How does Socialism define need?

[benhur]

Assuming that a socialist society is established, how is need defined? If we define need as food, shelter, clothing, education, healthcare, entertainment etc., how will these things be provided to people free of cost? And who will provide it? And in countries with huge populations like India/China, how could this be done?

Second, if we say people will have joint ownership of MoP, and so they'll produce it together, how can this be done without money? Also, let's say Jack is a plumber but has various needs. Will his needs be fulfilled in proportion to the labor he provides? If so, how to determine the value of labor?

:confused:

[Dean]

This is a lot of questions, I'll be as brief as possible.


Assuming that a socialist society is established, how is need defined? If we define need as food, shelter, clothing, education, healthcare, entertainment etc.,
Need- - what is basically necessary for health and comfort, including mental health.


how will these things be provided to people free of cost? And who will provide it? And in countries with huge populations like India/China, how could this be done?[/qutoe]
We have distribution means now, why would a socialist society be any different besides the profit variable?

[QUOTE=benhur;1269265]Second, if we say people will have joint ownership of MoP, and so they'll produce it together, how can this be done without money?
Councils and Soviets - the workers get to gether to deicide on issues, and subcommittes work on specifics, etc..


Also, let's say Jack is a plumber but has various needs. Will his needs be fulfilled in proportion to the labor he provides? If so, how to determine the value of labor?
The value of labor is basically what the laborer feels or the consumers feel. Since it is rooted in human emotions and compulsions, it can't be objectively defined.

The same is true for need. All you cna hope for is to provide in accordance with consumption, while cutting back as a society on things which are clearly not good for excessive consumption, i.e. candy and drugs.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

What defines demand?

Find the answer, and then remove all references and obligations to profit.

[graaaaaagh]

My definition of "need" in this context: that which is required for one to live comfortably and actively, without detriment to others

[PRC-UTE]

as Marx put it, wants become needs once they're consumed regularly.

[ernie]

Assuming that a socialist society is established, how is need defined?
I think people have been as specific as you can get at this point. The people who make the revolution will have to make a judgment as to what it means to live comfortably (and this definition will probably change over time). What is obvious, however, is that a "comfortable living" will be miles above what the working class has now. Also, it probably won't be anywhere near the ridiculous standard of living of today's ruling class.


If we define need as food, shelter, clothing, education, healthcare, entertainment etc., how will these things be provided to people free of cost? And who will provide it? And in countries with huge populations like India/China, how could this be done?
Again, difficult to say with detail. I think what Dean said is as detailed as we can get (or at least as detailed as I can get).


Second, if we say people will have joint ownership of MoP, and so they'll produce it together, how can this be done without money?
Well, give an example where it cannot be done without money.


Also, let's say Jack is a plumber but has various needs. Will his needs be fulfilled in proportion to the labor he provides? If so, how to determine the value of labor?
No, people's needs will be fulfilled regardless of the labor they provide. Remember: from each according to his ability, to each according to his need. If we start compelling people to work, we'll be back to capitalism in no time. So, you see, we don't need to worry about assigning value to labor. This works out well because, IMHO, labor should be, in some sense, invaluable.