Anarcho-Communism

[Atrus]

I was discussing, somewhat heatedly, anarcho-communism with someone.
From what I've read and understood, this is generally how I would see my views, however I hit a brick wall. I was asked:

"How exactly would you suggest that anarcho-communism would work then, pray tell? If no government exists to dictate the levels of supply of different goods, who decides what to build and how much? Would they just have to see how many people want to buy the good they are producing, and produce enough to satisfy them, and charge a price accordingly? Is that right? Oops, that would be free market capitalism, wouldn't it."

Now, I'm sure this isn't the case, but am having trouble articulating my response, or even understanding it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[Invincible Summer]

As I understand it, an anarcho-communist society will pretty much be the same as communist society. After all, the end result should be the same yes?

Anyways, one problem w/ his argument is that he assumes we'll have to "buy" things, assuming with money (and not labour vouchers/credits/whatever which are totally different). It won't be like market capitalism because there is no money and therefore no profit.

Also, AFAIK, the government doesn't keep track of what needs to be produced anyway - companies do this through their own inventory system. So utilizing such an inventory system with de-centralized federations of worker's collectives would allow for a means of communication between collectives and federations in regards to what materials are needed, etc.

[StalinFanboy]

Yeah just tell him that he's an idiot. The workers are quite capable of determining how much of what needs to be produced.

"Ok we have this many people in the general area that depend on the goods made from this 'factory.' We also need to take into account for extra non-perishable items being made in case something breaks, gets lost, etc."

It's an extremely example, but it gets the point across.


BTW, I'm tired of Capitalists/anti-communists trying to debate with communists and anarchists when they have zero understanding of any theory. Prices won't be set in an anarchist society, because there won't be money.

[Stranger Than Paradise]

Yeah the guys response is weak. Why won't we be able to determine how much of something is needed? It's simple really.

[Invincible Summer]

I think some people assume that when capitalism is destroyed, all technology and stuff disappears as well :confused:

[ZeroNowhere]

Anyways, one problem w/ his argument is that he assumes we'll have to "buy" things, assuming with money (and not labour vouchers/credits/whatever which are totally different). It won't be like market capitalism because there is no money and therefore no profit.
And, for that matter, 'anarcho-communism' doesn't even use labour credits.
Anyways, I believe that we had a discussion of this argument (originally brought up by Mises, unless he nicked it from somebody) in the Economics sub-board of the Theory board, that is, the 'Economic calculation argument'. I don't remember if it'll help you or not, but check it out nonetheless.

[el_chavista]

Ask him to tell the difference between Society and State. The society can manage without the state.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

I was discussing, somewhat heatedly, anarcho-communism with someone.
From what I've read and understood, this is generally how I would see my views, however I hit a brick wall. I was asked:

"How exactly would you suggest that anarcho-communism would work then, pray tell? If no government exists to dictate the levels of supply of different goods, who decides what to build and how much? Would they just have to see how many people want to buy the good they are producing, and produce enough to satisfy them, and charge a price accordingly? Is that right? Oops, that would be free market capitalism, wouldn't it."

Now, I'm sure this isn't the case, but am having trouble articulating my response, or even understanding it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

If general supply and demand, or input and output, is capitalism, then I'm a capitalist! :rolleyes:

[Decolonize The Left]

"How exactly would you suggest that anarcho-communism would work then, pray tell?

It would work according to the maxim: to each according to need, from each according to ability. It would involve a de-centralized system of federated industries, whereby the workers control the means of production. There would be no state (speaking in anarchist terms: the state being the institution possessing the legitimate use of force) and no government (in the sense that the government serves to implement the authority of the state).


If no government exists to dictate the levels of supply of different goods, who decides what to build and how much?

The workers.


Would they just have to see how many people want to buy the good they are producing, and produce enough to satisfy them, and charge a price accordingly? Is that right? Oops, that would be free market capitalism, wouldn't it."

There would be no money, money being a medium of exchange with no grounding in material reality. Rather, there could be any number of alternative economic mediums.


Now, I'm sure this isn't the case, but am having trouble articulating my response, or even understanding it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Hope that helps. Ask more questions if necessary.

- August