Monday 19th January

I used to be a great believer in Communism; after all it makes perfect sense – from each according to their ability, to each according to their need.  What could be fairer than that, and indeed in some primitive small groups that same philosophy pertains, even if there is still some sort of hierarchy involved.   Mind you the difference between what the Chieftain has and everyone else is pretty small, it is more a case of deference than possessions.

Communism was first tried out in Modern Times with the French Revolution, which only lasted a short time before it descended into chaos and corruption.  In Russia in 1917 the Bolsheviks managed to overthrow the interim Government (which was purportedly Social Democratic) and took over.  And this was certainly backed by a large section of the workers in the cities, but the million of peasants in the country didn’t even know it was happening.  They tried to install Communism, but soon discovered that Communism in one country is almost impossible.  Here too a clicque of leaders was soon established and those in the party were looked after above others.  They tried to establish a command economy but soon ran into resistance from the large peasant population.  Force had to be used (millions were killed) and though the economy sort of worked it was with reluctance and despite many committed “Communists” there was a huge groundswell of resistance.  Communism in Russia failed because it had to be imposed from above.  (Mind you the Second World War may well have been lost without the enforced sacrifice of so many Russians)

In China, after a long Civil War, Mao succeeded in instilling Communist rule.  Again this was largely imposed from above, but with a very strong army and indoctrination it managed to work.  It is now Communist only in name; state sponsored Capitalism is running the economy as an ever growing monster which as long as it keeps growing is supported.  All political criticism is stamped upon; politics is now confined to the upper echelons of the party only.

In Cuba, for a while too Communism has worked, but each new generation is gradually seduced by the lure of America.  One feels it is only a matter of time before it too disappears.

If, and of course it is a long if, a communist society of sharing and working for a common goal was ever desired by a large majority of the world it might work.  But we are maybe centuries away from that ideal.