The Feral Underclass
12th December 2006, 13:23
Originally posted by
[email protected] 06, 2006 06:22 pm
sorry this may be a stupid Q but in a communist society(using money still) would a doctor get paid as much as a bin man?
I think before you can understand the concept of "wages" in a communist society, you have to understand what communism is.
Communism is a theory for a society that has developed out of struggle between two antagonistic classes (working class and ruling class).
A communist society is created when capitalism and the state no longer exist forming a world, which is both without a state (stateless) and without class (classless). This society will achieve equality and freedoms unlike we have ever understood it.
In order to achieve this society the working class have to develop what is classed "class consciousness". This class-consciousness is an understanding of the material conditions in which the working class live. I.e. their exploitation.
Class-consciousness is also a process in which working class people begin to understand different ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. Communism is a renaissance. There will be a shift in how people want society to be and without this shift, communism cannot be created.
What this means is, peoples attitudes towards certain things will change. Communism, being a society of freedom, will see people beginning to use their reason rather than their emotion or "experience". People will look at things rationally and make decisions which benefit [communist] society as a whole, rather than individually.
When you ask "would a doctor get paid as much as a bin man?" you miss the point of communism. This attitude of people getting paid more than others is an attitude that exists in capitalist society; it's what differentiates human from human and thus creates the system of class.
Communism is based on the maxim "from each according to ability; from each according to need." This means that people will give to society what society needs and in return will receive back from society what it is they need.
There will be no wages because people will simply do the work that is necessary. There will be no differentiation between those jobs; they will simply be classed as socially necessary and people will only receive in return what they need to exist.
A doctor will not be a doctor because he is getting paid allot of money. He will be a doctor, just as the bin man will be a bin man, because they want society to function as a whole and to ensure the continuation of their communities.
A doctor will be a doctor not because of money; but because he wants to help people.
But surley a doctors work is more demanding than a bin-man and more important(bcos anyone can pick up trash, but not everyone can operate on the brain for example
A doctor’s work is more demanding, but it is equally as necessary as a bin man. In fact, bin men and doctors must work together in order to ensure humans live healthy lives.
A bin man needs to clear rubbish, which keeps our streets clean and free from disease while a doctor helps those with illnesses get better.
But would there be a form of "credit" for spending on luxuries etc? i.e u get enough for the necasities for your family and some left over for luxuries? And what about trading with other countries?
What we judge to be luxuries now, may not be what we judge as luxuries in a communist society.
The production of televisions and DVD players is a burden on the environment and actually, when people have destroyed capitalism and created a society in which you can fulfil your dreams, I find it highly unlikely that TV's etc will be of concern.
However, if people wanted a TV, it would be their responsibility to make it. Perhaps this would be taken up by a collective of people to pursue when they were not involved in socially necessary work. Perhaps instead of having a TV, each community could build a community cinema.
So would people get anything to notify the hours they've worked etc. so if you work harder you get more reward?
People would not be rewarded for working harder than someone else because the whole basis of communism is you work as much as is necessary. If return for that, you would receive what was necessary for you, individually, to survive.
For example, in your community, it maybe necessary for you to work at the food making factory 7 hours a week. In return for that work, you will be given a house, food, electricity, water etc.
The reason that is possible is because everyone in your community and region is working 7 hours a week in a job that provides everyone with food, water, and electricity.
Do you understand?