Communism

[homeyg]

So I took it upon myself to read the Manifesto of the Communist Party. After reading through section II, I thought that it was implied that culture, basically, was a product of the Bougeoisie's interests. Is this correct?

And if so, I find that this is a very disturbing aspect of communism. Leaving behind culture and customs?

 

[kulade]

Yeah, even communism has its upsides.

 

[Kerozine]

Commies hate nice things.

 

[aelf]

So I took it upon myself to read the Manifesto of the Communist Party. After reading through section II, I thought that it was implied that culture, basically, was a product of the Bougeoisie's interests. Is this correct?

And if so, I find that this is a very disturbing aspect of communism. Leaving behind culture and customs?

No, current culture is. The prevailing ideas are the ideas of the ruling class. If you abolish classes, then naturally the current cultural landscape would disappear with them, but it's logical that a different one would emerge.

 

[Perfection]

Well, it's not like the right winger's idea of culture is worth anything:

 

[Joecoolyo]

Well, it's not like the right winger's idea of culture is worth anything:

Where's the beer?

 

[Lone Wolf]

Well, the Soviet Union stopped its flirtation with avant-garde artists after the 20's and began to return to old forms of culture, only "made to serve the working class".

 

[Perfection]

Really, homeyg, why are you so looking to find faults with communist ideology? I mean, is anyone with any political power seriously communist these days? If so who?

 

[Archbob]

You can abolish classes for a while but in a generation or two, they'll re-appear. People just aren't satisfied being equal to others. So, there's really no fear of abandoning culture or anything.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

You can abolish classes for a while but in a generation or two, they'll re-appear. People just aren't satisfied being equal to others. So, there's really no fear of abandoning culture or anything.

People aren't satisfied with being below other people, either, and once that is removed, they'll never go back.

 

[nonconformist]

Unless they see the potential to get one-up on someone else.

If I have the chance to have one mre cow than my neighbour, then theory goes to pot.

 

[Wraith23]

Well, it's not like the right winger's idea of culture is worth anything

Are you blaming people for liking car races?

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Unless they see the potential to get one-up on someone else.

If I have the chance to have one mre cow than my neighbour, then theory goes to pot.

Sure, if you assume such a stupid fallacy as "communism wants everyone to be exactly identical in every respect!" But then I thought you were a socialist? So you should know that no one thinks this is the case.

 

[nonconformist]

People will always be below or above other people, all we can do is either minimise this unfairness, or enforce a system in which everyone is equal.

 

[Wraith23]

People will always be below or above other people, all we can do is either minimise this unfairness, or enforce a system in which everyone is equal.

Everyone should agree that a system than "enforces equality" is an abomination.

What I dont like about "minimizing the unfairness" is that you must take from someone to do that and in order to do that you must use force.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

If by above or below, you mean better or worse off, then yes, that's probably true, but that's not what most people mean by that phrase, and it certainly isn't what I meant. I meant the social structure, with a ruling and a ruled class, an oppressing and an oppressed class.

 

[nonconformist]

But there's always a ruling class...even upon the "dictatorship of the prolatariat" there is.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

And who is the ruled class, then?

 

[nonconformist]

Those who are not amongst the dictatorship; i.e those who either do not fit in to the system, the bourgeoisie and aristocracy who must be liquidated, and the 99% of people who are not part of the ruling cadre.
Even amongst communism, you still need a leadership and directorship.

 

[luiz]

And who is the ruled class, then?

Everybody else. Can you honestly say that you see no class division in Cuba or the old USSR? The division was even more visible than in Western democracies!