Beyond esports tournaments, include a broader calendar of gaming events, conferences, and conventions.

Follow With Us:

Recent Posts

Screenshot_3 9 2024_115235_x.com_ 85x85

UN Lawyer Says He’s Terrified of a Second Trump Term

September 3, 2024
Screenshot_3 9 2024_114742_x.com_ 85x85

California Lawmakers Approve Senate Bill 1174 – Prohibiting Voter ID

September 3, 2024
Screenshot_3 9 2024_11419_x.com_ 85x85

Zuckerberg Says FBI Specifically Warned of Disinfo, Illegally Interfering with

September 3, 2024

State TV

Communism

Communism

Ideologies & Belief Systems

What is Communism?

Communism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless, stateless society where the means of production are communally owned. It emerged as a response to the perceived injustices of capitalism, aiming to eliminate private property and establish a system where wealth and resources are distributed based on need. Rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Communism has significantly influenced global history, particularly in the 20th century, leading to the establishment of Communist states and the global ideological struggle known as the Cold War.

government programs 5
communism 2

>>Foundations of Communist Thought

Communism is deeply rooted in the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who laid the theoretical foundations for the ideology. Their seminal works, "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital," critique the capitalist system and outline the principles of a Communist society. Central to Communist thought is the concept of dialectical materialism, which views history as a series of class struggles driven by material conditions. Marx and Engels argued that capitalism inherently leads to exploitation and alienation, and that the working class, or proletariat, must overthrow the bourgeoisie to establish a classless society.

UNDERSTANDING --- COMMUNISM --
Icons Pages 2

Types of Communism

  • Developed by Vladimir Lenin, Leninism adapts Marxism to the conditions of early 20th-century Russia. It introduces the concept of the vanguard party, a group of professional revolutionaries who lead the working class in overthrowing the bourgeoisie. Lenin also emphasized the role of the state in managing the transition from capitalism to Communism.
  • Named after Joseph Stalin, Stalinism is characterized by centralization, collectivization, and the use of repression to maintain state power. Under Stalin’s rule, the Soviet Union underwent rapid industrialization and agricultural collectivization, but also experienced widespread purges and state terror.
  • Mao Zedong’s adaptation of Marxism-Leninism emphasizes the importance of peasant-based revolution, particularly in agrarian societies. Maoism also includes the concept of continuous revolution, as seen in the Cultural Revolution, which aimed to preserve Communist ideals by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements.
  • Emerging in Western Europe during the 1970s, Eurocommunism sought to adapt Communist principles to democratic systems. It rejected the authoritarianism of the Soviet model, advocating for a peaceful and democratic transition to socialism.
  • These more radical forms of Communism critique both capitalist societies and the authoritarian tendencies of established Communist states. They advocate for direct workers’ control of production and reject the need for a centralized state apparatus.

Communist Economic Systems

  • In Communist states, central planning replaced market mechanisms to allocate resources and manage production. Five-Year Plans, such as those in the Soviet Union and China, set ambitious goals for industrialization, infrastructure development, and social services.
  • Collectivization aimed to consolidate individual landholdings into large, state-controlled farms. While intended to increase agricultural productivity and support industrialization, collectivization often led to severe disruptions, including famine and social unrest.
  • Communist regimes prioritized rapid industrialization as a means of building self-sufficient economies and reducing dependence on capitalist nations. This focus on heavy industry often came at the expense of consumer goods and living standards.
  • Despite some successes, Communist economies faced significant challenges, including inefficiencies, corruption, and eventual stagnation. The absence of market signals often led to poor resource allocation, resulting in shortages and declining productivity over time.

It is estimate that between 100-200 million individuals were killed during the following:

  • The Soviet Union’s purges, famines (like the Holodomor in Ukraine), and gulag deaths.
  • China’s Great Leap Forward famine, Cultural Revolution, and other Maoist policies.
  • The Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge.
  • Deaths in other communist states like North Korea, Vietnam, and Eastern European countries.

Criticisms of Communism

  • Many Communist regimes became highly authoritarian, suppressing political dissent and restricting individual freedoms. Leaders like Stalin and Mao implemented policies that resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including purges, forced labor camps, and mass executions.
  • The pursuit of ideological purity and the maintenance of state power often led to severe human rights violations. Events such as the Great Purge in the Soviet Union and the Cultural Revolution in China resulted in millions of deaths and widespread suffering.
  • Centralized planning and the lack of market incentives often led to economic inefficiencies in Communist states. Bureaucratic mismanagement, corruption, and a lack of innovation contributed to declining productivity and living standards.
  • Within the Communist movement, ideological conflicts and power struggles often emerged. Factions within Communist parties clashed over interpretations of Marxism, leading to splits, purges, and the marginalization of dissenting voices.

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

  • The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the most significant Communist state. Many former Communist countries transitioned to market economies and multiparty political systems, though the legacy of Communism continues to influence their political culture.
  • Although fewer in number, Communist parties and movements still exist worldwide, particularly in countries like China, Cuba, and North Korea. These parties often adapt Marxist principles to contemporary issues, though their influence varies widely. The United States is also home to the Communist Party of America.
  • In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in socialist and Communist ideas, particularly in response to issues like economic inequality, climate change, and the failures of neoliberal capitalism. Movements advocating for more equitable distribution of resources often draw on Marxist and Communist theories.

Books on Communism

Resources & Links