Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is communism?
What is communism?
The idea that all people are equal and share everything.
Who is the father of communism and what did he do?
Who is the father of communism and what did he do?
Karl Marx - he studied the lives of the working class during the Industrial Revolution.
What is the Communist Manifesto?
What is the Communist Manifesto?
A short book that spreads the idea of communism to the average person.
Who wrote the Communist Manifesto?
Who wrote the Communist Manifesto?
How is communism different from capitalism?
How is communism different from capitalism?
What are the social classes in communism?
What are the social classes in communism?
What is the Bourgeois?
What is the Bourgeois?
What is the Proletariat?
What is the Proletariat?
What is a command economy?
What is a command economy?
Why did the working class feel that communism would have been a better option than capitalism?
Why did the working class feel that communism would have been a better option than capitalism?
What countries and areas of the world began adopting communism in the early half of the 20th century?
What countries and areas of the world began adopting communism in the early half of the 20th century?
Which countries are more likely to have a communist nation and why?
Which countries are more likely to have a communist nation and why?
How is socialism different from communism?
How is socialism different from communism?
Which countries implement socialist ideas into their government?
Which countries implement socialist ideas into their government?
What are the three types of economies?
What are the three types of economies?
What is a free market economy?
What is a free market economy?
What is a mixed economy?
What is a mixed economy?
Who is Adam Smith and what did he advocate in The Wealth of Nations?
Who is Adam Smith and what did he advocate in The Wealth of Nations?
Who is Georg Hegel?
Who is Georg Hegel?
What did Marx believe about class struggles?
What did Marx believe about class struggles?
Who is Friedrich Engels?
Who is Friedrich Engels?
What is the Communist League and why did they persuade Marx and Engel to do?
What is the Communist League and why did they persuade Marx and Engel to do?
How does Marx view class struggle throughout history?
How does Marx view class struggle throughout history?
According to Karl Marx, what is 'surplus value'?
According to Karl Marx, what is 'surplus value'?
According to Marx, what happens in the 'socialist phase' of a communist revolution?
According to Marx, what happens in the 'socialist phase' of a communist revolution?
Where did Karl Marx predict the first proletarian revolution would take place?
Where did Karl Marx predict the first proletarian revolution would take place?
Why did Marx's prediction of a proletariat revolution never happen in an advanced industrialized country?
Why did Marx's prediction of a proletariat revolution never happen in an advanced industrialized country?
Why did Marx's views of communism change?
Why did Marx's views of communism change?
Study Notes
Definition of Communism
- Communism promotes equality and collective ownership among individuals.
Karl Marx
- Recognized as the father of communism.
- Analyzed the working class conditions during the Industrial Revolution.
The Communist Manifesto
- Written by Karl Marx.
- A foundational text outlining communist principles intended for the general populace.
Differences Between Communism and Capitalism
- Capitalism emphasizes individual achievement and personal growth.
- Communism relies on state control and collective welfare.
Social Structure in Communism
- Rejects the existence of social classes.
Key Social Classes
- Bourgeois: Refers to the upper middle class.
- Proletariat: Represents the working class.
Command Economy
- Government assigns economic direction and controls production.
Working Class Perspectives
- Seen as favoring working-class improvements and better work conditions compared to capitalism.
Adoption of Communism
- Early 20th century supporters included Russia, China, North Korea, and Cuba.
Communism in Developing Countries
- More likely to arise in developing nations due to lack of existing systems.
Socialism vs. Communism
- Socialism: Focused solely on economic aspects.
- Communism: Encompasses both economic and political systems.
Countries with Socialist Policies
- Examples include Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Canada.
Economic Systems
- Three main types: Free market, command, and mixed economies.
Economic Definitions
- Free Market Economy: Minimal to no government intervention.
- Mixed Economy: Government has some regulatory influence without total control.
Influential Economists and Philosophers
- Adam Smith: Advocated for capitalism in "The Wealth of Nations."
- Georg Hegel: Proposed that every idea encounters counter-ideas, leading to new ideas.
Marx's View on Class Struggles
- Considered class struggles as a necessary phenomenon leading to societal perfection.
Friedrich Engels
- German political writer from a textile mill-owning family.
Communist League
- A radical worker group in Brussels that encouraged Marx and Engels to write the Communist Manifesto.
Class Struggle in History
- Marx believed class struggles were constant, culminating in the overthrow of oppressors by the lower classes.
Surplus Value
- Defined by Marx as the difference when goods' prices exceed workers' wages.
Socialist Phase of Revolution
- Marx envisioned the new proletarian government abolishing private property to serve worker interests.
Predictions for Proletarian Revolution
- Marx speculated revolutions would first occur in Germany, England, or France.
Obstacles to Proletariat Revolution
- The improving quality of life for workers in advanced industrial societies hindered Marx's predictions.
Changes in Marx's Views
- Shifted perspective after witnessing the emergence of dictatorial regimes under communist governments, particularly in Russia.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of communism as outlined by Karl Marx, including its principles, differences with capitalism, and social structures. Understand key terms like bourgeois and proletariat, and the role of a command economy in this political ideology.
