New to RevLeft

[elhijueputasocialista]

:-) Hey guys I'm new to Revleft, and I've actually wanted to join from a friend I know from another forums from a few years back but never could, my computer didn't work with Revleft. Here goes,

I know that technically by all definitions the former USSR and China were never "communist" but were actually State Capitalist.

My question is in simplistic terms, What is the difference between State Capitalist, and Capitalist.

All I know of it is that it's a transition state from Capitalist to Socialist. I'm sure I can look it up but unfortunately I'm very busy, I'm in the military (omgosh oh em gee, w/e there's tons of socialist in the military, my first week I met a registered Marxist in the Army, I'm in the Air Force myself and believe me this does create conflict with my personal views sometimes.) and I just don't have time to look it up. I'd greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks everyone...:thumbup1:

[ZeroNowhere]

It's not a transitional state, it's just capitalism in another form. State capitalism is just a type of capitalism, so there's no difference. The other main type of capitalism is generally referred to as 'private capitalism', the main types of this being Keynesianism and neoliberalism.
Also, welcome.

[Vendetta]

State capitalism is where the state itself acts as the capitalist class.

[#FF0000]

State capitalism is where the state itself acts as the capitalist class.

Exactly this.

Capitalist: Individuals own the means of production, pay workers wages, appropriate the surplus value.

State Capitalist: The state owns the means of production, pay workers wages, appropriate the surplus value.

[ZeroNowhere]

The word 'state' in state capitalism is used in the political sense, rather than the general Marxist usage, of course.


Capitalist: Individuals own the means of production, pay workers wages, appropriate the surplus value.

State Capitalist: The state owns the means of production, pay workers wages, appropriate the surplus value.
Not exactly. State capitalism is a form of capitalism, so obviously it doesn't have properties that contradict capitalism. On the other hand, you presumably meant 'Private capitalism'?

[Nwoye]

:-) Hey guys I'm new to Revleft,

As am I.


My question is in simplistic terms, What is the difference between State Capitalist, and Capitalist.

All I know of it is that it's a transition state from Capitalist to Socialist.

Not really. Unless you're referring to socialism as some form of big-state social democracy which is achieved through long term policy reforms from within the government.