The Benefits of Communism Top ten things you need to know

All communist societies are socialist, but not all socialist societies are communist 1

Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism 2 Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism Solve problems of laissez- faire Prevent exploitation of people Prevent exploitation of environment

Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism 3 Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism Solve problems of laissez- faire Replace profit motive with common interests Less disparity = less likely to have conflict

Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism 4 Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism Solve problems of laissez- faire Doesn’t suffer from business cycle Rapid industrialization

5 Karl Marx Wrote several socialist tracts with Frederick Engels Most famous: Communist Manifesto “I am not a Marxist”

Ideas of Karl Marx – class conflict 6 Ideas of Karl Marx – class conflict Human history = conflict between bourgeoisie (own means of production) and proletariat (who work for bourgeoisie) Sometimes the proletariat overthrows bourgeoisie and gets into power, but then relationship is formed again with new group During Industrial Revolution products are more valuable than the human workers (Luddite response) = need to create a whole new paradigm When people no longer worried about taking care of basic needs = more self-fulfilled and creative

Ideas of Karl Marx - revolution 7 Ideas of Karl Marx - revolution Bourgeoisie will not give up power = proletariat need to wage violent revolution to overthrow them and establish the new order Proletariat usually refers to factory workers – yet in every communist revolution the bulk of the revolutionaries were peasants

Ideas of Karl Marx – temporary dictatorship 8 Ideas of Karl Marx – temporary dictatorship To change people’s attitudes and to organize society = dictatorship that will use indoctrination and force if necessary

Ideas of Karl Marx – communist society 9 Ideas of Karl Marx – communist society All members of society work cooperatively to benefit each other No conflict over property as everything is communally owned From each according to ability, to each according to need No longer need strong central government (govern selves through collectives)

Examples of the benefits of communism 10 Examples of the benefits of communism Rapid industrialization of USSR in 1920s USSR did not experience the Great Depression (government controls = no business cycle) USSR – greater gender equality and better education statistics that North America in early 20th century Chinese athletes at their Olympics Social programs and education in communist Cuba