Essay Help, Ideas needed

[(*]

Hey,

I have an essay due for my history class. I have the first two parts done, but need help with one part (which is the objective).

The first part is about Socialism (principles/characteristics)
Second part is about Communism (principles/characteristics)



The third part (which I need help on) should answer this question...

"What Impact did the Great Depression and the perceived failure of capitalism have on the development, growth, and success of these two economic-type governments (Socialism & Communism) in many countries not only including Russia, France, and England, but also Germany and the United States?"



Any ideas on what I should include?
Also if anyone has some good sources...

Thanks in advance! :)

*EDIT* This is a university level course, not High School...

[Jesus Christ]

The quick and easy way to remember the difference between Socialism and Communism is: Socialism is "from each according to their ability, to each according to their DEEDS," whereas Communism is "from each according to their ability to each according to their NEEDS."

Socialism is the stage between Capitalism and Communism. It builds upon the previous system which would be Capitalism by nationalizing the "means of production" (corporations, resources, banks), but not by making everyone equal. In other words, people will be paid wages based on several factors (social need, difficulty, amount of schooling required, etc.), so not everyone will make the same wage.

Communism is the point where the "state withers away." In other words, it's a few years in the future -- I'd say at least 10 generations of established Socialism has to occur before people evolve enough to realize that hurting others or the system ends up hurting themselves.

Communists advocate Socialism because it is the next necessary step to get to Communism. In other words, it's not that they've given up on building a house, they just realize there is a need for a foundation first.

Communists believe in human evolution. People evolve in accordance to the system we live within. Capitalism has allowed people to evolve out of their feudalistic ways (for the most part), and slavery does not exist in the country anymore (for the most part). Under Socialism people will evolve to the point where they care about each other regardless of their location or race or whatever. If they are to survive as a species, they need to evolve. That's one of the many reasons people are Communists.

[(*]

Thanks, but what I really need to know is how the Great Depression had a role in the success of Socialism and Communism.

Many of your points are part of the essay already :)

[Jesus Christ]

oh im sorry, i didnt see that third part, i thought it was part of ure signature cuz of the little lines

[(*]

:lol: No problem, I took those lines out.

[KRAZYKILLA]

try using my topics paper!

[crazy comie]

tell her the ussr wasn't communist

[(*]

but why was socialism and communism so successful after the great depression?

[Marxist in Nebraska]

Socialist and communist movements grew during the Great Depression because capitalism had failed them. The factories had not fallen apart, but there were no jobs. The means of production were still intact, still in functional condition, but production came to a halt because the plutocracy was not going to make profit on goods being sold. Howard Zinn, in his People's History (I am sorry if you all are sick of me citing this over and over, but it is truly exceptional!), said something to the effect of there were wherehouses full of clothes, but the people on the street were in rags. That shines some light on it, I think.

[mEds]

Another reason why capitalism and positive economics is a failure.

[Fidelbrand]

Originally posted by [email protected] 11 2003, 11:22 PM
Another reason why capitalism and positive economics is a failure.
agree!

[Marxist in Nebraska]

Dominant,
What is "positive economics"?

[(*]

Thanks for the info.

The paper is due monday. I think what I'll talk about in that para is poverty, unemployment etc... which led to social reforms, also the red scare (the 1st one). As well as Leon Blum in France. I'm still researching socialism or communism in Britain and Germany ...both pre-wwII.

[mEds]

Positive econmoics is baseline capitalism taking logic of capitalism into no regard for humanity. Normative economics is influence other than just cost effectiveness and profit such as time, or preference or taste etc.

[Marxist in Nebraska]

Dominant,
Thank you for answering my question. Where can one find more about positive and normative economics?