Common lack of knowlege on Socialism/Communism

[Fight!]

It seems like the majority of people I know (both adults as well as youth) know next to nothing about Socialism/Communism. I mean, I suppose I can understand people my age (high school sophomore) not understanding. But it seems like the first thing that pops into everyone's head when someone says the word "Socialism" is "Communist" or "Commie". And when someone heres Communism they say "Evil".

I find this ridiculous because:

1. Socialism is as close to Communism as a Democracy is to a Monarchy
2. Communism has yet to be used correctly or by an ethical leader
3. Monarchies have attributed towards the vast majority of rebellions and revolts, despite never being considered "Evil"
4. I just hate the word "Evil", it's all just someone's point of view

Thoughts on this?

[Gauvin]

[LIST=1][*]Socialism is as close to Communism as a Democracy is to a Monarchy[*]Communism has yet to be used correctly or by an ethical leader

Communism is socialist.

The argument that communism is good, only it's never really been tried the way it's supposed to be, sounds a lot like those who say shari'a law is great, but poorly implemented in countries that practice it.

It sucks, that's why it has sucked every time it's been tried.

I have to mention also that Robin Hood wasn't a socialist, he took from the nobility and gave to the serfs, he was returning the money taken from them through taxation.

[nopasties]

Monarchies have attributed towards the vast majority of rebellions and revolts, despite never being considered "Evil"

They are and have been considered evil. Not in such a black and white manner but monarchy clearly was considered the worst untill communism and anarchy came along.

Communism has yet to be used correctly or by an ethical leader

It will never be an ethical government when people control it. It transfers power to bureaucrats who manage and do not share power with the proletariat.

Sharing is fine when it is consensual. Under an institution like a national governemnt, the government has to abrogate power and impose a predetermined collectivism on the population under it's control. Coercion and indoctrination is necessary in order for all to concede their personal interest to that of the collective interest.

Communism goes against all enlightenment thought with an overly simplified idea that falls apart upon implementation.

[Alsatian]

Communism is socialist.

The argument that communism is good, only it's never really been tried the way it's supposed to be, sounds a lot like those who say shari'a law is great, but poorly implemented in countries that practice it.

It sucks, that's why it has sucked every time it's been tried.

I have to mention also that Robin Hood wasn't a socialist, he took from the nobility and gave to the serfs, he was returning the money taken from them through taxation.

Communism has never been implemented.

And there are varyng degrees of socialism. Some are implemented with great success, Scandinavia and other European countries a shining example of that.

They are and have been considered evil. Not in such a black and white manner but monarchy clearly was considered the worst untill communism and anarchy came along.



It will never be an ethical government when people control it. It transfers power to bureaucrats who manage and do not share power with the proletariat.

Sharing is fine when it is consensual. Under an institution like a national governemnt, the government has to abrogate power and impose a predetermined collectivism on the population under it's control. Coercion and indoctrination is necessary in order for all to concede their personal interest to that of the collective interest.

Communism goes against all enlightenment thought with an overly simplified idea that falls apart upon implementation.

Huh? What planet do you live on? Monarchy is hardly considered evil.

Secondly, what is this misconception that the system implemented in Soviet Russia was communist?
Sure, it was a socialist system with communist elements, but it was so distorted by practical necesseties that it can hardly be termed a communist system.

[nopasties]

Huh? What planet do you live on? Monarchy is hardly considered evil.

Secondly, what is this misconception that the system implemented in Soviet Russia was communist?
Sure, it was a socialist system with communist elements, but it was so distorted by practical necesseties that it can hardly be termed a communist system.

I live on a planet that has an historical past.

I never talked about the Soviets.

I never talked about socialism.

I talked about pure theoretical communism.

[Alsatian]

I live on a planet that has an historical past.

I never talked about the Soviets.

I never talked about socialism.

I talked about pure theoretical communism.

And are you aware that there is a multitude of branches of theoretical communism?

Are you talking about Marx's communist theories?

Are you talking about Lenin's communist theories?

Are you talking about Trotsky's communist theories?

Are you talking about Mao's communist theories?

[Gauvin]

Communism has never been implemented.

Google: Communism.

Hell,

Google: 20th century.

[★Bandiera Rossa☭]

Communism is derived from Socialism however not the same and in some ways contrary.
Marxism is not Communism contrary to people who call Marxist Ideologies Communist.
Communism is a very good political system however likely impossible due to mans self alienation.
No person or system is inherently evil and thus it is arguable whether evil even exists.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Robin Hood was clearly an Anarchist.

