Questions on communism

[ZakeD]

Hey all, this is my first post here and I've just recently started reading about communism so I don't know a whole lot about it yet. I've been reading "Why you should be a socialist" by Paul foot and I have some questions. In the 3rd chapter where he talks about what would follow the revolution, he talks about a congress of councils. Would something like this exist in a communist society? Also, can someone give me a detailed explanation of workers councils?

I also have a few other things I'd like clarified. How are luxury goods dealt with, like things that couldn't be produced in enough quantities for the whole population to have? If laws are made by the community, what's keeping the community from making laws that infringe on peoples rights? How does the military in a communist society work?

There are probably more questions I'll end up asking but those are the only things I can think of now.

[trivas7]

How are luxury goods dealt with, like things that couldn't be produced in enough quantities for the whole population to have?
Luxury goods by definition are burdened with the fetishism of commodities Marx talks about in Capital. IOW they are symbols of status and privilege. Communism would do away with these IMO.

[Hit The North]

A truly communist society will not require a military.

[The Douche]

Luxury goods by definition are burdened with the fetishism of commodities Marx talks about in Capital. IOW they are symbols of status and privilege. Communism would do away with these IMO.

I think it is important here to make clear what is meant by "luxury goods". Could the original poster give an example?

For instance, he may be referring to a TV set or video game console, which is not a neccesity and may be construed as a "luxury good" these will, of course, still exist in post-revolutionary society and there will simply be enough made to give one to anybody who wants one. Right now they do not produce enough for every single person because that would drive prices down.

However he may also be referring to something like a rolex watch, such items would probably disappear in post-revolutionary society because they are truly nothing but status symbols. But it would not be a forced disappearance, there would simply be no demand for them.

[trivas7]

I think it is important here to make clear what is meant by "luxury goods". Could the original poster give an example?

What is considered luxury is historically conditioned based on many factors. At one time spices in England were considered a luxury. Currently computer access is considered a necessity, albeit less than 10% of the world's population has it. Yachts, NY penthouses, precious jewelry certainly. Perhaps in the future transporters and food-converters will be ordinary household necessities.

My point is that to think re luxury goods is to think re historically different kind of societies.

[The Douche]

What is considered luxury is historically conditioned based on many factors. At one time spices in England were considered a luxury. Currently computer access is considered a necessity, albeit less than 10% of the world's population has it. Yachts, NY penthouses, precious jewelry certainly. Perhaps in the future transporters and food-converters will be ordinary household necessities.

My point is that to think re luxury goods is to think re historically different kind of societies.

I believe we are in agreement?

[ZakeD]

I think it is important here to make clear what is meant by "luxury goods". Could the original poster give an example?

For instance, he may be referring to a TV set or video game console, which is not a neccesity and may be construed as a "luxury good" these will, of course, still exist in post-revolutionary society and there will simply be enough made to give one to anybody who wants one. Right now they do not produce enough for every single person because that would drive prices down.

Yeah, those are the kinds of things I meant.

[The Douche]

Yeah, those are the kinds of things I meant.

Then yes those items will still exist and will be more readily available post-revolution.

[ZakeD]

Then yes those items will still exist and will be more readily available post-revolution.

I realize they would still exist, I was just wondering how they would deal with the things that couldn't be made in enough quantities for everyone to have.

Also, does anyone have answers to the other things I asked?

[marxiavelli]

The earlier commenter who said that luxury goods would not exist in a communist society is mistaken. If anything, the production and trade of luxuries would increase as working people would have more time and resources to spend enjoying the finer things in life, if they so chose. Luxuries are not themselves indicative of a commodity fetish.

It would be unreasonable to expect that all people would want the same luxury goods. If they did all want the same luxury goods, in fact, they would probably not be considered luxuries but staples. Flatware for example was probably a luxury at some point, but today it is an item to be found even in the poorest households of the developed world.

As for councils, these could work in a variety of different ways. The idea in Russia was that you want to create a type of democracy that was not bourgeois. Take your average small town in a capitalist economy. You will find that the political leaders are often well-educated and affluent people of retirement age, who have both the time, money, and social influence to run for public office. This class hierarchy is radiated upwards in the ranks of professional politicians that make up the political parties. This is a problem because these people are not well placed to represent the interests of the workers. For this to occur, one would need a democracy by and for workers. This in any case was the idea behind the soviet system, before the power of the councils was crushed by the civil war and later obliterated by Stalin.

Basically you want to be talking about setting up a democratic structure that is integrated into the economic life of the community, and one in which the electoral and decision-making process meets the needs of working people.

[Decolonize The Left]

Hey all, this is my first post here and I've just recently started reading about communism so I don't know a whole lot about it yet. I've been reading "Why you should be a socialist" by Paul foot and I have some questions. In the 3rd chapter where he talks about what would follow the revolution, he talks about a congress of councils. Would something like this exist in a communist society? Also, can someone give me a detailed explanation of workers councils?

It is highly probably that some form of councils/federations/assemblies will exist within a communist/anarchist society. If it is to be a true democracy (a government for, of, and by, the people), it must be decentralized and formed of local councils.

The basic idea behind workers councils is organization on a local level. This could take place through an industry, an area, a specific workplace, or a larger community. The workers would organize based on various characteristics and communicate with other councils to coordinate the production and transportation of goods.


I also have a few other things I'd like clarified. How are luxury goods dealt with, like things that couldn't be produced in enough quantities for the whole population to have?

As previous members have mentioned, a definition of luxury goods would be necessary.

But here's an interesting way to think of it: if this is indeed a society based upon the maxim 'to each according to need, from each according to ability' (which all communist societies would be), then luxury goods become obsolete.


If laws are made by the community, what's keeping the community from making laws that infringe on peoples rights?

A communist/anarchist community does not exist today - it would be very different. The principles of freedom, equality, and responsibility would be articulated throughout the society and community. "Rights" would not exist as we understand them today as a communist/anarchist society would not require individual protection through the law.


How does the military in a communist society work?

There would be no military. If armed forces are necessary, local militias would suffice.


There are probably more questions I'll end up asking but those are the only things I can think of now.

I hope my answers have helped. Please keep asking and reading.

- August