The theoretical basis for the triumph of communism

[Heraclitus]

What are the major theoretical advantages of a planned economy and power structure that is not held accountable via classical elections?

Should it by the specs outperform capitalist democracy? Could any of the anarcho-communism or democratic socialist models?


A planned economy can outpreform a capitalist one in several specific circumstances. I would argue that large wars are such situations, others could be found. But so far it seems that a planned economy's main weakness is the ability to adapt, hence its weakness with consumer goods that change constantly due to advances in technology (obsoletion) or whim (fashion).


Can this be overcome? Sure do away with fashion and you avoid whim by limiting personal liberty, but what about technological progress? What systems could be put in place to replace the guiding hand of the market?

[Jon Miller]

I think that an anarcho-communist society won't out perform the capitalist society, but that isn't the purpose. The purpose is for everyone to be happy and satisfied, and a lot of that is dependent on freedom, including economic freedom. In capitalism, most of us are on some level serfs, and not capitalists/etc. We aren't truly free, we are slaves to our economic situation.

The anarcho-communist system is much more free than the capitalist system, it just is much less efficient, and doesn't seem to work very well in large settings.

JM

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
I think that an anarcho-communist society won't out perform the capitalist society, but that isn't the purpose. The purpose is for everyone to be happy and satisfied, and a lot of that is dependent on freedom, including economic freedom. In capitalism, most of us are on some level serfs, and not capitalists/etc. We aren't truly free, we are slaves to our economic situation.

The anarcho-communist system is much more free than the capitalist system, it just is much less efficient, and doesn't seem to work very well in large settings.

JM

So the anarcho communist system is off the blackboard.



Planned state run economies are now on the table. Can information tech be used to overcome their shortcomings and outperform capitalism?

[Jon Miller]

You ever read diamond age?

I think with the proper technology, we could head towards an anarcho-communist system.

I just think that currently it won't outperform. I might be willing to live in one now, though (if I fit in).

Most importantly, people don't exist to produce, or to increase performance. I agree that states look at them in such a fashion though.

JM

[Darius871]

Originally posted by Heraclitus Can information tech be used to overcome their shortcomings and outperform capitalism?

Now there's a great question, but there's no real-world examples from which to draw experience. If only the commies could have waited one measly century before starting ****, it just might have worked. Instead they were stupid enough to think they could bureaucratically manage efficient allocation of so many resources entirely on paper. Good luck with that one.

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
You ever read diamond age?

I think with the proper technology, we could head towards an anarcho-communist system.

I just think that currently it won't outperform. I might be willing to live in one now, though (if I fit in).

Most importantly, people don't exist to produce, or to increase performance. I agree that states look at them in such a fashion though.

JM

Do you also agree that any system that doesn't outperform capitalism is less likely to replace it than one that does?

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by Darius871


Now there's a great question, but there's no real-world examples from which to draw experience. If only the commies could have waited one measly century before starting ****, it just might have worked. Instead they were stupid enough to think they could bureaucratically manage efficient allocation of so many resources entirely on paper. Good luck with that one.

Ahh, but what is stopping the Communists in Cuba or China from trying this? (I know the answers but I'm interested in what people will say)

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Heraclitus


Do you also agree that any system that doesn't outperform capitalism is less likely to replace it than one that does?

I think that if people are wise, they will take freedom over slavery, once their basic needs are met.

I agree that capitalism is doing a good job of increasing what people perceive to be their basic needs, in order to keep them in economic serfdom.

Freedom and information might change peopple though.

The 'out-perform' part is only necessary in conflicts between states.

JM

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by Jon Miller


I think that if people are wise, they will take freedom over slavery, once their basic needs are met.

I agree that capitalism is doing a good job of increasing what people perceive to be their basic needs, in order to keep them in economic serfdom.

Freedom and information might change peopple though.

JM

Who says the people get a word in the matter?

[Ecthy]

Bought two huge volumes of collected works of Lenin today for just €3 apiece

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Darius871


Now there's a great question, but there's no real-world examples from which to draw experience. If only the commies could have waited one measly century before starting ****, it just might have worked. Instead they were stupid enough to think they could bureaucratically manage efficient allocation of so many resources entirely on paper. Good luck with that one.

The're talking about anarcho-communism which is something that hasn't been tried.

[Jon Miller]

They don't in authoritarian systems. Well, until they rebel. It is true that the 'masters' have done a good job for all of history keeping the people down or fooled. However, at times there have been rebellions. One thing is that with greater information, there might be more opportunities... (although so far it seems to be easily controlled)

JM

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Kidicious


The're talking about anarcho-communism which is something that hasn't been tried.

At a large scale, it has been tried successfully at small community scales (<1000 people).

JM

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by Kidicious


The're talking about anarcho-communism which is something that hasn't been tried.

Wrong.


Anarcho communism was just a proposal in any case since I'm on your ignore you can't read the OP, in fact you can't read this.



On the other hand if you can, please explain why in the world anarcho communism seems to be all the rage?

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Jon Miller


At a large scale, it has been tried successfully at small community scales (<1000 people).

JM

I think the difference is the level of population that we have now, compared to then. There's no way anarcho-communism can work with population like this.