<p>Hi, I started a communist club today at my high school...</p>
<p>The purpose of my club was not to be pro-communist, but rather to discuss the political, economic, social implications of communism. for example, 1.3 billion of the world's 6.7 billion people are under communist rule. I want to focus on how communism can be made to work better in the modern world.</p>
<p>However, "communist" has an inherently negative connotation of genocide and killing... I was wondering if any CC'ers can come up with a name that has a more philosophical and intellectually curious conntation of "communist club"</p>
<p>Also, does anyone have suggestions of what events my club can partake in? (e.g. state competitions/ ect...). Also, what "cool" things should be done during meeting dates? (besides discussion, philosophy, ect..)</p>
<p>Hmm…I’m not sure. Personally, I would have started a pro democracy/republican club as opposed to an educational club about communism. I’m not really sure what you can do with that in terms of national competitions etc. Maybe you can do some research and see how some other clubs(if there are any) conducted something like that. I can definitely give you some ideas for pro democracy and republican clubs, but I can’t think of too much for an informative communist club. All I can suggest is that you talk about the effects communism has had on societies, and the positives and negatives of these effects. Then again, I suppose I’m a little confused with the purpose of your club. You are trying to alternate communism in a way in which it would be beneficial to society? Wouldn’t democracy work better? Sorry, I’m baffled:/</p>
<p>Thx Wartsandall: can you give me some ideas about what you did as events for your pro-democracy and republican club…</p>
<p>The purpose of the club is to figure out how to make communism work better in countries like China (b.c a sudden turn to democracy can result in catastrophe, as evidenced in the 1990s fall of Soviet Union)</p>
<p>LOL! Getting communism to work better. I’m sure the people of North Korea are dying to wait for that answer from a bevy of American high school students.</p>
<p>I had taken graduate classes on socialist political theory, which involved reading excerpts of Das Kapital, and that was painful. Good luck getting high school students discussing communism in any serious manner. I doubt that even 5 percent of them has opened the Communist Manifesto and read it cover to cover. And that book is only the most basic introduction to communism.</p>
<p>Are you implying that starting a throughout-the-year communist club will lead to less profound thought than having 1 or 2 sessions in a debate club?</p>
<p>that is superficial.</p>
<p>Does anyone else have any other constructive criticism/ advice?</p>
<p>I think you should just turn it into a politics club and research other philosophies like Libertarianism, Socialism, Paleoconservatism, etc. Though your main focus might be on communism, it will always have a negative connotation unless you look at the whole spectrum of political thought.</p>
<p>^^^^^Hmm…personally(just my opinion), I would suggest you avoid that. I think you should focus on how to make a gradual integration of democracy within the countries. You have to consider how some countries somehow are able to run using democracy without having anything catastrophic as a result. Ultimately, you could focus on countries who are run through other countries and who’s leaders hold too much power over the people(Ex: African countries) Many of the African countries suffer due to a lack of individualization and consideration for the majority of the people(more focus is on the elite class) You can talk about a gradual integration of democracy through the help of outside sources with the sole intent of improving other’s conditions and not their own. For example, wealthy countries like America and some European countries should become involved within the African countries by setting up a more balanced society. While this isn’t going to happen over night, through changes, the nations can begin to develop on its own. You can also talk about problems that could arise that must be prevented. In the past, the developing countries have had a reliance on the wealthier nations, but have developed no progression of independent set ups. Instead, the wealthier nations have used this as an advantage to acquire items that they are in need of(ex: oil, crops, and other materials) You could hold meetings discussing possible solutions to avoid this, and reasons that would motivate the wealthier countries to get involved in helping formulate a democracy. Some ideas could be that the wealthier nations should realize that the economy will improve through the developing countries self production of their own goods, which would create less of a reliance on other countries. In addition to this, the wealthier countries would gain allies during times of war and would be provided with support. Lastly, it would decrease global warming(not by anything drastic, but any reduction should always be considered a positive) This would occur because the developing countries wouldn’t be strugging to survive due to their own businesses and gradual accumulation of wealth. They wouldn’t be destroying soil, trees, and wildlife. You could also raise money for certain causes… I could go on for a while lol, but these are just some ideas to consider.<br>
BTW: Sorry if none of this made too much sense…I wrote it down quickly haha</p>
<p>SG: thx, I agree it always has negative connotations</p>
<p>Can anyone create a phrase to mitigate the negative connotation by adding other words to it?.. (e.g. non-violent communist exploration group) …that sounds wierd tho lol</p>
<p>redunne: why do schools have philosophy clubs? To explore philosophy and interest, it is very unlikely that a high schooler will pull an Ayn Rand. The communist club can discuss opinions/ start events to spread the word to the public of what true communism is about/ modern communism</p>
<p>I’m guessing my idea doesn’t help you? haha
Regardless though, is there a purpose in formulating this club? Do you believe that communism can be altered into something more beneficial than democracy? Why would people join this club? Who would be benefited by this club? Haha, sorry for all of the questions, but I think it helps one comprehend their true purpose in making a club and helps single out what they intend to focus on.</p>
<p>communism doesn’t work. not in theory, not in practice. if you want to have a discussion about communism in general, make a book club. read the communist manifesto and then read atlas shrugged.</p>
<p>No, communism does not work in theory, just as x = x +1 is wrong in theory. Communist theory demands: from each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Where this theory self contradicts is that wants are a need. The pursuit of happiness is a need just as important as food and shelter.</p>
<p>"how can china not only exist, but also thrive economically… "</p>
<p>…China is not communist economically or politically. It has a party that is called the Communist Party, but that party does not promote Communism in any form–not Marxism, not Leninism, not Trotskism, and not even Maoism. It practices capitalism with some state-own operations. The phenomenon of Asian countries picking national champions to promote export is quite common. Korean has Hyundai and Japan has Toyota and Sony. China takes it a step farther (or backward) and actually owns a part of the corporation. But unlike old fashion socialism, the “state-owned” companies act more like national champions than a complete agency of the state. They issue stocks that the public can buy. In fact, the Chinese stock market is one of the hottest in the world right now. The Chinese government is thus a major stock holder rather than a complete proprietor. Gle, I am beginning to doubt you actually know what communism is and what is its operation in theory and in practice.</p>
<p>To learn more about China’s modern macroeconomic and economic development over the past 70 years, pick up * The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth * by Barry Naughton. The book isn’t a light reading and some background in economic is required. I think you desperately need a better education on China and its “communist” party. </p>