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I agree with you up until the last sentence, which reads exactly like American communists decrying Stalinist purges only insofar as it has given "true Communism

I agree with you up until the last sentence, which reads exactly like American communists decrying Stalinist purges only insofar as it has given "true Communism" a bad name. The theoretical promises of some -ism are really only as good as their execution.

quickcheque 4y ago
Well, how does futurism fit into this statement? After all, it is about the future so eternally theoretical.
411111111111111 4y ago
Eh, there is some truth to that too... Communism is great if you don't have bad actors, that's also why small scale attempts are often loved by participants. It just breaks apart if you're trying to apply it to large nations. It's also good to remember that the person that's often credited for socialism, Carl Marx, didn't actually have a hand in it's creation as far as I know. He only wrote about what capitalism will cause, and his predictions were pretty much spot on. From acknowledging these issues, socialism was created... But the person that created it wanted to be in power, so it created way bigger issues then the ones they addressed.
Aunche 4y ago
The difference is that Communism promised to distribute power to the proletariat, but that has been a complete failure with every iteration. Globalization has improved economic efficiencies and dramatically increased the standard of living in Asia.
- imtringued 4y ago
  Communism didn't even happen where Marx predicted it. He thought rich countries would spearhead it.
  - isthisthingon99 4y ago
    Contrary to popular belief, the US is socialist. Many people live on income received from the government.
    - throwayyy479087 4y ago
      Socialism is when the workers own the means of production. What you’re describing is a welfare state, which is a feature of every capitalist society that I’m aware of.
      - isthisthingon99 4y ago
        Is there a meaningful difference between receiving the benefits of the means of production through a vote and owning them outright?
        throwayyy479087 4y ago
        Yes, incredibly significant. That is why the systems are different.
        isthisthingon99 4y ago
        Describe how it differs for an ignoramus like me
Koshkin 4y ago
> "true Communism" A typical true Scotsman fallacy. Pretty much the only good thing about communism was that the fear of it generally pushed the capitalism in the direction of a better, more socially-aware, self.

quickcheque 4y ago

Well, how does futurism fit into this statement? After all, it is about the future so eternally theoretical.

411111111111111 4y ago

Eh, there is some truth to that too... Communism is great if you don't have bad actors, that's also why small scale attempts are often loved by participants. It just breaks apart if you're trying to apply it to large nations. It's also good to remember that the person that's often credited for socialism, Carl Marx, didn't actually have a hand in it's creation as far as I know. He only wrote about what capitalism will cause, and his predictions were pretty much spot on. From acknowledging these issues, socialism was created... But the person that created it wanted to be in power, so it created way bigger issues then the ones they addressed.

Aunche 4y ago

The difference is that Communism promised to distribute power to the proletariat, but that has been a complete failure with every iteration. Globalization has improved economic efficiencies and dramatically increased the standard of living in Asia.

imtringued 4y ago
Communism didn't even happen where Marx predicted it. He thought rich countries would spearhead it.
- isthisthingon99 4y ago
  Contrary to popular belief, the US is socialist. Many people live on income received from the government.
  - throwayyy479087 4y ago
    Socialism is when the workers own the means of production. What you’re describing is a welfare state, which is a feature of every capitalist society that I’m aware of.
    - isthisthingon99 4y ago
      Is there a meaningful difference between receiving the benefits of the means of production through a vote and owning them outright?
      - throwayyy479087 4y ago
        Yes, incredibly significant. That is why the systems are different.
        isthisthingon99 4y ago
        Describe how it differs for an ignoramus like me

Koshkin 4y ago

> "true Communism" A typical true Scotsman fallacy. Pretty much the only good thing about communism was that the fear of it generally pushed the capitalism in the direction of a better, more socially-aware, self.