Post by dodger on Jan 12, 2014 16:43:10 GMT
imarxman.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/the-exaggerated-death-of-socialism/
The Exaggerated Death of Socialism
Posted on January 12, 2014 by imarxman
Since the demise of the Soviet Union it has suited capitalism to promote the notion this was due to the inherent economic inefficiency of socialism and the people of the old USSR are glad to be rid of it. However, this turns out to be wishful propaganda.
17th March 1991, nine months before it was dissolved, a referendum was held on preserving the Soviet Union. Over 75% voted in favour of maintaining it.
From its foundation right up to it being dismantled, Soviet socialism didn’t succumb once to recession. Indeed, the Soviet economy grew throughout this period, with the exception of 1941 to 1945 in conditions of total war with Nazi Germany.
Not only did the Soviet economy grow, even while capitalism was languishing during the depression of the 1930s, it did so at a faster rate than capitalist economies on a an equal economic development level.
Although there were times the Soviet economy grew faster than that of the USA, it did not catch up or surpass the economies of the advanced capitalist core. It had, of course, started from a long way behind those economies and could not harness the profits of imperialism as the West did.
Also, the constant threat of actual or latent aggression from the capitalist world required the Soviet Union to divert human and material resources from civilian use to the military. The arms race throughout the Cold War hobbled the development of the Soviet economy and was a major factor in preventing it overtaking the capitalist economies.
Having experienced the restoration of capitalism a recent poll revealed 58% wanted a return to state planning and distribution, with less than half, 28%, favouring private enterprise, with 14% undecided.*
A recent Gallup Poll** in 11 former Soviet republics, including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, showed two thirds considered the break up of the Soviet Union was harmful to their interests. This was a particularly strong trend amongst the over 45s, the ones with direct experience of living in the Soviet Union.
If feelings run so strongly, why isn’t the Soviet Union simply voted back into existence? Unfortunately, capitalism is a complete social order, not just an economic system. Socialists/Communists can be voted into office, but basic property relations and the laws supporting them, the financial system, the media and state institutions remain capitalist structures.
Also, capitalism focuses on the individual, atomizing society and promoting immediate self interest, making collective action difficult to organise and invigorate. Present concerns come to dominate popular thinking.
There were, undoubtedly, massive problems within the Soviet Union, otherwise it would not have dissolved. Some were of its own making, many were externally imposed. But, there was no failure of socialism, just the first, popular attempt at constructing it. Lessons to be learned for the next time.
*”Russia Now.” The Washington Post, 25th March, 2009.
**Gallup, 19th December, 20
Source: “Seven Myths about the USSR” by Stephen Gowans. 21st Century Manifesto blog.
The Exaggerated Death of Socialism
Posted on January 12, 2014 by imarxman
Since the demise of the Soviet Union it has suited capitalism to promote the notion this was due to the inherent economic inefficiency of socialism and the people of the old USSR are glad to be rid of it. However, this turns out to be wishful propaganda.
17th March 1991, nine months before it was dissolved, a referendum was held on preserving the Soviet Union. Over 75% voted in favour of maintaining it.
From its foundation right up to it being dismantled, Soviet socialism didn’t succumb once to recession. Indeed, the Soviet economy grew throughout this period, with the exception of 1941 to 1945 in conditions of total war with Nazi Germany.
Not only did the Soviet economy grow, even while capitalism was languishing during the depression of the 1930s, it did so at a faster rate than capitalist economies on a an equal economic development level.
Although there were times the Soviet economy grew faster than that of the USA, it did not catch up or surpass the economies of the advanced capitalist core. It had, of course, started from a long way behind those economies and could not harness the profits of imperialism as the West did.
Also, the constant threat of actual or latent aggression from the capitalist world required the Soviet Union to divert human and material resources from civilian use to the military. The arms race throughout the Cold War hobbled the development of the Soviet economy and was a major factor in preventing it overtaking the capitalist economies.
Having experienced the restoration of capitalism a recent poll revealed 58% wanted a return to state planning and distribution, with less than half, 28%, favouring private enterprise, with 14% undecided.*
A recent Gallup Poll** in 11 former Soviet republics, including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, showed two thirds considered the break up of the Soviet Union was harmful to their interests. This was a particularly strong trend amongst the over 45s, the ones with direct experience of living in the Soviet Union.
If feelings run so strongly, why isn’t the Soviet Union simply voted back into existence? Unfortunately, capitalism is a complete social order, not just an economic system. Socialists/Communists can be voted into office, but basic property relations and the laws supporting them, the financial system, the media and state institutions remain capitalist structures.
Also, capitalism focuses on the individual, atomizing society and promoting immediate self interest, making collective action difficult to organise and invigorate. Present concerns come to dominate popular thinking.
There were, undoubtedly, massive problems within the Soviet Union, otherwise it would not have dissolved. Some were of its own making, many were externally imposed. But, there was no failure of socialism, just the first, popular attempt at constructing it. Lessons to be learned for the next time.
*”Russia Now.” The Washington Post, 25th March, 2009.
**Gallup, 19th December, 20
Source: “Seven Myths about the USSR” by Stephen Gowans. 21st Century Manifesto blog.