When we think of Communism we typically think of China, Cuba, or the Former U.S.S.R. Governments full dictators and corruption. Citizens living in fear of their leaders, afraid to speak up for fear of being reported to government officials. It is because of these images that we have seen, and Americas shaky past with Communist nations that make most Americans to look closely at the idea.
Merriam-Webster defines Communism as a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed. Now this may not sound very appealing at first, but that is because human emotion is getting in the way. The idea of sharing what you have earned with others, complete strangers does not sound like a good idea. And that is way it can never work in the real world. The only place that I know of communism working is the Smurf Village, and unfortunately neither smurfs or their village are real.
I still do believe that in a society of robots, or humans without greed, jealousy, and a sense of competitiveness, that Communism would thrive. But for this to happen we would have to live in a world free of emotions, and I would much rather live a life full of emotions than devoid of them and living in a Utopian Communist Society.
Another reason why, and this is the main reason why Communism doesn't work, is that the government never goes away like it is supposed to. There has to be a government to set up the society, but then it should fade away, and it never has. This is because the power corrupts those in charge, presuming that they weren't corrupt to begin with.
With all of that said I still believe that Communism could be the greatest government ever created, but it will never come into any form of a great government, and I am okay with that. Because if it were there would be a lack of emotion, creativity, and life in society.
Im a rugged individualist and think that everyone should be free to move up in the world. I do think everyone is equal as people and have the same rights but i do not think that as people we are equal in everything. If some one works for something than they should get it. If a person wants to get more money, they have to work harder, and if they work hard they should get more.
Sadly Communism demoralises people it makes them animals, actually the word i want is De-humanises people. We are not all the same and should never be. Have you ever read Anthem or 1984, those books though ficticious are just showing ways that communism can turn into. Ayn Rand (author of anthem) went through Communist Russia and had to speak out against it.
In my opinion Communism is a government that would only work in extreme harsh situation like war. If everyone is equal than you can save money on food, homes, and such. But the society after this hard time would have to evolve into democracy or it would go to shambles. You can't keep people down by making them equal, it really isn't fair.
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday
I hear your point, and I too believe that to get what you want you must work hard. But in a society devoid of emotions, or the knowledge of any other lifestyle, one besides Communism, I believe that it could thrive. Having said that I too realize that this will never happen, and believe that some sort of Democratic government is the best alternative.
So your saying if we already had no emotions
and we had no knowledge of any other lifestyle/government
we would have no problem with Communism.
That is hard to argue with at all....
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday
"I am a Christian. That obliges me to be a Communist.
- George Bernard Shaw
You're completely right in the *perfect* "government" would be Communism. Technically, the perfect government would be none at all; a nation where all inhabitants got all they needed, where existed no hard feelings, no accidents, no judgements. In it's essence, it would be anarchy, but a completely peaceful and tranquil anarchy whereno one needed anything, and thier wishes were not only for theirselves but their fellow citizens as well. It would have to be ruled by a universal love, and in this imperfect world, there are opposites to every emotion; thus, we cannot have love without hate. And that is why Communism will NEVER work.
All in all, I think the only type of government that works well in large-scale society is the Republic (that which we live in today; technically it's not democracy) and the only system of economics that works in large-scale society is Capitalism (although it definitely works best if tempered with generosity for those who are less fortunate than you) however cold these systems seem to be.
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
- George Bernard Shaw