Why Communism Doesn T Work

Why Communism Doesn't Work: A Critical Analysis of its Failures

Introduction:

For decades, the allure of a communist utopia – a society characterized by equality, shared resources, and the absence of class struggle – has captivated many. However, history provides a stark and consistent counter-narrative. The reality of communist regimes, from the Soviet Union to Maoist China to Cambodia under Pol Pot, has been one marked by widespread suffering, economic collapse, and brutal oppression. This article delves into the fundamental reasons why communism, in its practical application, consistently fails to achieve its stated goals. We'll explore the inherent flaws in its economic model, its suppression of individual liberty, and the inevitable rise of authoritarianism under communist rule. Prepare to critically examine a system that, despite its idealistic promises, has consistently fallen short of delivering a better life for its people.


1. The Fatal Flaw of Centralized Planning:

Communism's core economic principle is central planning. Instead of a free market determining prices and production based on supply and demand, a central authority dictates what goods are produced, in what quantities, and at what prices. This system inherently lacks the flexibility and responsiveness of a market economy. Information is distorted, leading to shortages of essential goods, surpluses of unwanted ones, and a chronic inability to adapt to changing consumer needs or technological advancements. The lack of price signals prevents efficient resource allocation, stifling innovation and economic growth. The Soviet Union's persistent struggles with food production and technological backwardness serve as powerful examples of this fundamental flaw.

2. The Suppression of Individual Liberty and Incentives:

Communism, in its purest form, advocates for the abolition of private property and the collective ownership of the means of production. While this aims for equality, it simultaneously eliminates individual incentives. Without the prospect of personal gain, there is little motivation to work hard, innovate, or take risks. The lack of entrepreneurial spirit stifles economic dynamism. Furthermore, the suppression of individual liberty, including freedom of speech, thought, and assembly, is almost always a hallmark of communist regimes. This creates a climate of fear and discourages dissent, further hindering progress and innovation.

3. The Inevitable Rise of Authoritarianism:

The implementation of communism requires a powerful centralized authority to control the economy and enforce its policies. This inevitably leads to the concentration of power in the hands of a small elite, often resulting in authoritarian rule and the suppression of human rights. The elimination of political opposition and the pervasive surveillance of the population are typical characteristics of communist states. This authoritarian structure is not a consequence of poor implementation, but a direct outcome of the system's inherent structure and goals. History shows a clear correlation between communist regimes and brutal dictatorships.

4. The Lack of Accountability and Transparency:

Centralized planning inherently lacks accountability and transparency. Since there is no competitive marketplace to judge performance, there's little incentive for efficiency or responsiveness. The absence of independent oversight and the lack of free press allow corruption to flourish, and mismanagement to go unchecked. Resources are often diverted to favor the ruling elite, exacerbating inequality instead of reducing it. This lack of accountability fuels inefficiency and ultimately contributes to economic collapse.

5. The Failure to Address Human Nature:

Critics argue that communism fundamentally misunderstands human nature. The assumption that individuals will readily sacrifice their own self-interest for the collective good is often proven false. Human beings are inherently motivated by a desire for personal advancement, security, and recognition. Ignoring this basic truth leads to a system where individuals find ways to circumvent regulations, create black markets, and exploit loopholes for personal gain, ultimately undermining the system's intended purpose.


Article Outline: Why Communism Doesn't Work

I. Introduction: Hooking the reader and outlining the article's scope.

II. Economic Failures:
A. Centralized Planning and its Inefficiencies
B. Lack of Incentives and Economic Stagnation
C. The Inefficiency of Resource Allocation

III. Political Oppression:
A. Suppression of Individual Liberty
B. The Rise of Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism
C. Lack of Accountability and Transparency

IV. Social Consequences:
A. Widespread Poverty and Famine
B. Lack of Innovation and Technological Advancement
C. The Erosion of Human Dignity

V. Conclusion: Summarizing the key arguments and offering concluding thoughts.



Detailed Explanation of Each Point in the Outline:

(Each point in the outline above is already extensively elaborated in the main body of the article above.)


9 Unique FAQs:

1. Q: Wasn't the Soviet Union initially successful? A: While the Soviet Union experienced periods of industrial growth, this was often achieved through brutal forced labor and resource mismanagement, ultimately unsustainable.

2. Q: What about countries that call themselves "socialist" but seem successful? A: Many countries with "socialist" policies retain market economies and significant private ownership, fundamentally differing from communist principles.

