USSR

For quite a long time I've been wonderin why communism failed. I won't go in2 too many details & give u a big preamble abt Marxism. Lets just say that the gyst of Communism is in the answer 2 a simple question: Who controls the means of production? It may b production of anything including human resource. In layman's terms communism tells us that the state (nation / society) shud have the control. Under communist regime, a nation aims to utilise the resources available to it in the best possible manner.

B4 I go in2 my own reasons 4 the failure of such systems, let me tell u somethin i learnt in physics. The subject was thermodynamics. It deals with the principles of heat exchange. To generalise & simplify cases of heat exchange the fundamental laws of thermodynamics r formulated for certain gases called Ideal Gases. There r 2 ways 2 treat these gas systems.

1. The macroscopic way deals with the entire gas as a single body with certain characteristics.

2. The microscopic way deals with each atom/molecule of the gas separately. Microscopic way is practically better applicable coz no gas made up of discrete particles can behave as a single body.

I guess u must hv got a fair idea of wht i'm goin 2 say next.

U r rite.

I think communism puts the society ahead of the individual. This is where I think it goes wrong. No society can ever make progress by suppressin its component parts. The macroscopic view of the human society can b used 2 determine general trends or patterns. But if we try 2 box up a whole nation of living vibrant citizens in2 a single society then we r bound 2 fail. Simple example? Here it is: What motivation does a worker on a state owned farm have 2 do his best job? Ultimately, it is the state thats responsible 4 its belongings, not the citizens.

Yes yes I do know all abt patriotism & selflessness. But really, those virtues need events of majestic scales 2 bring out the best in ppl. IF world war III ensues, I may b forced 2 join the army. I may even want 2 die 4 the nation. But I won't keep my city clean with patriotic thoughts. 2 keep my city clean I need the motivation of keepin myself desease free.

Secondly, communism kills competition. Competition is the ONLY drivin factor in nature (& we r ONLY a part of nature) that breeds quality. The vast oil reserves of siberia that still lie unexplored r evidence enuf.

Thirdly, communism builds up a beaurocratic system that becomes impossible 2 penetrate. Again, the State is responsible, not the ppl who run it.

The biggest draw back of communism is the lack of freedom. The Have Nots remain Have Nots but even worse they lose the rite 2 complain. A society thats not free 2 smile is a society thats doomed 2 collapse