May I join Komsomol?

I want to join Komsomol because of the fascinating-looking discussions I've seen go on in the Serious Discussion forum. I think I should join Komsomol because while I'm not the most active member here by any stretch of the imagination, I come on when I can and try to contribute to discussions.

2 points
Explain communism in at least one sentence:
A classless, cashless, stateless society.

2 points
Explain socialism in at least one sentence:
A system providing for the needs of all of its people. Workers own the means of production.

2 points
Explain capitalism in at least one sentence:
Unjust yet efficient system in its death throes. People with the most money in it usually have had no hand in what actually built their fortune for several years.

2 points
Explain democracy in at least one sentence:
Rule by the people.

2 points
Explain dictatorship in at least one sentence:
A government lacking democracy, power usually consolidated in the hands of one person or an elite.

2 points
Name at least one communist country:
Closest thing to it? Paris Commune.

2 points
How many communist countries exist currently?
None.

2 points
What kind of economic system is there currently in EU countries?
Keynesian capitalism.

2 points
Give a scenario when each of the following is bad:
dictatorship, democracy

Democracy: When the people are desperate, with a misplaced sense of bitterness. See the 1932 German presidential election...

Dictatorship: Honestly, most historical cases are horrid. When the leader is incredibly paranoid, perhaps?

2 points
What are the strengths and weaknesses of free market and centrally planned economy. (name at least one strength and one weakness for each.)

Free market:
Strength - Efficiency, it provides goods at a fast rate for those with the resources to purchase them.
Weakness - Injustice, it provides exorbitant profits to people with absolutely no hand in the production of what they sell, leaving the people who actually made the product with nowhere near enough to get by on.

Planned economy:
Strength- Social justice, it provides to everyone, with everyone living comfortably.
Weakness- Unable to deal with major hurdles such as an unexpected poor harvest, oil field fire, etc. Due to the planned economy setting quotas for how many units of something are to be produced, an oil field fire or something similar could deal significant damage to the country's GDP.

I say yes. You seem like you have a good understanding, except nobody here will agree that Cuba is communist.

calinis wrote:

I say yes. You seem like you have a good understanding, except nobody here will agree that Cuba is communist.

I don't believe it is either. In truth, I could have easily said the Paris Commune...in fact, that would have been a far better example.

If you define communism as this:

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Explain communism in at least one sentence:
A classless, cashless, stateless society.

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Name at least one communist country:
Cuba

How does Cuba, a country with a State, money and classes figure as a communist country? Or you follow your understanding and the real definition of communism or you follow a stupid misnomenclature.

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
How many communist countries exist currently?
Under my definition? None. Under the West's and their own? Five.

Being your definition incomplete but valid, and the "West's and their own" definition invalid you don't even have to use the second.

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Give a scenario when each of the following is bad:
dictatorship, democracy

Democracy: When the people are desperate, with a misplaced sense of bitterness. See the 1932 German presidential election...

Kenzu would love this answer. However it's wrong. That's not a case in which democracy has been bad. Not only is bad a subjective term but also there was no democracy in said case. Ignorant masses are unable to practice democracy. How can you take a decision on what you don't know. For people to be able to practice democracy, that is for democracy to exist, people must first count with knowledge on the repercusion of their decisions and must count with an understanding of the mechanisms ruling this world. Then they can decide.

Zealot_Kommunizma wrote:

If you define communism as this:

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Explain communism in at least one sentence:
A classless, cashless, stateless society.

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Name at least one communist country:
Cuba

How does Cuba, a country with a State, money and classes figure as a communist country? Or you follow your understanding and the real definition of communism or you follow a stupid misnomenclature.

I was answering the question in terms of the stupid misnomenclature. Again, I suppose the Leninist RSFSR or the Paris Commune would be a better example, if not perfect ones.

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
How many communist countries exist currently?
Under my definition? None. Under the West's and their own? Five.

Being your definition incomplete but valid, and the "West's and their own" definition invalid you don't even have to use the second.

True enough.

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Give a scenario when each of the following is bad:
dictatorship, democracy

Democracy: When the people are desperate, with a misplaced sense of bitterness. See the 1932 German presidential election...

Kenzu would love this answer. However it's wrong. That's not a case in which democracy has been bad. Not only is bad a subjective term but also there was no democracy in said case. Ignorant masses are unable to practice democracy. How can you take a decision on what you don't know. For people to be able to practice democracy, that is for democracy to exist, people must first count with knowledge on the repercusion of their decisions and must count with an understanding of the mechanisms ruling this world. Then they can decide.

I can't help but concede this one to you.

sure
you seem decent and knowlegeable

Sure, but you get the test, after you get more votes yes and stuff...so..yar..

anyways, sure join ^.^

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Name at least one communist country:
Cuba

2 points
How many communist countries exist currently?
Under my definition? None. Under the West's and their own? Five.

I am quite happy with all the answers, except two. First of all what made you think that Cuba is communist? You have said yourself it isn't, so why do you conflict yourself in the answers?

The next question is why do you state that under west definition there are 5 communist states? Who is this "West" and where is the definition?

And the last question is, why should we listen to what the west has to say, if the west has no such countries?

You could answer if there are such countries officially and if there are such countries in reality.

Officialy there are no communist countries (Cuba is officialy socialist)

De facto there aren't any communist countries either. (If Cuba is socialist is another question, which can be debated forever.)

Kenzu wrote:

Zeronos wrote:

2 points
Name at least one communist country:
Cuba

2 points
How many communist countries exist currently?
Under my definition? None. Under the West's and their own? Five.

I am quite happy with all the answers, except two. First of all what made you think that Cuba is communist? You have said yourself it isn't, so why do you conflict yourself in the answers?

The next question is why do you state that under west definition there are 5 communist states? Who is this "West" and where is the definition?

And the last question is, why should we listen to what the west has to say, if the west has no such countries?

You could answer if there are such countries officially and if there are such countries in reality.

Officialy there are no communist countries (Cuba is officialy socialist)

De facto there aren't any communist countries either. (If Cuba is socialist is another question, which can be debated forever.)

I misinterpreted the question regarding 'name one communist country'. And the West is the western world. I've already conceded that the criticisms are valid and that my answers could have used a bit more thought.

You may revise your answer if you like.

Done. So, am I in? 7 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 undecided, poll ran for a week.