3. Q: Couldn't communism work with better implementation? A: The inherent flaws in centralized planning and the suppression of individual liberty make successful implementation virtually impossible.

4. Q: Didn't communism aim for equality? A: While aiming for equality, communism has consistently resulted in stark inequalities between the ruling elite and the general population.

5. Q: Are there any examples of successful communist communities? A: Small-scale communes have existed, but they generally rely on voluntary participation and external support, differing greatly from state-level communist regimes.

6. Q: What are the alternatives to communism? A: Democratic socialism, social democracy, and free-market capitalism represent alternative approaches to economic organization.

7. Q: What is the role of ideology in the failure of communism? A: The rigid adherence to an inflexible ideology often prevents adaptation to changing circumstances, contributing to failure.

8. Q: How has communism impacted global politics? A: The Cold War demonstrates the profound impact of communist ideology and the geopolitical tensions it created.

9. Q: What lessons can we learn from the failures of communism? A: The importance of individual liberty, market-based economies, and accountability in government are crucial lessons.



9 Related Articles:

1. The Economic Failures of the Soviet Union: A detailed analysis of the economic collapse of the USSR and the role of central planning.

2. The Great Leap Forward: A Case Study in Communist Mismanagement: Examines the devastating consequences of Mao Zedong's disastrous economic policies.

3. The Cambodian Genocide: The Horrors of Khmer Rouge Rule: Focuses on the brutal regime and its devastating impact on Cambodia.

4. The Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Communist Oppression: Explores the history and symbolism of the Berlin Wall as a physical manifestation of communist control.

5. The Gulag Archipelago: The Reality of Life Under Stalin: Documents the horrors of the Soviet forced labor camps.

6. The Rise and Fall of Communist China: Examines the transformation of China from a communist state to a market-oriented economy.

7. Comparing Capitalism and Communism: A Critical Analysis: A comparative study exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each system.

8. The Impact of Communism on Human Rights: A detailed examination of human rights abuses under communist regimes.

9. The End of the Cold War: The Triumph of Democracy and Capitalism?: Analyzes the end of the Cold War and its implications for the global political landscape.


