1. Communist and Post Commie Countries
Over past century advanced industrialized democracies have become $$$$ and powerful. Criticized--
economic inequality
Big divide between them and rest of the world
Value freedom at the expense of equality
Communists base their government on belief that equality is more important than freedom

2. Marxism Society passes through evolutionary stages
Ruling class exploits workers. Keeps them in line
State=govt. institutions to keep you in line
Ruling class=bourgeoisie, workers=proletariat
1. Religion=false hopes “Religion is the opiate of the masses”
2. Workers rebel “War is inevitable”
3. Peaceful organized society where everyone lives by “From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs”

3. Marxism-Leninism
Russia was first society to base political system on Marx
Marx taught revolution would come from workers, Lenin “vanguard of the revolution” a group of leaders who could provoke the revolution in non-capitalist Russia
Democratic Centralism-”vanguard”

4. The Crisis of Communism
Pros~ of the Party State
Within 12 years, the U.S.S.R. was powerful
Everyone had jobs
Free education
Free medical and accident insurance
Housing
Nostalgia factor…

5. Mixed results New communist parties speak to the “losers” Bloody wars
Poverty
New govts. just as repressive.
Mixed results
Join EU
Higher standards of living
NATO

6. Stinkin’ Commies USSR- 1922-92 communism via civil war
Mongolia-became commie btwn. WWI and WWII
Iron Curtain-Soviet Satellite countries (Eastern Europe) 1945
Yugoslavia and Albania—commie after WWII
Korea after WWII
China-civil war (1949)
Indochina (all of Vietnam 1975)
Cuba -1959

7. Socialism-Advocate social, political, and economic equality
Capitalism and private ownership of the means of production (major industries) are flawed. Unacceptable levels of inequality
Equality of opportunity and outcome
Extend democracy from elections to include all decisions that shape lives…workplace
Public ownership leads to improvement in human relations in general

8. Socialism Achieved via…
Liberal Democracies-socialism achieved via elections.
Revolutions: significant political and economic progress can occur only through revolution