What is a Communist?!

[Sonic74205]

Could someone please explain to me what a communist is. I have been asking almost everyone i know for the last few weeks and everyone gives me a different answer. So if you guys dont mind telling me the true answer it would be mutch appreciated

 

[arc]

boris

 

[custard]

why ask when you can find the answer on google instantly?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist

 

[Chas Uno]

Ask Joe Stalin and Fidel Castro

Basically, communism believes that all men are equal, everyone should be treated the same, have the same standards of living, same wages, no enterprise, everything belongs to/ is controlled by the state etc. etc.

However, in most cases it didn't work, and the leaders were greedy dictators who lived the high life while the everyone else suffered. I think now there are only three communist countries in the world - China, Cuba and North Korea. China has kind of gone half and half by opening up trade with the rest of the world (though it still has a terrible human rights record), Cuba will most likely ditch communism once Castro goes/ dies, and North Korea is the big thorn in the side for the rest of the world.

Why do you want to know?

 

[Sonic74205]

Thanks thats a great help

I wanted to know because i have recently started playing "Destroy all Humans" again on my Xbox (because i have no life) and you always here people shouting at you calling you a commi and they are just allways going on about communists in that game and it just made me curious

 

[custard]

the era its set is around the cuban missile crisis period when america was pooping itself from the commi's.hence the referenecs.

 

[JTD Monkey]

However, in most cases it didn't work, and the leaders were greedy dictators who lived the high life while the everyone else suffered.

And hence this is not Communism, regardless of the fact this name is generally tacked to the movement in order to get the people mobilised. It's interesting to note most 'Communist' dictators are from wealthy, privileged backgrounds and either had a sadistic streak (Mao) or were sick of American Imperialism destroying their countries (Castro).

I think now there are only three communist countries in the world - China, Cuba and North Korea.

There are a few more, most notably Vietnam. Vietnam is an example of the success of Communism when based around a largely peasent economy - despite this assumption of the country being full of peasent farmers, the Vietnamese have an ability to fight for their beleifs; just ask the Americans

Cuba is also a reasonable success, but since it's partners in the old USSR rejected Communism it has struggled for trade to export it's sugar cane. However, Cuba has a good income base around toursim, which has been well managed by the state and is one of the reasons Cuba has the best Healthcare in the world, and it's free to all Cubans

There is an assumption that once Fidel Castro goes, Cuba will become 'democratic', however, throughout the revolution it's clear to note that his brother (Raul) was far more of a Communist idealist (Fidel was more Socialist), with Raul and Ernesto 'Che' Guevara lobbying Fidel to make the revolution a Communist one. Raul is next in line for the power-seat. Whatever, the impression, Cuban Communism success is attributable to the leadership not having a decodent lifestyle; the same goes for Vietnam.

I have 'Che' Guevarais Biography (A Revolutionary Life) and it is most fascinating, but to put some concept to the reality for many Cubans it is also worth reading a book called 'Waiting For Snow in Havana' (the author's name I can't remember) which gives the viewpoint of the Communist revolution from a child in a wealthy family. I am currently reading the Biogrophy of 'Mao', which is truly fascinating.

 

[CinquePunto]

Basically, communism believes that all men are equal, everyone should be treated the same, have the same standards of living, same wages, no enterprise, everything belongs to/ is controlled by the state etc. etc.

I thought that was Marxism, am I completely barking up the wrong dog?