Can communism ever work in a practical long-term way?
817086
Sure, why not?\n\nCommunism has never been tried in this world, but if you read marx's works, it's clear that it could be done. Some people think that you need more money for more motivation, however it is clear that police officers have some of the hardest jobs in the country, and they get payed crap for what they do. On the other hand CEOs, who do NOTHING for the community, get payed the best. Clearly, money does not equal motivation. \nAlso, it is said that communism stifles artistic creativity, yet I haven't heard a legitimate reason why it would.\n\nCommunism makes us all equal, because in the words of our founders we are all created equal. I know some right-wingers don't like the idea of sharing and helping each other out. Don't know why...
533549
As a product of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic , I hope not. You shouldn't say that just based on a fascinating history or the political theories because I agree that they sound good. The Bolsheviks tried to start it, but all that the Bolsheviks managed to start was a line of totalitarian rulers; it was not true Communism. I am certain you would not be so supportive of Communism if you visited nearly any part of the former CCCP/USSR even today. The grim social ills and decay that the Bolsheviks started in the name of Communism are still obvious. It will take many years to fix that. I am proud of my country and it's history, but I hope it keeps history where it belongs and serves as an example to countries contemplating similar leadership styles. Continual brutality and discrimination cannot last, and when it falls, the country falls into an even sadder state because the citizens do not know what to do without being told.\n\nIn conclusion, people have tried to establish Communist entities in the past, but the reality is that while Communist and Socialist theory sound great, they morph into authoritarian or totalitarian leadership.  That is the exact opposite of Communism.  Communism is an impossibility anywhere; it cannot last.  People need leaders, and Communism cannot provide that or the proper government infrastructure.
967743
There are many communist (China, N Korea, Cuba) and socialist countries (Sweden, Russia, France) where your ideas and assistance would be appreciated. Forgive me if I don't rush out in a lather to follow in your wake.
499958
I would argue that it wasn't.  But it certainly was more theoretical.  Marx version never had to be tested in the trenches of reality.  Whenever communism has been lived out (Leninism, Maoism, etc), it has always led to disaster: either mass poverty or mass violence, or a combination of both.  Marx' approach has never had to be tested, since one can always claim that it was the fault of lenin or Stalin or Mao or whoever that it didn't work.  The reality is that it never really works.
1160482
It's funny that you ask that, because lately I have noticed that Democrats seem more like Communists or Socialists than they did 50 years ago and they keep going farther that way. The problem is that, though founded on some utopian principles that seem appealing, it is not sustainable for any society.\n"you will not have to worry about food, clothing, housing, it will all be supplied by the government." Yeah, cause no one in USSR or China or Cuba had/has to worry about food, clothing or housing.\nNo, Democracy is the way to go. Vote Republican! :)
644791
none.\n\nThey have so many seats but they can't be able to control them. \n\nThey can't survive without the communists.
435403
The fundamental error of communism was that it failed to recognise exactly what the human person is; any reorganisation of human society is bound to fail if there are errors in its most basic premise. Communist philosophy does not see the individual as an end in himself but merely as a component of something greater. Progress, or the raising of human happiness, cannot be attempted at the unwilling expense of the life or liberty of the individual.  Capitalism will ultimately fail for the the same reason. It will be sustained longer because it usually goes hand in hand with some kind of respect for the freedom of the human person.\n\nFinally, both are materialisms and entirely neglect the spiritual aspect of human beings. A political philosophy not grounded in a holistic anthropology is doomed from day one. Please, don't take this as a plug for any religion, but simply as something I perceive and which time alone will cofirm or negate.
640938
I would say yes. The problem would be that "truly good and decent" people can be defined in more than one way. They would need laws demonstrating they respect eachother's varying choices, even if those choices all seem inherently good to each individual member.\n\nAn example would be in cooperative relationships and commerce. Likely these people would cooperate and would need laws or agreements to do so. \n\nOne person may believe their society will be communistic and perhaps act in a manner to fulfill this with truly good intentions, and violate another's capitalistic ideas.\nThey will need agreements on property and privacy as there can be varying approaches that are inherently good, yet conflicting.\n\nI think inherently good people could easily construct the laws needed and they would not have to include such petty laws as we have in societies filled with injustice, inequity and even evil.\n\nGreat question.
