I just wish more people, particuarly some of my teachers and fellow students of philosophy, would be able to distinguish between Communism and Stalinism. It's along the same lines as calling Nietzsche a Nazi, I think.
Most people conflate socialism/communism with big-government ideas, thanks in part to goons like Stalin and Mao who hijack both the language and the symbols. That's why people like Emma Goldman are so interesting to me.
Communism and socialism are related, but separate. One is the ideal of equal distribution, the other is the governmental process by which such distribution is mandated, usually by a totalitarian regime.
Most people don't understand the difference, especially in the US, where we have this "every man for himself" libertarian ideal juxtaposed against "freedom and justice for all" - doesn't quite jive sometimes, does it?
Until people rise above their own selfishness to act in ways that benefit society as a whole, this will continue to be a problem.
TF said: I just wish more people, particuarly some of my teachers and fellow students of philosophy, would be able to distinguish between Communism and Stalinism.
*So* many people make that very simple mistake!
CRL said: A history teacher at my school (I've never had him) actually stated that there was no difference between communism and totalitarianism.
Then I'm afraid he's not much of a history teacher.
SC said: That's why people like Emma Goldman are so interesting to me.
I read a bit about the Russian Revolution and the other European revolutions around 1917 and found the whole period fascinating. I remember reading about people like Emma Goldman and Rosa Luxemberg. I need to get back to that period and read some more I think.
Laura said: Until people rise above their own selfishness to act in ways that benefit society as a whole, this will continue to be a problem.
We do seem to have lost the knack of community haven't we? Maybe it smacks too much of the Left for some people.... but as someone *of* the Left I have no issue with it. Mutual Aid seems like Common Sense to me.... [grin]
5 comments:
I must say that I am a communist sypathiser.
I just wish more people, particuarly some of my teachers and fellow students of philosophy, would be able to distinguish between Communism and Stalinism. It's along the same lines as calling Nietzsche a Nazi, I think.
A history teacher at my school (I've never had him) actually stated that there was no difference between communism and totalitarianism.
Most people conflate socialism/communism with big-government ideas, thanks in part to goons like Stalin and Mao who hijack both the language and the symbols. That's why people like Emma Goldman are so interesting to me.
Communism and socialism are related, but separate. One is the ideal of equal distribution, the other is the governmental process by which such distribution is mandated, usually by a totalitarian regime.
Most people don't understand the difference, especially in the US, where we have this "every man for himself" libertarian ideal juxtaposed against "freedom and justice for all" - doesn't quite jive sometimes, does it?
Until people rise above their own selfishness to act in ways that benefit society as a whole, this will continue to be a problem.
TF said: I just wish more people, particuarly some of my teachers and fellow students of philosophy, would be able to distinguish between Communism and Stalinism.
*So* many people make that very simple mistake!
CRL said: A history teacher at my school (I've never had him) actually stated that there was no difference between communism and totalitarianism.
Then I'm afraid he's not much of a history teacher.
SC said: That's why people like Emma Goldman are so interesting to me.
I read a bit about the Russian Revolution and the other European revolutions around 1917 and found the whole period fascinating. I remember reading about people like Emma Goldman and Rosa Luxemberg. I need to get back to that period and read some more I think.
Laura said: Until people rise above their own selfishness to act in ways that benefit society as a whole, this will continue to be a problem.
We do seem to have lost the knack of community haven't we? Maybe it smacks too much of the Left for some people.... but as someone *of* the Left I have no issue with it. Mutual Aid seems like Common Sense to me.... [grin]
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