Communism vs Socialism (definitions)

[Spiritual Minded]

As I understand it, socialism try to work for betterness within the frames of capitalism. Communism on the other hand wants to, through revolution, totally rebuild the social constructure. Would this also be your definition?

Also, I have for a long time been philosophizing about how we can make this a better world. I wouldn't classify myself as neither socialist nor communism. However, I sympathize with many Marxistic views... and would like to learn more about the communist states in Russia, Cuba, etc. Do you think these regimes were ideal? If not, what were their weaknesses?

Please recommend literature and websites. Thanks.

One Love

[Nateddi]

>>As I understand it, socialism try to work for betterness within the frames of capitalism.

Socialism is when the government only owns the major means of production and distribution (energy, telecomm, transportation, health, education, etc), while allowing controlled private control of smaller production and distribution.

Socialism generally does not work within the boundaries of capitalism.


>>Communism on the other hand wants to, through revolution, totally rebuild the social constructure. Would this also be your definition?
Communism is an advanced stage of socialism in which a central government isn't [very] necessery and worker self-managament is on the more local level.

>>Also, I have for a long time been philosophizing about how we can make this a better world. I wouldn't classify myself as neither socialist nor communism However, I sympathize with many Marxistic views...
than you must agree that capitalism does not solve the problems it creates.

>>and would like to learn more about the communist states in Russia, Cuba, etc. Do you think these regimes were ideal? If not, what were their weaknesses?
They are definitely not ideal regimes, but the soviet union was without a doubt better than modern day russian and monarchist russia. Socialist cuba is without a doubt better than Batista's cuba owned by american interests before the revolution.

>>Please recommend literature and websites. Thanks.
marxists.org
red-encyclopedia.org

literature:
parenti - "america besieged"
william blum - "killing hope"
"the cambridge companion to marx"

[man in the red suit]

Quote: from Nateddi on 8:53 pm on Aug. 3, 2002
>>As I understand it, socialism try to work for betterness within the frames of capitalism.

Socialism is when the government only owns the major means of production and distribution (energy, telecomm, transportation, health, education, etc), while allowing controlled private control of smaller production and distribution.



whoa now Nateddi, I don't want to have to get into a major debate with you again. But I'm almost positive that communism does not allow ANY private control of production or distribution. ALL means of production and distribution are controlled by the state. Socialism on the other hand, allows some private control of production and distribution.


what do you have to say to that? Have I been misinterpreting something somewhere along the line?

[Nateddi]

yes, you have :)

I said "socialism", you even quoted that

[Spiritual Minded]

Most definitely I'm anti-capitalism... still, I would not limit myself to say I'm Communist. And Socialism (the way it's being practized by the socialists in this country) is way too conservative.

[Lardlad95]

Quote: from Spiritual Minded on 9:43 pm on Aug. 3, 2002
Most definitely I'm anti-capitalism... still, I would not limit myself to say I'm Communist. And Socialism (the way it's being practized by the socialists in this country) is way too conservative.

who said you had to be confinded to one label? There are lots of different types of Socialism and COmmunism.

Nothing is strictly binded y one belief.

[Spiritual Minded]

That's what I'm saying...

[man in the red suit]

Quote: from Nateddi on 9:14 pm on Aug. 3, 2002
yes, you have :)

I said "socialism", you even quoted that

oh shit! terribly sorry. I'm losing my mind today. Sorry about that.

[Spiritual Minded]

uppin