[★Bandiera Rossa☭]

Robin Hood was clearly an Anarchist.

The first tribes were Socialist and so was Jesus.. So wouldn't it make sense if we went back to the good ideas of the past?

[Каие]

Socialism is as close to Communism as a Democracy is to a Monarchy

Not true. The differences between them are minimal at best. Now Marxism... or Leninism that is something different.

Communism has yet to be used correctly or by an ethical leader

It can't be. Communism is by definition totalitarian. It involves the shameless theft of property, business and capital. Enslavement in employment, with the state in full control of your fate. And demands undying loyalty to society as an organism, in a Communist society the state and society is the same thing.

Monarchies have attributed towards the vast majority of rebellions and revolts, despite never being considered "Evil"

Wrong. They were always considered evil. Even today totalitarian dictators, however good, are synonymous with evil.

[★Bandiera Rossa☭]

It can't be. Communism is by definition totalitarian. It involves the shameless theft of property, business and capital. Enslavement in employment, with the state in full control of your fate. And demands undying loyalty to society as an organism, in a Communist society the state and society is the same thing.

Communism by definition is the opposite of totalitarian as there will be a dictatorship of the proletariat rather than a dictatorship of one or a small group of people... (obviously Stalin didn't get the memo)

Indeed. We have quite a sizable Socialist/Communist group on this forum. Of course, whenever there is a thread involving left winged topics, many right-wingers who have no knowlege of what socialism or communism is tend to clog the thread. Not that I'm bashing Right-Wingers, I only do that with pics or subtle comments about a famous figure being Socialist

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Like Martin Luther King and Tupac

Well honestly I believe tupac was more of a left wing anarchist than a socialist however he did have many socialist ideas... His father Mutulu cannot be classified as a socialist either because of his racist ideas.. However MLK was very much a socialist in my book.

Eh? The government isn't supposed to control anything in communism. It isn't supposed to exist...

I believe that he means during the rule of the proletariat.. before the government fades away ushering in utopia..

[ivan_the_terrible]

I believe that he means during the rule of the proletariat.. before the government fades away ushering in utopia..

That would still be wrong, as it is not communism at that stage, but still socialism.

[Lance-Corporal Jones]

Wrong. They were always considered evil. Even today totalitarian dictators, however good, are synonymous with evil.

We both know that it is far from true that monarchies were "always considered evil" as with but a few examples the "always" part crumbles. Tyranny and despotism, on the other hand, have been consistently condemned throughout history.

[Каие]

Well that is certainly true, there was no always, there never is. Figure of speech.

[chilon]

Marxist and Neo-Marxist communism is socialist but socialism is not necessarily communism

[JP226]

Heh, socialism is communism, nothing more nothing less. The whole idea that they are somehow different begs the question "how." Outside of their evolutions, one violent one peaceful, they are simply planned economies.

[Alsatian]

Not true. The differences between them are minimal at best. Now Marxism... or Leninism that is something different.



It can't be. Communism is by definition totalitarian. It involves the shameless theft of property, business and capital. Enslavement in employment, with the state in full control of your fate. And demands undying loyalty to society as an organism, in a Communist society the state and society is the same thing.



Wrong. They were always considered evil. Even today totalitarian dictators, however good, are synonymous with evil.

So, apparently, there's "communism" which is different from Marxism or Leninism? An omnipotent "communism" which defined all other branches of communism?

Communism, even in theory, varies greatly. With many different branches of communism. With some of them not even resembling communism.

As for the definition - that's some wacky definition. Communism, in Marxist theory, marginalises the government in the long run - an almost anarchical society, if you will.

And dictator - a prime example of how a word with positive connotations attains negative attributes.
So, no, not always "evil".

Heh, socialism is communism, nothing more nothing less. The whole idea that they are somehow different begs the question "how." Outside of their evolutions, one violent one peaceful, they are simply planned economies.

That simple, eh? So, the branch of socialism we see in Western Europe and Scandinavia is similar to Soviet communism/socialism?

[chilon]

Heh, socialism is communism, nothing more nothing less. The whole idea that they are somehow different begs the question "how."

Based on a pure classic theoretical definition of socialism sure since both systems in pure form are essentially government control of production and distribution of resources.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Based on a pure classic theoretical definition of socialism sure since both systems in pure form are essentially government control of production and distribution of resources.

Eh? The government isn't supposed to control anything in communism. It isn't supposed to exist...