Communism

[Khandro]

History lessons, what little seems to be taught in schools today, when dealing with the 20th century make certain that children are well versed in Nazism (which they should be) but deals very little with Communism if at all. Stalin & Mao seem to be off the agenda. In this excellent interview with J Bartholomew the subject is discussed and begins with him buying a tank!

Should all young people flirting with Marxist/Communist ideas, & everyone else, for that matter watch this? ;

[Khandro]

Now back with a new hard drive & super fast computer after two days in the wilderness.
Seems I haven't missed a lot, but only to say that in Anthony Beevor's new, highly acclaimed book, 'Russia: Revolution and Civil War', he points out that Maxim Gorky [no less] prophetically wrote in 1917 that, 'the working class should know that miracles do not appear in real life, that they are to expect hunger, complete disorder in industry, disruption of transport, and protracted bloody anarchy.... Lenin is not an omnipotent magician but a trickster who spares neither the honour nor the life of the proletariat.'

A prophesy & outlook which continued under Stalin, & endures even today under Vladimir Putin.

[david small]

Some people are more equal than others. Especially with someone else’s money.

[archibaldy]

Everybody practices communism at a family or local level but unfortunately it doesn't scale.

[naomi24]

//Everybody practices communism at a family or local level //

I don't think that's true.

//unfortunately it doesn't scale. //

Would you like to live in a Communist society, Archibald? If so, why? What do you find attractive about it?

[Spicerack]

Capitalism needs to be put right. It's hardly surprising that people (especially young people) are flirting with alternatives when one looks at the state of things today.

[Khandro]

Capitalism has faults but nothing like as the many under Communism, it is the greatest economic system because it has numerous benefits and creates multiple opportunities for individuals in society. Some of these benefits include producing wealth and innovation, improving the lives of individuals, and giving power to the people to elect its leaders.

While the people on the other side of the Berlin wall had (if they were 'lucky', paupered themselves & waited 3 years) cars made of cardboard called Trabants, we had Mercedes & Jaguars. When the wall fell, did you see anyone fighting to go eastwards?

[archibaldy]

Naomi // I don't think that's true. //

I suppose I can't speak for every family and community but in my experience people will freely help each other, loan things and gift things without demanding they make a profit at every turn.

// Would you like to live in a Communist society, Archibald? If so, why? What do you find attractive about it? //

The attraction is that people would act in the best interests of the community rather than in the interests of themselves. However this is not possible because communities can only be a certain size before irreconcilable competing interests emerge.

[Khandro]

archibaldy
Naomi // I don't think that's true. //

I suppose I can't speak for every family and community but in my experience people will freely help each other, loan things and gift things without demanding they make a profit at every turn.//

Try bringing up two teenage daughters! :0)

[naomi24]

Archibaldy, //The attraction is that people would act in the best interests of the community rather than in the interests of themselves.//

They wouldn't though - and they don't. That's why it can never work.

[archibaldy]

// They wouldn't though - and they don't. That's why it can never work. //

Did my reply give the impression I thought it would work? Because that's not what I meant if so.

[archibaldy]

Khandro // Try bringing up two teenage daughters! :0) //

Ha ha yes point taken, although I'm sure you aren't trying to make a profit off them!

[naomi24]

Archibaldy, yes, a bit.

[Khandro]

'From the moment in July 1997 that China became Hong Kong's sovereign, two visions of the city state's future vied for ascendency, Hongkongers wanted democracy, the Chinese Communist Party demanded obedience. Hongkongers wished to preserve their traditions, the CCP resolved to uproot them. In the eyes of China's leaders, Hongkongers were unpatriotic, calling themselves "Hong Kong People" rather than Chinese.' Now Hongkongers can be tried for 'treason' in mainland courts.

As they say in Llandilo; "There's Communism for you!"

[archibaldy]

// Archibaldy, yes, a bit. //

I thought the words “it’s not possible” were pretty clear.

It’s a nice thought but it needs to emerge and not be dictated, and it will never emerge at any large scale. Humans only care about a very small number of other humans.

[naomi24]

Archibaldy, Sorry, I may have misunderstood - but I agree with you. It isn’t possible.