  why communism doesn t work: Socialism: The Failed Idea That Never Dies Kristian Niemietz, 2019-02-07 Socialism is strangely impervious to refutation by real-world experience. Over the past hundred years, there have been more than two dozen attempts to build a socialist society, from the Soviet Union to Maoist China to Venezuela. All of them have ended in varying degrees of failure. But, according to socialism’s adherents, that is only because none of these experiments were “real socialism”. This book documents the history of this, by now, standard response. It shows how the claim of fake socialism is only ever made after the event. As long as a socialist project is in its prime, almost nobody claims that it is not real socialism. On the contrary, virtually every socialist project in history has gone through a honeymoon period, during which it was enthusiastically praised by prominent Western intellectuals. It was only when their failures became too obvious to deny that they got retroactively reclassified as “not real socialism”.
  why communism doesn t work: Requiem for Marx Yuri N. Maltsev, 1993
  why communism doesn t work: Marxism & Nationalism Vladimir Ilʹich Lenin, 2002
  why communism doesn t work: Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth Ludwig Von Mises, 1990
  why communism doesn t work: The Black Book of Communism Stéphane Courtois, 1999 This international bestseller plumbs recently opened archives in the former Soviet bloc to reveal the accomplishments of communism around the world. The book is the first attempt to catalogue and analyse the crimes of communism over 70 years.
  why communism doesn t work: Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays Murray Newton Rothbard, 2000
  why communism doesn t work: Fully Automated Luxury Communism Aaron Bastani, 2019-06-11 The first decade of the twenty-first century marked the demise of the current world order. Despite widespread acknowledgement of these disruptive crises, the proposed response from the mainstream remains the same. Against the confines of this increasingly limited politics, a new paradigm has emerged. Fully Automated Luxury Communism claims that new technologies will liberate us from work, providing the opportunity to build a society beyond both capitalism and scarcity. Automation, rather than undermining an economy built on full employment, is instead the path to a world of liberty, luxury and happiness. For everyone. In his first book, radical political commentator Aaron Bastani conjures a new politics: a vision of a world of unimaginable hope, highlighting how we move to energy abundance, feed a world of nine billion, overcome work, transcend the limits of biology and build meaningful freedom for everyone. Rather than a final destination, such a society heralds the beginning of history. Fully Automated Luxury Communism promises a radically new left future for everyone.
  why communism doesn t work: Marx's Dream Tom Rockmore, 2018-06-07 Two centuries after his birth, Karl Marx is read almost solely through the lens of Marxism, his works examined for how they fit into the doctrine that was developed from them after his death. With Marx’s Dream, Tom Rockmore offers a much-needed alternative view, distinguishing rigorously between Marx and Marxism. Rockmore breaks with the Marxist view of Marx in three key ways. First, he shows that the concern with the relation of theory to practice—reflected in Marx’s famous claim that philosophers only interpret the world, while the point is to change it—arose as early as Socrates, and has been central to philosophy in its best moments. Second, he seeks to free Marx from his unsolicited Marxist embrace in order to consider his theory on its own merits. And, crucially, Rockmore relies on the normal standards of philosophical debate, without the special pleading to which Marxist accounts too often resort. Marx’s failures as a thinker, Rockmore shows, lie less in his diagnosis of industrial capitalism’s problems than in the suggested remedies, which are often unsound. ? Only a philosopher of Rockmore’s stature could tackle a project this substantial, and the results are remarkable: a fresh Marx, unencumbered by doctrine and full of insights that remain salient today.
  why communism doesn t work: Pictures of the Socialistic Future Eugene Richter, 1925
  why communism doesn t work: Markets without Limits Jason F. Brennan, Peter Jaworski, 2015-08-20 May you sell your vote? May you sell your kidney? May gay men pay surrogates to bear them children? May spouses pay each other to watch the kids, do the dishes, or have sex? Should we allow the rich to genetically engineer gifted, beautiful children? Should we allow betting markets on terrorist attacks and natural disasters? Most people shudder at the thought. To put some goods and services for sale offends human dignity. If everything is commodified, then nothing is sacred. The market corrodes our character. Or so most people say. In Markets without Limits, Jason Brennan and Peter Jaworski give markets a fair hearing. The market does not introduce wrongness where there was not any previously. Thus, the authors claim, the question of what rightfully may be bought and sold has a simple answer: if you may do it for free, you may do it for money. Contrary to the conservative consensus, they claim there are no inherent limits to what can be bought and sold, but only restrictions on how we buy and sell.
  why communism doesn t work: Does Communism Work? Harrison Lievesley, 2018-04-22 COMMUNISM WORKS, READ THIS BOOK TO FIND OUT HOW! Please note book only contains 2 words and is entirely satire.
