what's communism?

[darth_revan]

Hi y'all,
I have some questions.
First, how is the leader selected, what happens if a bad one becomes leader?
How do the people live? Will they still do what they want (i mean hobbies, for instance, can i play computer too much?)

Answer of the second one will not change my ideas. Because there IS NOT somebody who is more or less important than me.

[Hegemonicretribution]

First of all, authority in the sense you are implying is an attribute of socialism (the transitory stage between caitalism and communism) not communism itself.

As to what you can do, this is not about limitation of rights, rather changing what desirable activity is. A general guide is activites that don't cause harm to others would not likely be evn discouraged by society (a leader isn't present).

If your ideas can't be changed, why do you ask?

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 05:21 PM
Hi y'all,

Hello there!


I have some questions.
First, how is the leader selected, what happens if a bad one becomes leader?


In communism, there wouldn't be any leaders, so no bad ones will get into power :P


How do the people live? Will they still do what they want (i mean hobbies, for instance, can i play computer too much

Yea of course, but like in any society, if you don't contribute and work, you wont get anything back.

[darth_revan]

well then, how was Lenin selected? i heard that russia wasnt communist at all.

[Lord Testicles]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 06:00 PM
well then, how was Lenin selected? i heard that russia wasnt communist at all.
I think Hegemonicretribution has already awnsered your question.

[KC]

First, how is the leader selected, what happens if a bad one becomes leader?

There is no leader.


How do the people live? Will they still do what they want (i mean hobbies, for instance, can i play computer too much?)

See my blog entry (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?act=blog&id=10051&entry=310&action2=perma) on the basics of communism. Most of your questions should be answered there.


First of all, authority in the sense you are implying is an attribute of socialism (the transitory stage between caitalism and communism) not communism itself.


No it isn't.


well then, how was Lenin selected? i heard that russia wasnt communist at all.

Leninism is different than Marxism.

Again, if you want to learn about the basics of communism, what is wrong with capitalism, how socialism works, and how communism works please see my blog (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?act=blog&id=10051) for all of that.

[darth_revan]

if there is no leader, how do the things work? For example, another country wanted something from us, who will answer? the whole folk?

[KC]

if there is no leader, how do the things work? For example, another country wanted something from us, who will answer? the whole folk?

Everything is organized into workers' councils and perhaps workers' congresses if needed. There are no "countries", only other soviets.

[darth_revan]

And that council has a leader, doesnt it? i mean someone's rank is better than someone else. How is the leader of those councils selected?

And, you know, they are "humans" and they can do it when they want corruption. Can bribing and corruption be stopped with communism?

[KC]

And that council has a leader, doesnt it? i mean someone's rank is better than someone else. How is the leader of those councils selected?

No. There is no "leader". Perhaps a "leader" in the sense that they make sure that the meetings run smoothly and efficiently, but there doesn't have to be the same "leader" every meeting (at local meetings here we choose a different one every time).


And, you know, they are "humans" and they can do it when they want corruption. Can bribing and corruption be stopped with communism?

Bribe with what? Why would there be corruption if everybody has what they want?

[Zingu]

To supplement what Lazar is saying, Communism is the product of the development of productive forces in the course of human history.

Its basically when supply and demand become superflous. Socialism is the transition to such a society, it is debated when Socialist revolution is probable to happen, and where. Of course, if capitalism develops to such a productive stage itself (which I believe is impossible), then revolution right into Communism is perfectly possible.

[Revolution67]

****

[KC]

Marx never uses that definition. That is a simple definition of communism.

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 16 2005, 05:19 AM
And that council has a leader, doesnt it? i mean someone's rank is better than someone else. How is the leader of those councils selected?


Hmm see, there are different ideas on this, some think there should be a "leader" of sorts, others think that there should be absolutely no from of hierachy, but a spokes person could be ellected to explain the peoples decission.


And, you know, they are "humans" and they can do it when they want corruption. Can bribing and corruption be stopped with communism

Yes, as there is no money, wealth or ownership. What could you bribe someone with? :P , in the end, the lack of money and leadership is always a tough idea to get your head round. But it's great your showing an interest.

[Seeker]

What could you bribe someone with?

Sex.

[darth_revan]

yep, sleep with someone and make him not to see you not working. Nobody wants to work, do they? And the people that is preventing other people from not working will be bribed. And people will work less and more corruption... How could this be stopped?