402702
if by caring you mean, keep the politicians rich, and everyone else poor, then yes.\n\nCommunism has been proven not to work several times.  Free market is what works.  If you work hard, you are rewarded.  If you do not work, then you are not rewarded, unless some liberals get some things their way.\n\nedit*  the question asked about who cares about WORKING people.  Capitalism takes care of people who WORK.  If you are looking for a handout, or looking to have the government take things you worked hard for, and distribute them to the non workers, then socialism is for you.\n\nSocialism:  Study hard, work hard, become a doctor or start a business, and have everything you worked for given away to the people who chose not to study or work.
887069
No.!!!\nNobody has ever practised Communism the way that Karl Marx visualised, as they say my donkey stays my donkey.!!!\nWhat is yours is mine. what is mine stays mine.\nHypocrites is what they all where, thieves and liars while the people suffered.!!!
986508
Hi. Great question. Consider communism in two ways: in theory and in practice. As a theory, a philosophy, communism was the vision of an ideal state where all people would share equally, there would be no poverty or exploitation, no war or classicism. It was almost a religious ideal for many people. The philosopher who shaped that vision the most into a practice was Karl Marx. At the turn of the century, his attack on capitalism set in motion as political force that challenged the political status quo. It frightened the rich and powerful with the image of working people rising up to take over the government for themselves. In practice, Marxism has been tried to various degrees in different countries. In Russia and China, for example, it was the state system, but in truth, this kind of Marxism had little to do with the original image of communism for a free society. Both the Soviet Union and China were dictatorships. In Vietnam and Cuba, communism has been much more successful, although they were severely stunted by the economic pressure put on them by the United States through boycotts to starve them out. In the end, classic communism has yet to be tried. There are many communist parties still around, but there is no clear vision for this philosophy and the memory of the old Soviet regime still haunts the reputation of the communist hope. Study Antonio Gramsci of Italy (1920's-1930's). This is a good communist thinker,
292441
There are always sacrafices needed and made so that we can enjoy our freedoms. You can't force anyone to live together in peace. No matter how hard you try, it doesn't work. That is the big ideal that socialist/communist societies try to portray. History has shown them to be failures.
345966
Move to a Communist country and you'll be all set.  Why should someone who doesn't work get the same benifits of those who work for their money?
340939
Good, for the leaders, bad for everyone else.  It's a BIG lie.  It has never worked.  Communist countries have all had to keep people from leaving.  If they had been allowed to leave they all would have.  Communist countries have mostly failed.  They couldn't feed their own people.  China is getting away from Communism, Cuba is barely hanging on.
154640
Communism is extreme socialism. Marx's idea was to conquer the world for the deserving people (the workers).  This was a truly terrifying prospect for anyone with any brains and gave rise to the fascist alternative socialist system, which was national rather than international.  This system worked miraculously well in Italy and Germany, while the pure Marxist system seems to have been a bust everywhere.\nIn China the Communist Party has realised this and specifically and unequivocally announced that it will pursue a policy of "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics".   In a big country like China, where not everyone is Han Chinese, this can only be expressed as National Socialism.   Does anyone have the cheek to argue with me?
305457
It's a great system in a world without human emotions. Unfortunately, no government could ever run a communist nation and still give its citizens the rights America does. So it's a good idea on paper and in books, but real life, I don't think it will ever work out positively.
28219
Hmmm...I'm going to assume that when you say "western world," you are talking about first world countries in Europe or U.S.?\n\nI think the Soviet Union is a prime example of a first world power that not only gave it a chance, but hung onto it until the system imploded.\n\nSee, communism cannot work if you have human beings in charge of other human beings.  The division of power (political, military, bureaucratic, whatever) alone causes a rift within the equality quotient that the communist philosophy is founded on.  Those who are in the position of taking advantage of their position is naturally going to take it to make life better for themselvesand their families...it's human nature.  So, you can say that the nature of being human dooms communism.