Stalin and Mao in particular. It has also advanced some countries quite well. Cuba is the industrial strength of the Carribean; it is to the Carribean what South Africa is to sub-sarahan Africa. Every other country in that region is insignificant compared to their economic might and social development. Compare, for example, Cuba with Hispanoilia - its a bit bigger than Cuba but both Haiti and the Dominican Republic are jokes compared to the standard of living in Cuba. To top that off, Cuba has had this relative prosperity despite a US boycott that has lasted decades and despite numerous CIA assassination plots and attempts at civil disruption.

Communism/socilaism is not the boogey man that Republicans and right wing Americans would have us believe.

Also, I have it on good authority that in Korea, the North treated its citizens much better than the South did and this addmission I got from a distinguished Korean War vet.

Answer 5

Socialism and Communism in theory are generous forms of government! They are sympathetic to the working middle class. However, they do not work because of greed. Capitalism thrives as a result of greed and luxury. I am not trying to sound smug, but when people want something better than what they currently have, they work harder to obtain it. With Communism and Socialism, the opportunity to move up in social classes is greatly diminished. On the flip side, if you are a lousy worker, you can always rely on help from the government. This is inefficient and another reason why these two forms of government don't work. The United States does not like to associate itself with Communism and Socialism because of the Great World War II, but with Democrats in office we will slowly move towards a socialist country. We will never say we are socialist, just re-word it with phrases like, universal health-care, well-fare, medicare, Medicaid and so on...

Answer 6

I am not American but will take a stab at this one... It is important to differentiate that Communism is merely an alternative to Capitalism, both are economic strategies and are not Political systems. It is possible to have a democratic communist state.. we call it socialism up here in Canada. The biggest problem that I see is that industries that exist in a vaccuum without competition have little incentive to be efficient or innovative, and the same can be said for individuals who work in these industry. You end up having an inefficient bloated beaurocracy to administrate these industries, opening the door to corruption amongst administrators. Not to mention the 'Tradgedy of the Commons" described by Hardin..

Answer 7

The 'if executed correctly' thing is the sticking point. It's a utopian ideal that /can't/ be implemented. It ignored human nature.

Socialism is similar, it'd give you a nice perfect society, if you had nice perfect people running it's government. But there are no perfect people, so it doesn't work.

Capitalism starts out with the assumption that everyone is self-interested. While not everyone is, enough are that it works pretty well. And, yes, it results in disparities. So does every social system people have tried.

Answer 8

Please be wary of ANY babysitter. There are women who abuse children, too - sexually, physically, and emotionally. Don't ever let your guard down. I personally wouldn't have a problem with a male babysitter, provided that he had good references, had at least completed a babysitting course (preferably ECE certified, though), and had a clean background check. One of the teachers at my son's nursery school is a male, and I have no problem with it. In fact, my son LOVES him! He's a fantastic teacher, and is more likely to run around and play ball with the kids on the playground than the other teachers. I thought I should add also that I dated a guy in high school who was molested as a young child by his babysitter - a teenaged girl.

Answer 9

Its funny you ask this because I just got done explaining to someone that f we lived under a communist regime the patriot act would seem like the bill of rights and the government would have to much power. The problem with communism is that it creates an environment more apt to be corupt. Humans naturally want to compete and have better things then joe down the street it is our nature.

Answer 10

Well it is a wonderful system, but it cannot be headed by just any human being, as human beings have a tendency to have terrivble flaws to their nature. Those who do have what it takes to be leaders, do not want to lead in such a way, they prefer democracy, where people do the right things for the right reasons. Too bad this does not work either.
The only difference is the fact that one is glorified and the other is condemned. Don't worry though, the US is ruining the good reputation that "democracy" had. Sonn, it too will be condemned.