Explaining socialism

[Sirion]

I do a lot of forum surfing daily (which is a reason why I can't spend more time here). Lately, I have gotten into a few discussions where people claim that socialism/communism is only a dream, and can never happen. Therefore, I have decided to write a small essay, presenting my view's on the case.

I would like some help from you. This will in some ways be a FAQ as well, so I wan't you to help me finding out:

*What are the most common myths around socialism
*Why are they untrue/Why doesn't they hinder socialism?

Thanks to all that can help to contribute

Please remember, this is for people that are not really active politically, so no need to go into small details.

[Bored of Education]

Well it depends on who you're explaining it to. If it's a die-hard patriot (like most of my friends :() you'll have to find a way to convince them that Communism isn't the root of all evil as Nixon and McCarthy and everyone wanted you to believe. Also, Communism is a form of Socialism. They aren't two different things persay. Under Socialism there's also Fourierism, Saint-Simonianism, etc.

[Blibblob]

Communism is not really a part of socialism, its the step beyond, its the final stage, marx said that socialism is an intermidate step.

And your friends cant be patriotic, they may be flag wavers, but those arent the patriots, the patriots are the ones who rise up for change. So few of those true patriots left.

(Edited by Blibblob at 1:28 pm on Jan. 19, 2003)

[Sirion]

Well, the people I was talking about is not patriots, not U$-friendly. They belive we have to change things, but see socialism as no opinion, sinc ethey belive it cannot work

(Edited by Sirion at 6:31 pm on Jan. 19, 2003)

[Blibblob]

Ok that works, now it has become difficult/easier. If some1 already doesnt have a basis of beliefs for socialism or communism, then it gets VERY difficult to change them. Like capitalists, they will never be brought to our side, and wont even listen to us.

A good myth is that socialism is a fascist dictatorship, well, um i think we all know how that isnt true. How can it be a dictatorship when its based off of mutual sharing?

And i cant think.

[Bored of Education]

Quote: from Blibblob on 1:37 pm on Jan. 19, 2003
A good myth is that socialism is a fascist dictatorship, well, um i think we all know how that isnt true. How can it be a dictatorship when its based off of mutual sharing?
I've heard that one also.

[Blibblob]

of course you have, did you think i made that up. I read that somewhere, i cant quite remember where though, like it really matters.

[Bored of Education]

Well seeing as how so many people are critical of where you're getting information from I figured I'd back you up. It's hilarious how they say that, but then like you said it's about mutual sharing of things. Completely opposite of Socialism's good points.

Furthermore I don't think people who are unactive in politics deserve to know what Socialism is. If they weren't politically active before there's usually a reason behind that. I'm not the master of governmental procedures and stuff like that but I know enough. Yet I constantly meet fuckholes who have no idea who Pol Pot (Solath Sar, Khmer Rogue leader from Cambodia) or Che Guevara is. It's sad people are this ignorant, and it's even more sad that they settle for living with it.

:(

(Edited by Bored of Education at 7:59 pm on Jan. 19, 2003)

[redstar2000]

The "it won't work--it's against human nature"--has probably been the most successful myth spread by the capitalist ruling class.

Because we are selfish by necessity under capitalism (or any form of class society), it seems plausible that we are selfish by nature.

Of course, there's no evidence that selfishness is genetically built-in to the human species. But even the fact that "lack of evidence" means that a question is impossible to answer doesn't carry much weight with people. They look around them. They see people "out for themselves". They conclude "that's how things are."

I suppose my response would run something like this: because it has not been proven that communism is genetically impossible for humans, let's go for it! Why? Because it will be much better than the crap we live under now.

:cool:

[Umoja]

People aren't inherently selfish, because otherwise Feudalism wouldn't have worked. Humans try to do whatever it takes to survive, and most people are happy to be stuck as middle class for this reason, since they have everything they need, their is no point in wasting energy to get much else, as long as they can keep what they have.

[Spiritual Minded]

I wouldn't use the word "selfish", but it's in the human nature, as well as any other animals nature, to do what's best for you. The thing is people don't seem to realize that we ALL would gain from Communism. Today is like a big game of monopoly. Either you win or you lose. But in a Communist society no one would lose - we would all be winners. blah blah blah, anyway... check out this site:

http://struggle.net/proletarian-democracy/pd.htm?faq=3