  why communism doesn t work: Is Your Thinking Keeping You Poor? Douglas Kruger, 2016-08-01 ‘Thinking like a poor person will keep you poor. Thinking like a wealthy person will make you wealthy. I would like to show you exactly what the differences between the two ways of thinking are and how you can use them in your favour.’ – Douglas Kruger - Douglas Kruger Being rich is not normal: most people never achieve wealth in their lifetime. The very word ‘rich’ describes a state beyond the median, and therein lies an important lesson. To become rich, you will have to think radically differently from the way most people around you think. Do you know what those specific differences may be? Business and wealth guru Douglas Kruger strips away the feel-good hype and gets right down to the practical principles. He leads you through the types of thinking that hold individuals, families and businesses in generational cycles of poverty. He explores the dramatically different approaches of the self-made rich and super-rich, showing you which behaviours to begin practising and which behaviours are traitorous to your wealth potential. Escape poverty. Raise your value. Change the trajectory of your story. It all begins with the way you think.
  why communism doesn t work: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Communism Paul Kengor, 2017-10-02 The worst idea in history is back. Communism has wrecked national economies, enslaved whole peoples, and killed more than a hundred million men and women. What's not to like? Too many young Americans are supporting communism. Millennials prefer socialism to capitalism, and 25 percent have a positive view of Lenin. One in four Americans believe that George W. Bush killed more people than Josef Stalin. And 69 percent of Millennials would vote for a socialist for president. They ought to know better. Communism is the most dangerous idea in world history, producing dire poverty, repression, and carnage wherever it has been tried. And no wonder—because communism flatly denies morality, human nature, and basic facts. But it's always going to be different this time. In The Politically Incorrect Guide to Communism, renowned scholar and bestselling author Paul Kengor unmasks communism, exposing the blood-drenched history—and dangerously pervasive influence—of the world's worst ideology.
  why communism doesn t work: From Communism to Capitalism Michel Henry, 2014-08-14 Michel Henry uses the fall of communist regimes to reflect on the place of the individual in the late capitalist moment.
  why communism doesn t work: Communism: A Very Short Introduction Leslie Holmes, 2009-08-27 The collapse of communism was one of the most defining moments of the twentieth century. This Very Short Introduction examines the history behind the political, economic, and social structures of communism as an ideology.
  why communism doesn t work: The Oxford Handbook of the History of Communism S. A. Smith, 2014-01-09 The impact of Communism on the twentieth century was massive, equal to that of the two world wars. Until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, historians knew relatively little about the secretive world of communist states and parties. Since then, the opening of state, party, and diplomatic archives of the former Eastern Bloc has released a flood of new documentation. The thirty-five essays in this Handbook, written by an international team of scholars, draw on this new material to offer a global history of communism in the twentieth century. In contrast to many histories that concentrate on the Soviet Union, The Oxford Handbook of the History of Communism is genuinely global in its coverage, paying particular attention to the Chinese Revolution. It is 'global', too, in the sense that the essays seek to integrate history 'from above' and 'from below', to trace the complex mediations between state and society, and to explore the social and cultural as well as the political and economic realities that shaped the lives of citizens fated to live under communist rule. The essays reflect on the similarities and differences between communist states in order to situate them in their socio-political and cultural contexts and to capture their changing nature over time. Where appropriate, they also reflect on how the fortunes of international communism were shaped by the wider economic, political, and cultural forces of the capitalist world. The Handbook provides an informative introduction for those new to the field and a comprehensive overview of the current state of scholarship for those seeking to deepen their understanding.
  why communism doesn t work: Communism for Kids Bini Adamczak, 2017-03-24 Communism, capitalism, work, crisis, and the market, described in simple storybook terms and illustrated by drawings of adorable little revolutionaries. Once upon a time, people yearned to be free of the misery of capitalism. How could their dreams come true? This little book proposes a different kind of communism, one that is true to its ideals and free from authoritarianism. Offering relief for many who have been numbed by Marxist exegesis and given headaches by the earnest pompousness of socialist politics, it presents political theory in the simple terms of a children's story, accompanied by illustrations of lovable little revolutionaries experiencing their political awakening. It all unfolds like a story, with jealous princesses, fancy swords, displaced peasants, mean bosses, and tired workers–not to mention a Ouija board, a talking chair, and a big pot called “the state.” Before they know it, readers are learning about the economic history of feudalism, class struggles in capitalism, different ideas of communism, and more. Finally, competition between two factories leads to a crisis that the workers attempt to solve in six different ways (most of them borrowed from historic models of communist or socialist change). Each attempt fails, since true communism is not so easy after all. But it's also not that hard. At last, the people take everything into their own hands and decide for themselves how to continue. Happy ending? Only the future will tell. With an epilogue that goes deeper into the theoretical issues behind the story, this book is perfect for all ages and all who desire a better world.
