Commie-K
23rd January 2005, 02:20
Ok, so this is a report I am writing for school. It is not very in-depth, but then my teacher has low expectations. In case you're wondering, I'm only a freshman in highschool; my apologies if it is bad, but that's why I posted it here. But anyways, just wondering what you guys think, opinions are encouraged. Thanks. (Also, sorry for posting it in politics, wasn't really sure where to post it.)
COMMUNISM
The meaning of communism is often distorted throughout the world, and most predominantly here in America. Our society teaches the stereotype that communism is evil and the enemy, which is totally false. Communisms image has been unfairly changed and its true meaning and pure form lost.
What, then, is true communism? A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members (dictionary.com). Youre probably wondering what this means. In a communist society, everyone is truly equal, social classes are abolished, and people work for the well being of society as a whole, rather than working just for their own good. People are truly equal because the government distributes property and possessions evenly throughout the people, making them equal in wealth, and in turn abolishing social classes. However, they are not only equal in wealth, but also in voice. In America we brag about our freedom of speech, which really is limited, even though it is a freedom much of the world doesnt have. People protesting are often arrested for reasons that arent valid; the poor dont have a voice, and our elite leaders more or less tell us what to think. This does not happen in a communist society; everyone really does have a voice which is equal to that of any other member. As a result of this concept, everyone is equal, and a supposed elite class does not control everything; it is the ultimate form of democracy.
Despite these things, most of the country still opposes communism, but why? Most of it is due to delusions and false stereotypes by the government: our government says that communism is bad simply because we had bad relations with the U.S.S.R. and Cuba. Also, the majority of this countrys citizens are greedy, and as a result, do not approve communism because they cant stand the fact that they would not be richer than anyone else. These people argue that greed is human nature, which is false. We are taught to be greedy from when we are young: throughout school, we are told that if we do not finish school we will not get a good job, and as a result will have no friends, live in a poor area, and be unhappy. Our capitalist society is all about being better than the person next to you and pushing them down to raise yourself up. This idea of greed can definitely be rid of if there is not incentive to be better than other people (more money, etc.) Currency would be eliminated in a communist society, so the argument that greed is human nature is invalid; it can be fixed. The final, and most convincing, reason against communism is that most attempts at it have resulted in dictatorships. This fact is undeniable, but communism cannot be blamed for it. Communism didnt cause Stalin to fall under capitalist incentives (greed, power) and oppress his people. In order for a communist society to be obtained, it must be the desire of every person within that society, or else it will be corrupt and eventually fail. While it is very difficult to obtain communism, it would be a wonderful thing if it was someday acquired. Most supporters of communism encourage it because everyone is equal; people are not selfish and greedy, and because a communist society is peaceful one, which does not imperialize.
The ideas of communism were inspired by the realization of the faults of capitalism. To begin, there have always been people who are richer than others, and as a result there have always been social classes. Social classes not only promote a ruling elite, but also oppress those who are not rich: social classes create poverty. The rich continually feed unfairly off the poors labor, making unjust immense profits. There have always been greedy people, people who care more about money than their fellow man. They do not care that they are vastly underpaying those who do the work and taking what money should be the workers as their own profit. This still happens today, the rich nations use the poor nations for cheap labor. Greedy CEOs are outsourcing jobs to third-world countries because they can get the poor to work for less than Americans will, and as a result, they receive higher profits. If third-world workers were paid what they deserve, their economies would get better and they would eventually work their way into being more industrialized nations. But this is the last thing our leaders want to happen; if these countries do not depend on us for jobs, we cant make unfair profits. Basically, by underpaying these workers, major corporations are allowing the process to repeat itself and causing the workers to depend on us for labor to sustain life. Some will argue that it is good we outsource jobs because it supports poor countries, but this is completely false. Greedy leaders see their need for work and exploit it. If they truly cared about these countries they would pay them real, deserving wages. Another fault realized in society was again attributed to greed. Leaders desiring more power and wealth start unreasonable wars to gain these things. This kind of globalization again oppresses some for the gain of others. This is evident when many wars have been claimed in the name of freedom but have really been about profit, whether it be land, oil, or anything else people desire. When these wars are won, (they almost always are because it is often a rich superpower invading a poorer country who cant support a strong military) one country gains more power and wealth, and the other is oppressed. Not only are their resources being taken without any kind of compensation, but also the people of the oppressed country are considered less than equal to those of the invading country. Globalization does nothing but oppress and cause more problems. Most of the faults noticed within society, (whether it be social classes, poverty, or imperialism) are, in fact, fueled by greed. People simply do not care that others are paying the price for their own personal interests and gain. Communism was inspired due to these realizations.
By now it should be evident that communism is not the enemy, but greed. People need to get past the stereotype that communism is evil and realize what really is going on. The government puts this stereotype on communism to keep the focus off the horrible things that they themselves are doing. Greed fuels many of these acts, and simply subjugates most for the gain of few. Despite common speculation, communism shares morals with many of the people who oppose it. A large amount of the public would agree with a society in which everyone was equal; in which everyones voice truly mattered; in which the rich didnt control. Communism is not bad; it is not the source of all evil. The stereotype might be lost and the true meaning re-obtained if people would just realize this.
