Communism

[commie kg]

What is to become of "culture" in a communist world? When I say culture, I mean the traditions and unique practices that distinguish groups of people from one another.

I have heard many people say that "culture" should be completely eradicated, that all it does is foster feelings of nationalism among groups of people. I can understand this argument, but it would be a hell of a dull world if we abolished culture.

What do you think?

[Al Creed]

I guess, under Communism, since the state comes first, there isn't as big a fig of focus on culture, yet it is still there.

Just look at Fidel Castro. From my gathering, he is still a Roman Catholic, and Latino, yet that isn't emphisized in his life.

Amd I right, or talkin out of my ass?

[redstar2000]

I have heard many people say that "culture" should be completely eradicated, that all it does is foster feelings of nationalism among groups of people.

That sounds like a nutball idea to me. There may be and probably will be certain practices that will be eradicated in the long run--oppressing women and beating children, for example--that some will attempt to defend as "part of our culture".

And, in time, there may well be a "homogenization" of world culture; a world-wide communist society will generate very similar cultural phenomena all over the world...just as global capitalism is doing now.

But "very similar" and "identical" are not the same.


I guess, under Communism, since the state comes first, there isn't as big of focus on culture, yet it is still there.

"The state comes first" under the Leninist version of socialism. There is no state under communism.

http://anarchist-action.org/forums/images/smiles/redstar.gif

The RedStar2000 Papers (http://www.anarchist-action.org/marxists/redstar2000/)
A site about communist ideas

[postmarkxmyxcompass]

Cuba maintained much of its culture and traditions. Che was even looked down upon to a degree by the Cuban people becuase he didn't fit quite right in to their culture. He didn't enjoy dancing and the same music, even the same drinks of Cuba. Fidel definately still loved his culture. You can have a love for your culture without feelings of nationalism.

Unless of course the culture of the state is completely based on capitalism, such as in the U.S. Our culture is McDonalds and Starbucks, two places I sure as hell hope wouldn't be a part of a communist country.

[Karelmarx]

You ever been to a kibbutz? In case you haven't, they are relatively small communes scattered throughout the state of Israel. These people are subsistance farmers on the most part, and work almost entirely for the community. It is pretty darn close to a realization of Marx's dream. The point is, though, that these kibbutzim would never have been founded had it not been for the culture that these Europian-Jewish settlers shared. Nationalism is a bad thing, but if culture can bring you to look upon your fellow man and embrace him, even if he is a stranger, then it can't be such a bad thing, now can it?

[suffianr]

Does this have anything to do with it, commie kg? (http://www.che-lives.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=18144)