  why communism doesn t work: How China Became Capitalist R. Coase, N. Wang, 2016-04-30 How China Became Capitalist details the extraordinary, and often unanticipated, journey that China has taken over the past thirty five years in transforming itself from a closed agrarian socialist economy to an indomitable economic force in the international arena. The authors revitalise the debate around the rise of the Chinese economy through the use of primary sources, persuasively arguing that the reforms implemented by the Chinese leaders did not represent a concerted attempt to create a capitalist economy, and that it was 'marginal revolutions' that introduced the market and entrepreneurship back to China. Lessons from the West were guided by the traditional Chinese principle of 'seeking truth from facts'. By turning to capitalism, China re-embraced her own cultural roots. How China Became Capitalist challenges received wisdom about the future of the Chinese economy, warning that while China has enormous potential for further growth, the future is clouded by the government's monopoly of ideas and power. Coase and Wang argue that the development of a market for ideas which has a long and revered tradition in China would be integral in bringing about the Chinese dream of social harmony.
  why communism doesn t work: Afterlives of Chinese Communism Christian Sorace, Ivan Franceschini, Nicholas Loubere, 2019-06-25 Afterlives of Chinese Communism comprises essays from over fifty world- renowned scholars in the China field, from various disciplines and continents. It provides an indispensable guide for understanding how the Mao era continues to shape Chinese politics today. Each chapter discusses a concept or practice from the Mao period, what it attempted to do, and what has become of it since. The authors respond to the legacy of Maoism from numerous perspectives to consider what lessons Chinese communism can offer today, and whether there is a future for the egalitarian politics that it once promised.
  why communism doesn t work: Drive Daniel H. Pink, 2011-04-05 The New York Times bestseller that gives readers a paradigm-shattering new way to think about motivation from the author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards like money—the carrot-and-stick approach. That's a mistake, says Daniel H. Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others). In this provocative and persuasive new book, he asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction-at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose-and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live.
  why communism doesn t work: End of History and the Last Man Francis Fukuyama, 2006-03-01 Ever since its first publication in 1992, the New York Times bestselling The End of History and the Last Man has provoked controversy and debate. Profoundly realistic and important...supremely timely and cogent...the first book to fully fathom the depth and range of the changes now sweeping through the world. —The Washington Post Book World Francis Fukuyama's prescient analysis of religious fundamentalism, politics, scientific progress, ethical codes, and war is as essential for a world fighting fundamentalist terrorists as it was for the end of the Cold War. Now updated with a new afterword, The End of History and the Last Man is a modern classic.
  why communism doesn t work: Acid Communism Mark Fisher, Matt Colquhoun, 2020-09-10 A short zine collecting an introduction to the concept by Matt Colquhoun that appeared in 'krisis journal for contemporary philosophy Issue 2, 2018: Marx from the Margins' and the unfinished introduction to the unfinished book on Acid Communism that Mark Fisher was working on before his death in 2017. In this way ‘Acid’ is desire, as corrosive and denaturalising multiplicity, flowing through the multiplicities of communism itself to create alinguistic feedback loops; an ideological accelerator through which the new and previously unknown might be found in the politics we mistakenly think we already know, reinstantiating a politics to come. —Matt Colquhoun
  why communism doesn t work: Tactics and Ethics Georg Lukacs, 2014-01-14 Tactics and Ethics collects Georg Lukács’s articles from the most politically active time of his life, a period encompassing his stint as deputy commissar of education in the Hungarian Soviet Republic. Including his famed essay on parliamentarianism—which earned Lukács the respectful yet severe criticism of Lenin—this book is a treasure chest of valuable insights from one of history’s great political philosophers.
  why communism doesn t work: Dialogue with Stalin Amadeo Bordiga, 2020-07-30 Amadeo Bordiga (1899-1970) was an Italian Marxist theoretician, who played a major role in the ideological development of the post-1917 Socialist revolution. He is well known as one of the last Comintern members to criticize Stalin to his face and live to tell the tale, most notably referred to as the gravedigger of the revolution during a 1926 party conference. In Dialogue with Stalin, Bordiga carefully dissects the economic state of the USSR under Stalin, and lays forward the capitalist nature of the USSR.
  why communism doesn t work: Manifesto Ernesto Che Guevara, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Rosa Luxemburg, 2015-04-10 “If you are curious and open to the life around you, if you are troubled as to why, how and by whom political power is held and used, if you sense there must be good intellectual reasons for your unease, if your curiosity and openness drive you toward wishing to act with others, to ‘do something,’ you already have much in common with the writers of the three essays in this book.” — Adrienne Rich With a preface by Adrienne Rich, Manifesto presents the radical vision of four famous young rebels: Marx and Engels’ Communist Manifesto, Rosa Luxemburg’s Reform or Revolution and Che Guevara’s Socialism and Humanity.
