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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by BartsBigBugBag@lemmy.tf to c/196@lemmy.blahaj.zone

The Democracy of the founding fathers was Greek Democracy, predicated upon a slave society, and restricted to only the elite. This is the society we live in today, even with our reforms towards direct representation. The system is inherently biased towards the election of elites and against the representation of the masses. Hamilton called it “faction” when the working class got together and demanded better conditions, and mechanisms were built in (which still exist to this day) that serve to ensure the continued dominance of the elite over the masses. The suffering of the many is intentional. The opulence of the wealthy is also. This is the intended outcome.

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[-] Rinox@feddit.it 2 points 1 year ago

If we look at the material conditions of people living in what became communist countries before and after revolution, every single one has been a success.

They were all just coming out from some of the most brutal wars ever tbf. In that sense any government in 1920s was a great success compared to the 1910s in terms of, you now, not killing millions or starving. Same for the 1950s compared to the 1940s. Any peace is better than war. None of those countries were independent, strong capitalist societies before the revolution. Russia was a feudal absolutist monarchy based on serfdom, China was an empire in ruin after numerous wars (against colonial powers) and Korea was pretty much just colony, of the empire of China before, then of the empire of Japan.

the soviet archives are exceptional

Yeah, sorry, don't know where to find them, or the article saying what you are claiming. Do you have a link? Btw, as for "western powers" in the 1930s, what do you mean? The US? Britain? France? Nazi Germany? Italy? Because at the time there was no NATO, the US wasn't really into projecting power outside of the Americas, and the alliances between Britain, France, Germany and Italy were really fluid and changed several times over the decade (at some point Mussolini was friendlier with Britain than Hitler, while Hitler was friendlier with Stalin than anyone else).

As for everything else, I definitely agree on the fact that the US system is fucked and should be reformed. I'm just not convinced that the system in communist countries is any better. Are you really certain that a communist system like that of China or the USSR or the DPRK would be any better? Do you think that moving to, say, China, would really improve your standing in society?

BTW, economically speaking, I regard China as a capitalist country with a dictator. There's really nothing inherently communist in their economy. They have billionaires and they don't execute all of them, only those who say or do things that cause the government to lose face, or that criticize the government in any way. There are companies, stock markets, bosses and employees, rich and poor.

As for Korea, we can't really know their condition, as they don't let anyone just enter and go where they please. They don't even let their people go outside of the country, not even to allies like China. This is what I call authoritarianism. You don't get to complain and you can't even leave, it's essentially a huge prison, isn't it?

In the end I don't see any reason to think communism is any better than crony capitalism. They are both radical ideologies that will fuck over the population in order to enrich the leaders. A middle ground would be best in my opinion. Capitalism with strong social policies and a democratic government with a plurality of ideas.

PS: if you are American, try moving somewhere else in the world if you are so displeased with your current condition. You can do it (which is something many people can't say) and you'll probably feel better, or at least expand your mind. Sorry to break it to you, but communism will NEVER, and I mean NEVER, happen in the USA. Keep hoping or whatever, but live your life first and foremost.

this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2023
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