The word communism gets thrown around too much, especially in politics. Literally, anything better than capitalism should be the new norm. That should be what they ask in any kind of polling. Everybody knows that the word communism has been thrown around for decades as synonymous for enemy. The ignorant will continue to equate it as such. The framing for it should be, “how do we get away from capitalism because here are all the plenty proven reasons we know it doesn’t work”. Yada yada yada
As communists, we want communism. It’s better for us to break the club of anticommunism than think we can avoid it by hiding the label. In doing so, in the equation “communism = Actually Existing Socialism = bad” we should break the second leg, defending existing socialism and engaging honestly. Rather than let fascists beat us anyways as we continue to dream of an ever-more perfect world that will never exist as long as we don’t roll our sleeves up and build it, running into the same struggles socialism in real life has already been met with in the process and marring their “perfect” image.
I think the full text of the report regarding this is enlightening:
The survey also took Americans’ temperature about about capitalism, socialism, and even communism. Most Americans have favorable views of capitalism (59 percent) and unfavorable views of socialism (57 percent) and especially communism (86 percent).
Some groups stand out with greater support for socialism than capitalism. For instance, more Democrats have positive views of socialism (67 percent) than capitalism (50 percent). Strong liberals lead the way with 82 percent having favorable views of socialism compared to 28 percent who feel positive toward capitalism. Among Americans under 30, 62 percent feel favorable toward socialism, and 50 percent feel favorable toward capitalism.
Only 14 percent of Americans have favorable views of communism, while 86 percent have unfavorable views. Some groups like communism more than others. The percentages of Americans who feel favorable toward communism are as follows:
34 percent under 30.
29 percent of strong liberals.
28 percent of residents in big cities.
26 percent of African Americans.
I pasted the whole thing here because there’s a lot of interesting nuggets in there. On the surface, 59% having a favorable view of capitalism and 86% viewing communism unfavorably seems bad. But when you get into the details, I think it’s very positive for us. Fully 98% of age 65+ folks see communism unfavorably; the results are incredibly skewed by age (which I know, it’s not a substitute for class but it’s useful from an informational standpoint). That point about Democrats not just seeing socialism more favorably than capitalism but seeing it that way by a huge margin is encouraging to me. As material conditions worsen I think those people will be the easiest to push in our direction - I know we have issues with Democratic voters, but I think it’s reasonable to assume a very large number of them would be more inclined to support socialism or communism over outright fascism under certain conditions. Lastly, those points about big city residents and African Americans. Those results are not split by age. So given the shape of the curve of views of communism, I think it’s reasonable two assume that younger people in those two age groups view communism favorably by well over 34%.
I appreciate that Cato asked about communism and not just socialism. Having a favorable view of socialism will include a lot of people who just like AOC and universal healthcare. Not that those are bad things in themselves, but saying you like communism is much less ambiguous.
Communism is terrible
So is capitalism
You need some sort of middle ground
Why is communism terrible, and why would a “middle ground” be better? What would that look like?
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Socialism is a mode of production where public ownership is the principle aspect of the economy and the working classes in control of the state, and communism is a post-socialist, fully collectivized mode of production and distribution. Socialism has existed in the USSR, PRC, Cuba, etc. while communism has not yet been reached.
As long as it’s not redfash bs. Actual communism would be great. Stateless, classless, moneyless society built on egalitarianism and scientific progress for all.
No socialist project has made it to communism, because socialism has never been global, nor has all of production and distribution been collectivized. Instead, the socialism that has existed has managed to bring remarkable results in uplifting the lives of the working classes but not yet made it to a stateless, classless, moneyless society.
Socialism and fascism are diametric opposites, in socialist countries the working classes control the state and public ownership is the principle aspect of the economy, while in fascist states the capitalists control the state and private ownership is principle.
By redfash you mean any socialist experiment?
Utopian dream. Wouldnt work for one day.
Why not?
Communism? What would the motivational indicator be as human beings, to evolve, to create better/bigger things? I highly doubt the internet would had been created in sovjet russia.
Lol.
“Without a king to swear realty to, what would be the motivation for a person to plow the fields?”
The sens of community, the feel of having a role in this life, thinking about the betterman of all people rather than profits being the main motivation for doing things
Misanthropy.
Motivation for innovation is the same as it always has been, to improve daily living and satisfy hunan curiosity. These have existed before capitalism and also existed in the soviet union. The USSR was actually quite impressive when it comes to scientific achievement, going from semi-feudalism to space in half a century.
Where are you getting your ideas about communism from?
From litterally every bad communistic country that has been: Sovjet Russia, Cuba, etc. Not hard to find. I am living in a socialist country, not that far away from communism. My grandfather lived to experience communism. It is not as nice as you guys think it is. It is a Utopia, where the powerful, gets all the good stuff, and will do everything in there hand, to make sure no one gets a dime, more than everyone else. (Rough police, wide survailance, etc.) It always ends up with NO FREEDOM. Which I am widely against. There is no proof in the world, that communism works what so ever.
I am not saying capitalsm does neither. That is why liberal socialism is a thing. That works. (scandinavia)
The urss has an impersive growth for 30 years. The fall was not because of communism but because of corruption and over militarization.
Innovation is created by small companies than purchased by big cooperation ruled by profit only , it destroy competition this is a product of capitalism
The USSR, Cuba, PRC, etc. have all been tremendous improvements on what came before, and remarlably progressive movements. Key life metrics like life expectancy, education, housing rates, literacy rates, and more skyrocketed in these countries. I don’t know where you live, but unless you live in China, Vitenam, the DPRK, Cuba, Laos, Venezuela, or even Nicaragua, you certainly don’t live in socialism.
Secondly, “liberal socialism” isn’t a thing. You’re referring to social democracy, ie capitalism with safety nets, and it doesn’t work because it relies on imperialism. Scandinavian countries participate in the imperialist system plundering the global south in order to subsidize their safety nets.
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Those metrics improved worldwide during those time periods. It had more to do with the development of vaccines and antibiotics.
SocioLiberal parties controlling the country, is what I call Liberal Socialism. Where we still donate 60% of our wealth for everyone to enjoy, while we still have some sort of free market, where politicians won’t directly interfere.
I am living in a socialist country, not that far away from communism
What country are you from? There are no socialist states in europe
You wouldn’t call the scandinavian welfare model liberal socialism? then I have to have a talk with my society teacher at my college.
Today they do, at least.
Yep, and if trends continue tomorrow even more will.
Well, I hope they also vote.
That’s much less important than organizing. I hope they actually get organized!
the trend is an accident enabled by lack of vigilance on part of the ruling class with it comes to social media; i expect it reverse once they figure out how to make social media just as captured as legacy media
It’s also just true that capitalism is deteriorating even within the imperial core.