  why communism doesn t work: The Future of Capitalism Paul Collier, 2018-12-04 Bill Gates's Five Books for Summer Reading 2019 From world-renowned economist Paul Collier, a candid diagnosis of the failures of capitalism and a pragmatic and realistic vision for how we can repair it. Deep new rifts are tearing apart the fabric of the United States and other Western societies: thriving cities versus rural counties, the highly skilled elite versus the less educated, wealthy versus developing countries. As these divides deepen, we have lost the sense of ethical obligation to others that was crucial to the rise of post-war social democracy. So far these rifts have been answered only by the revivalist ideologies of populism and socialism, leading to the seismic upheavals of Trump, Brexit, and the return of the far-right in Germany. We have heard many critiques of capitalism but no one has laid out a realistic way to fix it, until now. In a passionate and polemical book, celebrated economist Paul Collier outlines brilliantly original and ethical ways of healing these rifts—economic, social and cultural—with the cool head of pragmatism, rather than the fervor of ideological revivalism. He reveals how he has personally lived across these three divides, moving from working-class Sheffield to hyper-competitive Oxford, and working between Britain and Africa, and acknowledges some of the failings of his profession. Drawing on his own solutions as well as ideas from some of the world’s most distinguished social scientists, he shows us how to save capitalism from itself—and free ourselves from the intellectual baggage of the twentieth century.
  why communism doesn t work: The Collapse of Communism Lee Edwards, 2013-11-01 Experts continue to debate one of the most important political questions of the twentieth century—why did Communism collapse so suddenly? These essays suggest that a wide range of forces—political, economic, strategic, religious, add the indispensable role of the principled statesman and the brave dissident—brought about the collapse of communism.
  why communism doesn t work: The Essential Marx Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky, 2006-07-21 Shortly before he was assassinated in 1940, Leon Trotsky — one of Marx's most devoted converts and a key figure in the Russian Revolution — made this selection from Capital, to which he appended his own lengthy and insightful introduction. Compact and fascinating, this invaluable work not only presents Marx's thoughts in his own words but also places them in the swirling context of the 20th century. A critical analysis of ideas that have influenced millions of lives for well over a century, this book will be an important addition to the libraries of students and instructors of economics, history, government, and Communist thought.
  why communism doesn t work: Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung Mao Tse-Tung, Mao Zedong, 2013-04-16 Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung' is a volume of selected statements taken from the speeches and writings by Mao Mao Tse-Tung, published from 1964 to 1976. It was often printed in small editions that could be easily carried and that were bound in bright red covers, which led to its western moniker of the 'Little Red Book'. It is one of the most printed books in history, and will be of considerable value to those with an interest in Mao Tse-Tung and in the history of the Communist Party of China. The chapters of this book include: 'The Communist Party', 'Classes and Class Struggle', 'Socialism and Communism', 'The Correct Handling of Contradictions Among The People', 'War and Peace', 'Imperialism and All Reactionaries ad Paper Tigers', 'Dare to Struggle and Dare to Win', et cetera. We are republishing this antiquarian volume now complete with a new prefatory biography of Mao Tse-Tung.
  why communism doesn t work: Arguing about Justice Yannick Vanderborght, 2011-10-27 Fifty of today's finest thinkers were asked to let their imaginations run free to advance new ideas on a wide range of social and political issues. They did so as friends, on the occasion of Philippe Van Parijs's sixtieth birthday.
  why communism doesn t work: Communism's Shadow Grigore Pop-Eleches, Joshua A. Tucker, 2017-05-09 It has long been assumed that the historical legacy of Soviet Communism would have an important effect on post-communist states. However, prior research has focused primarily on the institutional legacy of communism. Communism's Shadow instead turns the focus to the individuals who inhabit post-communist countries, presenting a rigorous assessment of the legacy of communism on political attitudes. Post-communist citizens hold political, economic, and social opinions that consistently differ from individuals in other countries. Grigore Pop-Eleches and Joshua Tucker introduce two distinct frameworks to explain these differences, the first of which focuses on the effects of living in a post-communist country, and the second on living through communism. Drawing on large-scale research encompassing post-communist states and other countries around the globe, the authors demonstrate that living through communism has a clear, consistent influence on why citizens in post-communist countries are, on average, less supportive of democracy and markets and more supportive of state-provided social welfare. The longer citizens have lived through communism, especially as adults, the greater their support for beliefs associated with communist ideology—the one exception being opinions regarding gender equality. A thorough and nuanced examination of communist legacies' lasting influence on public opinion, Communism's Shadow highlights the ways in which political beliefs can outlast institutional regimes.
