End The Empire
7th September 2006, 07:41
First off, while I have beliefs that are similar to varieties of socialism (mainly anarchism), I'm fairily new to it. I've read The Communist Manifesto and a few other Marx/Engles writings along with The Conquest Of Bread by Peter Kropotkin and I think that Kropotkin's view of an Anarcho-Communism system is basic framework of what I think could work. But here's my question(s):
I've read in many threads here and elsewhere that in the case of Marxism, the revolution could work if the country was industrialized. My question is, in this this day in age, is it even possible for the United States have a revolution and survive? I believe (like Kropotkin) in the abolition of money, but this would present a problem in international trade, unless the other countries want to barter. But a problem is, that the United States is basically a service-based economy now, manufacturing very little. Now according to Kropotkin, everything would be able to work out by making communities self-sufficient, and that may have worked 100+ years ago, but with the technology today and the interdependence of the Western countries (especially the U.S) in international trade, this seems improbable if not impossible.
While manufacturing may make a comeback in the U.S as it fights to survive, there will be a period of time where the technology that many U.S citizens are accustomed to may not be available. And unless the U.S develops manufacturing fast, there is a black market of foreign technological items which could ruin the whole process of the 'socialization' for the country.
I hope this makes sense, as sometimes what I write doesn't make sense because I don't support my ideas well enough. So just tell me if you want me to explain something more.
So, I hope somebody here can help answer my question(s) or can point me in the right direction.
Thanks.
I've read in many threads here and elsewhere that in the case of Marxism, the revolution could work if the country was industrialized. My question is, in this this day in age, is it even possible for the United States have a revolution and survive? I believe (like Kropotkin) in the abolition of money, but this would present a problem in international trade, unless the other countries want to barter. But a problem is, that the United States is basically a service-based economy now, manufacturing very little. Now according to Kropotkin, everything would be able to work out by making communities self-sufficient, and that may have worked 100+ years ago, but with the technology today and the interdependence of the Western countries (especially the U.S) in international trade, this seems improbable if not impossible.
While manufacturing may make a comeback in the U.S as it fights to survive, there will be a period of time where the technology that many U.S citizens are accustomed to may not be available. And unless the U.S develops manufacturing fast, there is a black market of foreign technological items which could ruin the whole process of the 'socialization' for the country.
I hope this makes sense, as sometimes what I write doesn't make sense because I don't support my ideas well enough. So just tell me if you want me to explain something more.
So, I hope somebody here can help answer my question(s) or can point me in the right direction.
Thanks.