Does Socialism turn into Communism?

[Greg]

Is socialism a stepping stool for communism? The way the US government is being run, the US is becoming more and more like a Socialist Nation, In turn will socialism lead to communism?

 

[lbj is king]

I don't believe so. I don't think the government gaining more control is a good thing, but I do not think it will lead to communism. While I think it is moving away from capitalism, it is not moving to communism. It ultimately will require a reform in which a mix while be created.

 

[Ilovecheating]

With any amount of time actually studying Political Science you will realize your poll is flawed as you leave out some very important options. Too long to really be bothered getting into though.

 

[BrewMasterJeb]

Finn is right. Anyhow, I'm of the Pendulum political stance. If you look at history, a given society generally only goes so far in one direction before moving back in the other. The theory then goes that two opposing forces find equilibrium, becoming a force in and of itself. Then it begins again with another opposing force, etc, etc. In doing this society moves forward and is a self correcting system. If someone knows the name of this fairly well known idea, please post it...I can't remember what it's called.

We've yet to see what happens at the end of this if there is an end. Some say a utopia is achieved, others that society falls to pieces. So far, despite all that seems to be wrong...you can't argue that we havn't moved forward, atleast in a narrow view.

So, umm yea. I think i got a little off topic.

 

Read The Road to Serfdom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Road_to_Serfdom

And: Middle of the road leads to Socialism:
http://mises.org/midroad.asp

There's a clear progression from minimal govt intervention in the market to maximal intervention. Whatever you call the maximal, be it: fascism, state capitalism, or communism, it always involves the creation of state monopolies in every industry (health, education, roads, housing, water, banking, insurance, retail, mining, etc) and the structuring of society such that the individual must apply to the state before he may make even the simplest decision about his life: where to live, what he may do as his occupation, whether or not he may cut the tree down in front of his house.

This has been both empirically and mathematically demonstrated in the past 300 years. The only two answers are revolution (short term solution, e.g American revolution) and anarchy (long term solution: eliminate the predatory state and replace it with proper government, i.e rule by law.)

 

[Ilovecheating]

Then why post...?

Maybe so he actually does some reading to fix the poll and perhaps learns something?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Communist_Manifesto#10_point_program_of_Communism

10 point program of Communism

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.
2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
3. Abolition of all right of inheritance.
4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Centralisation of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.
6. Centralisation of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.
7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State; the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.
8. Equal liability of all to labour. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equitable distribution of the population over the country.
10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.[8]