I've become increasingly infuriated with the opinions of many on the subject of Communism and how their generalization is basically "If You're A Commie = Evil"...
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An obvious obstacle is the Centralized System for distributing Wealth... Which doesn't stand well with many and further more raisings resistance from the Greedy, Capitalists, ect. ...
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Is there anyway to make Communism work in any form? Our are we (Communists) all screwed?
Well, I don't think communism is evil, as long as nobody tries to make me live there (and by that, I mean change the society I live in, and enjoy living in). But if someone created a commune or small state somewhere else I wouldn't mind having them as neighbours, as long as it was optional, and I didn't think people were being denied their rights to leave.
As for the redistribution of wealth... I don't believe everyone has to have the same for everyone to have enough. While I can see some redistribution being useful to help those who can't help themselves, I see any further interference as completely unnecessary, and a violation of individual rights.
I know opponents of collectivism are often painted as greedy capitalists, but the truth is, we are more than happy to share with our friends and loved ones, and frequently do. I don't drink, but if I'm out with friends I still buy a round. Its having the choice taken away that doesn't really sit well with a lot of us.
Having your own personal finances also gives you more control over your life. I'm trying not to bring up the efficiency argument, but I do believe individuals are better able to decide what they need. Its the freedom to make those choices that makes life interesting. They make the difference between living and existing.
I don't want rations, or an equal share of the food the government thinks I should have. I might not like certain things, and I might like certain things more. I might eat less than someone else, or more because I do more physical activity. Luckily I don't require a special diet like some people, though I do avoid meat if i can (I'm not a proper veggie though).
Money is only a means of exchange. By having your own money, and deciding how to spend it, you can make great changes to your lifestyle very quickly, in order to put funds where you want them. I don't care if I can have an equal share in a cabbage factory. I don't like cabbages. Or factories.
One thing I wonder about is how a collectivist society would cope with people travelling abroad? What will they do when they get there if they don't have money to take? How will society fund the trips, and what rules would govern where people could go, and for how long? I can't see the government giving everyone a free cruise every year.
My best friends live abroad, and I visit them every chance I get. I would feel terrible if I couldn't see them as often as I want to. I would hate to have to put in a request for travel with an official or government department. What if there's an emergency, like my friend has an accident? I could raid my savings to fund a sudden trip, but how would that society cope with my sudden need to go at short notice?
Unless its operated on a first come first served basis, or everybody has access to the very best holidays, you couldn't treat travellers equally. The first solution means you might be denied the ability to leave the country, or not get to travel at short notice for things like funerals or weddings. The second solution isn't very likely due to the cost.
Anyway, if you want communism to work, you need support. Right now in the west you don't have it, and its not just because of anti-communist propaganda. No matter how warped the systems were in the soviet union or wherever, they're the only examples that people have to go on.
If you want to convince people to throw out a system they are used to and feel secure in, you need to show them that your alternative can work. People aren't going to be happy when you tell them "its never been tried".
The only way I think you could do it is to build a community yourself, with some buddies. Not only do you have to make it successful, you have to show you can operate it while respecting people's rights (I appreciate that you mentioned this yourself).
From there, I doubt it will still have wide appeal, but you might be able to grow. Your community might attract a few members here and there. You need to decide how you're going to handle growth. Will you accept the elderly and disabled? What about the poor? Will the community provide everything for new arrivals, or do they have to pay to get in?
Getting people to give up their rights to private property will be one of your biggest obstacles. People like the idea that they can get their own ebay shop, or set up a company (or even work out of their garage, making a bit extra to fund their lifestyle). This is reflected in the popularity of online games where players must raise their character's individual strengths to get ahead and make a profit.
Perhaps this is something you can look into. Try running an online MMORPG with a collectivist system. See if you get people interested in it, and see if you can keep the system working without too much interference and "cheating" by programming solutions around its problems.