  why communism doesn t work: The Romance of American Communism Vivian Gornick, 2020-04-07 “Before I knew that I was Jewish or a girl I knew that I was a member of the working class.” So begins Vivian Gornick’s exploration of how the world of socialists, communists, and progressives in the 1940s and 1950s created a rich, diverse world where ordinary men and women felt their lives connected to a larger human project. Now back in print after its initial publication in 1977 and with a new introduction by the author, The Romance of American Communism is a landmark work of new journalism, profiling American Communist Party members and fellow travelers as they joined the Party, lived within its orbit, and left in disillusionment and disappointment as Stalin’s crimes became public. From the immigrant Jewish enclaves of the Bronx and Brooklyn and the docks of Puget Sound to the mining towns of Kentucky and the suburbs of Cleveland, over a million Americans found a sense of belonging and an expanded sense of self through collective struggle. They also found social isolation, blacklisting, imprisonment, and shattered hopes. This is their story--an indisputably American story.
  why communism doesn t work: Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism Kristen R. Ghodsee, 2018-11-20 A spirited, deeply researched exploration of why capitalism is bad for women and how, when done right, socialism leads to economic independence, better labor conditions, better work-life balance and, yes, even better sex. In a witty, irreverent op-ed piece that went viral, Kristen Ghodsee argued that women had better sex under socialism. The response was tremendous — clearly she articulated something many women had sensed for years: the problem is with capitalism, not with us. Ghodsee, an acclaimed ethnographer and professor of Russian and East European Studies, spent years researching what happened to women in countries that transitioned from state socialism to capitalism. She argues here that unregulated capitalism disproportionately harms women, and that we should learn from the past. By rejecting the bad and salvaging the good, we can adapt some socialist ideas to the 21st century and improve our lives. She tackles all aspects of a woman's life - work, parenting, sex and relationships, citizenship, and leadership. In a chapter called Women: Like Men, But Cheaper, she talks about women in the workplace, discussing everything from the wage gap to harassment and discrimination. In What To Expect When You're Expecting Exploitation, she addresses motherhood and how having it all is impossible under capitalism. Women are standing up for themselves like never before, from the increase in the number of women running for office to the women's march to the long-overdue public outcry against sexual harassment. Interest in socialism is also on the rise -- whether it's the popularity of Bernie Sanders or the skyrocketing membership numbers of the Democratic Socialists of America. It's become increasingly clear to women that capitalism isn't working for us, and Ghodsee is the informed, lively guide who can show us the way forward.
  why communism doesn t work: We Are Cuba! Helen Yaffe, 2020-04-06 The extraordinary account of the Cuban people’s struggle for survival in a post-Soviet world In the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba faced the start of a crisis that decimated its economy. Helen Yaffe examines the astonishing developments that took place during and beyond this period. Drawing on archival research and interviews with Cuban leaders, thinkers, and activists, this book tells for the first time the remarkable story of how Cuba survived while the rest of the Soviet bloc crumbled. Yaffe shows how Cuba has been gradually introducing select market reforms. While the government claims that these are necessary to sustain its socialist system, many others believe they herald a return to capitalism. Examining key domestic initiatives including the creation of one of the world’s leading biotechnological industries, its energy revolution, and medical internationalism alongside recent economic reforms, Yaffe shows why the revolution will continue post-Castro. This is a fresh, compelling account of Cuba’s socialist revolution and the challenges it faces today.
  why communism doesn t work: The Passing of an Illusion François Furet, 1999-06-01 François Furet was acknowledged as the twentieth century's preeminent historian of the French Revolution. But years before his death, he turned his attention to the consequences and aftermath of another critical revolution—the Communist revolution. The result, Le passé d'une illusion, is a penetrating history of the ideological passions that have fueled and characterized the modern era. This may well be the most illuminating study ever devoted to the question of appeal exerted not only by Communism but also by the Nazi and other fascist varieties of totalitarianism in this century.—Hilton Kramer, New Criterion A subtle, nuanced but gripping study of the most pervasive and destructive illusion in the 20th century. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review The Passing of an Illusion . . . is both a profound work of intellectual history that takes its place alongside other great studies of the leftist heresy . . . and a relentless diagnosis of the self-subversive risks that are inherent in democratic regimes. —Roger Kaplan, Washington Times A remarkable book. . . . Stimulating and challenging. . . . A man widely read in several languages, Furet clearly knew his way around 20th-century Europe, even unto the dark alleys that figure on no existing map. —Mark Falcoff, Commentary A history of ideas, this work is not for the faint of heart, yet those who challenge it will discover a signal contribution to the literature of Communism.—Booklist Imperious and stunningly confident, grand in conception and expansive in manner, packed with fascinating detail and often incisive judgements.—John Dunn, Times Higher Education Supplement The Passing of an Illusion is brilliant, and one would be hard pressed to find better writing of history than the first chapter, which traces the roots of modern political thinking back to the nineteenth century.—J. Arch Getty, Atlantic Monthly A brilliant and important book. . . . The publication of the American edition makes accessible to the general reader the most thought-provoking historical assessment of communism in Europe to appear since its collapse.—Jeffrey Herf, Wall Street Journal François Furet (1927-1997), educator and author, was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and was elected, in 1997, to become one of the Forty Immortals of the Académie Française, the highest intellectual honor in France. His many books include Interpreting the French Revolution, Marx and the French Revolution, and Revolutionary France. Deborah Furet, his widow, collaborated with him on many projects.
