"Capitalism gives different levels of happiness and communis

[Spiritual Minded]

>>>I posted this in the wrong forum obviously, ooh well

"Capitalism gives different levels of happiness and communism gives the same level of misery" - this British Conservative politican had friends in old Sovjet and witnessed the "horror" in those countries. This is why i joined this community to learn more about "Communist regimes". Anyway, when i heard this i was so shocked i didn't quite know how to reply, lol... i tried my best to defend socialism but this man used the communist regimes(?) around the world to prove communism is even worse than capitalism, and he said that socialism and communism is the same (I hear a lot of left-wing people claim the same thing, but i don't argee). What would you have said?

(Edited by Spiritual Minded at 2:58 pm on Aug. 18, 2002)

[man in the red suit]

there are many differences between democratic socialism and Marxism. As a matter of fact they are very different. They both aim to achieve the same thing but communism is still the most advanced form of socialism.

as for the communist regimes, they haven't been to great in the past but not everything is perfect.

[Titus]

Many people view the communist regimes of the past with deep cynicism; and I must confess that I do as well. I believe that the concept behind it all was good, but there were two major flaws in the Russian Revolution (for instance):

1) Karl Marx and Frederick Engels designed their Communist Manifesto of 1848 on the so-called 'evils' of the Industrial Revolution; which gave birth to two strict levels of society - working class and ruling class. The revolution they proposed was designed specifically for such a society, which was based upon 'industry-based societies'. i.e. Rich countries where many people are kept poor. Russia was a poor country based not on industrialisation, but an agriculturally based way of life.

2) Stalin - after Lenin's death - manipulated facts so that he could beat Trotsky in the race for rulership over the state. He won through clever manipulation of photographs and propaganda, and had Trotsky bumped off. Stalin was not the ideal communist - he was an icon of self-indulgence and greed. Whereas a true leader would lead people to the greater good, he was unconcerned and was out for himself a little too much. "some are more equal than others"

so, for it to work successfully you need an honest leader - who is dedicated, a willing workforce, and an indusrtrial society with the means to better themselves.