COMMUNISM
The meaning of communism is often distorted throughout the world, and most predominantly here in America. Our society teaches the stereotype that communism is evil and the enemy, which is totally false. Communisms image has been unfairly changed and its true meaning and pure form lost.
What, then, is true communism? A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members (dictionary.com). Youre probably wondering what this means. In a communist society, everyone is truly equal, social classes are abolished, and people work for the well being of society as a whole, rather than working just for their own good. People are truly equal because the government distributes property and possessions evenly throughout the people, making them equal in wealth, and in turn abolishing social classes. However, they are not only equal in wealth, but also in voice. In America we brag about our freedom of speech, which really is limited, even though it is a freedom much of the world doesnt have. People protesting are often arrested for reasons that arent valid; the poor dont have a voice, and our elite leaders more or less tell us what to think. This does not happen in a communist society; everyone really does have a voice which is equal to that of any other member. As a result of this concept, everyone is equal, and a supposed elite class does not control everything; it is the ultimate form of democracy.
Despite these things, most of the country still opposes communism, but why? Most of it is due to delusions and false stereotypes by the government: our government says that communism is bad simply because we had bad relations with the U.S.S.R. and Cuba. Also, the majority of this countrys citizens are greedy, and as a result, do not approve communism because they cant stand the fact that they would not be richer than anyone else. These people argue that greed is human nature, which is false. We are taught to be greedy from when we are young: throughout school, we are told that if we do not finish school we will not get a good job, and as a result will have no friends, live in a poor area, and be unhappy. Our capitalist society is all about being better than the person next to you and pushing them down to raise yourself up. This idea of greed can definitely be rid of if there is not incentive to be better than other people (more money, etc.) Currency would be eliminated in a communist society, so the argument that greed is human nature is invalid; it can be fixed. The final, and most convincing, reason against communism is that most attempts at it have resulted in dictatorships. This fact is undeniable, but communism cannot be blamed for it. Communism didnt cause Stalin to fall under capitalist incentives (greed, power) and oppress his people. In order for a communist society to be obtained, it must be the desire of every person within that society, or else it will be corrupt and eventually fail. While it is very difficult to obtain communism, it would be a wonderful thing if it was someday acquired. Most supporters of communism encourage it because everyone is equal; people are not selfish and greedy, and because a communist society is peaceful one, which does not imperialize.
The ideas of communism were inspired by the realization of the faults of capitalism. To begin, there have always been people who are richer than others, and as a result there have always been social classes. Social classes not only promote a ruling elite, but also oppress those who are not rich: social classes create poverty. The rich continually feed unfairly off the poors labor, making unjust immense profits. There have always been greedy people, people who care more about money than their fellow man. They do not care that they are vastly underpaying those who do the work and taking what money should be the workers as their own profit. This still happens today, the rich nations use the poor nations for cheap labor. Greedy CEOs are outsourcing jobs to third-world countries because they can get the poor to work for less than Americans will, and as a result, they receive higher profits. If third-world workers were paid what they deserve, their economies would get better and they would eventually work their way into being more industrialized nations. But this is the last thing our leaders want to happen; if these countries do not depend on us for jobs, we cant make unfair profits. Basically, by underpaying these workers, major corporations are allowing the process to repeat itself and causing the workers to depend on us for labor to sustain life. Some will argue that it is good we outsource jobs because it supports poor countries, but this is completely false. Greedy leaders see their need for work and exploit it. If they truly cared about these countries they would pay them real, deserving wages. Another fault realized in society was again attributed to greed. Leaders desiring more power and wealth start unreasonable wars to gain these things. This kind of globalization again oppresses some for the gain of others. This is evident when many wars have been claimed in the name of freedom but have really been about profit, whether it be land, oil, or anything else people desire. When these wars are won, (they almost always are because it is often a rich superpower invading a poorer country who cant support a strong military) one country gains more power and wealth, and the other is oppressed. Not only are their resources being taken without any kind of compensation, but also the people of the oppressed country are considered less than equal to those of the invading country. Globalization does nothing but oppress and cause more problems. Most of the faults noticed within society, (whether it be social classes, poverty, or imperialism) are, in fact, fueled by greed. People simply do not care that others are paying the price for their own personal interests and gain. Communism was inspired due to these realizations.
By now it should be evident that communism is not the enemy, but greed. People need to get past the stereotype that communism is evil and realize what really is going on. The government puts this stereotype on communism to keep the focus off the horrible things that they themselves are doing. Greed fuels many of these acts, and simply subjugates most for the gain of few. Despite common speculation, communism shares morals with many of the people who oppose it. A large amount of the public would agree with a society in which everyone was equal; in which everyones voice truly mattered; in which the rich didnt control. Communism is not bad; it is not the source of all evil. The stereotype might be lost and the true meaning re-obtained if people would just realize this.