• mechoman444@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    21
    arrow-down
    13
    ·
    3 days ago

    Communism in theory: A stateless, classless, moneyless utopia where everyone shares resources based on need. Communism in practice: Authoritarian regimes, economic inefficiency, suppression of dissent, and a state that never ‘withers away’ like Marx imagined.

    Every major attempt, USSR, Maoist China, Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, has resulted in centralized power, mass repression, and economic collapse. The problem isn’t just ‘bad leaders’; it’s that a system requiring absolute cooperation and selflessness on a societal scale is fundamentally unworkable. Human nature, resource scarcity, and the need for incentives all get in the way.

    So yeah, communism sounds nice on paper, but history proves it turns into a dystopia instead of a utopia every time.

    We need to stop idealizing communism because it doesn’t work.

    • jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      17
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      Unchecked capitalism also leads to bad outcomes, including ecological collapse.

      We need something that isn’t “a handful of people have all the power”

      • mechoman444@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        2 days ago

        Totally agree. I would also say that what we have now in America is really capitalism anymore… It’s something else.

        • jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          3 days ago

          It would be important that the regulation is constantly protected. The forces of greed will constantly be trying to dismantle it, and people are kind of stupid.

          Maybe the woodchippers do some of the heavy lifting there, but you then need to make sure they don’t get used for evil

          • ERROR: Earth.exe has crashed@lemmy.dbzer0.com
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            3 days ago

            Democracy requires eternal vigilance. Democracy would fall if people stop caring about elections, and the socialist policies would be dismantled along with it.

            We need an overhauled political system and convince a supermajority of the country to vote infavor of a constitution that entrenches socialist values within it. (A supermajority is essential for better legitimacy, 51%-49% is very flimsy and people would doubt the results, but a 60%-40% is a very high margin and people would be less likely to doubt the results) Then we need a “Constitutional Court” with people who share those values to be seated in the court to defend the constitution.

            Sort of like Germany’s “Defensive Democracy”, but with added socialist values.

            But in the end, it still requires the people in power to actually do their job. (I’m not sure why Germany still haven’t banned AfD 🤔)

            • jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              3
              ·
              3 days ago

              Probably also need to really invest in education. People don’t just magically know political theory, and a lot of bad ideas can sound good at first

              Interestingly enough, it’s mostly the right wing that is anti education.

    • njm1314@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      Couldn’t you use that argument to disqualify most government types? I mean show me a type of government that hasn’t been perverted. Does North Korea disprove all democratic republics? I mean they call themselves a democratic republic therefore they are a republic right? That’s what you’re using as a definition to deny communism right? Hell I don’t even have to look at the worst example is there a good example of a government that hasn’t been perverted?

      • mechoman444@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        2 days ago

        No, but objectively, some governments are far better than others. For example, I wouldn’t want to live in the Republic of the Congo or North Korea. Despite the issues we face in America, I still live a comfortable and peaceful life here, and I have no desire to leave. If I were in North Korea or China, however, I would likely be looking for a way out.

        Your comment does however provide great examples of the no true Scotsman and appeal to purity fallacies. Though I’d argue that acknowledging the flaws in all governments doesn’t mean they are all equally bad. Some are demonstrably worse than others.

    • seeigel@feddit.org
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      Human nature, resource scarcity, and the need for incentives all get in the way

      For now. Why not keep looking and find a way to make it work?

    • ERROR: Earth.exe has crashed@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      That’s because of Vanguardism

      China is in no way, shape, or form, a “Communist” nor “Socialist” country, it’s just State Capitalism.

      No Socialist/Communist movement could be successful without democracy. People wouldn’t be able to control the means of production if there is no democracy.