> Assuming that democracy and communism are oposites > is false. Democracy is a > system of government, whereas communism is an > economic model. The reason > the two are usually incompatible is because the > people of a democracy > generally don't trust the government with un-checked > power, and, it follows > that they don't trust the government with management > of land and resources > either.
Well I disagree with your evaluation of Communism. Rather, its both an economic AND political system. Marxist communism dictates and overthrow of the ruling class and a temporary "dictatorship of the proletariat" until an ultimate, classless, governmentless Utopia can be created. Lenninist (or Stalinist) Communism declares that the ultimate form of Marxist communism is impossible, so a permanent "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" must be created for the greater good. Clearly, Communism is a Political system as well as economic. I'd liken ST politics as more along the lines of a federalized democracy, with broad independent powers for each member state (far more than what is available, FREX, for the US). So far the only real detail we've seen is Earth's, and it seems more like a Socialist economic model than a Communist one (see above, also see more). This is because it seems the state provides for basic needs of all citizens, but economic exploitation above that can fall into the purview of the private individuals(i.e. Picard's family winery). So you might have a "hybrid" system, where the government sees to everyone's basic needs (perhaps with large scale ownership of the major industries), but where small businesses are allowed and encouraged to flourish. But we really don't know anything from the "Canon" sources about other member-states, FREX Andoria, Vulcan (which really may be Communist, as it seems "logical...") etc. Damon. > > If land and resources were managed by the democratic > process as well, there > is less likelyhood of distrust, so it could > theoretically be achieved. > > Michael Harney > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > _______________________________________________ > http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l > > ===== ------------------------------------------------------------ Damon Agretto [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." http://www.geocities.com/garrand.geo/index.html Now Building: ------------------------------------------------------------ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
