I apologize if I use terminology or phrases that are offensive or sounding hateful. I am here seeking your help for greater understanding and clarity. I am not consciously trying to be hateful if that comes off that way.
For the sake of this discussion, I hope you don't mind if I use the following quoted definition of communism; there are variations I see online, but below is my interpretation.
Communism, also known as a command system, is an economic system where the government owns most of the factors of production and decides the allocation of resources and what products and services will be provided.
The most important originators of communist doctrine were Karl Marx and Frederick Engels. Like the socialists before them, they wanted to end the exploitation of the masses by the few.
Aspects of seizing private property may be worth including in the definition, although I suppose I don't believe that is an aspect that defines communism outright, particularly if part of the inner strategy is to allow a natural distribution of property once economic equity is had or by re-claiming of property/assets in final passing. We have heard of the "death tax" from the left for example, which could be such a strategy to reclaim property without revolt if implemented.
Regardless,
In socialist practice, once productive property is seized from the creators, the union gangs or government will run the businesses “on behalf of the community as a whole.” After socialism is instituted, any new businesses that individuals have built will (or “should”) be taken over by the government or gangs, as soon as the entrepreneur attempts to hire any wage workers.
In the case of 100% taxation, there are no wages in outcome, so no entrepreneur could hire a wage worker regardless. In terms of property rights, if we consider China's 70-year 'lease' on land or whatever, that wouldn't be all too much different than a 100% death tax, no?
As well, I didn't quite clarify if the economic system in this scenario was planned or unplanned, but currently I'd argue the government controls partial aspects of both means, services, and production. If the government is elected by the people, then arguable these systems are controlled by the people as well.
If we consider money as a resource, governments often fund certain industries in an attempt to control products and services, no?
For example, Canada dumps billions into the tech industry here, which creates jobs in the tech industry and technology services. Many startups are given investment by the government, but only on approval basis and under certain conditions. One condition might be that the company would need to hire a female executive to obtain the investment. Without the government's investment, many startups fail to launch in Canada, as Canadians generally have very conservative investors.
Oil is controlled by the government here, by means of granting pipeline and drilling rights. It is also regulated in forms of carbon emissions, and conversely, the government will violate and seize native Canadian's lands to create new means of productions.
Canadian media networks, from Radio to TV, are forced to create a quota of Canadian-focused content. About 30% I believe.
In the USA, certain crops are subsided I believe, which controls the means of production.
I do not believe that the a Communist government needs to control all the means of production and services: just the ones it wishes to. I'm not sure how a system of 100% taxation could avoid even further government regulation of what is produced, what services are enforced, etc.
I am utterly exhausted in thought currently: I am sure my logic is flawed to know end. I am expecting my above arguments to be ripped to shreds.
If only we had that. — René Descartes
I'm sure you are serious, although I find myself a bit shocked to hear that. ** 100% taxation.** I really struggle to contemplate that working effectively, if at all. What am I missing?
He is not a Communist. I doubt you even have an understanding of what Communism is. — René Descartes
My argument was not that he is a communist, although I made the mistake of not clarifying that I believe his political beliefs are evidence of society approaching more communist values. It is quite possible I am just overly suspicious of some progressive policies, falling for far too much red-baiting online, or maybe I am just ranting nothing more than fears. I also often confuse social democrat with socialist, which in part relates to my main OP question.
Huge popularity of right wing populist parties at the moment all over the western world. — René Descartes
I can't disagree, as Trump and Brexit and some anti-migrant attitudes have surprised me in the last couple years. I suppose those groups are the "alt-right" that is so hated these days, while the left is perhaps growing more leftist. If this is true, I'd expect a growing political divide between political views and ideologies, which I've interpreted as an increase in socialist attitudes.
It seems that we share a different metric for where the center is in the spectrum of politics. I don't have an answer to this, and apologize if I upset you.
I do not feel perplexed that people are looking to Fascism to solve all their problems. — René Descartes
Fascists believe that liberal democracy is obsolete and they regard the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties
- some definition I found online to quote.
I don't quite know why the term Fascism gets used frequently these days. I suppose for the same reason I spout anti-communism I suppose.
I most definitely don't agree with Fascism though: I am a strong believer in democracy and am open to civil dialogue. I am a strong supporter of immigration, although I believe a merit based system that also provides for a balanced Canadian *mosaic* keeps the system stable. I am an advocate of the family too though, yet I find myself in constant internal conflict on how best to support the family.
Do people here denounce Communism?