Capitalism... in space?

[Tatarin]

This may sound like a bad sci-fi movie, but I've been thinking about the question that as long as capitalism has a "place to go", exploitation will never end.

Now, sooner or later, man will go to space for colonization and expansion. Let us say that we colonize Mars in 2100. That would mean that capitalism has another planet (and people) to exploit - let alone new space technology (i.e., new markets)?

Now, wouldn't this mean that capitalism would take much longer to defeat? How would the communists be organizing workers on other planets? Would this mean that there is a time-frame as to when we must defeat capitalism?

[Neutrino]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27, 2007 01:13 am
This may sound like a bad sci-fi movie, but I've been thinking about the question that as long as capitalism has a "place to go", exploitation will never end.

Now, sooner or later, man will go to space for colonization and expansion. Let us say that we colonize Mars in 2100. That would mean that capitalism has another planet (and people) to exploit - let alone new space technology (i.e., new markets)?

Now, wouldn't this mean that capitalism would take much longer to defeat? How would the communists be organizing workers on other planets? Would this mean that there is a time-frame as to when we must defeat capitalism?

Now, sooner or later, man will go to space for colonization and expansion.

I don't think so--not in 2100 or at any point in time in the distant future--but that's a debate more appropriate to the sciences sub-forum.

The very most humankind can expect in the realm of such space exploration is perhaps a few settlements where researchers study various things--perhaps on Mars. It would be a colony in definition only, mostly irrelevant to human life. In order for capitalism to apply (or socialism for that matter), you need actual production and ownership. Sure, someone could claim ownership to an extra-planetary ground, but it wouldn't actually translate to anything in practice. The logistics wouldn't work out. In any case the expenditure of the constant missions due to the unsustainability of life outside of the Earth would be far, far in excess of the monetary value of any goods produced, so it'd be a bad investment. You're not going to see jobs outsourced to other planets.

[Don't Change Your Name]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26, 2007 10:13 pm
Now, sooner or later, man will go to space for colonization and expansion. Let us say that we colonize Mars in 2100. That would mean that capitalism has another planet (and people) to exploit - let alone new space technology (i.e., new markets)?

People? In Mars? :lol:

What the hell have you been smoking?

[Comrade Rage]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26, 2007 08:13 pm
Would this mean that there is a time-frame as to when we must defeat capitalism?
I would say that there is a definite time-frame that we need to meet to defeat capitalism because of the surveillance and weapons technology being developed by America.

[piet11111]

Originally posted by COMRADE CRUM+July 28, 2007 09:28 pm--> (COMRADE CRUM @ July 28, 2007 09:28 pm)
[email protected] 26, 2007 08:13 pm
Would this mean that there is a time-frame as to when we must defeat capitalism?
I would say that there is a definite time-frame that we need to meet to defeat capitalism because of the surveillance and weapons technology being developed by America. [/b]
well i think revolution always has a chance but you are right by saying that the advancing technology will make it much more dangerous.

[Comrade Rage]

Originally posted by piet11111+July 28, 2007 07:22 pm--> (piet11111 @ July 28, 2007 07:22 pm)
Originally posted by COMRADE [email protected] 28, 2007 09:28 pm

[email protected] 26, 2007 08:13 pm
Would this mean that there is a time-frame as to when we must defeat capitalism?
I would say that there is a definite time-frame that we need to meet to defeat capitalism because of the surveillance and weapons technology being developed by America.
well i think revolution always has a chance but you are right by saying that the advancing technology will make it much more dangerous. [/b]
My point exactly. For instance, I do not think that the capitalists will hesitate to devastate rebellious cities with airborne weapons tanks and artillery

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Space exploration at the level of civilian colonization won't become a serious concern until 1.) there is some foreseeable profit to be made and 2.) the basic theories of settlement are explored.

There's too many variables in this scenario. For example, if the government plans to colonize an alien planet, it would likely assign contracts to companies with enough arm length inside their pockets. The conditions on the colonies could be bad enough for the workers to revolt -- after all, would they be given the same benefits as found in the social democracies on Earth?

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by El Infiltr(A)do+July 28, 2007 08:59 pm--> (El Infiltr(A)do @ July 28, 2007 08:59 pm)
[email protected] 26, 2007 10:13 pm
Now, sooner or later, man will go to space for colonization and expansion. Let us say that we colonize Mars in 2100. That would mean that capitalism has another planet (and people) to exploit - let alone new space technology (i.e., new markets)?

People? In Mars? :lol:

What the hell have you been smoking? [/b]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_Mars

The thread starter actually makes a very valid point. With the availability of more land, resources and technology (automation etc), the necessity of proletarian labour will become less essential and therefore there will be less of a precedence on the beourgious to 'treat us nicely'.

This makes it all the more important to kill capitalism, before it 'infests' other planets and places in space, like the moon and mars.

[La Comédie Noire]

^ I think he's just pointing out the fact that it sounded like you were talking about alien life on Mars. :lol:

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by Comrade Floyd+August 10, 2007 11:16 am--> (Comrade Floyd @ August 10, 2007 11:16 am) ^ I think he's just pointing out the fact that it sounded like you were talking about alien life on Mars. :lol: [/b]

That really depends if you class aliens as 'people' ;)


El Infiltr(A)do

People? In Mars?

What the hell have you been smoking?

[LSD]

Actually, if anything settler colonies on other planets would precipitate revolution rather than obstruct it.

I psersonally doubt that we'll see interplanetary settlements within our lifetimes or within this current economic system, but if we were to, I would have no doubt that they would be on the cutting edge of labour relations.

The conditions by themselves instill an air of comraderie and the revolutionary nature of what they'd be doing (seeding other planents) couldn't help but shake up their convictions.

That's why the periphery has always been the centre of political upheaval. Because they are forced to do with less they are more directly exposed to the reality of capitalism.

A capitalist martian settlement would be a hot-bed of leftist agitation. It wouuld be the epicentre for profound change.

And, in the end, capitalism's running down the clock, there's a time-frame here. I don't propose to know what it is, but this isn't an unlimited venture. Eventually this house of cards will fall, and something will have to be built up to replace it.

And if at that time we have men on Mars I have no doubt that they will join with us in building that new world.... or should I say worlds. Sorry, it's all a bit sci-fi to me, I'm still back here in the universe where my computer won't stop crashing. :P