Questions from a former conservative

[MARKMENTAL]

Hello, you can see from my thread title that I I'm a former Conservative . I am wondering whether or not a system such as a socialist one could work. I think the idea of socialism is great as earlier consider myself a leninst is but i abandoned that for right wing views, being convinced that socialist economic structure would collapse. I've started to look back on left wing views, as I don't really agree with many Right Wing conservatives regarding issues such as how the economy should be run, economic inequalities in expense to the few ruling capitalists, and I'm feeling a racist vibe from them . I want to know with socialism could really work , I've been convinced a bit by the sticky thread called high school, good . Could I please have some more info on what you the Rev left Community thinks. Thanks

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

The notion that a socialist economy doesn't work is based among other things on a mistaken reading of history (one unintentionally aided by Lenin's use of the term "Socialism" to describe state capitalism). The terminological issues aside, is certainly true that the Eastern Bloc countries faced a serious economic crisis in the 80s, but during the 30s through the 60s the USSR actually achieved greater economic growth than the US.

It should also be asked, what does it mean for an economic system to "work"? Capitalism produces great productive growth in certain fields, but we should ask ourselves what kind of value is really being created. Producing a yacht that sells for millions of dollars is more highly valued in a Capitalist economy than producing a ton of corn, even if the yacht is a pleasure bringing device for one person while the corn being produced may feed a large number of people.

[Tim Cornelis]

Maybe this helps a little bit.

http://marxistpedia.mwzip.com/wiki/A_Marxist_FAQ

[ckaihatsu]

Made a couple of illustrations for this kind of thing....


labor credits framework for 'communist supply & demand'

Multi-Tiered System of Productive and Consumptive Zones for a Post-Capitalist Political Economy

[RedMaterialist]

In the 1950s-1970s a very weak, peasant economy used a socialist state and socialist theory to mobilize its peasant population to defeat the largest military power on earth. Without the successful socialist leadership Vietnam would never have been able to defeat the French or the Americans.After the war there was a period of about ten years during which Vietnam recovered. They now appear to be developing a kind of socialist/capitalist system similar to the Chinese. The Vietnamese people are in charge of their own development and are not slaves under a colonial government.

Cuba has struggled since 1960 under the brutal embargo imposed by the US.Yet, in spite of this and the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Cuban people are still celebrating their socialist revolution.

In Western Europe welfare state capitalism has raised their peoples' standard of living. Although not strictly speaking socialist, they do seem to be pointing to where things are going.

[MARKMENTAL]

Thank you for all the replies, it seems that I embraced socialism yet again, I really appreciate the idea of liberation from capitalism now that I have actually gone in and read many works by Lenin and Marx such as the communist manifesto and Lenin's the state and revolution. Before I had just gone off my assumptions off of Wikipedia articles about them . I now most identify with Marxism Leninism.

[Blake's Baby]

Any particular reason why you identify with Marxism-Leninism? Do you, for example, think that it's possible to build a socialist society in one country?

[foodadditives]

please be in touch with people who has new thinking. the situation will be better

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

Any particular reason why you identify with Marxism-Leninism? Do you, for example, think that it's possible to build a socialist society in one country?

I would infer based on his level of knowledge that it is under the naive (but understandable) misconception that Marxist-Leninism has something to do with Lenin's exegesis of Marxism (as opposed to Stalin's bastardization of Lenin)