[More Fire for the People]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 11:10 AM
Hi y'all,
I have some questions.
First, how is the leader selected, what happens if a bad one becomes leader?
How do the people live? Will they still do what they want (i mean hobbies, for instance, can i play computer too much?)

Answer of the second one will not change my ideas. Because there IS NOT somebody who is more or less important than me.
I'd like to establish that communism grows out of the dictatorship of the proletariat and is a society that is classless and stateless. There aren't any "leaders" in a communist society, or none as we would commonly define them. When we speak of "leaders" in the leftist movement we usually mean representatives in the dictatorship of the proletariat.


First, how is the leader selected, what happens if a bad one becomes leader?
In the dictatorship of the proletariat, all representatives would be directly elected by those that he or she represents. If they do their job poorly then they can be recalled by petition.


How do the people live? Will they still do what they want (i mean hobbies, for instance, can i play computer too much?)
Of course people will have hobbies and will relatively comfortably so long as they contribute 20 hours of work a week. There may be shortages in the growth of socialism in which luxury items may become scarce. Then the distribution of such items would be along the lines of who does the most charity work. I would read RedStar2000's paper on luxury distribution (http://www.redstar2000papers.com/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1083202823&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&).

[darth_revan]

Then, how do the youth select their jobs?
do the youth select to study and become an engineer or not to study and become a factory worker?
Noone wants to become a factory worker, do they?

[Djehuti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 06:10 PM
Hi y'all,
I have some questions.
First, how is the leader selected, what happens if a bad one becomes leader?
How do the people live? Will they still do what they want (i mean hobbies, for instance, can i play computer too much?)

Answer of the second one will not change my ideas. Because there IS NOT somebody who is more or less important than me.
1: There is no leader.
2: Of course people can have what hobbies they like as long as they don't hurt other people.

[darth_revan]

Then, how do the youth select their jobs?
do the youth select to study and become an engineer or not to study and become a factory worker?
Noone wants to become a factory worker, do they?

And one more question, For example, i dont have a computer and want to have one, how do i get that? And i will want a mp3 player etc. The soviet cannot give those things to whole folk. So, how are those things given?

[Noah]

Then, how do the youth select their jobs?

A youth will have more freedom to do what they want in a communist society because they wouldnt not need to pay for education. Educational and occupational opportunities would be bigger and better.


do the youth select to study and become an engineer or not to study and become a factory worker?

Yes the youth can select whether they would like to study and go into a specialist field or they can take on an occupation that requires less skill.

In a capitalist society people with less skill or intelligence, have to work in 'lower skill' job, which usually means they are paid less, which means they can not afford university or educational funding for their children and so you get a cycle but none of that exists in communist society.


Noone wants to become a factory worker, do they?

Well, we don't know that for a fact, if factory worker were to be treated with respect and not exploited to a point which made them unhappy then I believe some people would not mind working in a factory. Also you must remember, there will be less factory workers in many cases because they would be providing for the needs of the people not for profit of those above them in the hierachal capitalist system.

Just think how much surplus of clothing, electrical, novelty (or to be general MATERIAL GOODS) exists in today's society, we have a humongous amount of surplus.

NOAH

[Goatse]

And one more question, For example, i dont have a computer and want to have one, how do i get that? And i will want a mp3 player etc. The soviet cannot give those things to whole folk. So, how are those things given?

Well, computers would probably be in a public place. Like an internet café or whatever in the town. You'd get a few nerds making custom PCs because they like to, which would be enough.

As for MP3s... probably the same as the above. Let me tell you something: I know someone from England who is extremely skilled with electronics. He managed to make a good reliable MP3 player for £5. (Although I think he stole a few components from school.)

Also, can I just say I found this quite funny:


well then, how was Lenin selected? i heard that russia wasnt communist at all.

No particular reason, just... lol.

Oh and by the way, I guess you player KOTOR, yes?

[darth_revan]

Hmm, yes, you are right, NOAH. When everyone gets the same respect, there wont be anything like not wanting to become a worker. Because they will know that being a worker isnt bad thing.

Yes, i play kotor:)

One more question, my friends think that in communist societies, having a religion is illegal. I dont think thats right. Because communism was founded(i couldnt use a better word, i suppose) to make people live better and easier. Why would that "rule" exist? I say them "having a religion is not illegal. The soviet isnt ruled according to religion, only that exists." But they misunderstand freedom, having rights to believe or not.