I've received some comments of late concerning the Marx quote that once adorned the top of the page. Although I appreciate the frustrations of those who were offended by my quoting Marx, I still can't help but believe that the whole world would be a little better off if everyone read a little more socialist literature. The failures and ills of Soviet Communism have cast a dark shadow on the socialist movement and sadly, anything that contains even a whiff of Marxism is considered evil by the majority of society. This is tragic. So much can be learned from a careful study of Marxism and to eschew the socialist movement flat out on the basis of a failed communist empire results in a great loss to humanity, particularly to the poor and the marginalized. Socialism and Social Democracy deserve our time academically. That said, the quote isn't even "Marxist" . . .
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About Me
Photography Philosophy
"If you take a picture of a human that does not make him noble, there is no reason to take this picture. That is my way of seeing things." -Sebastiao Salgado
5 comments:
"When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping"
V. I. Lenin
Thanks for the quotes and comments guys, though I have my doubts as to the last one's authenticity. Tomas, the quote was "Philosphers have interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is the change it." Clearly written by Marx, but not "Marxist" in ideology, hence my confusion that one might consider the blog unaccessible or offensive. Anyways, thanks for your comments. If you don't mind me asking, how did you end up on this site?
Soviet, Chinese, North Korean, and Cuban communism are all oppressive and cruel. Communism in any form is hitious. European socialism in France and Germany is now imploding economically. A high rate of unemployment and a poor work ethic are going to destroy the progress made since WW II. Unfortunately large scale socialistic principles in large industrialized nations don't do well.
It's important to realize that communism/socialism are not intrinsically oppressive or cruel. To base an argument on that fact is circumstantial and specious. Unforunately, the regimes you mentioned have negatively colored communism and reduced it's chances of gaining any sort of widespread support. Surrendering to that reality, social democracy poses new and exciting alternatives that deserve more attention academically.
Concerning European socialist nations and their declining economies, the causes for such a decline are numerous. More importantly, who's to say that a fluctuating/declining economy that is still able to provide for its weakest members is a bad thing. Our economy thrives but the disparity between the rich and the poor grows rapidly; is this a better alternative?
Jon:
Stating that communism/socialism is not intrinsically oppressive or cruel has no place in this argument. The truth is that these régimes were oppressive and cruel. That is a fact. The only way that freethinking people can be controlled and forced to participate in a society with no material rewards for hard work is with the use of oppression. It is folly to think that human beings will forgo a better quality-of-life for some social experiment. It has failed miserably thus far. (Remember the Hippie Communes of the 60’s ?) If and when one of these totalitarian governments shows signs of success, either socially or economically, we can revisit the concept. Until then they are the poster child for governments promoting human suffering. Communism still remains a concept for only academic banter.
As to the European socialist decline, the causes are self evident. They are directly related to socialist policies. Does it really provide for the weakest members of society when unemployment is rampant? Is that why the weak countries of Europe had to come together for survival? Will the European Union survive? Politically yes! The Bible's book of Revelation foretells this. Economic survival of Europe is a different matter. Our only hope in the US is a balanced two party system. We’ll have to wait for that until 2008.
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