5 Theses for The Failure of Forced Equality

I discussed the principle of The Failure of Forced Equality on my second and third blog posts. I have been discussing the failure of forced economic equality, which is exemplified in the tried and tired economic theories of socialism and communism. Many principles of socialism and communism are derived from the works of Karl Marx, who advocated for the public ownership of production as a way for the working class to rise. Unfortunately, the practice of Marx’s concepts in history in various socialist and communist regimes have failed and have produced untold suffering among the human race. Therefore, I aim to raise many above the dark labyrinths of failed feel-good Marxist policies to the safe and clear ideological highland of limited government intervention in economies.

Millennials and the American Dream

Source: Chris Kutarna

We are familiar with the concept that with hard work, persistence, and initiative, it is possible for any person to achieve success and prosperity.  This idea is known as the American Dream, and is well-known around the entire globe.  This is why we see so many people fleeing their homelands to immigrate to the United States.  Due to the crippling grasp of communism and dictatorship in countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, Columbia, etc., it can be near impossible to make a name for oneself and to find a successful and happy life.  

This successful and prosperous life doesn’t come without challenges and it doesn’t come without work. This was understood a century ago, but the question is, do we understand it today?  It seems as time goes on, we want to reap all of the benefits of the American Dream without putting in the required work.  Millennials, for example, are one particular group who want to live the life our parents are currently living.  We want the nice house, and the fancy car, not to mention the lavish vacations, and shopping sprees.  I’m sure sometimes our parents scratch their heads, wondering when we will understand that it wasn’t easy for them to get to that point, and surely it won’t be easy for us to get there.  

The point is, however, that the American Dream is still a real possibility.  And it’s a real possibility, for everyone.  That is the beauty of it.  The American Dream doesn’t discriminate by picking and choosing who gets to be successful, but rather it gives all the opportunity to live the life he or she wants. So, it may be time for some to have a wakeup call to realize that all of the glamour and shine won’t come without a price. 

A Communist Trial Run:

The Kulaks were a group of people in rural Russia who were able to accumulate land and become somewhat successful farmers after the Stolypin reform after the fall of the Czar. In 1918 the label Kulak was attached to anyone who wouldn't surrender their harvest to the state. Lenin saw this as rebellion and wanted the thought of private property and industry eradicated.

The massacre started with the hanging order. "You need to hang- hang without fail, and do it so that the public sees- at least 100 notorious kulaks, the rich, and the bloodsuckers. Publish their names. Take away all of their grain. Execute the hostages..." (Lenin) The killing didn't stop at 100. According to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who was imprisoned in one of the Gulags (concentration camp) upwards of 5-6 million people were killed. That is how many Jews were killed in the concentration camps.

Third degree interrogation. Drawings from the Gulag. Danzig Baldaev.

Between Lenin and Stalin, according to historians, the number of those murdered capped at around 20 million. That is about the same number of deaths as the number of soldiers and civilians who died in WWI.

The dictatorships in Russia began to fascinate me as soon as I heard about them. I never learned about it in great detail in my formal education later to find out that it was most likely because of western scholars who were sympathetic to the communist movement. In studying more about Lenin and Stalin I realized that those who supported the Marxist philosophies were more concerned about pulling down the rich than lifting up the poor.

I wouldn't consider myself wise enough to think that I know what's best for humanity, but it worries when people tell me that I am "a privileged white male" as if they know what I had to overcome to get where I am. I am extremely fortunate, and I don't deserve what I have. But does anyone? Who decides who deserves what? When people decided they knew what everyone deserved or "needed" tens of millions of people were killed. You can decide for yourself, but I will stick to the imperfect method of letting people decided for themselves what they need.

 


 

The Same Skin and Bones

Honestly, I usually duck my head when people start getting heated about politics. Maybe it's a millennial trait I've adopted, maybe it's my dislike of contention or maybe it's because there's almost always some form of a "Type A Jason" guy who appears out of nowhere who's soul purpose is to crush your opinion into smithereens as you breathe in between your sentences. Chill out Jason, you need better deodorant.

A version of Utopia from last century-Robert McCall 1983 Mural, The Prologue and the Promise

So here I am, venturing into this semi-political territory, sans Jason, with a simple question: How can the idea of a Utopian Society cause such different and intense reactions? Stay with me here, there are three different societies I have in mind that have hoped to be structured in a Utopian manner. Communism (is everyone still breathing?) The Latter-day Saint idea of Zion in the millennium and Sir Thomas More's Utopia. Though there are significant differences between the three (euthanasia, marriage and divorce and other social practices in More's Utopia, perfection and justice with Christ reigning in the Latter-day Saint millennium and obvious problems, inequalities and loss of freedoms in communism) they all share the same basic skin and bones idea of societal equality. 

So what is it? Why are some of these talked about in total disgust and some looked forward to? The desire for equality seems benevolent enough, but upon execution history proves it to be impossible. It's been suggested that Karl Marx's vision for communism has never really existed. Playing off of that, would a Utopian society even be possible today? Would it make people happy? Or would it inevitably turn into a Dystopia? Ok Jason, have at it.

Image credit : A version of Utopia from last century-Robert McCall 1983 Mural, The Prologue and the Promise http://www.jomec.co.uk/intercardiff/food-culture/searching-for-utopia