This is not my first rodeo with the Communist manifesto, but one thing always comes to mind: Can it work? Chapter IV ends optimistically with “They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.” We could probably spend the rest of the semester talking about communism, but I think it boils down to ideas that might be too extreme for most of Europe. The ruthless class systems in the countries mentioned in the Manifesto were not created overnight. These are hierarchies that were built over many many years. Reforming them is quite a difficult task. What is the tipping point or issue that can spark a revolution of the sort the Manifesto is calling for? I know the question may seem simple, but I am curious what everyone else thinks about this.
Revolution! Europe at the Barricades (HIS 270-02 F20)
Fight for your rights!
It is an interesting point that you bring up about how revolutions with communist leanings get started. There were and are issues of inequality today in society, meaning a few have a lot while many have just enough to survive. In any society this inequality will be present. However communism is not the solution to this problem. Communism is one the greatest evils ever. It may sound good in theory but in practice it leads to genocide and starvation. Then why has communism been argued for by so many after history? Inequality is not a good thing even though it is certain it will occur in society. If this inequality ever gets to large within a society then the lower parts of society will naturally call for change. There is a need to address inequality so it doesn’t reach this point. However we haven’t come up with a great solution yet however we know communism is definitely not the answer. In my opinion a step in the right direction is more education and individualism.
I am on the same page with Sam. Inequality is an issue that has been addressed with communism and when this happens the inequality and unfairness that the people are facing gets used as a tool for the government to gain power and control. A communist leader uses the emotion and pain of the people to unfortunately rise his/her power. The main reason I do not think communism works is the nature of humans. Once one is in a position of power and has the opportunity to take advantage for their own gain they will. The best thing is to encourage like Sam said individualism and push society to become more self sufficient and take actions to overcome inequality. Relying more on the government would more likely lead to a bigger divide socially and economically.
I agree with both sam and jonathan that communism just simply wouldnt work. The idea of it sounds right but taking away free market and not allowing people to grow and be individual forces them into a certain group and leads to injustice. These people left in the bottom of society will eventually rebel. Putting too much power into the governments hands would lead to problems and this is evident throughout history,