You know how there is a communist party during the elections...

I know they will never win but in theory, if they did, what would even happen? We will just randomly convert to Communism once they get into office and once their term is up we would just magically go back to Capitalism? How would this function?

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Burnley123 · 41-45, M

Communists will stand in elections to build a political platform and generate support, though winning elections is not their ultimate aim.

Their ultimate aim is changing the entire Government and economy into a socialist system. For them, winning an election is not enough because corporate interests would block any democratic road to socialism, as would the Deep State and the army. In their analysis, winning an election is not enough. Hence, they are ultimately in favour of revolution.

I'm a democratic socialist and I agree with some aspects of the communist analysis. On other aspects, I am really conflicted.

MorbidCynic · F

@Burnley123 I said Communist not Socialist. Big difference.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@MorbidCynic I thought my post was specific on that and yes there are differences. I know several communists IRL and I'm very familiar with the nuances here.

However, most of the differences between a 'true' democratic socialist and a communist are about political strategy. They (we) share a Marxian analysis of capitalism and of the way power operates. Democratic socialists seek to reform institutions gradually using existing structures. Communists reject that as naive and think revolution is the only way.

I consider Bernie Sanders to be a Social Democrat and not a 'true' socialist because he just wants a more socialistic type of capitalism. I respect the guy a lot actually but he does miscategorise himself:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy

CountScrofula · 41-45, M

@Burnley123 Right. Reformist Vs revolutionary thought. Is our best bet the best possible capitalism, or an entirely different system with an admittedly bad historical record.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@CountScrofula Two very good questions and difficult to answer.

Its why I and the rest of the Labour left to support a social democratic program within the Labour Party and Britain. In a sense, it's a win-win because social democracy is demonstrably a better and kinder version of capitalism and because its the best actually existing system that has ever worked. Also, supporting these issues can take people with you and build a movement for an egalitarian agenda.

I do think that capitalism is set for more crisis and when that happens, the left needs to be ready with one strategy or another. I do agree that we may someday be faced with the socialism or barbarism choice. Can Keynesianism work long-term in the 21st century if it is based on growth and industrialisation which no longer exist on the West? Can capitalism adapt to sustain the environment? Can you have a society run near fully-automated - which still has property rights and a free market - yet is not an authoritarian dystopia? It's my answers to these questions which have moved me further to the left in recent years.