An arguement from a friend..

[Ownthink]

Hey guys...
Me and my friends were recently discussing politics and government, and when the talk got into Socialism and Communism, one of my friends stated that "Communism isn't that nobody is rich, it's that everybody's poor." I really don't think that EVERYONE is poor under Communism, but this kinda had me yearning to go into the "Learning" Forum. Any ideas on this?

[violencia.Proletariat]

meh, thats a stupid right wing slogan, how does it go, "capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth, socialism is the equal sharing of misery" its kinda funny though because most people are miserable in capitalism. but to your question, if you think being poor is, always having enough to eat, having a home, having a job in which you control the workplace is being poor, then theres something wrong with you.

[CrazyModerate]

Ask him why everyone would be poor. He probably has no idea what he is talking about, and he just had this line fed to him by a teacher or relative.

[Clarksist]

Like CrazyModerate, just ask him why.

And then if they try to give you one of those "examples" from the USSR or Cuba or North Korea, etc. Just explain how they aren't socialist and ESPECIALLY not communistic.

[Ownthink]

Heh, thanks for all the replies guys!

[Super Mario Conspiracy]

Or simply ask him why he thinks people are poor under communism - and especially why he thinks so since there has been no communist "place" in existance.

[anomaly]

Also, what does your friend mean by 'poor'? tell him that in the majority of capitalist nations, most people are poor. Theoretically, let's say revolution occurs in one of these poor capitalist nations, and an agrarian commune is created. This would likely give everyone in the commune subsistence, making them better off than they were under capitalism. By a rich nation's standards, they still may be poor, but by their own standards, they are better off.

[Seeker]

If the current standards of living in rich nations are unsustainable, and I believe they are, then there is the option of living a little poorer until technology can compensate, or making the planet uninhabitable and killing everyone.

[Hiero]

There is a difference between wealth in a Capitalist society and wealth in a Socialist society.

While many in the USSR, Cuba etc didn't gain much in personal wealth compared to the first world nations, they gain alot of wealth in services that now supply the needs of the people.

For instance in Cuba everybody is able to access a doctor.

[Socialistpenguin]

Ask him this:
"In a communist society, no money is present. Therefore, how can people be rich or poor?"

[bunk]

Originally posted by [email protected] 21 2005, 11:46 AM
Ask him this:
"In a communist society, no money is present. Therefore, how can people be rich or poor?"
You can also be rich or poor in terms of real things like food and water as well as money.

[Hiero]

Originally posted by [email protected] 21 2005, 10:46 PM
Ask him this:
"In a communist society, no money is present. Therefore, how can people be rich or poor?"
No don't ask that, that is as simple as saying "capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth, socialism is the equal sharing of misery" or whatever the original question was.

You just need to explain that Socialism aims to build real wealth for people, not wealth in money that is based on a risky market.