Communism and the Military

[sglb]

First things first, I don't believe there would be any war under communism. It would only weaken the economy to breaking. However, I have one question about communist theory. If a communist community were attacked by an outside nation, how well could the community get a good army to fight?

I am rather new to communism, so bear with me. Thanks.

[Red Comrade]

This Communist community should have some sort of local militia to fend off imperialists. Similar to the resistence in Iraq, just a lot more organized.

[The Feral Underclass]

In Russia after the 1917 revolution, the Red Army was fighting a few expeditionary forces, including one from the UK.

I believe that an international revolution is the only possible way to sustain national revolutions. Once you had managed to defeat capitalism in one country it would be important to have an organized workers militia to defend yourselves, but this is in the case of the revolution being isolated to one country. In my oppinion I do not think that it could survive, and if it did, it would be a repeat of what we have seen already.

If there was a revolutionary situation in one country, the workers councils would not only have to defend the country from outside forces but would have to fight for revolutions in other countries.

[Organic Revolution]

under communism there shouldnt be a military cause generally those people get better treatment. everyone should own a weapon to fend off capitalist countrys.

[CubanFox]

There should be a huge, well equipped army.

For two reasons.

1) to defend the country (no projection of power)

2) to make the people proud (I mean, how cool is a May Day parade with tens of thousands of Red Army soldiers riding aboard the latest military equipment?!)

[The Feral Underclass]

1) THe revolution has to be international, so these huge well equipped army would not need to exist. Sure, in the first pahse of transition you would need an army which was organized in order to protect the country from outside forces and indeed coun ter revolutionary forces. This would include soldiers who have converted to communism and have rebelled against their officers and joined the revolution. In industrialised nations, the Armed forces are all ready well equipped, so when the soliders do come over to the revolution, they will be able to organize these defence militias using equipment that is already available.

Why should be people proud of military might? The arrmed forces are a sign of bourgeios and imperialist power. As communists we should be stressing the destruction of the military, not its increase in power.

But I think you where only joking anyway....you where joking right?

[sglb]

I think a good communist community should have a military, but not put it to aggresive use. To address the use of a military for revolution in other nations, I think a well-working communist community should be enough of an incentive for others to join communism. An imperfect communist society should not try to start revolutions elsewhere, but fix the problems at home. A militia is necessary for defense against capitalist invaders, but in a global communist society, weapons should not even exist.

[The Feral Underclass]

No. I disagree. A good communist society should not have a military, at all. The only reason a revolution would be imperfect, would be if it was isolated. That is why it has to be an international revolution. Or at least where all industrialised nations where involved. Once that had happened the under developed nations would surly follow.

I do not think we should be using the word military, the meaning holds too many links with beorgeois society. The military is an organized machine trained to kill people. To obey your leaders unquestionable. It is not a place for gay people or women, and the military is often used to destroy working class govenments (chilie 70's).

If, and I mean a really giant if, a defence force was absolutly necessary then it would have to work on a draft basis. That every community would have volunteers, possible ex army soldiers, who would be able to be called up in case there was need for a defence militia. Each area would have a militia which was responsible to an elected committee (maybe the area committee would be elected before such an incident) and would communciate with other areas in order to coordinate such a defence. Furthermore, these committees would have to be responsible to the workers council which was elected to be responsible for that areas social tasks.

[sglb]

You are right, the revolution should definitely be global. But in the future an isolated revolution that would spread might be necessary.

[rAW DEaL bILL]

i agree with rise up. there should just be an AK-M in every household just in case. that way theres no hierarchy of the military and theres more people to fend off cappies anyway.

[commie kg]

There is no need for a military after a true communist revolution, for reasons stated above by Libertarian Commie.