HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK
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Hi Barry &all
Barry in one of his many posts quotes from what Marx and Engels said
in the 1840s and 1850s about socialism/communism not being then
immediately possible.
Doesn't he realise that we are now living in the 21st century?
In any event, here's what Engels wrote as early as thirty years later
in 1877,later published in his "Socialism, Utopian and Scientific"
(incidentally, in my opinion, perhaps the best introduction to
"Marxism"
by Marx-Engels):
"The possibility of securing for every member of society, by means
of socialised production, an existence not only sufficient materially,
and becoming day by day more full, but an existence guaranteeing to all
the free development and exercise of their physical and mental
faculties -this possibility is now for the first time here, but it is
here."
That was, what, some 125 years ago. What's happened since from a
technological point of view?
Well, then, the main means of transport were the steam engine and the
horse-drawn carriage and streets and houses were lit by gas. Since then
we've had: the deisel engine, the internal combustion engine,
electricity,airplanes, plastics, electronics, computers,communications
satellites,etc, etc.
The effect has been to increase the powers of production at the
disposition of humanity immensely so that, yes, we can go over
immediately to a society of common ownership, democratic control,
production solely for use and distribution according to the principle
"from each their ability, to each their needs".
"Transition periods", "labour-time vouchers" and the like are outdated,
19th century concepts.
Let those who dispute that the powers of production are not
sufficiently
developed to move over immediately to such a socialist/communist (the
same thing) society present their case as to why they think this is not
so.
Are they seriously saying that the Earth's resources are not sufficient
to provide every man, woman and child on the planet with more than
adequate food, clothing, shelter, clean water and all the other things
needed to live and lead an enjoyable life?
No quotes from the 19th century accepted.
jt
www.worldsocialism.org
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