How do you feel about communism?

Question

I'm asking your opinion on the theory of communism, not your opinion on totalitarian governments that rule in the name of communism.

For the record, I am a libertarian and completely detest everything that communism stands for.

Answer 1

Interesting idea that just didn't work out.

Answer 2

Communism at a local community level is a natural and good thing. We all need to look out for each other as a community.

Government run communism is tyrannical and harmful.

I also like Ron Paul. And isn't that what Ron Paul really stands for? Empowering local people to run their own lives and keep the government out? When we don't expect the government to take care of us we tend to take care of each other better. And that just works better.

Answer 3

No transaction costs - good. No price signals - uh...

I think it helps of people know how much they are doing for others, and how they can do more, as well as how much they are taking from others, and how they can take less. Calculational approaches may start out all right, but they need to shift as the economy shifts. Markets may not be as precise, but they tend to shift as the economy shifts.

As for myself, I oppose state communism; I think anarchocommunism might work, but I'm not sure; I prefer to help build something between syndicalism and mutualism, e.g. Dyer Lum's model:

http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/bright/aparsons/parsonsanarchismp2ch6.html

Answer 4

I think it would be fun to have a Red under the bed!!!!!

Seriously though haven't they worked out it doesn't work because individuals are mainly concerned with self and own advancement not like Ants in an Ant Colony - Do everything for the good of the colony - Might work with ants but not with real live people.

Answer 5

I think ideologically it is a great concept.

There are no filthy rich, or miserable poor. Every one has enough for their needs. All people working for the benefit of all people.
Practically it has never really worked out that well on a large scale...very few of the small communes worked out either. There are a few exceptions, religious communes like the Hutterites and Amish who are essentially "communists" living within a democratic society. So far, all countries where it persists have really been totalitarian regimes who simply exploited the ideals of communism.

Democracy so far has been a more successful experiment, that is clear. However, what is happening the past 6 years in America shows that you should not take democracy for granted...as it can be taken away from you with the stroke of a presidential pen.

Answer 6

If anyone thinks that communism is a good idea needs to read "Animal Farm".

George Orwell was a one-time socialist, then he saw the effects of socialism and communism. He wrote "Animal Farm" as an allegory of communism and "1984" to dramatize the efforts of rampant socialism.

Answer 7

It's a utopian pipe dream that built its arguments on the flaws of capitalism. We all know there are flaws with any system, and a lot of people don't like authority. That aided the spread.

Answer 8

Communism is a terrible, terrible thing that was ultimately responsible for the deaths of 100,000,000 people world wide. Communism is evil in it's purest form. They supress religion, individuality, rights, freedoms and everything else we as Americans hold dear.

Lets re-defeat communism by voting Republican in 2008.

Answer 9

Communism is a theory that goes against human nature. Humans want to be individuals, they want free will.

Answer 10

A true form would not be all that bad. The forms that have exsisted before were not true and were run by very corrupt leaders no matter what form of leading they would have been using.