1. The Benefits of Communism
Top ten things you need to know

2. All communist societies are socialist, but not all socialist societies are communist1

3. Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism2
Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism
Solve problems of laissez- faire
Prevent exploitation of people
Prevent exploitation of environment

4. Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism3
Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism
Solve problems of laissez- faire
Replace profit motive with common interests
Less disparity = less likely to have conflict

5. Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism4
Justifying the rejection of economic liberalism
Solve problems of laissez- faire
Doesn’t suffer from business cycle
Rapid industrialization

6. 5 Karl Marx Wrote several socialist tracts with Frederick Engels
Most famous: Communist Manifesto
“I am not a Marxist”

7. Ideas of Karl Marx – class conflict6
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

8. Ideas of Karl Marx - revolution7
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

9. Ideas of Karl Marx – temporary dictatorship8
Ideas of Karl Marx – temporary dictatorship
To change people’s attitudes and to organize society = dictatorship that will use indoctrination and force if necessary

10. Ideas of Karl Marx – communist society9
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)

11. Examples of the benefits of communism10
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