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this post was submitted on 17 Apr 2024
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The only danger I see in communism is that no matter how benevolent it starts, communism will always (eventually) become a dictatorship. If we could somehow take human greed out of the equation, communism could be really nice for everyone. As long as humans are in charge, communism will suck for nearly everyone.
From my understanding, one of the aspects to creating a communist nation is to create a dictatorship in order to throw out the existing political system before then rightfully ceding power to the proletariat. That last step never actually happens in reality, however.
One of the challenges in Leftist philosophy is “What is the road from here to there.”
Lenin argued that the only feasible way to attain the desired leftist ends was via rightist means. Lenin learned the hard way that this simply cannot work, because once you’ve consolidated power like that, it doesn’t take much - a small group or just one ambitious person (like Stalin) - to seize and keep power.
Any leftist ends must be gained by leftist means; with popular support, and without allowing wealth or power to ever become further concentrated.
I can see that working when creating a new state, but is that feasible to transition towards when there are already existing power structures? Powerful groups like to hold on to and grow their power, and they're not likely to give it up voluntarily.
It seems like an insurmountably difficult situation no matter how you approach it, unfortunately.
Why? Can you provide an accurate definition of communism, and a theory as to why you think it cannot be done without becoming a dictatorship? Can you provide an accurate definition of capitalism, and why you think it is more free?