Socialism, Marixism, Communism, Capitalism..?

[JBS]

I have to admit I haven't been paying too much attention to politics, now or ever before.

If anyone could explain all these terms to me, it would help me a lot. I'm trying to make up my mind on wich side to choose..

Thank you in advance

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Q: What is capitalism?
A: Most of the people in the world today live under capitalism. In the capitalist system, profit is the only motive for producing goods and services (commodities). A very small percent of the population (the capitalist class) own the means of production (the tools used to create and sell these commodities--factories, farms, stores, etc), while the majority of the population (the working class) has no way to make money other than to sell their labor-power (working). The capitalists don't actually create anything, the workers do, but since they own the means of production they are able to exploit the workers to make a profit for themselves. For example, a worker can make 100 shirts in one day, which the capitalist sells for $10 each, making $1000 for the capitalist, but the worker is only payed $50. So, we see that the worker was exploited for $950. This is how capitalism works, which is why there are so few rich people, while so many are struggling just to get by.

Q: What is Marxism?
A: Marxism is the political practice and social theory based on the works of Karl Marx--a 19th century philosopher, economist, journalist, and revolutionary--along with Friedrich Engels. Marx developed a critique of society which is scientific and revolutionary. The theories of Marxism are based on a scientific method of thought called historical materialism; to be clear there is no one answer to a question--theory is based on a particular set of conditions that are always limited, and so, any theory is necessarily limited. To find out if a theory is correct, Marxists rely on evidence to determine what is real and truthful.

Using historical materialism Marx and Engels examined history, which lead them to explain theories on the class struggle, the basis of people's relations with each other in society through economics, and the form of society that would follow capitalism (The first societies were primitive-communist socities. Primitive communism had developed into slave states. Slave states had developed into feudal societies. Those societies in turn became capitalist states, and these capitalist states will be overthrown by the self-conscious portion of their working-class, creating the conditions for socialism and, ultimately, a higher form of communism than that with which the whole process began). Basically, Marxism is all about pointing out whats wrong and working to change it.

Q: What is Socialism?
A: Socialism is the stage of transition to communism. Under socialism the workers have control of all of the means of production (factories, farms, stores, etc), since they are the ones that actually work them, and goods and services are created to supply the people with what they need, instead of creating them to make a profit for a few capitalists. In socialist society quality education (through college), healthcare, and housing are guaranteed to all, and unemployment, racism, and sexism are done away with. Since all the work that is needed to be done will be done by everyone together, individuals won't have to work as much as they currently do. The people rule socialist society in their own interest, instead of being ruled in the interests of the capitalists. Socialism is not permanent, the foundations of cooperation and equality are created in order to build communism.

Q: What is Communism?
A: There's a good chance that everything you've ever heard about communism was a lie. No country has ever been communist or even claimed to be. In fact, communism has never yet been acheived anywhere in the world. Under communism people are no longer seperated by class, government no longer exsists as we know of it, and people no longer work for money, rather everyone works so that everyone can receive what they need. Under communism crime will no longer exist as everyone will have what they need, and will be free to grow and develop naturally.

All of these (and alot more) appear on this FAQ: http://www.freepeoplesmovement.org/ry/faq.html

Also see: What is communism? (http://www.che-lives.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=210)

[JBS]

That was fast, thanks a lot.

[Commie Rat]

short,simple and to the point gets the job done.

[Paradox]

Perhaps this should be moved to learning? :D