  why communism doesn t work: The Age of Empathy Frans de Waal, 2009-09-22 In this thought-provoking book, the acclaimed author of Our Inner Ape examines how empathy comes naturally to a great variety of animals, including humans. Are we our brothers' keepers? Do we have an instinct for compassion? Or are we, as is often assumed, only on earth to serve our own survival and interests? By studying social behaviors in animals, such as bonding, the herd instinct, the forming of trusting alliances, expressions of consolation, and conflict resolution, Frans de Waal demonstrates that animals–and humans–are preprogrammed to reach out. He has found that chimpanzees care for mates that are wounded by leopards, elephants offer reassuring rumbles to youngsters in distress, and dolphins support sick companions near the water's surface to prevent them from drowning. From day one humans have innate sensitivities to faces, bodies, and voices; we've been designed to feel for one another. De Waal's theory runs counter to the assumption that humans are inherently selfish, which can be seen in the fields of politics, law, and finance. But he cites the public's outrage at the U.S. government's lack of empathy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as a significant shift in perspective–one that helped Barack Obama become elected and ushered in what perhaps could become an Age of Empathy. Through a better understanding of empathy's survival value in evolution, de Waal suggests, we can work together toward a more just society based on a more generous and accurate view of human nature. Written in layman's prose with a wealth of anecdotes, wry humor, and incisive intelligence, The Age of Empathy is essential reading for our embattled times. An important and timely message about the biological roots of human kindness.—Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape
  why communism doesn t work: Class Theory and History Stephen A. Resnick, Richard D. Wolff, 2013-12-16 First Published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
  why communism doesn t work: The Age of Eisenhower William I Hitchcock, 2018-03-20 A New York Times bestseller, this is the “outstanding” (The Atlantic), insightful, and authoritative account of Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency. Drawing on newly declassified documents and thousands of pages of unpublished material, The Age of Eisenhower tells the story of a masterful president guiding the nation through the great crises of the 1950s, from McCarthyism and the Korean War through civil rights turmoil and Cold War conflicts. This is a portrait of a skilled leader who, despite his conservative inclinations, found a middle path through the bitter partisanship of his era. At home, Eisenhower affirmed the central elements of the New Deal, such as Social Security; fought the demagoguery of Senator Joseph McCarthy; and advanced the agenda of civil rights for African-Americans. Abroad, he ended the Korean War and avoided a new quagmire in Vietnam. Yet he also charted a significant expansion of America’s missile technology and deployed a vast array of covert operations around the world to confront the challenge of communism. As he left office, he cautioned Americans to remain alert to the dangers of a powerful military-industrial complex that could threaten their liberties. Today, presidential historians rank Eisenhower fifth on the list of great presidents, and William Hitchcock’s “rich narrative” (The Wall Street Journal) shows us why Ike’s stock has risen so high. He was a gifted leader, a decent man of humble origins who used his powers to advance the welfare of all Americans. Now more than ever, with this “complete and persuasive assessment” (Booklist, starred review), Americans have much to learn from Dwight Eisenhower.
  why communism doesn t work: American by Choice Alfredo Fuentes, Donald MacLaren, Helen Morrissey Rizzuto, 2004 It is a story of America. This modern-day odyssey is a tribute to family, friends, mentors, guides, and to brother fire-fighters here and throughout the international community. It takes us to the island of Culebra in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, to Oklahoma City, and to the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11th, 2001.
  why communism doesn t work: The Rise and Fall of Communism Archie Brown, 2010-08-17 Winner of the 2010 W.J.M. Mackenzie Prize for Best Political Science Book of the Year 2010 The relentless rise of Communism was the most momentous political development of the first half of the twentieth century. No political change has been more fundamental than its demise in Europe and its decline elsewhere. In this hugely acclaimed book Archie Brown provides an indispensable history that examines the origins of the ideology, its development in different countries, its collapse in many states following the Soviet perestroika, and its current incarnations around the globe. The Rise and Fall of Communism explains how and why Communists came to power; how they were able, in a variety of countries on different continents to hold on to power for so long; and what brought about the downfall of so many Communist systems. A groundbreaking work from an internationally renowned specialist, this is the definitive study of the most remarkable political and human story of our times.